'Warrior Forge'

Leader Development and Assessment Course

All ROTC cadets must complete The Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC)  prior to receiving a commission. LDAC is normally attended the summer between the junior and senior year. It is held at Fort Lewis, WA. Cadets spend 32 days applying the leadership and tactical skills they acquired on campus.

ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course is the most important training event for an Army ROTC cadet or National Guard Officer Candidate. The camp incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are rigorous and demanding, both mentally and physically. LDAC tests intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. These challenges provide a new perspective on an individual's ability to perform exacting tasks and to make difficult decisions in demanding situations.

The camp places each cadet and officer candidate in a variety of leadership positions, many of which simulate stressful combat situations. In each position, cadets are evaluated by platoon tactical and counseling (TAC) officers and noncommissioned officers. In addition to proving their leadership ability, cadets and officer candidates must meet established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication, combat patrols and demonstrate their proficiency in many other military skills. Cadets and officer candidates must excel at camp to be considered competitive for a commission as an Army officer.