Phase I (Rook Orientation Week)

Orientation Week provides an overview of our campus community and the requisites to become a fully integrated member of the Corps of Cadets.

  • Day 1—Recruits participate in Math, English and Foreign Language placement testing (as required) and receive their initial uniform issue. Cadet leaders will teach recruits the proper care and wear of uniform items.
  • Days 2 and 3 – Recruits learn individual armed & unarmed basic drill, squad drill, platoon drill; they complete a diagnostic physical fitness test and prepare their room in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP).
  • Day 4 (Academic Day)—Recruits are introduced to their academic department, meet their academic advisor, verify their class schedule and discuss goal setting.
  • Day 5 (Military Skills Day)—Recruits are introduced to orienteering, rappelling, ITTS, rope bridging, hand grenade assault course, and leadership reaction course.
  • Day 6—Recruits are introduced to the equal opportunity policy and receive briefings on athletics and intramurals, clubs and activities.
  • Day 7—Recruits participate in the Dog River Run; Oath Ceremony; and the New Student Picnic.

Each day training starts at 0530 hours with physical training and ends at 2300 hours with lights out. Much of the in-processing occurs as cadet leaders guide new recruits around the campus. Cadet Leaders make use of every available moment to train the recruits entrusted to their care

Rook Basic Skills Training

Basic Skills Training runs 10-12 weeks, concurrently with the academic semester and culminates at the discretion of the regimental commander based on our assessment of the new recruits’ mastery of requisite skills, knowledge, and attributes. Recruits will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Military bearing, personal appearance, proper wear of uniform, and maintaining living space in accordance with SOP

  • Demonstrated proficiency in individual drill, squad drill, and platoon drill

  • Improved wellness through proper nutrition and physical fitness (meet PFT standard)

  • Demonstrated proficiency in rook knowledge (history, values, Honor Code,student rules and regulations)

  • Participation in intramural sports and a variety of extracurricular activities.

  • Demonstrated effective time management as evidenced by balancing academic course load and successful completion of Corps training.

Upon completion of Rook Basic Skills Training, new recruits discard their rook cover and climb out of the gutter. Rooks earn some basic privileges (such as local liberty and access to the snack bar and student lounge) but maintain the title of rook until completion of Basic Leadership Training. All of us are subordinate to someone or something. Therefore, it is imperative that we retain the lessons learned from rookdom and apply them as we interact with our superiors.

From the first day of classes in late August and throughout the academic year, Sunday provides an opportunity for a little more sleep, significant study time, uniform and equipment preparation time for the week ahead, some time to write a letter, and attend religious services. One weekend evening (Friday or Saturday) each week during the semester provides an opportunity for recreation such as a movie. Some weekends have specified events on the training schedule, which may impact into Sunday “down day.” These dates are known well in advance.