The Maturity Climb

[Eclipse]

There's a good CD session in this graphic for sure, and I would say that, to a certain extent, the climb mirrors the
experience of a lot of cadets as they progress through the program (Seniors, too)...



Full res: http://balancedworklife.com/docs/Media/goats.jpg

The Bottom of the Maturity Climb
1.  Can't Admit Responsibility
2.  Has to be Right
3.  Takes Out Problems on Others
4.  Takes Everything Personally
5.  Knows Everything
6.  Entitled
7.  Thinks It's About Age
8.  Sees No Flaws
9.  Is Afraid
10.  Tells
11.  Focuses on Differences
12.  Can't Admit Responsibility
13.  Blames World For Problems
14.  Assumes the Worst of Everyone
15.  Scorns Others Efforts

Half Way There
1.  Scorns Indolence
2.  Does it Anyway
3.  Wants to Fix Them
4.  Obsessed with Questioning
5.  Knows That It Bloody Well Isn't (About Age)
6.  Asks
7.  Is Built For Climbing

At the Top
1.  Wants to Help
2.  Focuses on Having Friends
3.  Respects Others' Intelligence
4.  Obsessed with Facts
5.  Talks Out Problems With Others
6.  Knows Nothing
7.  Understands
8.  Grateful
9.  Isn't Afraid to Fail
10.  Knows Limits
11.  Assumes as Little As Possible
12.  Blames Self for World

http://balancedworklife.com/blog/the-maturity-climb/

[Equinox]

I have a pretty small cadet roster right now. There are only two cadets that show up routinely, and they are both younger (12-13). Their maturity climb is of great concern to me.

Both of them have little initiative. They constantly use a lame "I forgot" excuse, when it comes to wearing their uniforms properly, getting their tests done, etc..

There is a ray of hope, however. One of them kept failing P/T until finally passing after taking my advice of developing a diet and exercise plan. The other is starting to get the hang of  the "No excuse, Chief!," when he realizes he messed up.

It's definitely a gradual climb, and not all leaps and bounds. However, I think the the more involved cadets are in fulfilling the Oath (showing up, looking sharp, getting involved, taking initiative, going to Encampment, activities, etc.), the faster their climb will be.

[coudano]

I've often said that phase 1 is about knowing and doing the cadet program.

If a cadet...
attends regularly,
participates actively,
obeys his officers,
wears his uniform properly,
and rapidly advances his education and training


Then they are what we would refer to as a "good cadet"
and incidentally are basically mastering the phase 1 leadership expectations


Once a cadet gets that down, there are other, better, more complex, things to learn and do in phase 2 (and phase 3 and so on)
If a cadet never masters the above then they really don't belong in phase 2 (yet) imho.