The New Cadet Recruiting Brochure

[RiverAux]

Although there hasn't semed to have been any announcement about this, there is a new 2-page cadet recruiting flyer/brochure available in the recruiting materials section on e-services. 

[brasda91]

thanks, just ordered 100

[SKI304]

For those of you who haven't seen it yet: https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.RecruitingMaterials.Web/images/CadetBrochure.pdf

On my first cold look at this, it did not elicit a positive personal response, and that didn't change with the few other people I showed it to.  Not good for marketing material.  While I certainly try to not be the guy sitting back complaining from the sidelines, this new brochure is about 5 steps in the wrong direction and really, we NEED to edit this thing before we as an organization sink a good amount of money into further producing and shipping it.

Step 1:  This applies to the branding message (or lack thereof).  Why wasn't this tied into any other of our current marketing campaigns? I know the whole gocivilairpatrol identity is rather contended around here, but if this is the thematic feel we are trying to portray on a national level, why are we not consistently applying this with the new recruiting materials?  Let's at least use the same tag line.

Step 2: Bad graphics.  First, the MAJCOM patch, used here as the primary branding logo, is choppy and distorted - not the kind of message we want to send as a corporation.  Then there's the pixelated images.  Maybe if they were portraying some great action shot, that sin could be forgiven (but then again, poor representation of a good product leaves you with a poor product anyway.)  These pixelated images that are stuck in there have decent content at best, and I'm certain there are more compelling shots on the CAPChannel albums or *gasp* in the rank and file membership's own collections.  Even some of the good resolution images have bad content.  I'm sure C/Col Kehs wouldn't want a snapshot of him sniped in the middle of PJOC with a 5 O'clock shadow used on national level recruiting material.  At least 'Shop the stubble out, but judging by some of the Photoshop atrocities I've seen committed by NHQ as of late, I sort of cringe at the prospects of that.  Again, there's plenty of us out in the field that could do that task in our sleep and make it look good.

Step 3:

Do you want to fly? Do you want to honor and serve America? Then rise to the challenge of cadet membership in the
U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.

I thought we were the "Civil Air Patrol" first and the "U.S. Air Force Auxiliary" second.

Step 4:

You'll find cadet life exciting if you enjoy:
• Flying
• Leadership Training
• Obstacle Courses
• Model Rocketry
• Teambuilding
• Hiking & Camping
• Earning Rank & Awards
• Search & Rescue
• Exploring Aviation Careers
• Making Friends

Okay, in terms of conveying the positive fundamentals of cadet life in an ultra-distilled manner that is easily understood by the target demographic,  I'll give them credit here.  However, the feel this conveys just doesn't seem quite cricket for some reason.

Step 5:

How much time do I have to commit?
On average, cadets meet one night a week for 2 hours and enjoy special events one Saturday each month. In summer, you can attend a week-long camp.

So, am I now obligated to make my cadets serve one "Saturday" a month?  This is just poor wording.  Sure almost every unit does one or more additional activities a month, but pigeonholing it into one "Saturday" is just getting unnecessarily specific.  This makes it sound like we only do one additional activity a month, and that activity is always on a Saturday.  Then there's that "week-long camp" line which strikes me wrong on so many levels.  What's wrong with saying "On average, cadets meet one night a week for 2 hours and have the opportunity to participate in many other activities of varied duration throughout the year - ranging from a few hours to a few weeks."

Alright, I'll step off my soap box.  This material would have been a prime candidate to put on eServices for public review and comment before we threw more money at a non-cohesive branding effort.  Looks like I'll be continuing to design and produce my own marketing material locally for the foreseeable future...

[IceNine]

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=6842.0

[NC Hokie]

On my first cold look at this, it did not elicit a positive personal response, and that didn't change with the few other people I showed it to.  Not good for marketing material.  While I certainly try to not be the guy sitting back complaining from the sidelines, this new brochure is about 5 steps in the wrong direction and really, we NEED to edit this thing before we as an organization sink a good amount of money into further producing and shipping it.

I'm afraid you've missed the boat on this as Santa's elves with the USPS left a box of these on my front porch while I was away for the holiday.

Step 2: Bad graphics.  First, the MAJCOM patch, used here as the primary branding logo, is choppy and distorted - not the kind of message we want to send as a corporation.  Then there's the pixelated images.  Maybe if they were portraying some great action shot, that sin could be forgiven (but then again, poor representation of a good product leaves you with a poor product anyway.)  These pixelated images that are stuck in there have decent content at best, and I'm certain there are more compelling shots on the CAPChannel albums or *gasp* in the rank and file membership's own collections.  Even some of the good resolution images have bad content.  I'm sure C/Col Kehs wouldn't want a snapshot of him sniped in the middle of PJOC with a 5 O'clock shadow used on national level recruiting material.  At least 'Shop the stubble out, but judging by some of the Photoshop atrocities I've seen committed by NHQ as of late, I sort of cringe at the prospects of that.  Again, there's plenty of us out in the field that could do that task in our sleep and make it look good.

The MAJCOM patch on the printed flyer (it is NOT a brochure) is not chopped, and there is only one lower-quality image on the flyer (the one with the cadets in the helo; it's somewhat out of focus).

Okay, in terms of conveying the positive fundamentals of cadet life in an ultra-distilled manner that is easily understood by the target demographic,  I'll give them credit here.  However, the feel this conveys just doesn't seem quite cricket for some reason.

I think the poor feeling you're getting is related to the Hiking & Camping and Search & Rescue bullet points.  The first makes us sound like the Boy Scouts and the second is both vague to the uninitiated and not exactly the reality for many (perhaps the majority) of cadets.  It's also NOT a key component of the cadet program.

So, am I now obligated to make my cadets serve one "Saturday" a month?  This is just poor wording.  Sure almost every unit does one or more additional activities a month, but pigeonholing it into one "Saturday" is just getting unnecessarily specific.  This makes it sound like we only do one additional activity a month, and that activity is always on a Saturday.  Then there's that "week-long camp" line which strikes me wrong on so many levels.  What's wrong with saying "On average, cadets meet one night a week for 2 hours and have the opportunity to participate in many other activities of varied duration throughout the year - ranging from a few hours to a few weeks."

I agree with you here, but the "on average" generalization allows an out if your reality is different from the ideal that this flyer wants to portray.

Alright, I'll step off my soap box.  This material would have been a prime candidate to put on eServices for public review and comment before we threw more money at a non-cohesive branding effort.  Looks like I'll be continuing to design and produce my own marketing material locally for the foreseeable future...

This is my biggest pet peeve with NHQ; CAP membership is FILLED with talented professionals that are willing (and BEGGING, in some instances) to help with things like this, yet NHQ almost never reaches out to us for assistance.  We already volunteer our time; why not allow us to volunteer our EXPERTISE as well?

[Pylon]

Hey Bill, welcome!  Great to see even more IACE '03 UK-C representation here.   

The whole branding/identity problem is a hot topic here -- just a few examples of where this crops up: 
http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=6120.msg117774#msg117774
http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=6670.msg123488;topicseen#msg123488
http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2619.msg49606;topicseen#msg49606

I agree with your sentiments on our identity problem.  I actually received a pile of these recruiting rack cards last month.  For our current situation (since the identity/branding issue will not be appropriately addressed by a knowledgeable professional at any point by current CAP leadership), these cards are at least an improvement over the old tri-fold CAP Cadet Programs brochures.   We're eventually moving in a better direction -- they're trying to improve the copy and appearance, at least, and make it a better representation of what most squadrons do.  The fact that someone is thinking about these things is already another plus.  Your feedback is good though, and I hope they incorporate field feedback into future versions of these.

In the absence of a quality, "whole picture" approach to doing things, I can at least support minor progress for the interim.  It's all we can really hope for.

[BillB]

Keep in mind the target audiance for this material, 12 year oilds. That in my opinion has been the biggest probelm with material from National. Ranging from AE manuals to recruiting materals to changes in regulations, these are all aimed at 12-13 year olds. National seems to forget, that the majority of cadets are above this age group and the material needs to reflect the changes in maturity and education of for example 16 year olds, to say nothing about the 18 year old cadet.
This recruiting message is in a language that the 12 year old can understand, even if misleading. The "week long camp" will be a shock when the new cadet goes to an Encampment and finds it's not all games, canoeing, swimming etc.
With 40 years in journalism/PA/PR I can agree that the membership might have an expertise that is unused by National. I'm sure a committee of volunteers with experience in PR/PA/recruiting, could come up with material better than provided by National. Better meet the neds in the field, rather than a flyer written for 12 year olds and not of interest to older prospective cadets.

[RADIOMAN015]

Bottom line in this discussion is what is the "target market" for our overall recruiting effort?   Locally in our squadron, we've seen an influx of younger cadets.  Maybe it's better to recruit younger, have them "grow up" as well as progress in the program.

RM

I'm sure a committee of volunteers with experience in PR/PA/recruiting, could come up with material better than provided by National. Better meet the neds in the field, rather than a flyer written for 12 year olds and not of interest to older prospective cadets.

[arajca]

Perhaps we need a series of recruiting brochures aimed at different age groups. Same basic information, different wording and emphasis.

[Eeyore]

^ With a consistent look and feel across all mediums of communication.

[RiverAux]

I don't think it is really practical or even necessary to have different cadet brochures for different age groups within the cadet range.  The brochures are almost always used in conjunction with other recruiting efforts such as talking to kids at airshows and are basically used to reinforce what you tell them in person.  So, they're not stand-alone resources. 

Besides, the cadet program is exactly the same whether you're starting at 12 or 17 in terms of your opportunities. 

[TEAM SURGE]

thanks, just ordered 100

Where do you order these from?

[Stonewall]

I don't think it is really practical or even necessary to have different cadet brochures for different age groups within the cadet range.  The brochures are almost always used in conjunction with other recruiting efforts such as talking to kids at airshows and are basically used to reinforce what you tell them in person.  So, they're not stand-alone resources. 

Best recruiting brochure I ever saw was from the mid-80s and was blue & white that had a cadet hanging from a rope from Blue Beret, a picture of a female cadet in an ATC tower and cadets marching.  The info covered the three missions, spoke of different activities, had join requirements and contact info.  Definitely made one believe that the CAP cadet program was cool and a "big boys club"...not a home for wayward geeks playing some online warlord game and are the ones getting beat up at school.   At least that's what I get from photos of cadets that represent our organization.

Where do you order these from?

There is a button to click for recruiting material on eServices.  At least that's how I've gotten mine in the past, but it's been more than a year.

[PhoenixRisen]

Where do you order these from?

There is a button to click for recruiting material on eServices.  At least that's how I've gotten mine in the past, but it's been more than a year.

Only SM's are allowed to successfully "click the button" for that.  You'll have to talk to your Sq SM's (team surge).

[Timbo]

Besides, the cadet program is exactly the same whether you're starting at 12 or 17 in terms of your opportunities. 

No it is not.  For National Cadet Special Activities, age plays a factor in selection......remember??

[Timbo]

......Definitely made one believe that the CAP cadet program was cool and a "big boys club"...not a home for wayward geeks playing some on line warlord game and are the ones getting beat up at school.   At least that's what I get from photos of cadets that represent our organization.

And not a dumping ground for Home Schooled Kids just hanging around at meetings for the credit toward their "graduation" requirements. 

My last SQD unfortunately was a place where the home school moms decided to send their children for state mandated Physical Activity and "socialization"/ outside the "school" credits.

Stonewall......I think the brochure you remember was one that got me into the CAP as a Cadet.  In fact I believe we had these until '93-'94?? 

[IceNine]

^ That may be the single worst attitude I've seen here in a while.  "dumping ground" whatever.

Just cause your squadron didn't handle the situation well, or you didn't like it doesn't mean that they are any less eligible, deserving, or capable than a public schooled cadet. 

The cadet program isn't about you, your beliefs, or elitism.  It is about offering opportunities that may never be offered to these kids anywhere else.  Its about socializing and hanging out outside of "school".  Its about offering chances to kids who otherwise would be on the streets, doing drugs, or whatever.

There is no room for people who are here to "deal" with cadets or "put up" with them.  If you don't see the potential our youth has then stay out of the way of those that do.

[Timbo]

^ I said "not a dumping ground for home schooled kids just HANGING AROUND at meetings......"

It was terrible, they did not want to be there, they were forced to be there by their parents, and they brought a horrible attitude with them.  NOT ALL Home Schooled kids are like that.  In my experience when one Mom finds out about CAP and the credit their kids can get for attending meetings for state education requirements, she usually tells the other moms in her "group" and then a bunch of home school kids show up.  I don't find it fair that these kids get extra benefits toward their education, but a regular "non home schooled" child who actually wants to be a CAP Cadet gets nothing.

So, attitude or not, you don't know me, I don't know you, lets not pretend we know each others motives or attitudes.  Also where in the Cadet program reg does it spell out that the Cadet Program is "about socializing and hanging out outside of school".  I must not be reading the newest regulation.

     

[Pylon]

Keep the discussion civil and on-topic.

[Pumbaa]

Hmmm... I find the opposite....

85% of our squadron cadets are Homeschooled....  They are far more serious, far more active, far more respectful than their public school counter parts.

3 of them now have their Mitchel's, One is heading to the Air Force, Another heading to Army Rangers, Another was 15 and spent 8 weeks on a missionary air base learning to fly and work with Eskimo children, she will have her pilots license when she turns 17.

I can go on...

Give me a squadron of 100% homeschoolers and I will be happy!

We actively recruit in the homeschool circles.

Still we also have a membership committee, we require a minimum of 3 visits before we even talk about membership, and we also make sure that the cadet (or senior) has the right reason for joining.  Otherwise we will not allow them to join.

We have a boat load of the new brochures and will be sure to get them out and about.  What I like is the "how Much Does it cost" question and the $100 answer...  THis let's folks know upfront that there is costs involved. 

I'm not sure why a lot of people don't think it is not going to cost anything.. I mean the boyscouts costs $$$, Royal Rangers, AWANA and other like programs costs $$ too.

[Stonewall]

Hmmm... I find the opposite....

And I find the opposite of your experience.  My experience resembles Timbo's.

Another heading to Army Rangers,

Should read, heading into the Army with the hopes of becoming an Army Ranger.

Now, back on topic after our slight veer...

I  have yet to really mind any CAP membership brochure, but I often wonder who is ultimately responsible for creating and approving what becomes available for nationwide distribution...the face of CAP.

I think "cadets in action" is critical, but it is possible to seek out and select the right people for the job.  Just because a picture is taken of a cadet flying, doesn't mean it's the right picture.  It isn't difficult to actually stage pictures for a brochure.  Why not get cadets who a. meet our own uniform standards, b. meet height & weight requirements, and c. someone whose demeanor and physical poise projects a strong positive image.  Sort of a means to get perspective cadet members to say "wow, I could be like him".

[jimmydeanno]

These brochures were created to fill the gap between the run out of the "opportunity knocks" and whatever is coming down the pipeline.  Since they ran out without a replacement a hard working NHQ staffer (not in the PA shop) who shall remain nameless designed them so that the membership could continue to have recruiting materials available.

[Stonewall]

Since they ran out without a replacement a hard working NHQ staffer (not in the PA shop) who shall remain nameless designed them so that the membership could continue to have recruiting materials available.

Gaurantee they could solicit from membership a brochure with specific criteria and throw choose from a top 10 list.  There are volunteers out here that live for this stuff with a lot of skills.

I can think of at least 2 people on this forum who have probably already created and used their own brochures.  In fact, I have a B&W brochure from the late 80s that my old squadron created for the local level.  3 quality (staged) photos and the necessary info to lure interested people.

I appreciate the work those at NHQ do, and I know they are working harder with less, as we all are, but there are solutions and delegation never hurt anyone.

[jimmydeanno]

Gaurantee they could solicit from membership a brochure with specific criteria and throw choose from a top 10 list.  There are volunteers out here that live for this stuff with a lot of skills.

There is someone on this forum that is assisting in the creation of the new brochure and does professional design services for a living. 

Also, I hate to say this, but...

My understanding is that NHQ does take people up on their offers to assist with the creation of things like updated regulations, courses, etc but it the people who take up the projects never deliver...when's that new 39-1 coming out?

[arajca]

My understanding is that NHQ does take people up on their offers to assist with the creation of things like updated regulations, courses, etc but it the people who take up the projects never deliver...when's that new 39-1 coming out?

IIRC, the updated CAPM 39-1 is supposed go to the NB for approval in March 2009...

[N Harmon]

Couldn't NHQ hold some kind of design contest? Just set the criteria for entries, and then choose the best design as the winner. You could even offer some kind of prize. Like say, 2 years of free membership.

[chiles]

Considering this was put together as a stop gap measure by a staffer at the last minute (that minute being identified at the top of the flier ), I think it's pretty good. It'll get cadets to come to the meeting and, after that, we have to sell ourselves. Well done and thanks! :clap: I look forward to seeing the next generation of recruiting material.

I do have to admit that the C/Col in the PJOC picture looks 30:) A friend of mine, who served as a cadet with me back in the 90's, had to correct National multiple times when they listed his after 3 years younger than he actually was. I told him that meant he could stay a cadet until he was 24.

[brasda91]

thanks, just ordered 100

Where do you order these from?

eServices on the left side of the page.  But you probably do not have that link in your eServices.  Ask your Sqd Commander or Recruiting Officer to order them.

[brasda91]

Besides, the cadet program is exactly the same whether you're starting at 12 or 17 in terms of your opportunities. 

No it is not.  For National Cadet Special Activities, age plays a factor in selection......remember??

Yes, but NCSA's are special.  If you throw that out of the equation, no matter what the age, 12 vs. 17, they all can participate in Model Rocketry, GT, Communications, Flight Line, Orientation Flights, etc.  Therefore, the program is the same.

[RiverAux]

Besides, the cadet program is exactly the same whether you're starting at 12 or 17 in terms of your opportunities. 

No it is not.  For National Cadet Special Activities, age plays a factor in selection......remember??

Yes, but NCSA's are special.  If you throw that out of the equation, no matter what the age, 12 vs. 17, they all can participate in Model Rocketry, GT, Communications, Flight Line, Orientation Flights, etc.  Therefore, the program is the same.

I don't know what percentage of cadets overall participate in NCSAs, but my WAG based on personal observation is that it is not very high, so while Timbo is technically correct, its not enough of an issue to really impact how we want our recruiting materials to look. 

[TEAM SURGE]

Hmmm... I find the opposite....

85% of our squadron cadets are Homeschooled....  They are far more serious, far more active, far more respectful than their public school counter parts.

3 of them now have their Mitchel's, One is heading to the Air Force, Another heading to Army Rangers, Another was 15 and spent 8 weeks on a missionary air base learning to fly and work with Eskimo children, she will have her pilots license when she turns 17.

I can go on...

Give me a squadron of 100% homeschoolers and I will be happy!

We actively recruit in the homeschool circles.

Sorry to get off topic again! But now you are steroetyping  public schools! And the kids that go to them! Thanks man I appreciate it! Home schooling in CAP is basically not fair. They get credits for it and they have the time to study every piece of material. Especially kids like me who play sports year around, I dont't have time to. It's not very fair. We should get credits for all this too!

On the other hand we have a home schooled kid who is awesome. So I don't mean every home schooled kid is bad!

[Pylon]

Topic or lock. 

If you want to discuss home-schooled versus public/private-schooled cadets, feel free to start a thread (though I doubt it's potential value already).  We're talking about the new cadet recruiting brochure here in this thread. Thanks.

[brasda91]

I like the flyer.  I'm just glad to have someting to pass out.  We just had the ribbon-cutting ceremony at our new Reserve Training Center where our new home will be and I had to use our funds to print some flyers to be able to hand out.  Not really a cost issue, but more of a principle issue.  I should never be out of recruiting material.  Couple of my seniors are hitting the schools pretty good.  The last recruiting event they did, we had to dig through older material just to have material to pass out.

[Walkman]

So I dropped the ball...

I was working with NHQ on a new brochure, but got so slammed with a million things (I even missed SQDN meetings for 3 months) that it got into limbo. They must have gotten tired of waiting and put out this.

Sorry y'al. I'll try to get my act together and finish this thing.

[NC Hokie]

Care to share your progress with us?

[Walkman]

Sneak peek

Cover

[RiverAux]

Looks like the CAP plane is getting ready to strafe them.... really though, looks nice.  Need the new command patch on it though. 

[NC Hokie]

Sneak peek

Nice concept.  Any chance you could get a picture with a female and/or minority cadet?

[Walkman]

Nice concept.  Any chance you could get a picture with a female and/or minority cadet?

The cadet in the middle is female, but it's hard to tell in BDUs. I was going to reshoot this with her in blues.

[PhoenixRisen]

Holy [mess]!  That's an awesome cover!

[Major Carrales]

Bottom line in this discussion is what is the "target market" for our overall recruiting effort?   Locally in our squadron, we've seen an influx of younger cadets.  Maybe it's better to recruit younger, have them "grow up" as well as progress in the program.

RM

I'm sure a committee of volunteers with experience in PR/PA/recruiting, could come up with material better than provided by National. Better meet the neds in the field, rather than a flyer written for 12 year olds and not of interest to older prospective cadets.

Younger is the way to go.   Traditionally, in our area, the High Schoolers are too busy with dozens of other things (even ones that joined in the 6th grade and developed into High Schoolers).  Young cadets "emotionally invest" in the program and make it theirs.

[Rotorhead]

Nice concept.  Any chance you could get a picture with a female and/or minority cadet?

The cadet in the middle is female, but it's hard to tell in BDUs. I was going to reshoot this with her in blues.

Good idea, both for the obvious reason, but also to display another uniform.

[Eclipse]

Sneak peek

Cover

Lose the beret.

I agree younger is better - every day past their 12th birthday that we don't have them is one less day on the Spaatz clock, for starters.

And there are any number of opportunities and activities that are closed, practically speaking, to cadets who start too old, because they either literally can't make Mitchell, or the odds of them making it are low (obviously in proportion to their age).

[Gunner C]

Sneak peek

Cover

Lose the beret.

Ditto.  Also, the picture needs better lighting.

[RiverAux]

Nice concept.  Any chance you could get a picture with a female and/or minority cadet?

The cadet in the middle is female, but it's hard to tell in BDUs. I was going to reshoot this with her in blues.

Good idea, both for the obvious reason, but also to display another uniform.

Actually, I would recommend putting them ALL in the same uniform (whether BDU or blue) as including multiple uniforms iin the same photo s just going to be confusing and distract from the message.  If you want to have another photo elsewhere in the brochure showing cadets in blues doing something, that would be fine, especially if it is readily apparent why they are more dressed up (color guard/honor guard, etc.).

[ELTHunter]

I think my unit has at least three different versions of brochures that have been created by National over the last few years.  I thought the last one (I think) was the best because it addressed both cadet and senior membership instead of having two separate ones.  My experience is that people pick up a brochure first and start to walk away before looking at it.  If you can't catch them in time, they get away with the wrong one.

That being said, my problem with this one is that it mentions flying right up front......this, IMHO, is false advertising.  While there are opportunities for cadets to fly in CAP, they really are fewer and father between than our recruiting suggests.  For instance, something like 9 O-flights in a potential seven years, and most of these are back seat rides.

I get a lot of people that come in and say "I heard I can learn to fly in CAP".  I then have to give them my "while it is possible, there are better, cheaper ways to learn" speech.  Otherwise, you risk dissappointed members that don't hang around all that long.

[DC]

Walkman, that's freaking awesome!

That being said, my problem with this one is that it mentions flying right up front......this, IMHO, is false advertising.  While there are opportunities for cadets to fly in CAP, they really are fewer and father between than our recruiting suggests.  For instance, something like 9 O-flights in a potential seven years, and most of these are back seat rides.

I get a lot of people that come in and say "I heard I can learn to fly in CAP".  I then have to give them my "while it is possible, there are better, cheaper ways to learn" speech.  Otherwise, you risk dissappointed members that don't hang around all that long.

That varies between squadrons though, yours is obviously not on the best position to offer flying.

My squadron on the other hand has O-Flights nearly every month, and has an excellent relationship with the local flight school that enables our cadets to solo, and possibly get their license at a fraction of the normal cost.

NHQ cannot account for the variances between individual squadrons, and aviation and Aerospace Education is a large portion of the cadet program. I have found that there is a common misconception among potential members expecting to recieve full flight training as part of their membership, but there are only so many ways to say we offer exposure to aviation.

And for the record: Cadets are entitled to five powered flights, five glider flights, and as many backseat rides as they can get on..

I agree that National seriously needs to come up with ONE LOOK for all recruiting materials. gocivilairpatrol.com isn't bad for a recruiting site ( I hate it for the member content though...), but that look needs to be conveyed across the board. To do otherwise is sloppy and sends mixed messages.

I also agree that pictures of cadets need to be a little less cheesy 'hey look at me' and a little more like 'the camera isn't there, action shot' stuff.