Junior (MS3) Year

This is it, the big year that will either make or break your ROTC career. If you prepared well it will be relatively easy. If you slacked off in previous years you may end up struggling. There are a lot of things in general to do this year; along with a few special requirements for those hoping to branch Aviation. Again, it can not be reiterated enough, keep up the GPA and the PT scores; however, there are additional factors at play this year. Cadets in their MS3 year are evaluated in different leadership positions throughout the school year and attend a month long Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Lewis, WA over the summer where they are give additional evaluation. Key areas tested at camp include: leadership in varying positions in garrison and on missions, physical fitness test, and land navigation written and practical tests. Prior to leaving for camp, cadets make decisions concerning which branch they want and later, at the beginning of their senior year, they get a chance to see how they did at LDAC and can make any last minute changes. At the end of camp cadets are given an overall "E", "S", or "N". Getting an overall "E" is not  a requirement to branch aviation but it certainly helps! Cadets wishing to branch Aviation must take an Army Flight Aptitude Selection Test (AFAST) prior to LDAC. This is usually given at the end of the first semester in order to allow time for a retest if necessary. Not taking or failing to pass the AFAST will automatically eliminate a cadet from Aviation. This is a broad overview and there are a lot of details to many of these activities. I will cover the details in greater detail in later posts.

Sophomore (MS2) Year

Sophomore year in ROTC is somewhat a continuation of the freshman year. Again, the primary focus is on grades and physical fitness. While LDAC is still a ways off, many cadets get an opportunity to go to an Army School such as Airborne or Air Assault. Going to these schools provides additional points on the order of merit list (OML) that will be used to determine if you get into Aviation or not. Of course, getting a school slot is usually based on the OML to begin with so the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Make sure your GPA and PT scores already put you in the rich category and you will be fine. The sophomore year is also a time to get some extra preparation in for the upcoming critical MS3 year. While it is possible to learn everything you need to know your MS3 year, the information will be more deeply ingrained and second nature if it is really committed to memory this year. This is the last year of "freedom" before the constant evaluation of the MS3 year. Prepare well cadet!