Training for the Climb Ahead: Revived Rappel Tower Strengthens UofL Cadets’ Path to Army Leadership

By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences 

A new refurbishment project supported by the dean’s office is making sure that cadets in the Army ROTC program have access to a functioning 40-foot rappel tower located on the Belknap campus, which will support them in achieving greater success during summer training in Fort Knox. 

Cadet summer training is required as part of the Army ROTC curriculum between junior and senior year. Major Grayson Saint, APMS, UofL Army ROTC, says that when the newly repaired tower is up and running by the beginning of fall semester, it will be transformative for cadets’ preparation. 

“This will give them a leg up, because all of the cadets in ROTC compete against every other cadet in the nation. So, each year, about 7,000 cadets go through summer training in Fort Knox – and every single one of them is assessed against each other,” he said. “This gives the UofL cadets an edge over the rest of the cadets across the country because they will have already seen the tower, they’ll have the chance to practice the rappelling, and they will know they can handle the ropes. It puts them at an advantage.” 

If one cadet wants to be an engineer officer and another wants the same position - but engineers only have one allocation, the Army will always pick the individual who performed better overall. This includes their performance on the rappel tower at summer training in Fort Knox. 

“You’re already stressed out down there knowing you are being evaluated on everything you do,” Major Saint states. “It really puts them in a better position.” 

The rappel tower on campus is 40 feet tall and has two different platforms – a 30-foot platform and 40-foot platform. Cadets will start at the lower level and make their way to the top, where they will then lock in their rappel gear and harness, and make their way back to the bottom. 

"They need to learn to trust their gear, trust their training, and know that they are safe,” Major Saint said. “They jump off, glide down, and everything is good.” 

During COVID, the rappel tower seemed to have been abandoned and forgotten, falling into disrepair with rotting platforms that are unusable. Thanks to cadets who have volunteered, along with their family members, 10-foot-tall weeds have been cleared out, an old shed was torn down, and a new shed has been constructed. One of the cadet’s fathers owns a construction company. He volunteered and brought a dumpster so they could get all of the debris removed. He also brought 8 additional volunteers – and pizza! 

“We've got a great culture here. It's a big family,” Major Saint said. “We are a tight knit group. All of our ROTC cadets know each other, they lean on each other no matter what their major is. Being a cadet forms that bond.” 

The tower is important to the larger campus community as well.  

"We do leadership training outreach to the JB Speed School of Engineering and for the A&S Criminal Justice Department,” Major Saint said. “We offer leadership training and seminars every year for the Speed School for their capstone. Our hope is they can do a session there for a team building exercise at the rappel tower.” 

Moving forward, the volunteer experience is also something that cadets can add to their resumes. 

“They have learned some carpentry skills and a lot of these students are 18 or 19 years old and maybe have not had a job or work in the past,” he said. “They can add this volunteer project, and it gives them some practical skills.” 

To donate to support this project, click here.