Cadet Practical Field Training (CPFT)
Cadet Practical Field Training allows cadets to attend Army schools and special courses. These courses are voluntary and students receive no pay for attending. Cadet Command pays for travel while billeting and mess are provided by the installation. Courses include the following:
Airborne School:
Cadets volunteering for Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA will spend three weeks learning
military static line parachuting and will conduct five jumps from military high performance
aircraft. Cadets who successfully complete Airborne School are awarded the Parachutist
Badge (Airborne Wings).
Airborne School is conducted in three phases.
- The first phase is Ground Week. Cadets must pass an APFT. This week focuses on parachute landing falls conducted from platforms and exiting the aircraft. Includes several jumps from a 35-foot tower.
- The second week is Tower Week. There is more PT and landing practice, including jumps from a 250-foot tower in a parachute.
- The third phase is Jump Week. Cadets conduct five jumps from an aircraft while in flight.
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Air Assault School:
Cadets volunteering for Air Assault School will spend ten days at one of a number of locations depending on yearly allocations. The Air Assault Course is conducted at Fort Drum, NY; Fort Campbell, KY; Fort Polk, LA; Fort Rucker, AL and Schofield Barracks, HI. Cadets learn pathfinder operations, slingload operations and rappelling. Cadets who successfully complete Air Assault School are awarded the Air Assault Badge.
Air Assault School is conducted in three phases.
- Prior to Phase One is Zero Day where candidates undergo an equipment inspection, negotiate the Obstacle Course and complete a two-mile run.
- The first phase is Pathfinder Operations where candidates learn the basics of marking helicopter landing and pickup zones, aircraft characteristics and necessary hand-arm signals. Performance measures are a written test and a practical exam on hand-arm signals.
- The second phase is Slingload Operations where candidates will learn the inspection techniques and equipment for slingload operations. Candidates will conduct a hands-on exercise by actually slingloading equipment to a hovering helicopter. Performance measures are a written exam and a practical exam on inspection of various loads.
- The third phase is Rappelling where candidates learn the basics of knot-tying and various tower rappelling techniques. Candidates conduct a practical exercise by rappelling from a hovering helicopter. Performance measures include hands-on knot-tying and an evaluation of various tower rappels.
Candidates will conduct timed foot marches of varying distance with rucksack, equipment and weapon throughout the course. The final requirement on graduation day is a timed 12-mile foot march with rucksack, equipment and weapon that must be completed in three hours.
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Mountain Warfare:
Cadets may volunteer for Mountain Warfare School at the ARNG Mountain Warfare School at Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, VT. This course lasts two weeks and covers the basics of military operations in mountainous terrain. This course is both physically and mentally demanding, and requires a concentrated effort on the cadet’s part to complete it successfully. The cadet should develop a physical training program that will prepare him or her to carry a 45-to-65-pound rucksack over five to eight kilometers daily in mountainous terrain under sometimes-severe environmental conditions. Topics covered are mountain walking, knot-tying, climbing, rappelling, ascents, traversing, patient evacuation and general mountain fieldcraft.
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Northern Warfare:
Cadets may volunteer for the Northern Warfare School at the US Army Northern Warfare Center at Fort Greeley, AK. The course lasts one month. Cadets learn arctic operations, military mountaineering and waterborne operations. The program of instruction and physical requirements for Northern Warfare are similar to those of Mountain Warfare with an emphasis on arctic techniques and procedures.
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