University of Central Florida junior Benjamin Jones recently finished ahead of nearly 500 other Army ROTC cadets in the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) held as part of cadet training at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington. Passing the test is a prerequisite for becoming commissioned as a U.S. Army lieutenant.
Thousands of college students converge at the base each summer to attend Army ROTC’s capstone training and assessment exercise, the 29-day “Leader Development and Assessment Course” (LDAC).
Jones’ achievement on the APFT placed him in the top two percent of his 446-person regiment. The test, which measures students’ strength and endurance, consists of sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run.
This year, more than 6,500 ROTC cadets will attend LDAC in 14 regiments. Each 500-person regiment will undergo a 29-day cycle of progressive training, culminating in the regimental graduation ceremony.
LDAC is the single most important event in any cadet’s student career. Successful completion of the 29-day training cycle is a prerequisite for commissioning.
Learn more about UCF’s Fighting Knights Battalion at http://www.ucfrotc.com.