USMAPS Military Training Military training begins on day one and is integrated into the academic year curriculum. It also includes a focus on character development. USMAPS Military Training Military training begins on day one and is integrated into the academic year curriculum. It also includes a focus on character development. Breadcrumb us military academy preparatory school military sidebar_usmaps MENU Home Academics Military Athletics Cadet Candidate Life About USMAPS Military Program Military training begins on the first day cadet candidates arrive at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) and is deliberately integrated into the academic year curriculum through a military science program. Additionally, military training includes a comprehensive focus on character development. Military Training Military training begins on the first day the cadet candidates arrive with a four-week training program called Cadet Candidate Basic Training (CCBT). CCBT is a three-week training program that teaches basic soldier tasks and drills while developing individual, physical, and mental strength. Military training is also deliberately injected into the academic year curriculum through a military science program. Rifle Marksmanship During Cadet Candidate Basic Training (CCBT), each cadet candidate will receive a four-day block of instruction about the basics of Rifle Marksmanship. The USMAPS TAC teams, the Department of Military Instruction (DMI) Marksmanship Committee, and U.S. Miitary Academy (USMA) Cadet Cadre take the lead in training the cadet candidates. By the end of their four days of instruction, each cadet candidate will be trained to maintain, zero, employ, and engage targets with their assigned weapon. Land Navigation During CCBT, each cadet candidate will receive a three-day block of instruction about the basics of land navigation. The USMAPS TAC teams, the USMA Geography Department, and the USMA Cadet Cadre take the lead in training the Cadet candidates. Upon completion of their three days of training, each cadet candidate will be able to read a map, estimate distance/direction, and navigate from one point to another over rugged terrain during daylight hours. Crew Served Weapons Familiarization During CCBT, each cadet candidate will receive a two-day block of instruction on the operation and implementation of crew-served weapons. The USMAPS TAC teams, the Department of Military Instruction Crew Served Weapons Committee, and the USMA Cadet Cadre take the lead in training the cadet candidates. By the end of their two days, each cadet candidate will be familiar with the characteristics, rates of fire, types of ammunition, and appropriate employment of crew-served weapons. Specifically, each cadet candidate will have the opportunity to fire the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M240B Machine Gun. Medical Readiness Training During CCBT, each cadet candidate will receive a one-day block of instruction on the basics of medical readiness and first aid training. The USMAPS TAC teams, Task Force Combat Medics, and the USMA Cadet Cadre take the lead in training the cadet candidates. By the end of training, each cadet candidate will be familiar with providing care under fire, tactical field care, and tactical evaluation care. Specifically, each cadet candidate will have the opportunity to perform buddy aid, conduct 9-Line medical evacuation procedures (MEDEVAC), and execute buddy carries and personnel evacuation techniques. Additional Cadet Candidate Training Cadet candidates are also taught the basics of the following:drill and ceremonymilitary customs and courtesiesrecognizing and understanding military rank structurethe Uniform Code of Military Justice Character Development In addition to training in traditional military skills, cadet candidates participate in a comprehensive Character Development Program during CCBT and throughout the academic year. In order to ensure that USMAPS is in direct strategic alignment with USMA, the cadet candidate character development program specifically teaches cadet candidates about honorable living. Cadets candidates are expected to live by the Cadet Honor Code: “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.” The character development program also leverages resources from USMA'’s Simon Center for Professional Military Ethics to round out a top-tier character development program. Cadet Candidate Battalion The Battalion Tactical Department (BTD) oversees military training, USMA admission gates, and other administration requirements for each Cadet Candidate during his or her ten-month tenure at USMAPS.The BTD is comprises three companies with a Tactical Officer and Tactical Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of each. These three companies combine to make up the Cadet Candidate Battalion, which is lead by the Battalion Tactical Officer (BTO) and a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer who reports directly to the USMAPS Commandant. Military Leadership MAJ Daniel Vigeant Battalion Tactical Officer Major Dan Vigeant is from Port Charlotte, Florida and enlisted as a UH-60 Blackhawk mechanic and crew chief in 2004. He was commissioned into the Aviation Branch in 2014 through the Active Duty Greem to Gold ROTC Program with a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University. In 2022, he graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters in Organizational Psychology. In 2024, he graduated from Syracuse University with a Masters in Business Administration. Read more about the Battalion Tactical Officer Contact the Battalion Tactical Department Cadet Candidate Companies A CompanyTactical OfficerTactical Non-Commissioned Officer B CompanyTactical OfficerTactical Non-Commissioned Officer C CompanyTactical OfficerTactical Non-Commissioned Officer Academics The USMAPS academic program aligns with the USMA core curriculum and provides tailored instruction to best meet the needs of individual cadet candidates. Learn more about academics at USMAPS Athletics The USMAPS Department of Physical Education and Athletics provides Cadet Candidates with a world-class physical developmental program, led by top tier staff and faculty focused on developing leaders of character. Learn more about athletics at USMAPS