Schools and Opportunities

Cadets may compete for training opportunities at Active Army Schools, primarily during the summer months. These competitive opportunities allow cadets to experience the Army and in some cases produce badges that will be worn on their uniforms.

Airborne School (ABN)

Army paratrooper training spans three weeks at Fort Moore, GA. If selected for this competitive school, cadets learn to conduct airborne operations by learning how to properly jump out of an airplane, become qualified to operate a parachute, and learn how to safely land on the ground. Upon successful completion, cadets are awarded the Parachutist Badge, qualifying the Cadet to be a US Army Paratrooper.

(FORT BENNING, GA) On June 24, 2022, UNC ARMY ROTC’s Cadet Mohammed Qassem graduated from the Airborne school.

(FORT LIBERTY, NC) From July 7th – 28th, 2023, UNC ROTC’s Cadet Mohammad Qassem participated in the Cadet Troop Leader Training experience at Ft. Liberty with the 82nd Airborne Division. (Photo provided by UNC Army ROTC)

(FORT LIBERTY, NC) Paratroopers of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division drop into Fort Bragg’s Sicily Drop Zone (David Smith/The Fayetteville Observer/AP)

(FORT BENNING, GA) Over Fryar Drop Zone at Fort Benning in August 2016, U.S. Army paratroopers exit the rear of a C-130 aircraft. (CPT Ken Woods)

Air Assault School (AASLT)

This course trains soldiers in Air Assault operations, sling-load operations, and rappelling. Upon graduation of the course each Soldier will be able to perform skills required to make maximum use of helicopter assets in training and in combat to support their unit operations. Soldiers are trained on missions performed by rotary wing aircraft, aircraft safety, aero-medical evacuation procedures, pathfinder operations, and principles and techniques of combat assaults, rappelling techniques, and sling-load operations. Training is normally conducted at either Fort Campbell, KY or Fort Moore, GA.

(FORT MOORE, GA) Cadet Hathaway rappels from a UH-60 Blackhawk during his Air-Assault training at Fort Moore, GA in 2023. (Photo provided by UNC Army ROTC)

(FORT CAMPBELL, KY) On Aug 15th, 2023, Cadet Joseph Thompson graduated from Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, KY. While he was there he was able to learn about Aircraft, sling load operations, and repelling. (Photo provided by UNC Army ROTC)

Army Mountain Warfare School (AMWS)

This course is taught at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, VT. It is taught in two phases, each lasting two weeks. The summer phase teaches and tests Cadets on military mountaineering operations including rock climbing, rappelling, and orienteering. The winter phase teaches and tests on similar tasks but in the winter environment. It includes ice climbing, cross-country skiing, and cold weather operations. Upon successful completion, cadets are awarded the Ramshead Device, which presently can only be worn by certain National Guard soldiers.

(CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING SITE, VT) A student at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School’s Basic Military Mountaineer Course, shoots at a high-angle range Jan. 24, 2022. The school teaches basic, advanced and specialty mountain warfare courses to U.S. and foreign service members.

Sapper Leader Course

The Sapper Leader Course is a 28-day leadership development course for combat engineers that reinforces critical skills and teaches advanced techniques needed across the Army. This course is also designed to build esprit de corps by training Soldiers in troop leading procedures, demolitions (conventional and expedient), and mountaineering operations. The course culminates in an intense field training exercise that reinforces the use of the battle drills and specialized engineer techniques learned throughout the course. Students do not need to be branched engineer to attend this course.

Cold Weather Orientation Course (CWOC)

This is a three-week course covering tactical operations in a cold weather climate. The course is taught at Fort Greeley, AK. Soldiers and cadets will be trained in winter survival techniques, skiing, snowshoeing and cold weather patrolling.

(BLACK RAPIDS, AK) Senior leaders from US Army Alaska train on snowshoes for the first time at Black Rapids Training Site Nov 17 as a part of their Cold Weather Orientation Course.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis/USARAK Public Affairs NCO)

Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT)

Cadet Troop Leadership Training is an optional program for MSIII cadets during the summer following completion of Advanced Camp. This three week CONUS or 4 week OCONUS program trains Cadets in lieutenant positions with active Army and Reserve component units. Assignments are available in nearly all branches and with units worldwide.

(ROME, ITALY) Cadet Zachary Miller represented the Tar Heel Battalion in Italy and Germany. Training at Grafenwoehr Base with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Miller shadowed a PL and gained important skills for becoming a LT in the Army. (Photo provided by UNC Army ROTC)

(TACOMA, WA) Cadet Casimir Szupica did his CTLT with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis McChord. He was able to train with the Rangers as they worked on FESOP, trained for MLAT, and practiced airfield seizures. (Photo provided by UNC Army ROTC)

The Cadet Intern Program (CIP)

Cadets who wish to participate in any internship must meet application requirements, submit an application packet and receive approval. Internship applications are specialized to each program offered. Timelines for submission may vary.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (PAOIP)

Cadets serve as an advanced trainee in public affairs receiving on-the-job training. Assignments are designed to provide experience and knowledge that will develop the incumbent for public affairs work at a higher level. Cadets interview and confer with functional experts and project specialists to obtain background data and information for use in writing assigned articles and stories for Cadet Command and for release to local, regional and national news media. Additionally, Cadets organize, write, and edit material to be used in news releases on routine events of non-controversial subjects for the news media. This provides the opportunity to work in new media and social media realms. As competence in work increases, assignments advance in scope and complexity.

Prerequisites:

- Enrolled in a Public Affairs, journalism or communications degree
- Meet current APFT and height/weight standards at the time of application and during attendance
- MS III Cadets have priority. However MS IV Cadets graduating December or later may apply as an exception to policy
- GPA of 3.0 or better in academic major

2. FORENSIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (FIP)

The National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) located in Largo, Florida, exposes Cadets to biometric and forensic capabilities. During a two week training period, Cadets are taught how to examine fingerprints, tire tracks, and footwear impressions, as well as explosives detection, chemical analysis, media exploitation, IED investigation, and deployable forensic laboratories and capabilities. The training will consist of mandatory lecture viewing via podcasts prior to the Cadet’s arrival at NFSTC. Upon arrival at NFSTC the knowledge delivered via the podcasts will be taught in a hand on manner in the NFSTC laboratories and facilities. Cadets in FIP will serve in Largo, Florida, at the campus of the NFSTC.

Prerequisites:

- Enrolled in Forensic Science or Criminology Program or planning on branching MP or Engineer
- Meet current ACFT and height/weight standards at the time of application and during attendance
- MS III Cadets have priority. However MS IV Cadets graduating December or later may apply as an exception to policy
- GPA of 2.5 or better in academic major

3. INTELLIGENCE & SECURITY COMMAND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (INSCOMIP)

Cadets are placed in G3 plans, G3 Ops and Training, G1, G4, or a general Military Intelligence (MI) section working on MI products. Cadets work with Soldiers and civilians with in INSCOM on intelligence products that inform DoD leadership on national security issues. INSCOMIP takes place at Fort Belvoir, VA.

Prerequisites:

- Interested in branching Military Intelligence
- Possess an approved Top Secret or interim top security clearance at the time of application submission (No exceptions)
- Meet current ACFT and height/weight standards at the time of application and during attendance
- MS III Cadets have priority. However MS IV Cadets graduating December or later may apply as an exception to policy
- GPA of 2.5 or better in academic major

4. NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (NNSAIP)

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Defense Programs offers a suite of activities to enhance collaboration between NNSA’s eight sites and the U.S. Military Academies and ROTC programs at other universities. These programs are administered at NNSA and executed at NNSA sites, including the labs, production facilities and the Nevada National Security Site. At each location, leading-edge research and development is carried out on key national security technologies critical to the United States and its allies. Programs include science, technology and engineering essential to sustaining the nation’s arsenal of nuclear weapons, plus a wide array of work on other efforts for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, among others, plus exquisite support to the Intelligence Community.

Prerequisites:

- Enrollment in a science, computer or engineering program
- Possess an approved Secret or interim security clearance at the time of application submission. No exceptions.
- Meet current ACFT and height/weight standards at the time of application and during attendance
- Cadets must apply directly with NNSA at https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/leadership-and-offices
- MS III Cadets have priority. However MS IV Cadets graduating December or later may apply as an exception to policy
- GPA of 3.0 or better in academic major
- Notify Chain of Command of acceptance into the program