VFMC SROTC Training Opportunities
Pre-Leader's Training Course (Pre-LTC)
Your first training event in the ECP is the four-day Pre-LTC. You will arrive at Valley Forge Military College in late June via air transportation arranged for you by the ROTC Department. Here, you will meet the other cadets in your cohort, be briefed on standards and expectations, and be issued uniforms and equipment. The next day, you will travel to Fort Dix, New Jersey (about a hour away) where you will spend three days conducting physical training, land navigation training, team building exercises, drill and ceremony training, and other exercises designed to introduce you to the Army way of life, allow you to get to know the other cadets in your cohort, and to prepare you for the Leader’s Training Course (LTC). On the fourth day, you will all be taken to Philadelphia Airport and flown to Fort Knox, Kentucky for the LTC.
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Leader's Training Course (LTC)
The Leader's Training Course is the ECP entry point.
Through the Leader's Training Course, students without ROTC Basic Course
experience can examine the Army without incurring an obligation, and qualify
for Advanced Course entry. The Army observes these students and determines
their officer potential in a leadership oriented, challenging, and
motivating 4-week training program at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Following your completion of the LTC, you will be flown to your home of record and will return to VFMC in late August in accordance with your reporting instructions.
There are four phases to graduation:
The Soldier First Phase.
This is a Basic "introduction to the Army" to teach
cadets skills and knowledge necessary to successfully participate in the
next three phases. Cadets have described this phase as "teaching them what
right looks like". Specifically, cadets learn military customs and
courtesies such as saluting, how to wear the uniform and how to march.
The Warrior Leader Phase.
This part of their training covers adventure
training, which builds both cadet self confidence and unit esprit-de-corps.
Focus is on individual skills as a precursor to learning group dynamics.
Cadets learn basic military skills in order to function as a small group
member.
The Bold Leader Phase.
This phase is the course's "Capstone Exercise".
Cadets are exposed to squad level operations where cadre assesses the
cadet's leadership ability in a field environment. The Field Training
Exercise is intentionally tough and introduces the element of stress.
Throughout the exercise cadets encounter physical and mental obstacles that
challenge them as a person, cadet and leader.
The Future Leader Phase.
This portion of the cadet's training introduces
them to the social aspect of the Army. Final briefings are conducted as well
as a Family Day in conjunction with a cadet led graduation ceremony.
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Leader Development And Assessment Course (LDAC)
The Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) or Operation WARRIOR FORGE is
the most important training event for an Army ROTC cadet. The 32-day training event, which ECP cadets attend during the summer between their freshman and sophomore years at VFMC, incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are rigorous and demanding, both mentally
and physically. WARRIOR FORGE 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.
 WARRIOR FORGE places each cadet in a variety of leadership positions, many of which simulate stressful combat situations. In each position, cadets will receive evaluations from platoon tactical and counseling (TAC) officers and noncommissioned officers. In addition to proving their leadership ability, cadets must meet established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication, combat patrols, and demonstrate their proficiency in many other military skills. Cadets must excel at WARRIOR FORGE to be considered competitive for a commission as an Army officer.
Since 1993, Fort Lewis, WA has hosted WARRIOR FORGE with over 5,000 Army ROTC cadets from throughout the nation attending each summer. Cadets are divided into 15 training cycles with the first cycle beginning in June and the last cycle graduating in August.
One special aspect of WARRIOR FORGE is the Regimental Affiliation Program. Each cadet regiment is affiliated with an established and honored Army Regiment. The cadet battalions adopt the honors, lineage and heraldry of their respective active regiments. The purpose of the program is to infuse each cadet with regimental esprit de corps and pride.
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Cadet Professional Development Training (CPDT)
CPDT is comprised of cadet training in Army schools and with Active Component and
Reserve Component units. The CPDT Program supplements campus training with practical
leader development experiences and some additional skill identifier awarding courses.
The program consists of two sub-programs, Cadet Practical Field Training (CPFT) and
Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT). Normally, VFMC receives several allocations for
cadets to attend various Army training schools or courses during the summer.
Allocations vary from year to year and cannot be projected. VFMC normally receives
course allocations early in the second semester.
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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.CPFT schools include Airborne School, Air Assault School, Northern Warfare School, and Mountain Warfare School. Click here for more information on these courses.
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Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT)
Objectives for this program are as follows:
- Increase the cadet’s leadership experience by assigning the cadet to a platoon leader or like position with specific responsibilities and opportunities to lead Soldiers.
- Familiarize cadets with the command, training, administration and logistical functions of assigned units.
- Expose cadets to the on-duty and off-duty environment of the junior officer.
- Familiarize cadets with the Junior Officer Development System and Officer Professional Management System (OPMS).
Frequently, the CTLT program begins immediately after cadets successfully complete LDAC. Cadets may train in garrison or a field environment for the entire CTLT period. CTLT tours are available in both the continental US (CONUS) and outside the continental US (OCONUS). Cadets are allowed to perform permissive parachute jumping when participating in CTLT with airborne units. The cadet must be a graduate from the US Army Airborne School and attend refresher training in accordance with HQDA guidance. Cadets in CTLT maintain the same status held while attending LDAC with regards to travel, medical benefits, pay and allowances. CTLT cadets are paid twice monthly as a continuation of LDAC through the ending date of CTLT.
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Ranger Challenge
Ranger Challenge Ranger Challenge is an annual head-to-head competition between ROTC Battalions within our Brigade. It is the pinnacle training opportunity during your time in ROTC. The purpose of the Ranger Challenge Program is to challenge cadets in tough mental and physical competition, enhance leader development, develop team cohesion, and to develop healthy competition among the battalions.
The competition normally occurs in late October at Fort A.P. Hill, VA. The competition is typically comprised of the following events:
- Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
- One-rope bridge with two crossings
- Hand Grenade Assault Course (HGAC)
- A written patrolling exam
- M16 marksmanship
- Weapons disassembly and assembly (M16 and M9)
- Orienteering
- A 10-kilometer foot march with rucksack, equipment and weapon.
Each cadet who participates in the competition is awarded the Ranger Challenge Tab. Ranger Challenge practice, which focuses on the competition events and team building, begins with the start of classes in September. The Team also conducts specific Ranger Challenge training during the Fall Field Training Exercise (FTX) in addition to the routine battalion training.
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Field Training Exercise (FTX)
FTX The Battalion conducts two FTXs per school year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Both are three days long, from Friday through Sunday. Both typically include day and night land navigation, bivouac, foot marches with rucksack, equipment and weapon, and small unit tactics.
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Physical Fitness Training (PT)
A key component of your leadership development is achieving excellent physical conditioning. Cadets conduct PT three mornings a week from 0530 - 0630. Cadet fitness is measured by monthly performance on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
Leadership Laboratories
As part of the MSL curricula, MSL I and MSL II cadets participate in hands-on training during Leadership Labs from 1250-1450 and ECP cadets participate from 1250-1530 each Thursday.
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