“Citizens Serving Communities” ADULTS LEADING CADETS THE ANNUAL CADET PROGRAMS UPDATE CURT LAFOND CHIEF, CADET PROGRAMS

“Citizens Serving Communities” Overview Overview New Products In Development Discussion: Improving the NCC program Improving the NCC program Moving to an online testing system Moving to an online testing system

“Citizens Serving Communities” New Products: C/Staff Handbook New Products: C/Staff Handbook Detailed job descriptions Scalable organizational charts Practical tools: Inspection scorecard Inspection scorecard Meeting schedule template Meeting schedule template Drill teaching sequence Drill teaching sequence Formations cheat sheet Formations cheat sheet How to design a cadet staff

“Citizens Serving Communities” New Products: Drill Video New Products: Drill Video AFJROTC Drill Instruction Video

“Citizens Serving Communities” New Products: Cadet Great Start New Products: Cadet Great Start Advocates for a “pipeline” vs. “trickle in” Detailed, recipe-like lesson plans To be run by cadet NCOs & officers Comprehensive intro to cadet life Pre-event training for cadet staff Parents orientation From open house to C/Amn in 5 weeks Concludes with an O-Flight

“Citizens Serving Communities” cap.gov / cadet radio

“Citizens Serving Communities” In Development: Leadership Curriculum In Development: Leadership Curriculum Deliverables Textbook in 4 modules Activity Book Curriculum Guide Cadet Staff Handbook Drill Instruction DVD Podcasts Online Quizzes & Tests Supplemental Readings (SEP cadets)

“Citizens Serving Communities”

In Development: Online Records In Development: Online Records Goal: Bring cadet records into 21st century with online Cadet Master Record Makes 5 paper forms obsolete for tech-savvy squadrons Makes 5 paper forms obsolete for tech-savvy squadrons No more waiting for Mitchell Awards to clear NHQ No more waiting for Mitchell Awards to clear NHQ Reduces hassle in transferring records if cadet transfers unit Reduces hassle in transferring records if cadet transfers unit Error-trapping ensures requirements are always met Error-trapping ensures requirements are always met Records’ accuracy improves as cadets get access to their file Records’ accuracy improves as cadets get access to their file CCs alerted when cadets become eligible for promotion CCs alerted when cadets become eligible for promotion National and wing leaders get visibility into cadet advancement National and wing leaders get visibility into cadet advancement Optional system; paper records still okay Optional system; paper records still okay

“Citizens Serving Communities” Discussions Discussions The following ideas are offered for the sake of discussion. Tell us what you think!

“Citizens Serving Communities” Discussion: Online Tests Discussion: Online Tests Goal: Boost cadet retention by making it easier for cadets to advance, without lowering standards Proposal: Online Testing Stop presenting cadets with the dilemma of “Study for school or CAP?” Cadets test at their convenience Cadets test at their convenience Cadets test at home Cadets test at home Achievement tests become open book Achievement tests become open book Milestone exams remain closed-book, controlled by the squadron Milestone exams remain closed-book, controlled by the squadron Promotion focus changes from test scores to leadership performance.

“Citizens Serving Communities” Discussion: Online Tests Discussion: Online Tests CURRENT SYSTEM 1. Squadron controls testing schedule 2. Squadron keeps test inventory 3. Testing officer corrects tests & updates cadet records 4. Costly & time-consuming to update 5. Only one version of each test; easy to game system 6. Knowledge-level test; low academic standard 7. Closed book, no time limit 8. Re-ordering tests is a pain 9. Requires about 1 hr of squadron time 10. We’ve always done it this way PROPOSED ONLINE SYSTEM 1. Cadet tests at their convenience 2. NHQ website hosts tests 3. Computer instantly corrects test and automatically updates records 4. Easy to update; tests always current 5. Questions generated at random; harder to game system 6. Comprehension-level test; higher academic standard 7. Open book, but with time limit 8. No need for units to re-order tests 9. Frees-up about 1 hr per month 10. Takes advantage of technology

“Citizens Serving Communities” Discussion: NCC Discussion: NCC What should a cadet competition be? A contest involving all facets of the Cadet Program A contest involving all facets of the Cadet Program Team experience centered around local squadron Team experience centered around local squadron One of many activities cadets participate in One of many activities cadets participate in How many cadets participate in the NCC program? Why don’t more squadrons develop cadet competition teams now? Not enough cadets Not enough cadets Not enough time Not enough time Not enough money Not enough money Not enough chance of winning Not enough chance of winning

“Citizens Serving Communities” Discussion: NCC Discussion: NCC Not enough cadets: Comprise team of 9 cadets (8+1) Comprise team of 9 cadets (8+1) Most cadet units have fewer than 15 active cadets Most cadet units have fewer than 15 active cadets Not enough time: Team practices are logistical nightmares Team practices are logistical nightmares Eliminate innovative drill, volleyball Eliminate innovative drill, volleyball Not enough money: Take the money out of the inspection Take the money out of the inspection No chance of winning: All cadets to hail from a single squadron All cadets to hail from a single squadron No wing-level super teams No wing-level super teams Teams have chance to win “national” honors in each event. (JROTC regional model) Teams have chance to win “national” honors in each event. (JROTC regional model) NCC Events Standard Drill Indoor Posting Outdoor Posting Inspection Team Leadership Problems CPFT Quiz Bowl