Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps - Course of Instruction - Advanced Course

Advanced Course

Military Science III year (MSIII)

The third year marks the beginning of the Advanced Course. This is where most cadets must contract with the army to continue in the program. Cadets may be eligible for the Advanced Course if the following criteria are met:

• The cadet has prior military service OR
• The cadet has completed the first two years of the program (Basic Course) OR
• The cadet has graduated the Leaders Training Course (formerly Basic Camp) at Ft. Knox AND
• The cadet has completed 54 credits (at least 60 preferred) of college coursework.

The course sequence in this year is mainly focused on the application of leadership and small-unit tactics. Cadets are assigned rotating leadership positions within the School Battalion and are evaluated on their performance and leadership abilities while in those positions. Third-year cadets practice briefing operations orders, executing small-unit tactics, leading and participating in physical training, and preparing for successful performance at the four week Leader Development and Assessment Course during the summer following the third year. Under current regulations, attendance at the course is mandatory (in the past, Ranger School was offered as an alternative to select cadets).

Leadership Development Program

During the MSIII year and continuing through the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), cadets are introduced to the Leadership Development Program (LDP). The LDP is a structured set of rotations where MSIII cadets are assigned to specific roles in an organization consisting of Companies, Platoons, and Squads. Some of the roles traditionally filled are that of a Company Commander, Company XO, First Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Squad Leader.

While filling this positions the MSIII is evaluated according to their ability to exemplify the 7 Army Values as well as perform in 17 Leadership Dimensions outlined as:

The evaluation is usually given by an MSIV and is delivered in writing using Cadet Command Form 156-4A-R commonly referred to as a "Blue Card" due to its traditional color. For each dimension and once overall for the entire rotation in a leadership position the MSIII cadet is evaluated with one of three letters: E - Exceeds the Standard (Excellent), S - Satisfactory, or N - Needs Improvement. At the end of the MSIII school year these evaluations are collected to create a school OML which can give a cadet extra points towards the National OML upon completion of LDAC.

Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC)

The Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) (formerly Advanced Camp) is a paid four-week leadership course conducted at Fort Lewis, Washington, during the summer. Typically, cadets attend LDAC during the summer between their first and second years in the Advanced Course. At LDAC, cadets take on various leadership roles and are evaluated on their performance and leadership abilities in those positions. Cadets also participate in adventure training, to include: confidence and obstacle courses, rappelling, water safety, weapons firing, and patrolling. Cadets must attend and complete this course to earn an army commission. The time spent at LDAC by cadets has been reduced from 33 days to 28 days.

Military Science IV year (MSIV)

This is the final year of the ROTC program and the main focus is towards preparing cadets to become successful lieutenants in the Army upon graduation and commissioning. Senior cadets apply for their branches (career fields). Senior cadets apply before end of their third year but have until mid September to make any changes before they are locked in. In early September, cadets are notified of which service and status they were granted (e.g., Regular Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard; as well as whether they will be active duty or not). The next thing they will be notified is the branch of choice in mid October. Last but not least, cadets will be given their requested first duty location from late March through early April. In the mean time, senior cadets are assigned cadet battalion staff positions and are responsible for evaluating MS III cadets, planning and coordinating training operations and missions. MSIV's main goal is to teach and train MSIII cadets as well as be a mentor and establish sustainable systems to meet all requirements and provide quality training designed to develop and prepare the best leaders for the United States Army.