LDAC Preparation Suggestions
Study
Study and have a detailed working knowledge of the following
manuals before reporting to Advanced Camp. Understanding these
publications will be the foundation of your success.
--FM 22-5: Drill and Ceremonies
--FM 21-20: Physical Fitness Training
--FM 3-21.8: Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad
*Physical Training
To help ensure success at Advanced Camp you must be in top
physical condition and possess a positive mental attitude.
Before camp, every cadet needs to design a personal training
program designed to achieve the following goals:
--increase physical endurance
--increase overall strength
--prevent injuries caused by atrophy
Refer to FM 21-20 when designing your physical training program.
Start at a moderate pace at the beginning of the school year
while gradually increasing your workouts to set yourself up for
success at Advanced Camp.
Grades
Classes are the most important aspect for every cadet from
freshman to seniors. ROTC cadets are students first, cadets
second. Even though camp is important, it is not the most
influential consideration when it comes to branch and duty
station selection. Cadets need to concentrate on academics
first.
Advanced Camp Survival Tips
This list is a result of previous Advanced Camp graduates. Pay
attention to these bits of advice from those who have gone
before you. Using these tips will lead to better performance and
a more enjoyable experience at advanced camp.
1. Do not pack for Advanced Camp the day before you leave. Do it
at least one week prior to your departure. The more time you
give yourself, the more time you will have to acquire anything
you find yourself lacking.
2. Upon arrival, remember the importance of first impressions.
3. When you get there, find a highly motivated cadet to work
with during Advanced Camp. This helps make the days go by faster
and keeps you excited about what you are doing.
4. Give everyone you know your camp address and write to
everyone. Have them send you packages, cassette tapes,
newspapers, etc. You will be amazed at how starved for
information you and everyone else will be; even your TACs. Be
sure to share any papers or magazines you receive.
5. Write down any Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are
adopted by your squad or platoon. A good idea is to write them
neatly on butcher block paper and have them posted where
everyone can easily refer to them.
6. Initiate a plan to pass down a book of hints for the Company
Commander (CO), Executive Officer (XO), First Sergeant (1SG),
and Platoon Leader (PL) positions to aid successive chains of
command. It helps them do well and makes camp run more smoothly.
7. Use downtime to re-teach Common Task Training (CTT) to your
squad.
8. Follow FM 3-21.8 to the letter when it comes to the
operations order (OPORD). Do not forget the task organization.
9. Volunteer for extraneous duties.
10. Write heavily detailed and complete self-assessment cards
(yellow cards). It is important to record every positive action
that you perform during your leadership floor. Since your
evaluator will not always be present to see all of the tasks
that you accomplish, a detailed yellow card is important crucial
in letting them know how hard you have worked. Be factual and
accentuate the positive.
11. Never hold an unnecessary formation. This is very straining
for unit morale.
12. Support your cadet leadership. Do not fight their decisions.
This helps unit morale and efficiency.
13. Act on the suggestions made during the after action reviews
(AARs).
14. At appropriate times, ask questions of the TACs. They are
teachers and mentors before they are evaluators.
15. K.I.S.S. -- Keep It Simple, Stupid.
16. Delegate!!!! You will be quickly and immediately overwhelmed
if you try to do everything by yourself.
17. Do PT whenever you can. If you are attending a follow-on
training school (especially Airborne School or Air Assault
School), then talk to your cadre about the possibility of
starting a separate PT group for these people who have a need to
train harder than the normal PT sessions often allow.
18. Do not slack off on your PT between the time school ends and
camp starts. If anything, start training harder and more often
than usual.
19. Break in two to three pairs of boots before arriving at Fort
Lewis. Advanced Camp requires you to be on your feet a lot, so
you need to take care of them.
20. Practice before camp so that you are comfortable with Drill
and Ceremony as well as calling marching and running cadences.
21. Relax. By the time you are sent to camp, you will be ready
to successfully complete everything. Stressing about Advanced
Camp will not make you a better leader.
22. Keep a positive mental attitude.
Know why you are at advanced camp before you get there.....to be
an officer in the most powerful army in the history of the
world.....never forget this during Advanced Camp!!!!!!
Advanced Camp Extra Packing List
1. A large ALCE pack. Advanced Camp issues medium packs, they
just aren't big enough.
2. 550 cord
3. Sewing kit
4. Hand mirror
5. Green duct tape
6. Travel alarm clock
7. Baby wipes or Oxy Pads (Helps take off the camo)
8. Weapons cleaning kit
9. Colored markers
10. Gold Bond Medicated Foot Powder
11. Bungee Cords
12. Map case
13. Sand table kit
14. Mosquito head net
15. Bug repellent
16. Laundry detergent (No liquid, prone to breakage on flight)
17. CTT visual aids
18. Shower shoes
19. Ruck sac liner (Not a trash bag, but an actual liner)
20. FM 3-21.8, 22-5, Infantry Platoon TACSOP
21. Boot Inserts