Welcome to the Training Leaders of Cadets
Course
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar A1
In Cadet Programs, there is no substitute for leadership.
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
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 Commander’s Course
Squadron Leadership School
Cadet Programs Officer Specialty Track
CAP Publications
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
Introduce Yourself
Who are you?
What’s your role in CAP?
What do you do in the real world?
What is something interesting about you?
Strategic Overview of the Cadet Program
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar F3
The Cadet View
You’re 14 years old. What does being a cadet
mean to you? What excites you about CAP?
The Long View
You’re the governor. What good do you see
coming out of the Cadet Program?
Today’s cadets . . . Tomorrow’s aerospace
leaders
Adolescent Development
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L2
Overview
Diverse ages in the Cadet Program
Learning styles
Student-centered education
Early, middle & late adolescence
Age 14-16
Age 17-20
Concrete thinkers
Abstract thinkers
Critical thinkers
Body changes
Independence
Entering adulthood
Fears not knowing
goals
Fears not fitting-in
Fears not reaching
Age 12-13
The Four Modalities of Learning
Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Tactile
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.
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.
Leading Indirectly
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L3
“Leaders don’t create followers,
they create more leaders.”
Overview
What is indirect leadership?
How do you lead without taking over?
How do you discipline using indirect leadership?
Case studies
1. Definitions & Concepts
What is indirect leadership?
What does it mean for a senior to lead cadets
indirectly?
2. Methods for Indirect Leadership
How can you apply principles of indirect
leadership to:
Get a cadet started on a project?
Refocus a cadet’s efforts in the midst of a project?
Debrief a cadet upon completing a project?
CASE STUDIES
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
Leadership Feedback & Mentoring
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L4
Overview
What is mentoring?
Leadership expectations
Feedback meetings
Case studies
1. Mentoring
What is mentoring?
Why is mentoring important in the Cadet
Program?
What are some examples of mentoring?
3. Leadership Feedback Meetings
How frequently are
feedback meetings held?
What’s the goal of the
feedback meeting?
What principles should
guide mentors?
Process: CAPF 50-x
CASE STUDIES
Evaluate 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
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.
The Cadet / Senior Team
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L5
Overview
Anatomy of the squadron staff
Designing a cadet staff
Staff selection process
Exercises
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?
2. Designing the Cadet Staff
A tailor-made challenge
Scalable organizational charts
“One step forward, one step back”
Term limits
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?
Exercise #1
Student #1
Student #2
Scenario #1
Cadet Programs Officer
C/SSgt and evaluator
Scenario #2
C/Capt and evaluator
Cadet Programs Officer
Exercise #2
RED
SQUADRON
BLUE
SQUADRON
YELLOW
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:
12 cadets
18 cadets
24 cadets
30 cadets
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
Partnering With Parents
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L6
“Kids with highly-involved parents are more
active in extracurricular activities than kids
whose parents are less involved.”
- Cornell University College of Human Ecology
Overview
Standard practices for working with parents
Getting parents involved in CAP
Helicopter parents
Addressing parents’ concerns
1. Standard Practices
Parents’ welcome & orientation
Start
Roster & contact information
Calendar of events
Parents’ Guide to CAP
Included in Cadet Great
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
3. Helicopter Parents
Today’s Parents in the News:
The World’s Longest Umbilical Cord:
The Cell Phone ABC NEWS
Dear Parents:
Relax, It’s Just Camp
NY TIMES
Hovering Parents Need to Step Back
at College Time CNN
Helicopter Parents Try to
Help Their Kids Land Jobs
NEWSWEEK / MICHAEL ELINS
USA TODAY
4. Addressing Parents’ Concerns
If you were a cadet’s mom or dad, how would
you want the squadron to respond to your
concerns?
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
Cadet Welfare & Legal Issues
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L5
Something to Remember
“They’re not your cadets….they are my
children.”
FATHER OF A CADET
Overview
Assuming the place of the parent
Basic guidelines for adult supervision
Overnight & high adventure activities
Perennial legal issues
Case studies
1. Assuming the Place of the Parent
In loco parentis
60 Minutes test
Team approach to decision-making
Safety & welfare can not be delegated
2. Basic Guidelines for Cadet Activities
Cadet activities always require adult supervision
Limit one-on-one contact
Activities are supposed to be positive
3. Overnight Activities
Parental permission
Adult supervision requirements
Chaperoning a co-ed group
Respect for privacy
Sleep
Meals & nutrition
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?
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?
PROBLEM SOLVING SCENARIOS
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.
Orientation & Membership: Cadet Great
Start
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M1
Overview
Three approaches for orientating new cadets
What do prospect cadets need?
What is “Cadet Great Start?”
Managing the membership process
1. Three ways to welcome newcomers
Trickle-in
Cadets enter CAP at any time
Basic Cadet Training
Wing 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?
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?
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!
3. “Cadet Great Start” Schedule
4. Management Issues
Membership Process
Cadet Uniform Program
New Cadet Kit
Best Practices
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
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Cadet Advancement, Testing, & Records
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M2
Overview
How cadets become eligible for promotion
What rules govern cadet tests
How to manage cadets’ records
How to make a promotion ceremony meaningful
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?
2. Path of Progression
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?
4. Cadet Records
Online Cadet Promotions Application
Data Entry
Approvals
Reports
5. Promotion Ceremony
You’re 13 and about to be promoted to Cadet
Airman. What do you want that promotion
experience to be like?
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
Resources for Great Activities
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M3
Textbooks, Activity Guides, Handbooks & More
What resources are available to support squadron
activities?
Leadership
Aerospace
Fitness
Character
The Weekly Squadron Meeting
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M4
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 Commander’s Time” A C/TSgt lectures cadets on how to prepare for encampment, telling them their poor
attitudes won’t 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 they’re 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 unit’s supply locker fit her.
2119
Frustrated mom tells cadet son to get moving, it’s a school night and it’s time to go home.
2132
Last few members of the squadron leave.
One month later: The squadron is down to 7 active cadets.
Overview
The quarterly plan
Elements of the weekly meeting
Great activities every week
Planning the meeting
1. The Quarterly Plan
What do you want to accomplish next quarter?
What are the benefits of following a quarterly
plan?
2. Elements of the Weekly Squadron Meeting
Opening formation
Emphasis item
Core curriculum
Break & admin time
Special training
Closing formation
15 min
15
50
10
50
10
Total
2.5 hrs
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?
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
2 Weeks Prior
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.
1 Week Prior
4. Squadron
Meeting. Cadet
leads activity or
class.
D-Day
4. Planning the Meeting
How do you
plan a good
meeting? Who
does what,
when, and how?
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
2 Weeks Prior
4. Commander
or designee
publishes the
schedule, asking
all members to
prepare
accordingly
1 Week Prior
5. Squadron
Meeting:
schedule is
implemented
D-Day
Summary
What are the hallmarks of great squadron
meetings?
What are the bad practices we want to avoid?
Weekend & Summer Activities
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar M5
The Goal: Provide each cadet with an opportunity to
participate in one weekend activity each month.
Solution:
Squadrons & wings need to work together.
Squadron
January
Field Trip
February
March
Leadership Academy
O-Flights
April
May
Model Rocketry Day
Parade
June
July
Cadet Competition
Bivouac
August
September
Encampment
O-Flights
October
November
December
America
Group or Wing
Wing Conference
Day Hike
Wreaths Across
Overview
Squadron-level weekend activities
Group & wing activities
National activities
General management principles
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?
2. Group & Wing Activities
What are some activities that our group
and wing offers?
Why should cadets participate?
3. National Activities
What are some great national activities?
In what ways do you see national activities
benefiting cadets? America?
How do cadets apply?
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
5. General Management Principles
What are some standard management
practices you should follow when planning
cadet activities?
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