What is Basic Camp?
Basic Camp is a 32-day training event designed to introduce Cadets to the Army. The objective is to develop Cadet leadership skills and train them on individual and junior leader tasks to develop and reinforce Warrior Ethos and our Army Values. Basic Camp provides the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in ROTC, and, ultimately, the Army. Basic Camp Cadets graduate the course prepared to lead at the team (3-4 Cadets) and squad (9-13 Cadets) level.
Basic Camp 4th Regiment graduated from Cadet Summer Training July 16, Fort Knox, Ky, after successfully completing 30 days of training. (photo by Emily LaForme)
Basic Camp’s primary target audience is the Lateral Entry Cadet and the freshman Cadet. Lateral Entry Cadets typically decide to join ROTC in their sophomore year of college, thus require Basic Camp to learn what normal-progression Cadets have learned in their first two years of military science classes, during their freshman and sophomore years of Army ROTC. As an ancillary target, Basic Camp allows second-year (Military Science II or MS II) Cadets to gain squad leader experience, which provides opportunities for some MS III (rising senior) Cadets to fulfill roles as platoon-level leaders. Basic Camp consists of three Cadet Regiments, nearly 1,800 Cadets.
Cadets are taught how to conduct troop leading procedures (TLPs) to plan and execute tactical missions at the squad level in a platoon construct/setting. As Cadets gain experience and confidence through the training, they apply lessons learned from the After Action Review (AAR) process.
Outcomes for Basic Camp include:
- Using troop leading procedures to plan and execute tactical missions at the squad level within a platoon construct.
- Applying the fundamentals of team development and team dynamics.
- Understanding, embracing, and demonstrating Warrior Ethos and the Army Values.
