Embedded Files
Cadets have the opportunity to compete for a slot to attend some of the U.S. Army's specialty training schools. Most training happens during the summer months, but some slots are available during winter. These schools provide Cadets with the opportunity to prove themselves amongst current service members of all ages and job fields with years of military experience. There are a limited number of slots available (if any for certain schools), so selection for schools is competitive and based on factors such as Order of Merit ranking, ROTC grades, academic grades, participation in ROTC activities, APFT/ACFT scores, and cadre recommendations.
Airborne School
There is nothing like leaping from an aircraft in flight with 600 of your closest buddies. Airborne School is a three-week course held at Fort Benning, Georgia. You will learn how to successfully parachute from various Army and Air Force aircraft. At the end of the course, you make five static-line jumps onto Fryar Drop Zone and earn the coveted parachutist badge. Airborne!
"Airborne school was an amazing opportunity to meet new people from all over the military and to see how big Army works. Plus, nothing beats the view 1250 feet up. I would definitely recommend this opportunity to anyone, especially if you are scared of heights."
- CDT Drescher, Fritz
Air Assault School
This school combines the utility of rappelling with the excitement of riding in helicopters. Also, students learn how to hook objects like LMTV (Light Medium Tactical Vehicle) and Humvee (HMMWV-High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) underneath hovering helicopters. Air assault is as mentally challenging as it is physically demanding. It requires the student to be strong in both mind and body before attending. The reward for 10 days of hard work is the coveted air assault badge.
"AIR ASSAULT! is a great opportunity to learn and prepare for your career in a fast paced high stress environment. It will help you to think quick and efficient. You will get many great opportunities from graduating from this course such as: learning the capabilities of Army helicopters, being qualified to inspect helicopter sling loads, and repelling out of a Black Hawk Helicopter."
- CDT Sharp, Andrew
MASTER FITNESS TRAINER COURSE
Master Fitness Trainer Course (MFTC) is 2 week course that includes 60 hours of distributive learning before hand. During MFTC, individuals are trained on how to properly and effectively create PRT programs to ensure that units of all kinds are at their peak of physical readiness. Individuals are certified in grading fitness tests, learn about nutritional importance, and a number of different ways to train!
"I would recommend MFTC to anyone who is able to go! I learned so much that will always be applicable to my career, my life, and the lives of others"
- CDT Hanks, Courtney
Mountain Warfare Training
This school is not for the faint of heart. Mountain warfare is taught at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vermont. It is taught in two phases, each lasting two weeks. The summer phase teaches and tests Cadets on military mountaineering operations including rock climbing, rappelling, and orienteering. The winter phase teaches and tests on similar tasks but in the winter environment. It includes ice climbing, cross-country skiing, and cold weather operations. Upon successful completion, cadets are awarded the Ramshead Device. The course is physically and mentally demanding, and you should definitely train up for it.
"This specialty school was so much fun. I got to meet people of all rank and experience in the Army. Every single day was packed with adventurous activities and learning. This school will leave you with lots of amazing connections across the army and wanting to go back for the additional advanced courses. Get your Echo identifier, and become an Army Basic Mountaineer!"
- CDT Tobin, Elizabeth
Northern Warfare Cadet Orientation Course
Spend part of your summer climbing mountains and glaciers. This three-week course is held at Fort Greeley, Alaska, and is designed to teach you mountaineering, rock and glacier climbing, knots and cold-weather survival.
Cold Weather Operations Course
Course training includes a wide range of cold-weather subjects, including skiing and snowshoe training, how to use ahkio sleds, setting up the Arctic 10-person cold-weather tent, cold-water immersion training, and improvised shelter building. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, proper wear of cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and more.
"Cold Weather Operations Course (CWOC) is all about hands on learning because the only real way to learn how to eat, sleep, and work in the cold is to actually do it. We spent 6 days in a classroom before completing 6 days and nights in the Wisconsin Winter Wilderness. You end the 6 days with my favorite part: Jumping into a frozen lake."
- CDT Sharp, Andrew
Sapper Leader Course
The Sapper Leader Course is a demanding 28 day leadership development course for combat engineers at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The course reinforces critical skills and teaches advanced techniques needed across the Army. The Sapper Leader Course is also designed to build Esprit de Corps by training Soldiers in troop leading procedures, demolitions, and mountaineering operations. The course culminates in an intense field training exercise that reinforces the use of the battle drills and specialized engineer techniques learned throughout the course.
"Sapper School was an amazing experience that challenged my leadership abilities in the most extreme of conditions and taught me a lifetime worth of material. Having the opportunity to train and lead amongst some of the Army’s most motivated soldiers was an experience I will forever cherish. I would recommend SLC for anyone that is serious about exceeding the standard and working as a highly functioning member of a team."
- CDT Casey, Kristofer
Combat Diver Qualification Course
The Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC) is one of the most physically and mentally demanding training opportunities for cadets. Training is held at the United States Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida for 6 weeks. Combat divers are trained in waterborne operations to include day and night ocean subsurface navigation swims, day and night team infiltration dives, deep dives, diving physics, marine hazards, tides and currents, submarine lock-in/lock-out familiarization, and closed-circuit and open-circuit dives.
"“The CDQC was among one of the greats experiences of my life. I was able to participate first hand in Special Operation Underwater training, exercises, and events. Throughout the entire course students were placed in stressful situations and forced to act accordingly. I can not recommend this course enough, especially if you are considering combat arms or Special Operations.”
- CDT Fancher, John
Report abuse