Location: Fort Lewis, Washington

The ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) or operation WARRIOR FORGE is the most important training event for an Army ROTC cadet or National Guard Officer Candidate. The 33-day training event incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are rigorous and demanding, both mentally and physically. WARRIOR FORGE tests intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. These challenges provide a new perspective on an individual's ability to perform exacting tasks and to make difficult decisions in demanding situations.

WARRIOR FORGE places each cadet and officer candidate in a variety of leadership positions, many of which simulate stressful combat situations. In each position, cadets will receive evaluations from platoon tactical and counseling (TAC) officers and noncommissioned officers. In addition to proving their leadership ability, cadets and officer candidates must meet established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication, combat patrols and demonstrate their proficiency in many other military skills. Cadets and officer candidates must excel at WARRIOR FORGE to be considered competitive for a commission as an Army officer.