Welcome to the Training Leaders of Cadets Course

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Welcome to the Training Leaders of Cadets Course

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar A1

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• In Cadet Programs, there is no substitute for
  leadership.

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About the Course

• Goal Prepare seniors to lead cadeys and
  administer the Cadet Program at the squadron
  level
• Blocks of Instruction
• Foundations
• Leadership
• Management
• Schedule

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Seminars

• Seminars are mostly guided discussions.
• Students come from several squadrons and can
  share ideas.
• TLC is not the final word on Cadet Programs
• Unit Commanders Course
• Squadron Leadership School
• Cadet Programs Officer Specialty Track
• CAP Publications

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Ground Rules

• Collegial atmosphere with lots of discussion
• Validate your local practices
• Freedom to speak with no cadets present
• Focus on the big picture
• Short breaks after each seminar
• Administrative notes
• Restrooms
• Food beverages
• Cell phones

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Introduce Yourself

• Who are you?
• Whats your role in CAP?
• What do you do in the real world?
• What is something interesting about you?

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Strategic Overview of the Cadet Program

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar F3

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The Cadet View

• Youre 14 years old. What does being a cadet mean
  to you? What excites you about CAP?

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The Long View

• Youre the governor. What good do you see coming
  out of the Cadet Program?

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Todays cadets . . . Tomorrows aerospace leaders
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Adolescent Development

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L2

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Overview

• Diverse ages in the Cadet Program
• Learning styles
• Student-centered education

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Early, middle late adolescence
Age 14-16
Age 12-13
Age 17-20
Concrete thinkers Abstract thinkers Critical
thinkers
Body changes Independence Entering adulthood
Fears not knowing Fears not fitting-in Fears not
reaching goals
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The Four Modalities of Learning

• Visual Auditory

Kinesthetic Tactile
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Student-Centered Learning

• The best cadet units are cadet-centered.
• Cadets learn by doing they are active
  participants, not passive receivers.
• Subject matter must be relevant to cadets
  interests.
• Cadets need to have a stake in their own
  learning.
• Ranking cadets should be included in the
  decision making-process.

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Summary

• Each cadet is an individual.
• Use a variety of leadership teaching styles so
  as to reach all cadets.
• Consider age and maturity as you promote cadets
  and assign jobs.
• Use student-centered approaches by involving
  cadets in decision-making.

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Leading Indirectly

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L3

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• Leaders dont create followers, they create
  more leaders.

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Overview

• What is indirect leadership?
• How do you lead without taking over?
• How do you discipline using indirect leadership?
• Case studies

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1. Definitions Concepts

• What is indirect leadership?
• What does it mean for a senior to lead cadets
  indirectly?

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2. Methods for Indirect Leadership

• How can you apply principles of indirect
  leadership to
• Get a cadet started on a project?
• Refocus a cadets efforts in the midst of a
  project?
• Debrief a cadet upon completing a project?

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• CASE STUDIES

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Summary

• Indirect leadership methods develop cadets
  potential more effectively than authoritarian
  methods
• Begin with mission-type orders that merely
  define the goal
• Require updates and approvals along the way
• Ask questions to tighten cadets logic and
  introduce new ideas
• Mentor and debrief cadets to help them learn from
  their mistakes
• Don't tell people how to do things, tell them
  what to do and let them surprise you with their
  results.
• - GEORGE S. PATTON

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Leadership Feedback Mentoring

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L4

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Overview

• What is mentoring?
• Leadership expectations
• Feedback meetings
• Case studies

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1. Mentoring

• What is mentoring?
• Why is mentoring important in the Cadet Program?
• What are some examples of mentoring?

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3. Leadership Feedback Meetings

• How frequently are feedback meetings held?
• Whats the goal of the feedback meeting?
• What principles should guide mentors?
• Process CAPF 50-x

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CASE STUDIESEvaluate the cadet depicted in the
scenario using a CAPF 50. Decide if they are
ready for promotion.Be prepared to roleplay
during a mock feedback meeting
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Summary

• Cadets need mentors to help them develop.
• Mentoring can happen everyday.
• Be positive, constructive, and specific during
  feedback meetings.
• Use the CAPF 50 and Leadership Expectations chart
  as tools.
• Mentors make a difference.

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The Cadet / Senior Team

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L5

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Overview

• Anatomy of the squadron staff
• Designing a cadet staff
• Staff selection process
• Exercises

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1. Anatomy of the Squadron Staff

• What positions comprise the senior staff?
• What positions comprise the cadet staff?
• What are the basic responsibilities of each
  position?

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2. Designing the Cadet Staff

• A tailor-made challenge
• Scalable organizational charts
• One step forward, one step back
• Term limits

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3. Staff Selection Process

• Who picks the cadet staff?
• What do cadets need as they begin a staff job?
• What do cadets need as they conclude a staff job?

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Exercise 1

• Student 1 Student 2
• Scenario 1 Cadet Programs Officer C/SSgt and
  evaluator
• Scenario 2 C/Capt and evaluator Cadet Programs
  Officer

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Exercise 2
RED SQUADRON RED SQUADRON BLUE SQUADRON BLUE SQUADRON YELLOW SQUADRON YELLOW SQUADRON ORANGE SQUADRON ORANGE SQUADRON
Abby C/Amn Gus C/TSgt Montel C/1st Lt Tanjela C/2d Lt
Blake C/A1C Hilda C/A1C Nancy C/SSgt Upton C/2d Lt
Carlos C/A1C Isabelle C/MSgt Olivia C/MSgt Vicky C/Lt Col
Dorothy C/A1C Jerome C/SrA Pedro C/Capt Walt C/Lt Col
Everett C/SrA Kari C/A1C Quentin C/SMSgt Xavier C/Maj
Frank C/Amn Lamar C/A1C Russ C/1st Lt Yvonne C/TSgt
Sun C/MSgt Zach C/SSgt
Total Strength Total Strength Total Strength Total Strength Total Strength Total Strength Total Strength Total Strength
12 cadets 12 cadets 18 cadets 18 cadets 24 cadets 24 cadets 30 cadets 30 cadets
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Summary

• Seniors and cadets need to lead together
• Use position descriptions to guide cadet staff
• Tailor the challenge match rank, skill, and job
• Design a staff structure that fits your needs
• Arrange everything so that the strong have
  something to yearn for, and the weak nothing to
  run from.
• RULE OF ST. BENEDICT

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Partnering With Parents

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L6

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• Kids with highly-involved parents are more
  active in extracurricular activities than kids
  whose parents are less involved.
• - Cornell University College of Human Ecology

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Overview

• Standard practices for working with parents
• Getting parents involved in CAP
• Helicopter parents
• Addressing parents concerns

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1. Standard Practices

• Parents welcome orientation Included in
  Cadet Great Start
• Roster contact information
• Calendar of events
• Parents Guide to CAP

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2. Getting Parents Involved in CAP

• What are your success stories in these areas?
• Parent orientations
• On-going communication
• Socials awards nights
• Parents committees
• Recruiting

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3. Helicopter Parents

• Todays Parents in the News
• The Worlds Longest Umbilical Cord The Cell
  Phone ABC NEWS
• Dear Parents Relax, Its Just Camp NY TIMES
• Hovering Parents Need to Step Backat College
  Time CNN
• Helicopter Parents Try to Help Their Kids Land
  Jobs USA TODAY

NEWSWEEK / MICHAEL ELINS
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4. Addressing Parents Concerns

• If you were a cadets mom or dad, how would you
  want the squadron to respond to your concerns?

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Summary

• Parents expect the commander to be a partner.
• calendars, rosters, websites
• Parents Guide
• Involved parents means involved cadets.
• parent committees
• cadet sponsor members
• Address concerns promptly and fairly.
• listen well
• show your concern for fairness and the cadets
  best interest

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Cadet Welfare Legal Issues

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L5

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Something to Remember

• Theyre not your cadets.they are my children.
• FATHER OF A CADET

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Overview

• Assuming the place of the parent
• Basic guidelines for adult supervision
• Overnight high adventure activities
• Perennial legal issues
• Case studies

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1. Assuming the Place of the Parent

• In loco parentis
• 60 Minutes test
• Team approach to decision-making
• Safety welfare can not be delegated

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2. Basic Guidelines for Cadet Activities

• Cadet activities always require adult supervision
• Limit one-on-one contact
• Activities are supposed to be positive

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3. Overnight Activities

• Parental permission
• Adult supervision requirements
• Chaperoning a co-ed group
• Respect for privacy
• Sleep
• Meals nutrition

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4. Perennial Legal Issues

• Transportation Can Cadet Curry drive Cadet
  Arnold to CAP?
• Dating
• Can Cadet Curry date Cadet Arnold?
• Cadet Major Curry date Cadet Arnold?
• Legal Agreements
• Who can sign agreements on behalf of CAP?

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5. High Adventure Activities

• Strenuous activities are part of cadet life
• Partnering with parents
• Physical fitness medical limitations
• Operational Risk Management (ORM)
• What could go wrong?
• How can we stay safe?

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• PROBLEM SOLVING SCENARIOS

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Conclusion

• In loco parentis
• What would a responsible parent do in this
  situation?
• How would my actions and inactions appear on 60
  Minutes?
• The adults on scene are responsible for keeping
  cadets safe.

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Orientation Membership Cadet Great Start

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M1

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Overview

• Three approaches for orientating new cadets
• What do prospect cadets need?
• What is Cadet Great Start?
• Managing the membership process

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1. Three ways to welcome newcomers

• Trickle-inCadets enter CAP at any time
• Basic Cadet TrainingWing trains cadets over a
  weekend
• Pipeline
• Cadets enter at certain times when the unit is
  prepared to receive them
• What are the pros and cons of each?

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2. From kid to Cadet Airman

• What does it take to transform a prospective
  cadet into a Cadet Airman?
• What do newcomers need not just to get by but
  to succeed?

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3. Cadet Great Start

• Begins with an open house
• Includes a parents briefing
• Offers hands-on activities that teach Curry
  topics
• Uses ranking cadets as instructors
• Transforms prospects into Airmen in 5 weeks
• Concludes with an O-Flight CRITICAL NEED!

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3. Cadet Great Start Schedule
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4. Management Issues

• Membership Process
• Cadet Uniform Program
• New Cadet Kit
• Best Practices

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Conclusion

• Cadet Great Start is the standard way to
  orientate new cadets.
• Focuses squadron on newcomers needs
• Pipeline lets new cadets support one another
• Lots of hands-on training
• Quick but well-deserved promotion
• O-Flight as reward and motivator CRITICAL NEED!
• cap.gov/greatstart

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Cadet Advancement, Testing, Records

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M2

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Overview

• How cadets become eligible for promotion
• What rules govern cadet tests
• How to manage cadets records
• How to make a promotion ceremony meaningful

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1. Promotion Eligibility

• What are the basic requirements cadets must meet
  to complete an Achievement?
• Are those requirements always the same?
• When, precisely, is a cadet officially promoted?

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2. Path of Progression
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3. Cadet Testing

• What steps should you take to protect the
  integrity of cadet tests?
• Basic Facts
• Test names
• Passing score
• Open or closed book?
• Time limit?
• After passing then what?

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4. Cadet Records

• Online Cadet Promotions Application
• Data Entry
• Approvals
• Reports

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5. Promotion Ceremony

• Youre 13 and about to be promoted to Cadet
  Airman. What do you want that promotion
  experience to be like?

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Summary

• Study the Path of Progression chart
• Keep tests secure using common sense
• Give cadets meaningful feedback about their tests
• Use the Cadet Promotions Application
• Make promotion ceremonies meaningful

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Resources for Great Activities

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M3

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Textbooks, Activity Guides, Handbooks More

• What resources are available to support squadron
  activities?
• Leadership
• Aerospace
• Fitness
• Character

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The Weekly Squadron Meeting

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M4

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A Visit to Hometown Cadet Squadron

• 1828 Squadron commander arrives with key to
  building. Meeting is supposed to begin in 2
  minutes.
• 1833 Only half the active cadets have arrived.
  Commander decides to delay formation, hoping more
  will show.
• 1841 Opening formation begins. 10 cadets are
  present. Pledge of Allegiance and Cadet Oath
  recited.
• 1842 Uniform Inspection seems to take more time
  than is necessary.
• 1854 Drill Random commands. Not much
  instruction. Objective is unclear.
• 1930 Flight Commanders Time A C/TSgt
  lectures cadets on how to prepare for encampment,
  telling them their poor attitudes wont be
  tolerated there. Encampment is 38 weeks away.
• 1945 Break Cadets casually chit-chat. No
  refreshments served. No substantive
  administrative business conducted. Break seems to
  run long, like theyre trying to run out the
  clock.
• 2003 Aerospace AEO is not present at meeting.
  Some discussion about whether he even knew AE was
  scheduled tonight. Squadron watches 41-minute
  documentary on the Space Shuttle instead.
• 2050 Closing Formation The squadron is formed.
  The commander discusses the upcoming wing
  conference.
• 2104 Dismissal. The commander dismisses the
  squadron. Following official dismissal, two
  cadets speak up about not having phone email
  rosters. A cadet NCO asks if the color guard can
  meet this Saturday detailed discussion about the
  logistics ensues. Another cadet wants to see if
  any of the service coats in the units supply
  locker fit her.
• Frustrated mom tells cadet son to get moving,
  its a school night and its time to go home.
• 2132 Last few members of the squadron leave.
• One month later The squadron is down to 7
  active cadets.

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Overview

• The quarterly plan
• Elements of the weekly meeting
• Great activities every week
• Planning the meeting

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1. The Quarterly Plan

• What do you want to accomplish next quarter?
• What are the benefits of following a quarterly
  plan?

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2. Elements of the Weekly Squadron Meeting

• Opening formation 15 min
• Emphasis item 15
• Core curriculum 50
• Break admin time 10
• Special training 50
• Closing formation 10
• Total 2.5 hrs

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3. Great Activities

• What do cadets want from their Tuesday night?
• What are your success stories?
• How do you let cadets take a leadership role
  while still ensuring the activities are of high
  quality?

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3. Great Activities
Suggested process when using cadets to lead
activities
1. A senior or experienced cadet officer meets with the cadet to discuss goals vision for the activity 2. Cadet begins to do some thinking and finds and personalizes a lesson plan. Cadet should rely on published lesson plans vs. original work 3. Check Ride. Cadet presents their ideas in depth to the cadet officer or senior, who provides mentoring and quality control. Postpone the activity if the cadet is clearly8 not ready to lead. 4. Squadron Meeting. Cadet leads activity or class.
2 Weeks Prior 2 Weeks Prior 1 Week Prior D-Day
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4. Planning the Meeting

• How do you plan a good meeting? Who does what,
  when, and how?

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4. Planning the Meeting
Suggested procedure for developing a meeting
schedule
1. Cadet officer or senior begins drafting detailed meeting schedule 2. Cadet officer coordinates details with staff officers submits proposed schedule 3. Commander or deputy reviews and approves schedule. If the cadet fails to deliver it on time, they lose the privilege of planning the meeting 4. Commander or designee publishes the schedule, asking all members to prepare accordingly 5. Squadron Meeting schedule is implemented
2 Weeks Prior 1 Week Prior 1 Week Prior D-Day
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Summary

• What are the hallmarks of great squadron
  meetings?
• What are the bad practices we want to avoid?

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Weekend Summer Activities

• Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M5

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• The Goal Provide each cadet with an opportunity
  to participate in one weekend activity each
  month.
• Solution Squadrons wings need to work
  together.

Squadron Group or Wing January Field
Trip February Leadership Academy March O-Flights
April Model Rocketry Day May Parade June Ca
det Competition July Bivouac August Encampment
September O-Flights October Wing
Conference November Day Hike December Wreaths
Across America
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Overview

• Squadron-level weekend activities
• Group wing activities
• National activities
• General management principles

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1. Weekend Squadron Activities

• What are some good activities your unit has had
  success with?
• What does another squadron need to know to
  duplicate your success?

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2. Group Wing Activities

• What are some activities that our group and wing
  offers?
• Why should cadets participate?

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3. National Activities

• What are some great national activities?
• In what ways do you see national activities
  benefiting cadets? America?
• How do cadets apply?

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4. Special Safety Policies

• Prohibited Activities
• Parasailing
• Skydiving
• Ultralights
• Aerolights
• Paintball

• Highly-Regulated Activities
• Firearms training
• Rappelling
• Obstacle courses
• Emergency services missions
• Activities during hot weather

For details, see CAPR 52-16, chapter 1
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5. General Management Principles

• What are some standard management practices you
  should follow when planning cadet activities?

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Summary

• Weekend summer activities are great, but the
  weekly squadron meeting remains most important
• Offer cadets at least 1 weekend activity per
  month Work with wing group Work with
  neighboring squadrons
• Cadets recognize quality when they see it
  ensure the activity is well-planned