Every year in late August, a week before classes start, 400 new rooks arrive at Norwich to begin their college education and the yearlong journey to becoming a cadet. A rook is a first-year cadet in training who desires to join the lifestyle. Training is separated into three distinct phases: Rook Orientation, Rook Basic Skills Training and Rook Advanced Skills Training. The entire process is called rookdom.
Rook Orientation
Photo by David SantosRook Orientation culminates in the Dog River Run.
Rook Orientation is a 10-day period of initial training prior to the start of classes. Rooks are fitted and issued uniforms, learn to setup their rooms, learn to march in formations, begin memorizing Norwich facts and traditions and participate in a number of physically challenging events. Rooks attend demonstrations and participate in training staged by the Mountain Cold Weather Rescue Unit and Ranger Platoon, other Corps activities and the four ROTC programs. They meet their academic advisors and are briefed on the academic support programs, student activities, athletics and other opportunities available to them as students. Rook Orientation culminates with the annual “Dog River Run,” a one-mile run down the Dog River, which flows through the Norwich campus. This single event will be the first of many memorable moments in the life of a Norwich cadet. Cold, wet and tired, you will begin to understand the pride and passion that is felt by all Norwich cadets, past and present.
After Rook Orientation
Once Rook Orientation is complete, the academic year begins and rooks enter their second phase, Rook Basic Skills Training. Building on the skills they learned during Orientation, rooks will be introduced to military customs and courtesies, as well as more of the history and traditions of Norwich University. Physical fitness training, room inspections, care and maintenance of uniforms, drill and ceremonies, time management training and other military basic skills training will become an everyday part of a rook’s life. This phase usually continues through late November. To celebrate completion of this phase, rooks participate in a parade in their honor and earn several new privileges.
Beginning in December and continuing through March, rooks enter the third phase of rookdom, or Rook Advanced Skills training. During this phase, rooks begin to assume the role of small unit leaders and learn the basic principles of leadership. How to lead, take the initiative, communicate effectively, counsel subordinates and training others will become increasingly important skills as rooks assume positions of leadership within the Corps of Cadets in their sophomore year at Norwich.
Completion of Rookdom
Completion of rookdom is the next major event in a rook’s life and normally takes place in April of freshman year. Only the Commandant of Cadets and senior Corps leadership know when and where the event will take place. At this point, rookdom ends as each rook earns the title of “cadet.”
