The Cadet Experience
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
As a contracted cadet you can expect to take three credit hours of classes each semester. These hours include physical training, classroom time, and leadership lab. Combined, these classes take up only about six to nine hours a week. In addition, Army ROTC Basic Course classes (Fr/So) are open to all full-time college students as an elective that count toward academic credit. By taking these classes you do not incur any obligation to Army ROTC or the U.S. Army. If you are interested in Army ROTC check out one or all of the courses offered to see what it is all about.
PHYSICAL TRAINING
Physical Training (PT) takes place in the mornings on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. The early hours may take a few weeks to get used to but after a while, you realize it is a great way to start your day. Regardless of your physical fitness level, Army ROTC incorporates a training regimen that adapts to all abilities where you will be challenged and see increased personal improvement. Each PT session focuses on improving a Cadet's push-up, sit-up, and 2-mile run capabilities in order to set them up for success on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
CLASSROOM TIME
Army ROTC classes are Morehead State University courses under Military Science (MS). Each class will count for either one or two credit hours. The classes will be offered twice a week for fifty minutes per session or once a week for 90 minutes per session (times may vary depending on what level you are in the program). Classes are normally broken into Basic Courses (Freshmen and Sophomores) and Advanced Courses (Juniors and Seniors).
LEADERSHIP LAB
For 90 minutes each week, all Cadets meet to conduct Leadership Lab. This lab is a hands-on practicum that exposes the Cadets to military skills and affords them opportunities to develop and refine their leadership styles and abilities under differing constraints and environments.
Every semester the Eagle Battalion conducts a weekend-long Field Training Exercise (FTX) where the cadets are able to practice the skills they have been learning on campus. FTX is generally conducted at a location that is conducive to activities such as land navigation, repelling, and paintball.
Army Schools
The Air Assault School, conducted at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is 11 days of mental and physical challenges. This school is designed to teach air assault skills and procedures involving rotary-wing aircraft, improve basic leadership skills, instill the Air Assault spirit and award the Air Assault Badge.
During the course, attendees face such challenges as:
- Obstacle Course - You will be required to negotiate a demanding obstacle course.
- Physical Training - PT is conducted daily. Distance runs of up to three miles are standard.
- Rappelling - You are required to tie a series of knots and conduct graded rappels from walls and helicopters. You must successfully complete three day and two night helicopter rappels.
- Troop Ladder - You will ascend and descend the troop ladder on a 35-foot tower and a CH-47 helicopter.
- Rigging and Sling Loading - You will be taught and tested on how to prepare, rig and inspect numerous pieces of Army equipment for helicopter transport.
- Road Marches - You must complete a 6-mile road march in 1 hour and 30 minutes or less; you must also complete, at the end of the course, a 12-mile road march in 3 hours or less.
- Evaluations - After each phase of training, all students are given a written and practical examination based on a PASS/FAIL system.
The purpose of the Basic Airborne School is to qualify the volunteer in the use of the parachute as a means of combat deployment and to develop leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning.
Ground Week
During Ground Week, Soldiers must pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The Ground Week Airborne instruction begins with an intensive program of instruction to build individual Airborne skills. These skills prepare the Soldier to make a parachute jump and land safely. Students train on the mock door, the 34-foot tower and the lateral drift apparatus.
Tower Week
Tower Week completes the Soldier's individual skill training and further builds team effort skills. To go forward to Jump Week, Soldiers must qualify on the Swing Lander Trainer (SLT), master the mass exit procedures from the 34-foot tower, gain canopy confidence and learn how to manipulate the parachute from the 250-foot tower, and pass all physical training requirements.
Jump Week
Successful completion of the previous weeks of training prepares Soldiers for Jump Week. During Jump Week, Soldiers must successfully complete five jumps at 1,250 feet from a C-130 or C-17 aircraft. Paratroopers who successfully meet course requirements are granted an additional skill identifier and are authorized to wear the coveted "Silver Wing" on their uniform.
Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT)
The CTLT Platoon Leader track provides Cadets the opportunity to experience leadership in Army Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) units over a three to four-week period. Cadets serve in platoon leader positions or other positions where a second lieutenant is normally assigned. Platoon Leader positions have a 3-4 week duration depending on the hosting unit and location. Assignments include units that are located both in the continental United States (CONUS) and outside the continental United States (OCONUS) including Alaska, Hawaii, Europe and Asia. Cadets are assigned a unit mentor and are provided on-post lodging and meals via a Dining Facility. This program is exclusively designed for MSIII Cadets after completion of Advanced Camp. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Cadets with an Academic Major in Nursing are the only cadets eligible to apply for this program. Cadets are assigned to Army Medical Facilities both in the continental United States (CONUS) and outside the continental United States (OCONUS) including Alaska, Hawaii, Europe and Asia. NSTP provides nursing cadets with opportunities to develop and practice leadership in a clinical environment. Cadets work side-by-side with an Army Nurse Corps Officer preceptor. To qualify, cadets must submit an application packet through their PMS and the Brigade Nurse counselor to the Cadet Command Chief Nurse. Cadets applying for this program must be certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and certification may not expire prior to the completion of NSTP training.
Basic Camp
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 Basic Camp.
Basic Camp is the premier leadership program of its kind in the United States. An intense four-week introduction to Army life and leadership training of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, the aim of the course is to motivate and qualify Cadets for entry into the Senior ROTC program. Basic Camp is designed for college students, typically between their sophomore and junior years. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates can take part in ROTC at their college as third-year students in the four-year program.
While attending Basic Camp at Fort Knox, KY, Cadets gain an experience that runs the gamut of Army life and the responsibilities of being an officer. The course instills confidence and decision-making abilities to become a leader, in the Army and in life. Cadets spend their first few days learning Army basics under the tutelage of drill sergeants. They also take their first Army Physical Fitness Test, which consists of sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run. Shortly after the course begins, Cadets are introduced to working in a small-group team-based dynamic in activities such as an obstacle course to accomplish set goals.
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.
Below is a link to the Basic Camp website with information regarding training and past courses:
https://futurearmyofficers.army.mil
Advanced Camp
Every Army ROTC Cadet who enters the Advanced Course attends Advanced Camp. This 37-day course typically takes place during the summer between your junior and senior years. During this training event, cadets will learn everything from the soldiering basics to the leadership essentials. Cadets are given the chance to both follow and lead through a variety of exercises, utilizing their knowledge of tactics and leadership. Cadets will also learn to become proficient with a wide range of weapons and equipment in order to understand the jobs of the soldiers around them.
During the course, cadets will be graded by Army officers and enlisted personnel. These gradings will go towards a cadets ranking, which plays a part in the Order of Merit List (OML). Along with the comments of the grading officer, a number of exams are taken to test the competencies of cadets.
To learn about past courses, visit https://futurearmyofficers.army.mil/aboutadvancedcamp/
Internships
2021 Summer Internship Opportunity (Paid Internship)
Army ROTC Basic Camp is a 31-day, PAID, training course at Fort Knox, KY. The mission of Basic Camp is to test and motivate prospective students to enroll in the Advanced ROTC Course (Juniors/Graduates). Students who complete the course are eligible for a 2-year Army ROTC scholarship with 100% tuition assistance, a $1200 book allowance and a $420 living allowance. $5000 Bonus for qualified college sophomores/graduate students. This is a first-come, first-serve opportunity to become an Army Officer in the United States Army!
Training Events:
- Teamwork Development Course
- Water Survival / Stream Crossing
- Leadership Reaction Course
- Basic Map Reading / Land Navigation
- Rappelling / Rock Climbing/ Confidence Course
- Rifle Marksmanship
For more information please contact Mr. Farley J. Purvis at fj.purvis@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-5256.
Contact Information
Department of Military Science
150 University Blvd.
Morehead, KY 40351
EMAIL: msurotc@moreheadstate.edu
PHONE: 606-783-2050
FAX: 606-783-5053
