Command Spotlight: CFOT
by Colonel Richard Munn
A sparkling jewel in the beautiful crown that makes up the USA Eastern Territory is surely the presence, output, and impact of the College for Officer Training (CFOT) in Suffern, N.Y. Housed on this quite remarkable campus for over 50 years now, the entire operation — property, academic accreditation, child care center, lecture auditorium, sporting amenities, top-of-the-line online learning and audiovisual capacities — is testimony to a successful long-range plan envisaged when the training college made the landmark move from the Bronx in 1972.
Click to view a full map of the campus.
The USA East now has a state-of-the-art college that can be considered a world leader in the field. On its campus more than 2,000 cadets over the past 50 years have lived, dreamed, and stretched in response to their calling to be Salvation Army officers. Commissioned officers often warmly recall their session bond and their time at the CFOT. Evolving and addressing the onward march of time and culture, cadet life is experienced over a demanding 21 months, certainly, yet necessarily without the caricatured “boot camp” ardor of the past. Maybe this is best typified in the recent #wegettodothis cadet-initiated social media tagline.
With strong relationships invested in the local corps, the Suffern community, the Rotary Club, the annual Territorial Arts Ministry Conservatory, and an erudite guest lecture series, the CFOT is wide ranging and multifaceted.
As you can imagine, providing leadership to such a fully orbed community, numbering around 200 cadets, officer staff, employees, and children, is both glorious and demanding. Let’s meet Lt. Colonels James and Patricia LaBossiere, principal and assistant training principal for community life. SAconnects managed to secure an exclusive interview on the eve of Commissioning, no less, to get you, our faithful readers, the story behind the story.
How would you describe the personality of your CFOT community?
The following words come to mind: missionally focused, worshipful, expectant, pursuing holiness, energetic, studious, active, joyful, diverse, and truly trying to “see and hear” one another.
What is the cultural makeup of the officer and cadet body?
The cultural diversity of the CFOT is one of the most exciting components of our community. The current community includes Anglo Americans, African Americans, Koreans, Haitians, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Argentines, Canadians, Cubans, South Africans, Zimbabweans, and the Virgin Islands!
What especially notable expressions of Salvationism exist within the command?
The cadets and officers of the CFOT give personal and community-wide focus to Heart, Head, and Hands. We see multiple expressions of red-hot, passionate faith in Jesus Christ that is coupled with a deep desire to share His love and serve His people. Our cadets often participate in voluntary acts of service such as the PEARL Essence anti-trafficking outreach, local responses to Emergency Disaster Services needs, the Greater New York Don’t Walk By outreach, and neighboring divisional worship and evangelism opportunities.
What brings you the greatest joy?
Our greatest joy is seeing the beautiful transformation of the cadets as they journey through the two years of training. This transformation includes growth in all aspects of their lives including spiritual, emotional, educational, and physical health.
What is God up to in the college these days?
We are excited about the powerful way that the Lord has been revealing Himself to our community. There have been many beautiful expressions of worship that have led many to a spiritual and physical response at the mercy seat. We have also been engaged in a yearlong focus on holiness preaching and teaching that has deepened our personal and community understanding of what it means to “live a life of holiness” (1 Peter 1:15).
Any final insights or thoughts for our readers?
We are thankful for the faithfulness of the soldiers and officers of the Eastern Territory for praying for our candidates, cadets, and the ministry of the College for Officer Training.
How can we all pray for the CFOT?
Please pray for the Champions of the Mission session and their families as they are soon commissioned and take up their new appointments across the territory.
Please pray for the Keepers of the Covenant session and their families as they begin their second year of training by spending the summer engaged in missional summer assignments.
Please pray for the CFOT staff officers and employees as we prepare to welcome the Proclaimers of Transformation session and their families onto the campus in August.
Thank you, Jim and Pat — you are God’s people for the hour. Be sure of our heartfelt enthusiasm and support for you and the entire team. An army is cheering you on.
