• January (1.5.years) - April (1 Month Out): Successfully command
• January/February: Application to Columbia (3-4 months out)
• Mid / End of March: Request for Order/Orders (2 months out)
• April/May: Permanent change of station (PCS) to West Point (1 month out)
• No later than May 30: Report date to West Point for orientation
• Early June: Begin summer semester at Columbia

• Graduate and Commission (Year Group (YG))
• BOLC and 1st Assignment (YG+1 Year)
• 1st Assignment Staff/XO (YG+2 Years)
• 1st Assignment Staff/XO (YG+3 Years)
• Attend CCC (YG+4 Years)

Apply to West Point

• 2nd Assignment Company Command (YG+6 Years)
• 2nd Assignment Staff/Company Command (YG+5 Years)

Graduate School

• 3rd Assignment, Year 1 at West Point, ELDP at Columbia (YG+8 Years)

Three-Year Utilization at West Point

• 4th Assignment, Year 2 at West Point, TAC Year (YG+9 Years)
• 4th Assignment, Year 3 at West Point, TAC Year (YG+10 Years)
• 4th Assignment, Year 3 at West Point, RXO/USMAPS, TAC Year (YG+11 Years)
• Command and General Staff College (CGSC) (YG+12 Years)

Please contact us for more information.

Application and Selection Timeline

• June: Messaging for hiring (2 years out)
• November 1: Application Deadline (1.5 years out)
• November: Hiring Board (1.5. years out)
• November/December: Brigade Tactical Department Interviews (1.5 years out)
• End of January: Session Notification (1.5 years out)

Timeline for Year Group +5

• Year 1: Columbia University ELDP
• Year 2: TAC Year 1
• Year 3: TAC Year 2
• Year 4: TAC Year 3
• Year 5: ILE
• Year 6: Next Assignment

Timeline for Year Group +6 (Concurrent ILE (DL) & AOC (@USMA))

• Year 1: Columbia University ELDP
• Year 2: TAC Year 1
• Year 3: TAC Year 2
• Year 4: TAC Year 3
• Year 5: Next Assignment

* Target Year Groups (YG) are YG+5/6 for application and YG+7/8 to begin ELDP to ensure you remain competitive for primary zone Lieutenant Colonel.

Graduate School

• 3rd Assignment, Year 1 at West Point, ELDP at Columbia (YG+8 Years)

Three-Year Utilization at West Point

• 4th Assignment, Year 2 at West Point, TAC Year (YG+9 Years)
• 4th Assignment, Year 3 at West Point, TAC Year (YG+10 Years)
• 4th Assignment, Year 3 at West Point, RXO/USMAPS, TAC Year (YG+11 Years)
• Command and General Staff College (CGSC) (YG+12 Years)

No.  For any additional questions, please contact our recruiting team at comstafftacrecruitingteam@westpoint.edu. 

The summers are physically challenging, fast-paced, and focused on military skills training. During the summer, you typically serve as a Cadet Basic Training (CBT) or Cadet Field Training (CFT) company TAC.   During this time, TACs fulfill the same roles as in the academic year but with a greater focus on military skills. The cadet cadre consists of upperclassmen in leadership positions that range from squad leaders to Regimental Commanders. 

New Cadets (rising freshmen) attend CBT. CBT has a dual role of turning New Cadets (approximately 1,300 each year) into members of the United States Corps of Cadets and training them in many of the soldier-skills expected of future platoon leaders. Tactical Officers and Tactical Non-commissioned Officers oversee all training, from drill and ceremony to basic rifle marksmanship. 

Rising “yearlings” (Third Class Cadets/sophomores) attend CFT. CFT places more focus on pre-commissioning skills.  It has a distinct “deployed to the field” atmosphere.  All rising cadet-sophomores are trained on such subjects as leading physical training, extensive land navigation, synchronizing indirect fires, conducting performance counseling, and executing confidence courses. 

Yes, in many ways it is like a typical TDA command. Because you are legally responsible for approximately 125 Cadet Soldiers who will be future Army leaders, the Officer Record Brief (ORB) job title is listed as “TACTICAL OFFICER/COMPANY COMMANDER.” You have an amazing opportunity to make a positive long-term impact on the Army through your actions and values.  Each Tactical Officer has a full-time NCO counterpart (1SG equivalent), and they work as a command team to develop the cadets in their company.

Your supervisor would be one of the four Regimental Tactical Officers (RTOs). RTOs are typically lieutenant colonels who have come from Battalion Command in an operational unit. The four RTOs supervise the 36 cadet companies by dividing them into four equal regiments. The Brigade Tactical Officer (BTO) serves as each Tactical Officer’s senior rater. The Commandant of Cadets oversees the Brigade Tactical Department.

The combination of a top tier Ivy League graduate school experience and service as a TAC officer is life changing. You will emerge a better officer and more prepared to lead Soldiers in future assignments. Many of our former TACs have gone on to serve as battalion and brigade commanders. EDLP is a truly unique and opportunity-broadening assignment because you will also be a part of numerous leadership development opportunities during your assignment.

During Graduate School

• You will receive West Point Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) regardless of where you decide to live during your 12-month master’s degree program.

As a Tactical Officer

• If you choose to live on post, you will receive priority housing at West Point due to your mission-essential status. 
• West Point Housing is privatized and managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. 

To receive further information and to apply for housing please visit the following website: https://www.westpointfamilyhomes.com/.

March: Application for Columbia University

Late March / Early April: Request for Orders (RFOs) and Orders

Mid- to late May: Report date and in-processing

1st week of June: West Point and Columbia Orientation

2nd week of June: Summer classes begin

• Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy (USMA)
• Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS)
• Staff and Faculty for the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic (SCPME)