The Captain’s Career Course, also referred to as CCC, provides a rigorous course of instruction to prepare Company Grade Officers to perform the most difficult job our Army has to offer – leading Soldiers in combat.  Following selection for promotion to the rank of Captain, Company Grade Officers normally attend their respective branch Captain's Career Course. This usually happens when Officers have 4-5 years of military service.

The Captains Career Course is the second major branch school Officers attend before Company Command. The first major branch school is the Officer Basic Course, now known as the Basic Officer Leaders Course.  

The Captains Career Course combines the instruction formerly taught in the branch Officer Advanced Course (OAC) and the Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3).

During the course, students learn about a variety of topics to include:

• Full Spectrum Operations
• Counterinsurgency Operations (COIN)
• Conduct Problem Solving in Tactical and Garrison environments
• Map Symbology
• Leadership training
• Prepare OPORDs
• Command Climate Survey
• Composite Risk Management
• Branch Specific Information
• Military Decision Making Process
• Uniform Code of Military Justice
• Combatives (in some Captain’s Career Courses)

During the Captain’s Career Course, students normally work in small groups consisting of 4-10 students.  The students learn from each other’s experiences by conducting group projects and group presentations.  They also receive instruction from their instructor, typically a Major or Lieutenant Colonel.

Personally, I really enjoyed the interactive aspect of my Captain’s Career Course.  Instead of just receiving lectures from the instructor, we learned from each other.  Most of the students had different experiences and backgrounds, which led to interesting conversations and valuable lessons.  In addition, a huge majority of students had combat experience, which provided real-world, practical lessons.

As I mentioned earlier, each branch offers its own, unique Captain’s Career Course.  This includes Maneuver, Quartermaster, Finance, Adjutant General, Aviation, etc.  In addition to the branch specific requirements, students must now also complete the Core Course.  Most Captains Career Courses are 4-6 months in length.

Upon graduation from the Captain’s Career Course, students will be prepared to assume Company Command or serve on a Battalion or Brigade level staff, joint and multi-national environments.   This includes positions such as Battalion S3, Battalion S4, Company Commander, Assistant Brigade Staff and more.  In essence, the Captains Career Course provides first Lieutenants and Captains with a common foundation of operational and leadership instruction tied to the Officer's specific career field, branch and functional area needs.

To attend the Captain’s Career Course, you must have already graduated from your Basic Officer Leaders Course or Officer Basic Course, pass your Height/Weight and APFT, and be a First Lieutenant or Captain.  To enroll, you need to have your S3 Shop or Readiness NCO enroll you in ATRRS. It’s important to check to make sure that you have any prerequisites completed.  These might vary from branch to branch.

In summary, the Captains Career Course is designed to prepare competent leaders, capable of leading Soldiers in combat.  This includes Company Commanders, Battalion Staff Officers and Brigade Staff Officers.  During the Captains Career Course, students learn leadership principles, branch specific information and a variety of other topics.