Cadets....

Started by Stephanie Allen, February 03, 2006, 07:57:13 PM

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Stephanie Allen

OK, so there's a cadet in my squadron that I so happened to use to go to school with before I transfered schools. He is honestly the only cadet I have ever seen that can manage to make his own element when he is supposed to be in the second element. (We usually have between three and four elements depending on how many cadets show up.) It gets annoying to keep telling him to move to where he's supposed to be. Especially when he falls in repeatedly in the wrong spot...always trying to be an element leader. I've discussed this situation with him many times. I've even done one and one drill with him. Does anyone have any advice on how I can get it through his head where he's supposed to stand during formation? Anything will be greatly appreciated.

C/Amn Allen
C/A1C Allen
Flight Sergeant

Yes, sadly, I'm a Flt Sgt and only an A1C...but hey...its been fun! *tehe* Word of advice from the mouth of my fellow Kenosha cadets: "Cabage...not so good at CADEX!" *tehe*

MIKE

The problem is the cadet not assuming his proper place in the formation?  Do you know how to properly size and square off the flight... And can you teach him this?
Mike Johnston

Stephanie Allen

Yes, I guess that's what I'm saying...I know how to square off the flight, but the problem is that I am continuously correcting him. He's been in for almost 3 months now, and since day one I have been correcting him. I don't know any other way to teach him how to fall in for formation. Another thing is I don't know how to tell him that when he does fall into the correct element that he's not an element leader...we've been through this numerous times. Its getting old. I just need a new angle to look at the problem with.
C/A1C Allen
Flight Sergeant

Yes, sadly, I'm a Flt Sgt and only an A1C...but hey...its been fun! *tehe* Word of advice from the mouth of my fellow Kenosha cadets: "Cabage...not so good at CADEX!" *tehe*

MIKE

#3
Make him the Guide.  ;D

You can't just teach him to fall into the same spot every week since he isn't an Element Leader or the Guide... He's not going to be number 3 in the second element every week if the flight is being squared off and sized properly with varying attendance.

You just gotta beat it into him through repetition... Might mean that you have to actually place him there instead of just telling him.  This does not mean that you pick him up and put him where he should be... but do escort him to his proper position.

Eventually he'll get it.  This of course assumes that he in fact doesn't get it... If he is doing it deliberately... Than you need to take it up the chain to have his issue (with you) dealt with.

Mike Johnston

footballrun21

Just out of curiosity, how old is this cadet?  Age can be a big factor as to whether or not someone is mature enough to listen and do what they're told (the first time).  Also, what grade is he?

About a year ago, we had a cadet join who was somewhat on the "special" side.  He would just start a conversation in the middle of someone talking, didn't use C & C, could drill, put patches on wrong, etc.  About 2 months later he just didn't show up any more.  I don't know if it was the same thing over and over to try and teach him that made him not like it or if it was just he didn't want anything to do with CAP.

The reason I brought that up was this might be what your cadet will do in the future.  Constantly teaching him the same thing over and over hoping he will get it might "annoy" him and eventually lead him to quit.  Try putting him in another element or something and see if he does the same thing.  Just experiment with some things and see if he will get the idea that he needs to do what he is told.
C/2d Lt. Stephen Pettit, CAP
New Jersey Wing

MIKE

This is true... There may be a legitimate reason for the cadets behavior... And you probably shouldn't attempt to address it on your own without seeking help from your senior leadership... Seniors may have knowledge of the issue, or they can talk to mom and dad and can find ways to help both of you find a solution to the problem that will work for both parties.

Whenever you have a persistent issue like this... You should send a report up the chain of command... This way your leaders are aware of the issue and can give feedback and other assistance.
Mike Johnston

Eclipse

#6
I agree. 

With no intention to question your interperatation or abilities, I notice that you are very new to the program as well. 

Someone who has been in longer may have some insight in to handling a situation like this.

Learning to deal with people who aren't "with your plan" can be the hardest thing about CAP, but also the most rewarding lesson.

"That Others May Zoom"

shorning

Ah...those wacky cadets!  Is there anything they can't do? :D

Pace

Quote from: shorning on February 04, 2006, 08:02:06 PM
Is there anything they can't do? :D

The name Captain Edward A. Murphy comes to mind.  ;D
Lt Col, CAP

Stephanie Allen

Quote from: footballrun21 on February 04, 2006, 04:03:28 AM
Just out of curiosity, how old is this cadet?  Age can be a big factor as to whether or not someone is mature enough to listen and do what they're told (the first time).  Also, what grade is he?

He is 16 years old, and has been an AB for the past couple months now. From experience with him at school I know that he likes to test and see how much he can get away with. 

I've brought the situation up with my CC and he just keeps telling me to work on it. So, maybe I will talk to our DCOC and see what she has to say about it.

Thanks. ;D
C/A1C Allen
Flight Sergeant

Yes, sadly, I'm a Flt Sgt and only an A1C...but hey...its been fun! *tehe* Word of advice from the mouth of my fellow Kenosha cadets: "Cabage...not so good at CADEX!" *tehe*

footballrun21

If he has been a basic for that past few months, it looks like he doesn't really want to progress through the cadet program.  I passed my Curry the day I "officially" joined.  I was a basic for a day.
C/2d Lt. Stephen Pettit, CAP
New Jersey Wing

afgeo4

You had the cadet oath memorized, your uniform squared away and proper and the drill down on the day you joined to be promoted?  Please do share with us how you were able to have the foresight, wisdom, talent and skill that seemingly none of the rest of us cadets and senior members have.  :clap:
GEORGE LURYE

Pace

The way I read it, he had been attending meetings long enough to learn the material.  Notice he wrote he passed it the day he "OFFICIALLY" joined, as in the day his paperwork cleared and he was on the record.  I know of many squadrons that issue uniforms before the cadet joins.  He may be no exception to that.
Lt Col, CAP

afgeo4

Perhaps this would be a good way to weed out the unpromising cadets before they join...

???
GEORGE LURYE

MIKE

Quote from: dcpacemaker on February 14, 2006, 09:51:53 PM
The way I read it, he had been attending meetings long enough to learn the material.  Notice he wrote he passed it the day he "OFFICIALLY" joined, as in the day his paperwork cleared and he was on the record.  I know of many squadrons that issue uniforms before the cadet joins.  He may be no exception to that.

Should not be wearing a CAP uniform unless you are a card carrying member.  IIRC it is a violation of federal law.  

Also... should not be credited with CPFT or Moral Leadership etc, completed before the join date as recorded by NHQ CAP.
Mike Johnston

Pace

I'm not taking sides, just saying that this happens frequently nationwide in smaller and less reg happy squadrons.
Lt Col, CAP

arajca

My squadron issues cadets bdu's when the turn in their paperwork. They do not wear them until they appear on the National website. This provides them with the time to learn how to assemble the uniform and get the stuff to do it. So when their memberhsip goes through, they have a uniform properly assembled and ready to wear.

footballrun21

I knew proper military uniform wear from both my great uncle (who was in the Air Force) and a 2 week long junior police academy camp I attended twice.  Plus it's not that hard to have a good uniform.  We also did moral leadership that same night after testing.  Drill I had done before I joined "officially" and at the police academy thing, too.  The one thing was I think we did PT the meeting before, so that wouldn't be official reg stuff.  I also bought my own uniform, the squadron didn't supply it.
C/2d Lt. Stephen Pettit, CAP
New Jersey Wing

Stephanie Allen

Update:

The cadet I was talking about is still having this little issue even after a week end long CADEX that we had. We spent an hour and a half each day going over drill. He's now a C/Amn, and the little rank he has over the basics and cadets who have permoted after him has gone to his head. He's only been an Amn for like a week...god this is getting annoying.

Respond:

My squadron doesn't issue uniforms until your paperwork goes through national. I had been an offical member for five months before I was allowed to test, and I study my butt off for all my tests. It wasn't because I wasn't ready it was because my DCOC thought that maybe there would be some new basics joining. Sadly there wasn't....not for a long time anyways. Basically, all squadrons do things differently.

(need for signature change...finally permoted!!! C/A1C)
C/A1C Allen
Flight Sergeant

Yes, sadly, I'm a Flt Sgt and only an A1C...but hey...its been fun! *tehe* Word of advice from the mouth of my fellow Kenosha cadets: "Cabage...not so good at CADEX!" *tehe*

footballrun21

Two questions.  One, what is a CADEX?  Two, how are you a C/A1C and a flight sergeant?  I can understand that there might not be any higher cadets to fill that position, but it just seems a little strange to me.
C/2d Lt. Stephen Pettit, CAP
New Jersey Wing