Corps of Cadets Fact Sheet

The United States Corps of Cadets comprises over 4,000 men and women pusuing an undergraduate education and a commission in the United States Army. They are organized into 32 cadet companies, which are grouped into battalions (four companies each), regiments (two battalions each), and the Corps (four regiments).

Cadets run the Corps through their Chain of Command. First Class (fourth year) cadets fulfill roles as First Captain (or Corps commander), Regimental Commanders, Battalion Commanders, Company Commanders, and Platoon Leaders. Other First Class cadets serve in various staff capacities at the Brigade, Regiment, Battalion, Company, and Platoon levels. Second Class (third year) cadets serve as cadet noncommissioned officers, principally as Squad Leaders supervising the lower two classes of cadets. Third Class (second year) cadets serve as Team Leaders, each providing personal oversight of one or two Fourth Class (first year) cadets.

In addition to its own Chain of Command, the Corps of Cadets is managed by the Brigade Tactical Department as described below.

Brigade Tactical Department Fact Sheet

The Brigade Tactical Department (BTD) is responsible for the military command and control of the Corps of Cadets. The BTD is led by the Brigade Tactical Officer (BTO), an active duty Colonel. Each of the four regiments is commanded by a Regimental Tactical Officer (RTO - Lieutenant Colonel), while each of the cadet companies is commanded by the Company Tactical Officer (TAC - Major or Captain) and assigned a Company Tactical Noncommissioned Officer (TAC NCO - Master Sergeant or Sergeant First Class). The BTD also includes the Center for Personal Development (CPD), a nationally accredited counseling center for cadets.

The mission of the BTD is to develop, train and inspire cadets, through integration of the Academy programs, to be leaders of character; committed to Duty, Honor, Country; and inspired for careers as US Army officers and a lifetime of selfless service to the Nation.

The members of the BTD accomplish this mission in diverse ways. The TACs and TAC NCOs (Company TAC Teams) are the integrators of the Academy’s developmental programs - they oversee each cadet’s individual development in the academic, military, physical, and moral-ethical dimensions. The TAC Teams train the cadets with a continual focus on leader development. The TAC is the legal commander of the cadet company, and as such is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a climate which fosters individual and unit excellence in all program areas.

The role of the TAC Team is very unique - mentor, counselor, leader, motivator, trainer, evaluator, commander, role model, teacher, administrator, and integrator. TACs and TAC NCOs are chosen from the Army based on their demonstrated abilities and potential in all these areas. All Company TACs have been successful company commanders. TAC NCOs have all been successful platoon sergeants, drill sergeants or first sergeants. Their combined abilities, experiences and training inspire and motivate cadets in preparation for Army careers.

TAC Teams interact daily with cadets across the developmental spectrum. They are available to the cadets from reveille until taps each day. The TAC Teams regularly sit attend academic classes and teach numerous leadership and professional development classes. They attend drill and ceremonies practice, military training and intramural sports with their companies. They perform these same duties during the summer training period at Cadet Basic Training and Cadet Field Training. Additionally, many TACs and TAC NCOs are assistant coaches, officer representatives or officers-in-charge of the Cadet Corps Squad teams and Cadet Club sports and activities.

As the program integrators, TAC Teams regularly interact with cadets' professors, mentors, coaches, staff and faculty and parents. The TACs and TAC NCOs are the point of entry for any question or concerns regarding cadets.