University of Oklahoma Army ROTC - Program Organization

Program Organization

The OU Army ROTC unit mimics the chain of command and military organization of a real Army unit. The highest-ranking officer and current professor of military science of the OU ROTC program is LTC Mark Depew. Basic course cadets in their first and second years serve in roles equivalent to those filled by junior enlisted soldiers. They learn basic skills such as orienteering, marksmanship, survival skills, physical fitness, and basic leadership principles.

Cadets in their third year serve in roles equivalent to those held by noncommissioned officers and junior officers. They are responsible for mentoring younger cadets, ensuring that necessary unit functions are completed to standard, and providing basic leadership. Their training mostly focuses on preparation for Warrior Forge, their summer field training exercise. Held at Fort Lewis, Washington, it is a 33 day field problem that challenges cadets physically and mentally while assessing their leadership skills in a variety of tasks and small unit tactical exercises. Third year students learn squad tactics and continue to develop themselves personally and professionally.

Fourth year cadets serve in roles equivalent to those held by senior company grade and field grade officers. They are responsible for literally running the unit and planning training, taking only a minimum amount of guidance from training cadre and superior officers. They teach the first through third year cadets the skills that they need to be successful and continue to develop them as leaders and soldiers. A lieutenant colonel personally instructs the senior cadets, refining their leadership skills and teaching them the nuances of Army officership before their commissioning as second lieutenants.