In ROTC, there is a mandatory training camp that all cadets need to graduate in order to become a Second Lieutenant. The camp is in between the junior and senior year of ROTC, and is called Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Lewis, Washington. This fort is underneath the shadow of Mount Rainier. In class we looked at the chapter in Lane’s book about Mt. Rainier, The Mountain that was God. I think that that idea helps add to the experiences that cadets go through in the 30 days of training.
There is a lot of stress placed on people going to LDAC. It is the culmination of three years of ROTC, and everything is centered on passing and doing well at this camp. It is like the basic training of cadets, only there is another basic training for Officers once cadets complete their senior year and commission. Cadets are evaluated on leadership dimensions from their performance in stressful battle sequences as the leader making all the decisions. Seeing the silhouette of Mt. Rainier adds to the enormity of the training that cadets go through. The mountain that was God is an oddly fitting place to hold the camp that determines the future of so many Officers’ careers.
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