Aside from the training received in the ROTC program, other military training is available for cadets desiring an extra challenge. Optional training is guided under the Cadet Professional Development Training (CPDT) program. The CPDT program supplements campus training with practical leader development experiences and some additional skill identifier awarding courses. Cadets train in Army schools and with Active and Reserve units.

Basic Airborne Course. The Basic Airborne Course is a three-week training program conducted by the Airborne Department at Fort Benning, Georgia. The course trains students to use the parachute as a means of combat deployment. Students begin the first week on the ground (ground week), learning the basics of parachute landings, and start a vigorous physical training program. During the second week (tower week), proper technique for exiting of a plane are mastered. Many times there is an opportunity at the end of tower week to parachute from a 250 foot high tower. The third and final week is the jump week. Cadets make a series of five jumps from either a C-130 or C-141 aircraft, including one night jump and two combat jumps with full combat gear. Successful completion qualifies cadets to wear the Parachutist Badge, the coveted “Silver Wings”.

Air Assault School. The Air Assault School, conducted at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is two weeks of mental and physical challenges. This school is designed to teach assault skills and procedures, improve basic leadership skills, instill the Air Assault spirit and award the Air Assault Badge. During the course, students face challenges such as: an obstacle course, rigorous physical training, rappelling, ascending and descending a troop ladder on a 35-foot tower and a CH-47 helicopter, rigging and sling loading, road marches, and written and practical examinations based on a PASS/FAIL system.

To graduate, a student must receive a PASS at the end of each phase. AAS, like Airborne, is a fast paced exercise in mental alertness and physical endurance. A student is expected to meet the high standards of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) prior to being awarded the Air Assault Badge.

Northern Warfare Course. What better way to escape the scorching days of summer than by climbing snow-covered mountains and icy glaciers. Northern Warfare is a three-week course held at Fort Greely, Alaska, and is designed to teach skills necessary to survive in an arctic/winter environment. Skills include: cross-country skiing, construction of shelters, mountaineering, rock and glacier-climbing, tactical knot tying, and cold-weather survival techniques.

Mountain Warfare School. Mountains aren't just for postcards, they are for climbing. Mountain Warfare is a two-week course taught in Jericho, Vermont. Students learn fundamental light infantry tactics, techniques, and skills necessary for survival in mountainous terrain. Skills include rappelling, rock climbing techniques, basic mountain survival, rappelling, land navigation, first aid, and tactical knots.

Mounted Maneuver Training. Conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky, MMT exposes a cadet to the full compliment of vehicles available to mounted forces in the United States Army.

Cadet Troop Leader Training. CTLT provides select LDAC graduates the opportunity to increase their leadership experience by assignments to platoon leader or like positions with Active Army units or with government agencies for three to four weeks.

CTLT is conducted at Army units in the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe. Under this program, cadets are placed in charge of a regular Army platoon of approximately 35 soldiers. The student's objective is to perform the leadership and management tasks necessary to train the platoon's soldiers and maintain it's equipment. While in CTLT, cadets continue to receive a rate of pay and allowances equivalent to that received at NALC. Transportation to and from the unit is provided. In addition, cadets stay in the Bachelor Officer Quarters and eat meals in the unit's dining facilities. If a cadet is assigned to a unit on jump status, and if a cadet is already airborne qualified, the cadet may participate in unit jumps on a permissive basis if approved in advance. The experiences, insights and firsthand knowledge received will better prepare a cadet for his or her future as an officer. CTLT is the best way to "check out" a branch before placing branch preferences during accessions at the beginning of the MS IV year. The cadet receives an OER on completion of the assignment.

Nurse Summer Training Program. This training is only available to nurse cadets and provides opportunities to develop and practice a clinical phase of instruction at Army Medical Command Treatment Facilities worldwide. The cadets receive an OER upon completion.