Summer Opportunities

On board a C-130	Unloading from a C-130

A variety of professional development opportunities are available each summer. Participation is entirely optional, though highly encouraged. Cadets receive room and board when participating in summer professional development programs, as well as reimbursement for travel expenses. Selection for schools with restricted allocations is based on an order of merit list determined by the Director of Army Officer Education. This list will take into account academic performance, performance in Military Science electives, physical fitness, participation in ROTC activities during the school year, and overall performance assessments by Army ROTC cadre.

• Airborne School
• Air Assault School
• Northern Warfare Training
• Mountain Warfare School
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Internship
• Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP)
• Leaders' Training Course (LTC)
• Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT)

Airborne School

Army ROTC cadets may attend the US Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. This physically demanding, three-week course trains soldiers to conduct military parachute operations. During the final week of the course, cadets conduct five parachute jumps as a prerequisite to graduation. Cadets who graduate are awarded the U.S. Army Parachutist Badge. Airborne School adds to an officer's professional development, regardless of future branch or assignment choices. Airborne qualification is a prerequisite for assignment to the U.S. Army's 82d Airborne Division. Additionally, extra military schooling opportunities may be made available upon graduation from the Officers' Basic Course to officers who are already Airborne-qualified.

Air Assault School

Army ROTC cadets may attend the US Army Air Assault School at any of a number of Army posts. This physically demanding, 12-day course trains soldiers to conduct military operations with Army Aviation support. In addition to a challenging physical training program, the course includes instruction on preparing and inspecting external sling loads, rappelling from helicopters, and a 12-mile timed road march in full combat gear. Cadets who graduate are awarded the U.S. Army Air Assault Badge. Air Assault School adds to an officer's professional development regardless of future branch or assignment choices. Air Assault qualification is a requirement for officers assigned to the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and is highly encouraged for officers assigned to the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division (Light) and 25th "Tropic Lightning" Infantry Division (Light).

Northern Warfare School

Army ROTC cadets may attend the U.S. Army Northern Warfare Training Center at Fort Greely, Alaska. This three-week course provides training in the skills required for survival, movement, and the conduct of military operations in mountainous terrain and cold regions. Students are taught basic mountain climbing and mountaineering skills including rock climbing, mountain walking techniques, basic knots, ice climbing, and route selection. The course culminates in a three day field exercise that takes place on Gulkana Glacier. Students learn the importance of trusting their equipment and building confidence in themselves. This professional development course is advisable for those considering assignment to units in Alaska.

Mountain Warfare School

Mountain Warfare School is a two-week course taught by the Vermont National Guard at Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vermont. The training is designed to make you an expert in mountain operations. Mountain Warfare School is both physically and mentally demanding. The course covers rappelling, rock climbing, mountain survival, land navigation, first aid, and knots. Soldiers climb up and rappel down mountains, tie rope systems to make bridges, navigate the land by day and night, and learn how to care for and evacuate casualties.Training is non-stop, 15 hours per day, for 14 days. If you can carry a 65-pound rucksack up to five miles per day in mountainous terrain and are competent with both day and night land navigation, you may have what it takes to complete this course.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Internship

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory operated by the University of California. This opportunity is an individually supervised research and study program conducted at LLNL that is designed to provide students with a hands-on experience with advanced technologies and techniques. In addition, the internship serves to increase the student's awareness of LLNL's stockpile stewardship mission, while supporting DoD and a multitude of military projects. Cadet apply directly to and are selected by LLNL. Cadets working for 4-6 weeks and are are considered MARA or "student guests" and recieve shared rental car, travel and lodging from LLNL. Students participating for 12 weeks or more are considered summer employees and recieve a salary ($17-$25/hr) and travel from LLNL. Lodging and transportation for ROTC interns is the student's responsibility. Cadet Command will assist in coordinating lodging.

Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP)

Army ROTC Nurse Cadets have an opportunity for a unique summer nursing experience. The paid, three-week Nurse Summer Training Program assigns Cadets to Army hospitals throughout the U.S. and Germany. The program introduces you to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) and to the roles and responsibilities of an Army Nurse Corps Officer. Under the supervision of an experienced Army Nurse Corps Officer, you will obtain significant hands-on experience. Your one-on-one clinical experience will allow you to hone your clinical skills, develop your problem-solving techniques and become comfortable with developing your professional skills as a member of the U.S. Army Healthcare Team.

Leaders' Training Course (LTC)

Leaders' Training Course is the Army's 2-year ROTC program entry point. Through LTC at Fort Knox, Kentucky, students without ROTC Basic Course experience (first 2 years of Army ROTC) can examine the Army without incurring an obligation and qualify for Advanced Course (year 3 and 4 of Army ROTC) entry. LTC is a four-week, leadership-oriented, challenging, and motivating training program. Students who are elgible for LTC have the opportunity to earn a two-year scholarship. Students who successfully complete the camp are awarded the LTC completion ribbon, which is worn on the cadet uniform.

Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT)

CTLT consists of 3 types of opportunities: CTLT platoon leader, specialized internship, and Drill Cadet Leadership Training (DCLT) . All three opportunities are uniquely designed for cadets to experience the work environment of an active duty Second Lieutenant.

For the CTLT platoon leader opportunity, Cadets are assigned for a three-week period (four weeks for OCONUS assignments) to Second Lieutenant positions in the active Army and are expected to lead soldiers in the accomplishment of unit missions. This on-the-job experience is potentially the most relevant and rewarding leadership training available to cadets in their preparation for commissioning as Second Lieutenants. CTLT cadets interact with unit commanders, junior officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers in the "real life" environment of the unit. Assignment to particular units or locations is based on allocations. In addition to room and board and reimbursement for travel expenses, cadets also receive pay while participating in CTLT.

The CTLT internships are offered in areas such as engineering, medicine, nursing, intelligence, scientific application, cultural awareness, and language proficiency. The types and locations of available internships vary each year and an increasing amount of internships are available overseas.

DCLT is a four-week program that provides cadets with an opportunity to apply their leadership skills and to interact with highly skilled and experienced non-commissioned officers and drill sergeants.