Activities
In addition to taking a class, ROTC cadets also participate in numerous other activities designed to prepare them as future warrior leaders. Conducted both on and off campus, these training events serve to reinforce in a practical environment the skills learned in the classroom.
Leadership Lab
Several times during the semester, each member of Bravo Co. assembles in a wilderness area near campus or at the ROTC building on campus to conduct field training and practice skills that otherwise cannot be learned in a classroom environment. For basic course cadets, the training usually focuses on basic soldier skills, such as weapon familiarization, individual movement techniques, drill and ceremony, grenade training, radio procedure, and the like. For advanced course cadets, training is focused on small unit tactical leadership and land navigation. During leadership lab, advanced course cadets are given the opportunity to test their field leadership skills by leading a squad-sized element of their peers to accomplish various infantry missions under simulated combat conditions. Sometimes the leadership lab also focuses on the development of skills needed to successfully pass LDAC, the ROTC qualification course, such as combat water survival training or rifle marksmanship.
Physical Training (PT)
Because physical fitness is important for Soldiers, and especially leaders of Soldiers, Bravo Company conducts morning PT throughout the week, in the morning, for one hour. PT often focuses on developing upper body endurance, abdominal muscle endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance through a combination of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, crunches, sprints, and distance runs.
Field Training Exercise (FTX)
Once per semester, Bravo Company travels to a nearby military installation, usually Fort Hunter Liggett, Fort Irwin or Camp Pendleton, to conduct field training using Army resources that provide a better training experience than could otherwise be replicated on campus. Spending between two and three days in the field, the FTX introduces cadets to fieldcraft, patrol bases, night land navigation, and wilderness survival skills. Skills learned during the leadership lab, like small unit tactical exercises, are also practiced during the FTX. If available, cadets may train on the confidence courses, obstacle courses, rifle ranges, rappel towers, and other facilities available at these installations.
Color Guard
To build rapport with the local community and reinforce the principles of military drill and ceremony, Bravo Company often provides cadets to serve as a color guard at numerous community functions, from sporting events to public ceremonies and dedications.
Ranger Challenge Team
The Ranger Challenge Team is a group of cadets who volunteer for extra training in order to participate in a military skill competition called "Ranger Challenge," which unites various individual soldier skills such as foot marching, rifle marksmanship, physical fitness, and land navigation, as well as collective skills such as constructing a rope bridge and team problem solving. In addition, numerous other training opportunities are available to members of the Ranger Challenge team, and they often participate in other skill competitions like the Bataan Memorial Death March - a 26.2 mile foot march.
Airborne, Air Assault, and Mountain Warfare Schools
Properly qualified basic course cadets may volunteer for and receive additional skill training at several Army schools during their summer break. At Airborne School, cadets learn how to execute a static-line parachute jump from a C-130 or C-17 aircraft. At Air Assault School, cadets learn how to prepare helicopter sling loads and rappel from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. At Mountain Warfare School, cadets learn the principles of military mountaineering. Each of these schools provide additional Regular Army training and give cadets a skill qualification that carries over through commissioning.