Cadet Summer Training

What is Basic Camp?

Army ROTC Basic Camp is a 32-day training event designed to introduce Cadets to the Army. The objective is to develop Cadet leadership skills, train them on individual and junior leader tasks, develop and reinforce the Warrior Ethos, and our Army Values. Basic Camp provides the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in ROTC, and the Army. Cadets graduate Basic Camp prepared to lead at the team, 3-4 Cadets, and squad, 9-13 Cadets, level.

Basic Camp’s primary target audience are Lateral Entry Cadets and freshman Cadets in the two-year early commissioning program (ECP). Lateral Entry Cadets typically decide to join ROTC in their sophomore year of college. They attend Basic Camp to learn what normal-progression Cadets learned in their first two years of military science (MS) classes. Basic Camp allows MS II Cadets to gain squad leader experience providing opportunities for some MS III (rising senior) Cadets to fulfill roles as platoon-level leaders. Basic Camp consists of nearly three regiments composed of approximately 1,200 Cadets.

Cadets are taught to conduct troop leading procedures (TLPs) to plan and execute tactical missions at the squad level. As Cadets gain experience and confidence through the training, they apply lessons learned from the after-action review (AAR) process.

Basic Camp is Divided into Five Phases:

Phase I (Reception)

Consists of in-processing, physicals, equipment issue, introduction to drill and ceremony, physical training, and drill sergeants. Phase I is the first five days of Basic Camp.

Phase II (Indoctrination)

Focuses on general team building, which includes briefs on duty position roles and responsibilities, Army history, and physical fitness. Cadets continue with physical training to complete their first Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), a 4-mile foot march, and refine their advanced drill and ceremony. Phase II covers the next five days of Basic Camp.

Phase III (Individual Task Development)

During this phase Cadets are trained in basic Soldier tasks consisting of, basic rifle marksmanship, land navigation, field craft and individual movement techniques. Cadets will also build their confidence through a high-ropes course, a team-based obstacle course, and the night infiltration course (NIC). Phase III is eight days.

Phase IV (Tactical Field Training)

Focuses on troop leading procedures during a Field Training Exercise (FTX). Cadets will lead in field conditions, planning and executing missions using all the Soldier and leadership skills they learned in the previous phases. This phase is conducted primarily in a field environment over the course of five days concluding with a 6-mile foot march.

Phase V (Recovery)

Cadets learn the importance of mission recovery and reflect on their personal growth from the previous weeks of training. Cadets also learn the importance of providing developmental feedback to their peers, as well as receiving the same from their peers and cadre. Cadets are provided an opportunity to develop personal goals to focus on during their upcoming ROTC academic year and other training opportunities. Phase V is seven days long.

 What is Advanced Camp? 

Army ROTC Advanced Camp is a 35-day training event designed to develop a Cadet’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and to forge them into tough, adaptable leaders who can thrive in ambiguous and complex environments. Advanced Camp is the capstone leader development opportunity for all Cadets between their Military Science (MS) III and MS IV years of ROTC.

Advanced Camp focuses on problem-solving in an operational setting to develop leader competencies; those intangible traits and attributes allow leaders to thrive in challenging conditions. Advanced Camp consists of 10 regiments composed of more than 6,000 Cadets.

Cadets reinforce basic skills through squad (9-13 Cadets) level leader development exercises, and transition to platoon (40-50 Cadets) level operations in a company construct. Advanced Camp consists of four phases, mirroring a deployment to an allied country that requires U.S. assistance.

Advanced Camp is divided into four phases: 

Phase I (Reception and Staging)

Consists of the Cadets’ travel to Fort Knox, CST in-processing, senior leader briefs, and the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), Phase I is conducted over five days.

Phase II (Integration)

Focuses on reinforcing basic skills in squad-level exercises. Cadets will build confidence through the Field Leaders’ Reaction Course (FLRC) and rappel tower. Cadets will refine their Soldier tasks through land navigation, first aid, basic rifle marksmanship (BRM), hand grenade, and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) training. Phase II is conducted over 11 days.

Phase III (Deployment and Field Training Exercise)

The deployment phase transitions the Cadet platoons from rehearsing Soldier tasks and battle drills into platoon-level exercises against a fully resourced, ‘near-peer’ opposing force (OPFOR). The major Advanced Camp event is the field training exercise (FTX). During the FTX, Cadets must plan offensive, defensive, and stability operations, leading fellow Cadets in the execution of their plans. This event is conducted in a non-scripted operational environment that allows Cadre to add complex situations to test the Cadets’ performance at each stage. Phase III is best described as a ‘crawl, walk, run’ training program and is conducted over 12 days.

Phase IV (Redeployment and Reintegration)

Cadets perform deliberate recovery, prepare peer evaluations and self-assessments, and conduct physical training to include the must-pass 12-mile road march. Cadets receive a Cadet Officer Evaluation Report (COER), discuss successes and opportunities, graduate, and return to their homes. The final phase is conducted over 7 days.

Advanced Camp Highlights

RECONDO Badge

The RECONDO badge is awarded to Cadets who display superior skills at Advanced Camp. They must exceed the standards in APFT, confidence courses, land navigation, marksmanship, first aid, CBRN, and the 12-mile foot march.

Land Navigation

The land navigation training outcomes develop, assess and train Cadets in basic dismounted land navigation skills. Cadets demonstrate their ability to perform basic land navigation skills during day and night conditions on a verified course in varied terrain. Cadets are also taught advanced land navigation skills and associated tasks, which include mounted land navigation, range estimation, terrain analysis, and call for fire.

Confidence Training

This includes rappel training, the slide for life, log walk/rope drop, and confidence and obstacle courses. Confidence training is designed to challenge the Cadets’ physical courage, build confidence in personal abilities, and help them overcome fear. At the rappelling site, each Cadet executes one 70-foot rappel and several 37-foot rappels. Cadets demonstrate confidence in their ability to overcome fear of heights by executing the confidence/obstacle course, log walk/rope drop and slide for life.

Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM)

The Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) training familiarizes Cadets with select US weapons, capabilities and employment techniques. Cadets receive training in order to conduct zero/qualification with the M4/M16A2 rifle, to gain confidence in their assigned weapon and in their training by engaging targets on the range. After a Cadet has qualified on his or her assigned weapon, upon completion of all BRM training. Cadets are prepared for future collective training and have confidence in their weapon system.

First Aid

Cadets are trained on selected first aid tasks. By the end of the training, each Cadet is capable of applying life-saving first aid techniques to ensure battle buddy survivability on the modern battlefield. Instructors utilize training aids and resources to teach and test to the Combat Lifesaver standard on the following tasks: evaluate a casualty, airway management, CPR, chest wounds, control bleeding and treat for shock. The Cadets also participate in a squad level situational exercise that incorporates administering first aid in a tactical setting. Cadets gain an understanding that every Soldier, regardless of rank, must be able to administer aid to their fellow Soldier.

The First Aid Committee is tasked with training and testing Cadets on selected first aid tasks. By the end of the training, each Cadet is capable of applying life-saving first aid techniques to ensure unit member survivability on the modern battlefield. The committee utilizes training aids and resources to teach and test to the Combat Lifesaver standard the following tasks: Evaluate a Casualty, Airway Management, CPR, Chest Wounds, Control Bleeding and treat for Shock. The Cadets also participate in a squad level situational exercise that incorporates administering first aid in a tactical setting. Cadets walk away from training with realization that every Soldier, regardless of rank, must be able to administer aid to their fellow soldier.

Field Leader's Reaction Course

FLRC is designed to develop and evaluate leadership, and to build teamwork early in the training cycle. Course administration is accomplished using the established Cadet organization and chain of command. Cadet leadership potential is assessed by cadre that are certified as observer, controller, trainers or OCTs. Cadets are provided the opportunity to get early feedback on their leadership strengths, weaknesses, styles and techniques from the OCTs.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN)

Cadets are trained on CBRN tasks to develop confidence in the U.S. Army’s protective mask and chemical protective clothing. Cadets learn to correctly wear, operate and build confidence in their CBRN clothing and equipment. Cadets will gain an understanding of the leadership challenges and constraints associated with operating in a CBRN environment. The culminating experience at CBRN is exposure to the effects of live tear gas in the CBRN gas chamber.

Tactics Training

In the first block of tactics instruction, Cadets learn individual battlefield skills, movement formations, techniques and procedures necessary for subsequent tactical training at the squad level. Small unit tactical training is a vehicle to teach and evaluate leadership. It introduces conditions of stress that parallel those found in combat.

Tactical training introduces new skills, provides performance-oriented reinforcement opportunities and increases the degree of difficulty and sophistication of training events. Cadets learn the skills necessary to function in a tactical training area. This building-block approach provides the best opportunity for Cadets to learn and for Cadre to assess their leadership potential.

What is Cadet Professional Development Training?

Cadet Professional Development Training (CPDT) offers Cadets approximately 4,000 training opportunities annually to enhance their skills prior to commissioning as second lieutenants. CPDT includes Cadet Advanced Individual Training (CAIT), Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), Cadet Internships, and the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP).

Most Cadets who participate in these opportunities complete them as follow-on training after graduating from Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox.

Cadet Advanced Individual Training (CAIT)

Provides Cadets an opportunity to attend one of sixteen various military schools or variety of specialized training courses. Approximately 1,500 Cadets complete CAIT annually. Training slots vary in availability and are very competitive.

Examples of CAIT opportunities include Airborne, Air Assault, Combat Diver Qualification Course, Basic Military Mountaineer Course, and the Jungle Operations Training Course.

Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT)

Provides more than 1,300 Cadets an opportunity to develop leadership skills in a training environment as they shadow and learn from platoon leaders. The CTLT program also includes more than 400 Cadets who support CST to enhance their leadership skills during the Field Training Exercise (FTX) phase as trainers and as the opposing force (OPFOR).

There are two leadership opportunities within the CTLT Platoon Leader. The CTLT Platoon Leader Program consists of platoon leader positions identified by active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard units both CONUS and OCONUS. Non-SMP MSL III cadets are assigned to the CTLT Platoon Leader program by their PMS and must successfully complete Advanced Camp before proceeding to their assigned position.  Cadets are assigned for a period of three-weeks within the continental United States units and four-weeks with units outside of the continental United States. Cadets receive an Officer Evaluation Report upon completing the Platoon Leader assignment.

Installations and Branches Offered for CTLT:

• Fort Bliss, Texas:
  AD, OD
• Fort Moore, Georgia:
  AR, EN, FA, IN, OD, QM, TC
• Fort Drum, New York:
  AV, EN, FA, IN, OD, QM, SC, TC
• Fort Eustis, Virginia:
  AG, AV, MP, TC
• Fort Gordon, Georgia:
  OD
• Fort Cavazos, Texas:
  AG, AD, AR, AV, CM, EN, FA, FI, IN, MS, MI, MP, OD, QM, SC, TC
• Fort Knox, Kentucky:
  AR, FI, MP, TC
• Fort Polk, Louisiana:
  AG, AR, AV, EN, FA, FI, IN, MS, OD, QM, TC
• Fort Riley, Kansas:
  AR, AV, EN, FA, IN, MI, MP, QM, SC, TC
• Fort Rucker, Alabama:
  OD
• Fort Sill, Oklahoma:
  FA
• Fort Stewart & Hunter AAF, Georgia:
  AG, ADA, AR, AV, EN, FA, FI, IN, MS, MP, QM, SC, TC, OD
• Germany:
  AD, AR, AV, EN, FA, IN, MI, MP, MS, OD, QM, SC, TC
• Italy:
  AD, EN, FA, IN, MP, QM, TC
• Korea:
  AG, ADA, AR, AV, CM, EN, FA, FI, IN, MP, MS, OD, QM, SC, TC

Opposing Forces (OPFOR)

Approximately 288 MSII Cadets participate in this program that provides an in-depth tactical experience for Basic Camp Cadets. The Advance Camp OPFOR program is approximately 30-days in length and allows Cadets to test their leadership abilities at the fire team and squad levels from troop leading procedures to tactical operations against Advance Camp squads and platoons.

Cadet Internships

Cadet internships provide additional training opportunities for Cadets in specialized areas, technical fields, and research. The Department of Defense, universities, and various government and civilian agencies offer internships to more than 400 Army ROTC Cadets annually.

Examples of available internships include U.S. Army Cyber (ARCYBER), MIT Lincoln Lab Internship (MITLL), National Security Agency (NSA), Nuclear Science & Engineering Research Center (NSERC), JAG Corps (JAG), and the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) as well as opportunities at West Point and the FBI.

Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP)

The NSTP provides opportunities to practice and develop leadership in a clinical environment to more than 200 Cadets training to become Army Nurses. Cadets will work side-by-side with an Army Nurse Corps Officer in this 4-week long program. The NSTP partners with 20 hospitals across the continental United States and abroad, including Europe.

NSTP is a clinical immersion experience and is the pinnacle training event for future Army Nurse leaders. The goal of the NSTP is to provide Army ROTC Nurse Cadets with clinical experience in a hospital setting while introducing them to the duties, roles, responsibilities and expectations of an Army Nurse Corps Officer. The nurse Cadet will exercise leadership skills in a hospital environment by planning, organizing, decision-making, implementing and being accountable for the outcome of nursing care. Nurse Cadets will collaborate with health care professionals on decisions related to patient care, management, as well as unit issues and strategies utilized in the provision of medical care to a select population. Cadets attend NSTP at 17 Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) around the world, to include Germany, Hawaii, and Korea.

NSTP is a minimum 28-day training program. Included in the 28-day time period are travel days, in-processing, out-processing, and graduation. Cadets are expected to work the same full-time schedule as their assigned preceptors and may work any shift that the preceptor works. The goal of the program is to attain 150 clinical hours of training time. 120 hours is the absolute acceptable minimum. Cadets should work full-time until out-processing, with normally occurring days off, regardless of the number of clinical hours attained. Cadets are NOT permitted to discontinue training when the minimum number of hours is attained.

Primary clinical assignments can be made throughout the inpatient clinical arena to include: medical/surgical, critical care, maternal-child, emergency room, same day surgery/recovery room, burn unit, perioperative, and inpatient psychiatry. Cadets assigned to the OR or inpatient psychiatry should be limited to those Cadets who have expressed a desire to work in those particular areas, as the opportunity for hands-on skill development in these areas is limited. Assignments that enable the Cadet to develop and practice hands-on clinical skills are of utmost importance. When making Cadet assignments, site coordinators should consider the availability of preceptors, other MTF obligations, patient census, and Cadets' areas of interest whenever possible.

Cadets may be entitled to the ROTC daily camp rate of pay during NSTP. Cadets must be in a training status for a minimum of 28 days to be eligible for the camp rate of pay. Cadets who do not complete 28 days of training are not eligible for the camp rate of pay for any of the completed training period. Due to the processing requirements for Cadet pay, Cadets will likely not receive pay until after completion of the NSTP rotation. Therefore, Cadets should plan to have supplemental funds on hand for the duration of NSTP. Cadet pay issues that arise during NSTP should be directed to the USACC Deputy Chief Nurse for further inquiry.

To be eligible for NSTP participation, nurse Cadets must have completed their junior academic year of nursing, with successful completion of at least one semester or two quarters of a clinical nursing course (excluding Community Health or Psychiatric Nursing.) Cadets attending NSTP are required to have all basic immunizations and a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification valid for the duration of NSTP. The Brigade Nurse Counselors will validate all applications prior to attendance at NSTP. Exceptions to policy will be considered on a case by case basis as determined by the USACC Deputy Chief Nurse.

Cadets must be in good academic standing at their respective schools of nursing and have passed an Army Combat Fitness Test in the semester prior to NSTP. In addition, Cadets must meet HT/WT standards in accordance with Army Regulation 600-9.