What To Expect!
Army ROTC Basic Course
The Basic Course takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. It normally involves one elective class and lab each semester along with the requisite physical training and field training exercises. You will learn basic military skills, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Courses without a military commitment.
Freshman Year: Preparing For Success As An Army Officer
Topics covered include:
- Introduction to Army Leadership
- Army Customs and Traditions
- Military Operations and Tactics
- Goal Setting and Accomplishment
- Health and Physical Fitness
Sophomore Year: The Role Of An Officer
Topics covered include:
- Applied Leadership Theory
- Communications
- Principles of War
- Military Operations and Tactics
Army ROTC Advanced Course
The Advanced Course takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. It normally includes one elective class and lab each semester in addition to the requisite physical training and field training exercises, plus a summer leadership camp called the Leadership Development and Assesment Course (LDAC). You will learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning and decision-making. To benefit from the leadership training in the Advanced Course, all Cadets must have completed either the Basic Course, have attended the Leader's Training Course, or completed Basic Combat training with the regular Army, National Guard or Army Reserve. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.
Junior Year: Leading Small Tactical Units
Topics covered include:
- Command and Staff Functions
- Law of War
- Weapons
- Team Dynamics and Peer Leadership
- Military Operations and Tactics
Senior Year: Transition To Becoming An Officer
Topics covered include:
- Training the Force
- Military Justice
- Ethical Decision Making
- Personnel Management
- Cultural Awareness
- Post and Installation Support
- Military Operations and Tactics
Leaders Training Course (LTC)
There are scholars among you who aspire to achieve something even greater than a college degree. They aspire to be leaders. They are Army ROTC Cadets - and you can join them by attending the Leader's Training Course (LTC).
LTC is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, KY. This course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training Cadets receive in the Basic Course. By transforming yourself through this rigorous training, you will qualify for enrollment in the Army ROTC Advanced Course on campus-provided you have two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate). Once you successfully complete LTC and agree to contract and enter the Advanced Course, you may also qualify to receive a $5,000 bonus.
At LTC you experience the Army firsthand. You will receive the kind of leadership development training that is unmatched by any other program. How? By developing your potential in the most important of ways-mentally, physically and emotionally. You will be grouped into squads where you will gain experience in all leadership roles-culminating in verbal and written feedback on your improvement. You will also receive a stipend, transportation to and from Fort Knox, housing and meals. The four weeks and four phases of LTC can lead you to the ultimate goal: becoming an Army Officer.
The benefits of this leadership training will extend well beyond your college years into any career you choose. You may even qualify for a two-year scholarship that may take care of your college tuition and many other expenses.
The Four Phases Of LTC
Soldier First Phase
Upon arrival, Cadets are immersed in the ways of the Army. They begin Physical Training (PT) and Drill and Ceremony (D&C) which instill self-discipline and prepare them for the rigors and challenges of the upcoming weeks. Cadets also spend time on the Team Development course where they work together to overcome obstacles in simulated tactical situations.
Warrior Leader Phase
This phase builds on the basics Cadets have learned by extending into adventure training in the field. Combat Water Survival Training, rappelling, land navigation and marksmanship training provide physical challenges that test Cadets individually while developing teamwork skills. Also included in this phase are squad tactics, urban combat simulations and orienteering.
Bold Leader Phase
In this phase, Cadets learn squad-level operations by taking part in demanding field exercises. During these exercises each Cadet, in turn, is called upon to lead their squad in every part of a mission-from receiving orders and analyzing the terrain to making a plan and attaining the objective. All the while, Cadets receive detailed feedback on their leadership abilities.
Future Leader Phase
Cadets in this fourth and final phase are given comprehensive guidance from their LTC instructors to get a sense of their accomplishments over the past weeks. While performing continuing daily tasks such as physical fitness, Cadets also arrange and take part in their Family Day, graduation and awards ceremonies.
