Cadet Abigail Raines Leads Others While Facing Her Fear of Heights

July 19, 2013

Cadet Abigail Raines Leads Others While Facing Her Fear of Heights

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadet Abigail Raines, Alpha Co., 6th Regiment, from Monroe, Ga., and a psychology student at Georgia Southern University, slipped into the back of the line behind the rest of her squad at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. during the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC).

“I really don’t like it, but I’ve got to do it,” said Raines, her eyes darting to the looming structure in front of her. “I want to be a leader, so I’ve got to do it.”

Recently, Raines had to complete the Confidence Course, which sometimes requires cadets to climb towering structures. For some, it was just another physically draining training site, but for Raines, who is scared of heights, it was a constant mental battle.

As the name implies, the LDAC commits itself to molding bold and effective Army officers. This drives Raines, who said she doesn’t want momentary fear to ruin her career in the Army. For a pep talk, she tells herself she doesn’t want to be the only person who doesn’t do it.

“If you think about it as a team effort, you don’t want to hold your team back,” added Raines. 

When Raines’ turn came to complete the approximately 30-foot structure, her face reddened and she wheezed as she slowly put one foot then one hand a step higher. She sat on the platform at the top for several minutes before gingerly climbing onto the rope upside down.

Even though her intense fear and a weakened grip resulted in her failure to make it down the last few feet of rope, her fellow Cadets never stopped encouraging her.

Despite her hang-up with heights, Raines said she knows she has to complete the obstacles in order to be an effective leader and psychologist. But one encounter with extreme fear, she said, is probably enough.

“After LDAC, unless someone forces me, I’ll probably never do this again,” she said.