By Shane Ersland

U.S. Army ROTC

FORT KNOX, Ky. --- Three cadets at the Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox know they have family support close by, but just out of reach for now. LTC is an intense four-week introduction to Army life and leadership training of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. The aim of the course is to motivate and qualify cadets for entry into the Senior ROTC program.

Quanesha Robinson, Latoya Valadez and Asia Duncan are close relatives all staying in the LTC barracks right now, though the only conversations they've had lately have been over the phone.

Robinson and Duncan are half-sisters, each having the same mother, while Valadez is their first cousin. They originally planned to come to Fort Knox at the same time, so they could be in the same company, but their orders called for them to come separately.

"I'm a little sad because we're not together," said Robinson. "We could have encouraged each other to get through training."

Duncan, however, said the separation might be for the best.

"I think it's better that we're apart because I'd be more laid back if we were here together," she said.

Valadez, who attends St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, N.C., arrived at LTC June 5. Robinson, who also goes to St. Augustine's College, came a week later. Duncan, who attends New Mexico Military Institute, arrived Saturday.

Robinson recalled seeing Valadez at the dining facility early in her training.

"I waved and yelled at her and she said ‘Shhhhh! I don't want to get in trouble,' " Robinson said.

Valadez had her drill sergeant close by, and was afraid he would see the two talking.

"I said ‘I love you,' but I couldn't say more because he was right there," she said.

All three cadets want to become officers. Robinson wants to go into the medical service and Valadez wants join the military police.

Valadez will be done with her training Saturday, and is looking forward to spending some time with Robinson when she graduates next week.

"We're already making plans about going to a beach house," Valadez said.

Related Links

1. http://leaderstrainingcourse.com