Please Help, I'm my sqradron's Flight Sarg. and I despretly need help with this,
Each year, I plan to go to my local NJROTC unit (only type of ROTC were I live). There, they have an ex-marine 1st sarg. who drills into his Cadet's heads that Navy and Marines are the best services in the world. ??? Now the problem is, I went there last year, and everyone probably threw thier pamphlets away. :-[ Now the Question is; How can I get the idea of joining CAP into thier heads?
--FlyBoy
Perhaps you might consider looking to alternate sources for recruits. I have often found that once cadets are firmly immersed in a particular program they won't fully get into CAP. At one point a large portion of my squadron's cadets were NJROTC, and they very rarely showed up to anything but regular weekly meetings.
I know going to people who already have an obvious interest in military programs seems like a good idea, there are a lot of potential pools that you might be neglecting by focusing on the JROTC kids. Try taking that enthusiasm and directing it at other schools that don't have a military program, or anywhere else you can think of that is an 'untapped source'.
Also, minor nitpick, sarg. is a really weird way to abbreviate the word sergeant. Typically one uses 'sgt'...
I would agree, we all tend to emotionally invest in "our thing," going to a JROTC unit sort of invades a space of "emotional investment."
I can clearly say the the school in which you are trying to recruit does not have an inherent need for a Cadet Program, thus, the lack of interest.
It is tempting to try to recruit "ready made" cadets...however, you will find if you take the need to those who have most need of it, your efforts will bear fruit.
Also, start the recruiting at Middle Schools, 7th and 8th Grade. These cadets will have a long CAP experience and stand a good chance at completing the program. They will also have few extracurricular activities to interfere and will, if given a good experience, continue with CAP in the 9th Grade.
I agree with the Major about starting with middle school students in this situation. If you have a good ES program a few of the JROTC folks might decide to join up since that isn't something offerred in their program.
Quote from: Fly Boy on September 12, 2009, 11:47:33 PM
Please Help, I'm my sqradron's Flight Sarg. and I despretly need help with this,
Each year, I plan to go to my local NJROTC unit (only type of ROTC were I live). There, they have an ex-marine 1st sarg. who drills into his Cadet's heads that Navy and Marines are the best services in the world. ??? Now the problem is, I went there last year, and everyone probably threw thier pamphlets away. :-[ Now the Question is; How can I get the idea of joining CAP into thier heads?
--FlyBoy
Im actually surprised they even let you come and talk! Good thing its not a Marine JROTC! If your not getting anywhere, you may, like the others said, try an 8th grade class.
Quote from: RiverAux on September 13, 2009, 01:07:53 PM
I agree with the Major about starting with middle school students in this situation. If you have a good ES program a few of the JROTC folks might decide to join up since that isn't something offerred in their program.
This is consistent with my experience. I began, originally (back in 2001) trying to recruit high school aged cadets. We got, out of some ten that joined, only about 1 that kept it up until College. Many of the "pre-fab" cadets you might get from JROTC will not relish becoming an "Airman." Unless...they join with a group of their "buddies," at which time they might make CAP "their own," however, they will try to morph it into a culture similar to their JROTC unit...bringing in terms and methodologies that are other than CAP (like calling service dress "Class A's," which I know many people on this forum hate ;))
Plus, time tends to run out on them. In college is it hard enough to simply "make it," much less groom a CAP career. We have lots of CAP Officers that were cadets that have a gaping hole in their CAP service record during the college years. Pity there is not a more organized effort to host CAP as a club in CAMPUS life. (Imagine, CAP as a fraternity...Chi Alpha Pi, apologies to any group that might boast these Greek letter)
Next, about 2006, I worked with CAP as an 8th grade project. We were getting a 2 in 5 retention rate. High school sees a proliferation of activities (athletics, band, JROTC et al) that, when added to increased social interaction (the boyfriend-girl friend factors) creates a pressure that takes Wight Brothers Cadets right into in activity and non-renewal.
As time went on, I came to discover that the idea grade from recruiting are the over 12 year olds in 6th Grade, they develop in the 7th grade, progress in the 8th and can be working on their Mitchell's in 9th. At that point, the High School years can be spent shooting for the SPAATZ or taking advantage of post-encampment activities.
Emergency Services is an element of CAP that attracts many JROTC cadets, in many ways CAP provides what is missing from JROTC and JROTC provides what CAP cannot provide. For example, CAP Cadets can fly...and JROTC Cadet meet daily for more intense training. A relationship can develop where you can coexist with JROTC, however, once you start trying to "farm off" their cadets...they will try to "squash you like vermin." So, maintain a good relationship with them... but don't hold out that they will be a willing pool for recruiting.
A few things you are going to encounter:
JROTC units aren't going to like the fact that you are trying to take away their membership. Even if presented as an additional activity, it won't usually be seen as such. How would we feel if JROTC, Young Marines, or the Boy Scouts tried to come to one of our meetings trying to take our members. I'm sure we wouldn't like that idea.
Another thing you will find is that if you try to recruit ready-made JROTC cadets, if they have progressed in their program and have a staff position and so forth, they often don't like the idea of being a C/AB again when in JROTC, they might be an officer or a commander of some sort.
Remember, people only have so much free time to participate in different organizations, and so when trying to recruit members of other organizations, one organization will end up on the losing side of participation and that isn't a gamble most are willing to take. Recruit them informally, sure, but to go there with a presentation with the purpose of recruiting them for CAP is a tough area to step into. Before you know it, the JROTC leadership will start bad-mouthing CAP as a way to keep their own membership and that could be a bad thing for recruiting and for the image of CAP. Thus, tread lightly with that.
When dealing with other branches, expect them to have extreme pride of their specific branch, especially when dealing with Marines. Afterall, its not like CAP isn't at least slightly biased towards the Air Force. Same for them.
When mentioning Marines or the Marine Corps, always capitalize the M in Marine. This is one of the easiest ways to get on the bad side of a Marine. Know that Marines are extremely proud of their branch of service and believe the Marine Corps is the best branch of the military- there is nothing you can do to change this. Its a Marine thing. If the Marine Corps had an Auxiliary like the Air Force and Coast Guard do, I have a feeling many other volunteer and youth programs would suffer as the Marines have a special place in the hearts and minds of Americans, and to an extent, the World. Don't get on the bad side of Marines, especially not a Marine 1stSgt.
Focusing on CAP's flying and ES missions are a great way to gain fresh Cadets. Remember that JROTC doesn't do ES and the Coast Guard Aux doesn't have a Cadet program. Focus on what differentiates CAP from other organizations, but don't step on any toes by trying to talk down their programs.
Focusing on schools, getting press coverage about unit activities, and being seen in the community (have recruiting materials ready) at all sorts of events are great ways to attract new members. I personally joined as a Cadet upon reading a newspaper article about the local CAP unit. Also, push the recruiting ribbon to current CAP Cadets and try to get them to recruit their friends. Focus on getting fresh Cadets, not ready-made Cadets. Trust me, it works- my unit is a Cadet squadron of 75, and this is before our Fall recruiting drive.
PS- Sgt, never Sarge.
DBlair made a great point about getting your current cadets to recruit a friend. About a year and a half ago my squadron nearly doubled in size because a few motivated cadets went out and recruited 2 or 3 people each that they already knew.
Quote from: DC on September 13, 2009, 08:24:55 PM
DBlair made a great point about getting your current cadets to recruit a friend. About a year and a half ago my squadron nearly doubled in size because a few motivated cadets went out and recruited 2 or 3 people each that they already knew.
Thanks! Considering that it only takes recruiting 2 members for a Cadet to earn the Recruiting Ribbon, its an easy way to get some extra Cadet bling for the uniform as well as substantially grow the unit.
Quote from: Flying Pig on September 13, 2009, 04:41:33 PM
Quote from: Fly Boy on September 12, 2009, 11:47:33 PM
Please Help, I'm my sqradron's Flight Sarg. and I despretly need help with this,
Each year, I plan to go to my local NJROTC unit (only type of ROTC were I live). There, they have an ex-marine 1st sarg. who drills into his Cadet's heads that Navy and Marines are the best services in the world. ??? Now the problem is, I went there last year, and everyone probably threw thier pamphlets away. :-[ Now the Question is; How can I get the idea of joining CAP into thier heads?
--FlyBoy
Im actually surprised they even let you come and talk! Good thing its not a Marine JROTC! If your not getting anywhere, you may, like the others said, try an 8th grade class.
Why are you surprised they would let him speak? I used to go recruit in JROTC all the time with no problem. Ijust call the Senior Instructor, introduce myself and tell him what I want to do. Actually theyare estatic to here from me. They usually need somethng to fill their class time with when they are slow.
Quote from: Fly Boy on September 12, 2009, 11:47:33 PM
Please Help, I'm my sqradron's Flight Sarg. and I despretly need help with this,
Each year, I plan to go to my local NJROTC unit (only type of ROTC were I live). There, they have an ex-marine 1st sarg. who drills into his Cadet's heads that Navy and Marines are the best services in the world. ??? Now the problem is, I went there last year, and everyone probably threw thier pamphlets away. :-[ Now the Question is; How can I get the idea of joining CAP into thier heads?
--FlyBoy
Are you going for your recruitment ribbon?
I have just gone around my neighborhood and started asking people if they would like to join cap and explain a little bit about cap.
^ really? um... i would like to know how that went ??? what was people's reception to you?
Quote from: fightingfalcon on October 13, 2009, 03:50:18 AM
I have just gone around my neighborhood and started asking people if they would like to join cap and explain a little bit about cap.
Thats really not the best way to do it. You can't wear uniform while doing that since it is not a Official CAP Activity. Plus it is not the safest thing. Maybe you should stick to Recruitment Details with your squadron.
I'm bringing a new approach to my Recruiting. I got permission to recruit at my High School, and I can wear uniform. There is a better chance of getting Cadet Recruits there then by a Door-to-Door.
I agree. Irecrutied from a JROTC unit a fewyears back and got 23 young people interested.. Of them, 12 joined
A few things,
I'm in my 7th year as a Cadet, and have yet to get ONE "recruitment" credit.
I don't know if anyone ever did join because of my efforts, but it certainly didn't happen in my area.
As a junior high student, it was impossible in my area to get anyone interested.
As a high school student it was impossible to get the administration to let us in, and too late to get any cadets.
As a college student it is almost impossible to stay active, but I am working on trying to accomplish some goals in my last 18 months.
However, from experience, the best cadets to work with are all under 15. At a young age not only can you build them up to a proper cadet, it also makes it a lot easier to have them accept your command. As a 14 year old C/Sgt-something-or-other, I had to train some cadets who were 2-4 years older than me. The oldest one at 17 wasn't a problem, he was interested in CAP, and within a year was at West Point.
The friend someone brought in who was 16 WAS a problem, as no matter what I tried to do, he would not listen to me based on age. Those that know me, know that I won't go drill sergeant on anyone as it is not our role as leaders in the cadet program, but there was no reasonable approach to this guy. He would refuse to cut his hair, he would refuse to follow orders, and he would always maintain that his age gave him an advantage and a right not to listen to the young C/Sgt.
By age 15-16 we develop our "rebel" stage, and a lot of, mostly males, will not bend easily to anything or anyone UNLESS they want to.