ROTC basic training is taken during the freshman and sophomore years of college.
Army ROTC (Reserve Officer's Training Corps) is a college level course that educates students in leadership, motivation and physical training. The class is divided into two components: during student's freshman and sophomore year they take the basic course, also known as basic training. Students who complete the basic course are under no obligation to join the United States Army; a commitment does not become necessary until a student's junior year, which marks the beginning of the advanced course.
Freshman Year
During their freshman and sophomore years of college, ROTC students participate in the ROTC basic course. This consists of physical training, field training exercises, one elective class and one lab. Although all colleges and universities will not have the exact same classes, the GoArmy.com website describes a typical freshman year ROTC curriculum as follows: introduction to army leadership, army customs and traditions, military operations and tactics, goal setting and accomplishment and health and physical fitness. Students in their freshman year of ROTC are not yet required to commit to the Army.
Sophomore Year
During their sophomore year, students take classes on the role of an officer in the United States Army. They will once again be required to take one elective class, one lab, and further their field and physical training. According to GoArmy.com, students should expect to take course work in applied leadership theory, communications, principles of war and military operations and tactics. By the close of their sophomore year, students are still under no obligation to the United States Army.
Leader's Training Course
For individuals who wish to take ROTC but have less than four years remaining in college, they can take the Leader's Training Course. This four week advanced course is offered during the summer at Fort Knox, KY. The course is an accelerated replica of the two-year basic training course typically taken during the freshman and sophomore year of undergrad. There are four phases of the Leader's Training Course (LTC) .
First Phase
Students in the first phase of the Leader's Training Course begin Physical Training (PT) and Drill and Ceremony (D & C). Students also work together in a Team Development course to confront obstacles and difficult situations in simulated tactical scenarios.
Second Phase
The second phase of LTC is spent learning military tactics. Students are trained in Combat Water Survival Training, marksmanship and land navigation, all the while learning work together as a team. During this phase, students also participate in additional simulated combat scenarios.
Final Phases
During the third phase of LTC, students take turns leading their squads, to get hands-on sense of army leadership during combats and ordered missions. In the final phase students participate in Family Day, receive awards and graduate from the program.
Tags: freshman sophomore, Leader Training, Leader Training Course, Training Course, basic course, sophomore year