Posted on Aug 10, 2015
Should we consider sending ROTC cadets to attend BCT instead of ROTC CIET (formerly Leadership Training Camp)?
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Should ROTC cadets attend BCT instead of ROTC CIET (formerly Leadership Training Camp)?
What cadets are prepared for ROTC and the Army?
What cadets are prepared for ROTC and the Army?
ROTC
Leadership
Training
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 36
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Sir,
I think we would be money ahead going this route. Instead of going to "LTC" as it was called in my ROTC days, I would support sending all Cadets to BCT like OCS candidates. As someone who attended BCT and was an SMP member until commissioning, I regularly found ROTC frustrating. Many of my peers lacked even basic Soldier skills or discipline. The upperclassmen were expected to teach these things, but typically had not been instructed properly themselves. While I don't think BCT is the silver bullet to fix that, it would be a step in the right direction. It would also eliminate unnecessary Cadre and infrastructure that could be better used elsewhere.
The only way for it to be feasible would be requiring a contract prior to attendance, but that's not anything new. I think BCT would be a good "gut check" as well. Soldiers deserve good leaders. If they can't handle BCT, it pains me to think how they would handle combat.
I think we would be money ahead going this route. Instead of going to "LTC" as it was called in my ROTC days, I would support sending all Cadets to BCT like OCS candidates. As someone who attended BCT and was an SMP member until commissioning, I regularly found ROTC frustrating. Many of my peers lacked even basic Soldier skills or discipline. The upperclassmen were expected to teach these things, but typically had not been instructed properly themselves. While I don't think BCT is the silver bullet to fix that, it would be a step in the right direction. It would also eliminate unnecessary Cadre and infrastructure that could be better used elsewhere.
The only way for it to be feasible would be requiring a contract prior to attendance, but that's not anything new. I think BCT would be a good "gut check" as well. Soldiers deserve good leaders. If they can't handle BCT, it pains me to think how they would handle combat.
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MAJ(P) (Join to see)
Agreed. I went through OCS myself but I believe that everyone that wears the uniform should have to go through BCT. Not only would they learn basic 10-level skills but I believe they would also learn what it's like to be a private. That would help them to make more empathetic decisions in their careers, thus helping them build good rapport with their subordinates.
I went through BOLC/OBC a couple years ago and I was only one of three prior service NCOS and only one out of seven that attended BCT. Maybe it was just my class but there was a night and day difference between those who had gone to basic and those that hadn't. Not only did they lack some of the skills that would have served them well in the course but the ones who didn't go to BCT seemed like they had no desire to be part of the team toward the end of the course. They hadn't been exposed to the events in basic that built esprit de corps and were only there for themselves.
Those are just my two cents.
I went through BOLC/OBC a couple years ago and I was only one of three prior service NCOS and only one out of seven that attended BCT. Maybe it was just my class but there was a night and day difference between those who had gone to basic and those that hadn't. Not only did they lack some of the skills that would have served them well in the course but the ones who didn't go to BCT seemed like they had no desire to be part of the team toward the end of the course. They hadn't been exposed to the events in basic that built esprit de corps and were only there for themselves.
Those are just my two cents.
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No. All cadets benefit from the leadership training camp prior to graduation and commissioning. Some cadets might find BCT a valuable supplement for training to become an officer during or prior to enrollment in ROTC. The leadership training camp exposes college students to the Army without paying them as full members of the Army and develops important skills in college students for the next step in their careers as military officers. The cadets that are prepared for the ROTC and the Army are the cadets that seek to place the country above self, recognize and acknowledge that there are hostile forces and people that seek to malign the country and its people, and stay healthy and motivated to navigate through the military bureaucracy.
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CPT (Join to see)
Thanks LTC Allen for the vote. RP is new to me. "Instead", the key word for me in LTC Rosenberger's initial question, divided my attention between the Es and the Os.
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MAJ (Join to see)
We are talking about BCT exchanged for the first two years off ROTC not to replace advanced camp right? The SMP program seems to be the best method for commissioning join the reserves start your time clock while you're in ROTC no way BCT prepares anyone to be a platoon leader.
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No. I do not believe that BCT makes better cadets because it does not focus on leader development. It is focused on making civilians into Soldiers. A cadet that has been to BCT will have some different experiences than a cadet like me who came right out of high school to college. But those experiences do not necessarily translate into leadership. While CIET has taken the place of the Leader Training Course and incorporates many of the same things, ultimately all contracted basic course cadets will go and MSIIIs will serve as squad leaders before they start CLC. So CIET and BCT have two different missions and outcomes.
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