Nestled in the mountains of central Vermont, Norwich University is the last private military school in America. Students there not only study a full course load, but undergo a strict regimen of mental, physical and emotional training designed to forge leaders. While their contemporaries are sleeping in, Norwich students are up at 5 AM and marching ten miles in the predawn chill before breakfast. Why would they choose such an intense and demanding experience? Investigative reports follows four ""rooks""--Freshman recruits--through their first year, from saying goodbye to their parents to the emotional ceremony where they receive official recognition as full-fledged cadets. Through the experiences of these students, Cadets offers a fascinating look at the unique responsibilities and rewards afforded by a military education.

Sources used: copyright material; OCLC database, viewed December 2, 2011; TV guide WWW site, viewed December 2, 2011; Internet movie database WWW site, viewed December 2, 2011.