Cadet Field Training

[IdiotSticks93]

Howdy,

I'm a Infantrymen and a current ROTC cadet. The program I am enrolled in has offered to send me to CFT at West Point this summer and I have some questions that I was hoping somebody could answer for me.

1. Being prior service, would this program offer me a reasonable amount of training? (I was a Team Leader in a line company)

2. Would I be treated as another fresh cadet? As in, does this have a "Boot Camp" environment?

3. And lastly, is the use of tobacco allowed? As frivolous as this may sound, 33 days without dip in an environment of stress is not exactly my idea of fun.

If someone could get back to me, I would appreciate it.

 

[mvt93]

1. You probably won't see anything you haven't before, being prior infantry. Basic tactical maneuvers (battle drills, establishing fields of fire, ect) are what's covered. If anything, you'll probably be called on to better explain a concept because unlike most cadets (including cadre), you have actual infantry experience. If anything, it'll just be a refresher for you.

2. Buckner is more of a training environment then that of a basic training environment. You'll still have a chain of command (other cadets) and be expected to call them "Sergeant", "Lieutenant" ect and treat them accordingly in regards to their position. But for most part, it's like any other training event in the Army. That being said, there are certain companies which may be "hotter" then others. That's TAC and cadre dependent.

3. Oh yes. Tobacco flows freely.

 

[IdiotSticks93]

Awesome, thanks for the info. I'll take that into consideration.

 

[2012Cadet]

Howdy,

I'm a Infantrymen and a current ROTC cadet. The program I am enrolled in has offered to send me to CFT at West Point this summer and I have some questions that I was hoping somebody could answer for me.

1. Being prior service, would this program offer me a reasonable amount of training? (I was a Team Leader in a line company)

2. Would I be treated as another fresh cadet? As in, does this have a "Boot Camp" environment?

3. And lastly, is the use of tobacco allowed? As frivolous as this may sound, 33 days without dip in an environment of stress is not exactly my idea of fun.

If someone could get back to me, I would appreciate it.

1. Training is as good as you make it. Some of the events we did during our Buckner (last year) were wet and dry obstacle courses, day and night land nav, fire support and mortars, TCCC, various marksmanship training, room clearing, urban assault training, counter-IED training, ASIP radios, and Small Unit Leader Development (which I believe will be an OPFOR this year, basically sort of an FTX). Being prior service Infantry, you've probably done most of these already and more, but they may be a good refresher.

2. No. You'll be training with rising sophomores, and thus it is not a "boot-camp" environment by any means unlike CBT for entering freshmen.

3. Tobacco use is allowed at CFT (at least dip is) by trainees and cadet cadre.

 

[hawk]

Is your CFT detail early summer or late? There are two CFT sessions this year, with CFT1 also serving as opfor for CLDT.

CFT2 is the traditional session. CFT1 will likely have more Reg Army instruction due to its linkage to CLDT.

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[mvt93]

He's most likely going to have the traditional session. Session 1 is mainly for football players and other special cases. They're going to want the the visiting cadets to get "the full experience".

Also, there is quite a bit of training with the Regular Army during traditional Buckner. They usually get the 10th MTN guys to come down and conduct trainings on a variety of topics. They also serve as lanewalkers during FTXs.