Military Schools and Special Training

Airborne Training

Limited quotas for volunteer airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, are available to Cadets who qualify. Applicants must have passed the airborne physical examination and attained the appropriate score on the APFT. Successful completion of this training entitles the Cadet to wear the Army Airborne Badge. The three weeks of training are divided into ground, tower, and jump week. Ground week concentrates on building individual skills, such as, the parachute landing falls. Jump week consists of 5 successful jumps. Find out more about the basic airborne course.

Air Assault Training

Successful completion of this course allows the Cadet to wear the Air Assault Badge. Requirements for selection are the same as for Airborne training. This 10-day school is designed to teach air assault skills and procedures, improve basic leadership skills, and instill the Air Assault spirit. During the course, Cadets face such challenges as an obstacle course, physical training, rappelling, troop ladder, rigging and sling leading, road marches, and evaluations. The Cadet can attend the Air Assault course at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, or Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Find out more about air assault training.

Northern Warfare Training Course (NWTC)

Highly motivated and physically qualified Cadets may apply for NWTC. The three-week training period is designed to familiarize the Cadet with winter operations, to include a River Phase and a Glacier Phase. The rivers, mountains, and ice fields of Alaska provide a physical and mental challenge as well as tactical experiences in a mountainous region. Find out more about the Northern Warfare Training Course.

Mountain Warfare Training

Mountain Warfare School is on the slopes of Vermont’s Green Mountains. “Tough” is a good way of describing the winter phase of the Mountain Warfare School. In two weeks, soldiers learn to ski and snowshoe. They patrol through waist-deep snow, using altimeter barometers instead of compasses. They climb 30-feet walls of solid ice, perform crevasse rescues, and learn survival skills. Find out more about mountain warfare training.

Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET)

The Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET) allows students to enter the Army ROTC Two-Year Program without any prior military or ROTC experience to qualify for Advanced Course entry. Through CIET students are provided the necessary training to ensure successes during the last two years for Army ROTC. While at CIET, instructors observe students and determine their officer potential in a leadership oriented, challenging, and motivating 28-day training program at Fort Knox, Kentucky. CIET is an exciting way to experience the ARMY. It is also a key step in the process of earning a commission as an Officer in the U.S. Army during the next two years on campus. This is a great opportunity to learn more about leadership, people, and most important, yourself! Find out more about Cadet Initial Entry Training.

Cadet Leadership Course (Basic Course)

The Cadet Leadership Course (CLC), or operation WARRIOR FORGE, is the most important training event for an Army ROTC Cadet or National Guard Officer Candidate. This event is required for Army ROTC Cadets striving to earn their commission as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard. Cadets attend Warrior Forge the summer of their junior and senior year. The 29-day camp, held at Fort Knox, KY, incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are rigorous and demanding, both mentally and physically. CLC tests intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. These challenges provide a new perspective on an individual’s ability to perform exacting tasks and to make difficult decisions in demanding situations. Find out more about the Cadet Leadership Course.

CLC (previously LDAC) is the culminating training event for an Army ROTC Cadet. All Cadets go to CLC in the summer between their MS III (Junior) and MS IV (Senior) years. The 32-day camp incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are rigorous and demanding, both mentally and physically. They test intelligence, common sense, ingenuity, and stamina. These challenges provide a new perspective on a Cadet’s ability to perform exacting tasks and to make difficult decisions under demanding conditions.

The camp places each Cadet in a variety of leadership positions, many of which simulate stressful combat situations. In each position, Cadets are evaluated by platoon tactical officers and noncommissioned officers. In addition to demonstrating their leadership ability, Cadets must meet established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication, combat patrols, and additional military skills. Cadets must excel at camp to be competitive for Army commissions.

Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT)

Limited Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) allocations are available annually to Cadets who wish to volunteer to participate. The CTLT program allows selected Cadets to be attached to active duty or reserve component units (on annual training) and serve in a leadership position. The program is approximately three weeks in duration, and is available only to MS III Cadets who attend NALC in the same year. Cadets who attend CTLT are paid at the same rate as for NALC. Overseas CTLT tours are usually four weeks. Upon completion of this assignment, Cadets receive a performance evaluation by an officer in the assigned unit. This evaluation is used by the PMS when providing further counseling and leadership training. Find out more about Cadet Troop Leader Training.