Should we consider sending ROTC cadets to attend BCT instead of ROTC CIET (formerly Leadership Training Camp)?

Absolutely!

I am prior service and think that Cadets should attend BCT. I believe that you should be knowledgeable and familiar with those that you are leading. I feel like the Army would greatly benefit. Just my thoughts though.

No, simply because the ROTC CIET is oriented towards the ROTC commissioning program. Army BCT is oriented towards enlisted service. That being said if the cadet is prior enlisted BCT and their enlisted experience inform their training as a cadet and eventual service as an officer. I was prior service when I attended ROTC as a 4 year scholarship cadet and my enlisted experience certainly helped me to be a better cadet and officer.

Interesting discussion, but for future ROTC cadets entering ROTC program for MSIII year with the ultimate goal of becoming a commissioned officer, CIET/LTC is much more beneficial than BCT. LTC was a good program when I went through (Summer 2011). It covered all the basic soldiering skills (basic rifle marksmanship, TLPs, squad tactics, CWST, customs and courtesies, confidence course, and D&C) in addition to leadership dimensions which are essential for the foundation of the modern professional Soldier and future leader. Not sure about the current CIET, but its predecessor had DIs who demanded discipline from each cadet and weren't afraid to use corrective training methods. Overall, it was a solid program that prepared me for MSIII year and was a "crash course" to LDAC, not to mention the full-time tuition scholarship incentive. Just my $.02.

Yes I believe ROTC cadets should attend BCT instead of this new CIET thing. Money and logistics aside (that is a whole monster in itself) giving cadets the opportunity to learn real basic soldier skills from some of the best subject matter experts around (Drill Sergeants) would be invaluable for their growth and developments as leaders. That being said, it should be a training experience identical to that gone though by every enlisted soldier not a dumbed down cadet version. I understand that cadets are not privates, but I think there is some merit in a new 2LT going to their first unit with just a little taste of what it is like being that 'private' at the very bottom of the totem pole - "you cannot lead until you learn to follow."

I think if it were to happen cadets should be intermixed throughout normal BCT Companies and be forced to, or given the opportunity to, work with their junior enlisted counterparts who they will be asked to lead very soon. Though BCT is no a physical or mental gauntlet, I believe it marks a right of passage that every soldier - regardless of rank - would be better served by going to and completing.

*note: I am assuming LTC Rossenberger is referring to this new thing Cadet Command is having MSIs go to which is another LDAC-type thing in between a cadet's Freshman and Sophomore year. I am in no way saying that BCT should replace the "Advanced Camp' that currently takes place between a cadet's Junior and Senior year.

Some do; cadets who are already in the Reserves and had basic training as an enlisted person are excused from CIET (formerly basic camp and Leadership Training Camp) and first 2 years but do go to LDAC/Warrior Leader Course (Formerly Advanced Camp) as all cadets to. I don't think they should make basic training nor the first camp mandatory to all cadets who do the full 4 years of ROTC classes or who get equiv credit for it. The main reason is that it would cost more and require more manpower at Fort Knox, Some cadre members need to remain on campus for recruiting and other maintenance tasks. It also might be a disincentive to some who do not want to give up 2 summers. Instead, require several leadership training weekends for MS1s 2s and 3s as prep for LDAC. They can be FTXs as most units already do as well as some overnight (if facilities exist) garrison leadership activities such as drill, practice teaching classes, working on how to write and present FRAGOs/OPORDS, group teambuilding activities, rapelling, PT, barracks procedure (ie how to make a rack), and maintaining weapons, equipment. (In addition to weekly leadership labs) I discovered that the more difficult part of the camp was not the tactical stuff but the administrative leadership stuff. When I went to Advanced Camp years ago, I found I was not adequately prepared for that part as I thought the tactical stuff was my weaker area; but found the tactical stuff easier) Just some of my thoughts.