BASIC / CRAWL · CBTEarn the Title.
Cadet Basic Training
Earn the Title.
Build Your Foundation.
A two-week introduction to military life for motivated teenagers ready to build discipline, confidence and teamwork.
Camp Liberty · Battleground, Alabama · Cullman County, North Alabama
$2,650 · tuition
BASIC / CRAWL
Cadet Basic Training
DURATION2 weeks
WHO IT IS FORFirst-time Recruits
AGE / PLACEMENTAges 13–18
ENTRY POINTNo previous XMC training required
- Dates
- Jun 13–Jun 26 · Jun 27–Jul 10
- Tuition · USD
- $2,650 · View Session Details ↗
Tuition includes: instruction, Challenger lodging, standard meals and scheduled local training transportation. Cadet Basic Training also includes the specified new-Recruit uniform/equipment issue and initial male Recruit Crewcut.
Budget separately for: travel, BHM airport transfers, medication administration, photography, selected special meals, required personal items and additional haircuts. Review final charges in CampMinder before paying.
Complete Inclusions & Additional Costs ↗ · Nonrefundable Payment Terms ↗
01 / THE MISSION
Every Recruit Starts with a Foundation.
Cadet Basic Training (CBT) is a two-week, high-adventure, introduction to military life. You will train, sweat and find your inner-strength with other young people from around the world.
02 / TRAINING FOCUS
Build Your Foundation.
A clear view of the areas covered
through instruction and practical experience.
Self-discipline and Teamwork
Marksmanship Instruction
Water Survival and Rappelling
Obstacle Courses and Self-defense
Graduation and the Title of Cadet
Explore the full course outline
CADET BASIC TRAINING - The Rite of Passage to Become a "Cadet."
Recruits are led by seasoned Drill Instructors (DoD generic term) from the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force. The Drill Instructors instill a high level of personal pride, self-discipline and internal confidence in each Recruit. This is not an easy course and is intended for teens who want to challenge themselves.
This is an excellent opportunity to experience the military lifestyle as a primer for the possibility of future military service or attendance at a Service Academy.
Highlights of CBT include marksmanship training, water survival training, obstacle courses, self-defense training, and—when scheduled—off-site rappelling arranged through an independent training provider, and a formal Graduation Ceremony as the final event. This is a structured introduction to military life, adapted for motivated teenagers. The experience can help participants make a more informed decision about their future interests.
After graduating CBT, Cadets may pursue follow-on courses as they meet each course’s age, prerequisite, fitness and selection requirements. Returning Ranger candidates must be 15+; first-year CBT + Ranger package participants must be 16+. Selected programs require separate approval or invitation.
Explore the program video and online program overview linked on this page for a fuller view of the experience.
For a continuous four-week leadership experience, explore Cadet Basic Training + Cadet Field Leader Course. The combined-program comparison below includes all first-year package choices.
TRAINING ENVIRONMENTS
Obstacle Course & Rappelling
Different training environments support different parts of the XMC experience.
Rappelling is conducted off site
Cliff and wall rappelling, when included in the training schedule, are not conducted on the Camp Liberty property. XMC arranges these activities with an independent third-party training provider at an appropriate off-site location.
The third-party provider supplies or controls the technical training environment, qualified rappel masters and safety supervision, equipment standards, inspections and site procedures. XMC coordinates the activity as part of the overall program schedule.
03 / PLAN YOUR TRAINING
Know the Dates.
Make Your Plan.
Swipe sideways to see all columns. Keyboard users can focus the table and use the arrow keys.
| Session | Start | End | Graduation | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Jun 13 | Jun 26 | Jun 26 | $2,650 |
| Session 2 | Jun 27 | Jul 10 | Jul 10 | $2,650 |
Session 1
- Dates
- Jun 13 – Jun 26
- Graduation
- Jun 26
- Tuition
- $2,650
Session 2
- Dates
- Jun 27 – Jul 10
- Graduation
- Jul 10
- Tuition
- $2,650
Prices are in U.S. dollars. Confirm availability, eligibility and final charges in CampMinder. Tuition, Discounts & Additional Costs ↗ · Nonrefundable Payment Terms ↗
Visiting for this graduation? Review summer family-event locations, times and release instructions ↗
XMC VIDEO
Watch the Experience.
See Cadet Basic Training in action. Review entry requirements, graduation standards and preparation instructions on this page before enrolling.
Cadet Basic Training
Silent program video · 1:16
PRIMARY RECRUIT TRAINING REFERENCE
Start With
The SmartBook.
The Challenger SmartBook is the primary training reference for Recruits in Cadet Basic Training. Read it before arrival and use it with Cadre instruction during training.
PDF · 53 pages · January 2023 edition supplied by XMC. Use the current course pages and Fitness Standards for current requirements.
Browse the SmartBook Topics and Other Preparation Resources ↗
Edition correction: in the military-time example on page 15, 1100 means 11:00 a.m.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Ready for Your
Next Challenge?
Enroll For 2027 ↗Questions about the right course or next step? Talk with Admissions.855-XMC-CAMPadmissions@xmccamp.com ↗