Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC)
Warrior Forge

What is LDAC?
All ROTC cadets must complete 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 five weeks applying the leadership and tactical skills they acquired on campus.

LDAC is the single most important block of training in the career of the Army cadet. It is often the first exposure to the Active Army and it is the only arena where cadets from various college campuses undergo a common, high quality training experience.

Cadet Command’s mission is to Commission the future leaders of the US Army. Within that framework the camp mission is to train cadets to Army standards, Develop leadership and evaluate officer potential. LDAC is intentionally tough and introduces stress. The days are long with considerable night training and no days off – in short, a tough camp. Throughout the five weeks cadets encounter physical and mental obstacles which challenge them as a person, soldier, and leader. Cadets gain self-confidence through accomplishment of tough training. Platoon competition develops collective cohesion from individual performance.

Training at camp uses small unit tactical training as the vehicle for evaluation cadet potential to server as a commissioned officer. Training is sequenced at LDAC in a logical, building-block manner. The cadet regiments report to camp on separate dates. This tiered approach allows an ideal flow of training, which is maintained for each cycle. Training covers basic military skills in individual and squad levels needed for the tactical exercises. Training culminates with tactics instruction at the platoon level. Evaluation is constant and begins shortly after the cadet arrives. The tactical officers and NCOs advise, coach, and ultimately, render an official evaluation of the cadet’s potential to serve as an officer.

What Should I Know About LDAC as a cadet?
LDAC is one of the bigger challenges you will face in your time with the Army. It is very easy to get by; however, it is extremely difficult to excel. Fortunately, JMU cadets always set the standard at LDAC year after year. In the summer of 2002, 12 of the 24 cadets sent by JMU were placed in the top third of their platoon, a high honor indeed. JMU was also the only school in the brigade who did not have any cadets fail LDAC.

Who Can I Talk to About LDAC?
All MS IVs have successfully completed LDAC, and many JMU ROTC cadre have attended and instructed there this past summer. If you have questions regarding LDAC, feel free to ask any MS IV at your convenience.

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