More than 6,340 Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets were trained and tested this summer at the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) for their fitness to join the future United States Army officer corps and lead American soldiers.Also known as Operation Warrior Forge, the advanced leadership course is held every summer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.It is the single point of common training and assessment for cadets from across the country who hope to become lieutenants through U.S. Army Cadet Command’s ROTC program.About 270 second lieutenants were commissioned upon completing LDAC this summer. The others who successfully completed the assessment will return to their colleges and universities to finish the academic requirements for a degree and an Army commission.The past few years at LDAC have seen Cadet Command shifting toward a training model that embraces the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s common teaching scenario and replicates the contemporary operating environment, officials said."During the 29 days cadets are being trained and assessed at LDAC, they’re required to think on their feet," Joel Manning, chief of Warrior Forge plans, said.The course follows a familiar approach – it employs reception, staging, onward movement, and integration, along with a redeployment and demobilization phase.Individual training over the first days of Warrior Forge, such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, first aid and land navigation, provide opportunities for leadership experiences and lead to collective training such as maneuver and squad tactical exercises.Additionally, cultural awareness training exposes cadets to cultural factors: ethical dilemmas, politics, religion, economics, and their potential impact on military operations and mission accomplishment.Through leadership discussions, modern technology and hands-on familiarization, cadets gain an understanding of leadership on the modern battlefield and training simulations that are available to help them prepare for modern battle.All LDAC training leads to the culminating tactical exercise that provides a unique opportunity for cadets to engage in basic squad and section level maneuver doctrine and gives Cadet Command cadre a chance to observe and assess cadets’ leadership potential, Manning said.This year, more than 3,000 cadre and staff members conducted and supported the course – soldiers and civilians from active and reserve Army components as well as contracted agencies.Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, commander of Cadet Command, addressed cadets during graduation ceremonies."Nothing happens by accident," McDonald said. "Hard work got all of you out here today.Adding, "You stand as future leaders of the Army. This is just the beginning. We have prepared you for a lifetime of leadership."Cadet James Bogensberger from Gonzaga University echoed the sense of progress and accomplishment in McDonald’s words."This is an important milestone in our military career," Bogensberger said. "It was great getting to know new people and learning so much more about the military. You really do not feel set … until you complete LDAC."(Editor’s note: Lt. Gen. Stroup visited Operation Warrior Forge in July. Jeremy O’Bryan, Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Cadet Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, assisted in the interviews and preparation of this article.)