**Boulle-Norman Cadet Squadron 20265**

**Michigan Wing Civil Air Patrol**

**United States Air Force Auxiliary**

![](media/image1.emf){width="3.3125in" height="3.34375in"}

**Element Leader's Handbook**

Original Release: 10/10/2000

Latest Revision: 10/10/2000

Table of Contents

Introduction and
Scope..................................................................................................1

What is an NCO?
.......................................................................................................1

What is an Element? .......

What is an Element Leader?

Element Leader's Checklist ........

Where can I go to learn more? ........

About this document .........

**Introduction and Scope**

This Pamphlet is intended as a supplement to both CAPR 52-10 and CAPM
20-1, with the following goals:

\(1\) To more clearly define the role of the Element Leader and the
Assistant Element Leader

1.  To provide resources and training for Cadet NCOs

> \(3\) To insure that the role of Element Leader is neither neglected
> or ignored

**What is an NCO?**

**What is an Element?**

**What is an Element Leader?**

"As an element leader, you have an increased scope of supervisory
responsibilities. You are responsible *for* the members of your element
and also to work *with* and *through* your assistants."

\- [Leadership 2000 and Beyond]{.underline}

# "CADET ELEMENT LEADER

Responsible for the supervision and training of the cadet squad, to
include:

Satisfactory performance during formations and ceremonies.

Military Bearing.

Morale.

The Cadet Element leaders should be familiar with CAP directives as
listed for Cadet Flight Commander."

\- CAPM 20-1, [The Organization of Civil Air Patrol]{.underline}

Taking these two manuals, the duties of the Element Leader can be broken
down into five broad categories:

Following/Learning, Training, Supervising and Guiding.

**1) Following/Learning.**

One of the most forgotten aspects of being an element leader is that the
element leaders are still followers, not just leaders. Element Leaders
must learn and implement the Squadron's Standard Operating Procedures
(SOP)s as well as other existing policies. Element Leaders must learn
"the way things are done", and do it. *Element Leaders implement policy,
they do not create policy.* Their job is to keep information flowing
between their cadets and the flight sergeant. The more informed the
cadet staff is the better job they can do to help the element leaders.
Once the Element Leader has mastered the position, the Element Leader
should begin studying the duties of the Flight Sergeant and other
positions, in anticipation of advancement.

**2) Training.**

An effective element leader must closely supervise and train all of
their cadets, so that they too can be future leaders. One of the best
ways for a Cadet to learn the basics of the military environment is by
on-the-spot training, and this is best done at the element level. In
other words, command can teach a uniform class only once in a great
while, but a good element leader can correct uniforms discrepancies each
and every week. The basic training areas an Element Leader is
responsible for include: Uniform Wear, Customs and Courtesies, Military
Bearing, and Drill.

One of the biggest responsibilities is of the Element Leader is to train
an assistant element leader. One day the element leader will be moved up
the next step in the chain of command and it will be necessary for
someone to fill the empty slot. By having another cadet already trained
in what is expected of an element leader, the current element leader can
help to cut the transition time down drastically. A well-trained
assistant element leader can also help the Element Leader. The Element
Leader can delegate tasks to the assistant, such as calling the element
members to make sure they will be at the meeting.

**3) Supervising.**

It is rarely possible for a Flight Sergeant to know everything about
every member of the flight, from how they are performing on the drill
pad, to the last time they were promoted, to how they are improving in
physical fitness. Instead, the Flight Sergeant trusts the Element Leader
to supervise the element, take care of routine details, and pass
anything out of his/her depth up the chain of command. Supervising and
training overlap, in that a good supervisor can see problems and make
on-the-spot corrections that have considerable training value.

The Element Leader is therefore expected to know **where** the members
are, **what** they are doing, and **why** they are doing it during
meetings. "Cadet Smith isn't here" is not a valid answer, "Cadet Smith
will be absent tonight because his bar mitzvah is tonight" is.

**4) Guiding.**

Element Leaders must track cadet's progress. Knowing when their element
members joined Civil Air Patrol, when their membership expires, when
they've gotten promoted last and what tests they have passed will make
that job easier. If Cadet Smith joined CAP six months ago and doesn't
have a uniform, something is wrong. If Cadet Smith has been a C/A for
the past 16 months, something is wrong. The Element Leader needs to step
in and fix this type of problem before it becomes critical. *Cadets who
are going nowhere inevitably go out the door, and don't come back*.

A good element leader can be like a big brother, that a Cadet Basic or
Airman can come to for advice, guidance, and help, without fear of
reprisal. The element leader can guide the Cadet to uniforms,
promotions, prepare them for encampment, and give advice on activities
and special awards.

Throughout the whole process of training new cadets, the element leader
must be sure his/her cadets don't lose their will to strive for
excellence. It is important for them to keep their cadets challenged,
learning, and proud. The element leader must listen to his cadets and
find out what their desires and plans are for Civil Air Patrol. If the
element members all want to have more ES Training, the Element Leader
should tell their Flight Sergeant so that he can plan more. A successful
element is a happy element.

Along with all of these things presented, an element leader may be
required to carry out more duties, according to their situation. Being
an element leader is the key stage between flight members and flight
staff. An element leader will learn many of the leadership and teaching
skills required to be an effective Cadet NCO.

**What an Element Leader is not**

*Or: Avoiding Common Mistakes and Bad Habits*

1.  An Element Leader is not a Commander. *Element Leaders implement
    policy, they do not create policy.* Element Leaders do not punish
    subordinates, nor can they award decorations; instead, element
    leaders ***recommend*** corrective action or awards up the chain of
    command.

    An Element Leader is not a staff member, and should not expect to
    attend staff meetings unless specifically invited.

    Element Leadership is additional duty, not "special privilege."
    Element Leaders are expected to meet every standard and attend every
    class along with the members of the Element. Leading an element does
    not "get you out" of doing regular duty.

    Much of the burden of the quality of the Cadet Squadron lies on the
    head of the element leader. If, through inaction, an element leader
    allows the unit to fall apart, the Element Leader is just as guilty
    as the Element Leader who does the job badly. Truth be told, the two
    are one in the same.

**Element Leader's Checklist**

Every Week -\
- Make sure all cadets are present\
- In the proper uniform\
- And know about upcoming activities\
- And have rides to those activities\
\
Career -\
- Are there at least 4 \[Pref. 6\] Cadets in the element?\
- Does the EL know names and phone #\'s?\
- Do they all have membership cards?\
- Do they all have uniforms?\
- Do they wear them properly?\
- Do they know the chain of command?  Cadet Oath?\
- Do they attend activities?\
- Do they know basic drill?\
- Has the EL supplied evaluations, constructive criticism,\
   or other forms of feedback?\
- Is an Assistant Element Leader being trained?\
- Does the Assistant have a CAPF 2A for the position?\
- Is the Cadet of the Quarter in this element?\
- Do the Cadets know how to get promoted?\
- Have they tested?\
- Do they know how to report to a promotion board?\
- Have they been promoted?\
- Are they ready for encampment?\
    (To be honor cadet?)\
- Have they attended encampment?\
- Is the EL studying to become a flight sergeant?\
- Does the EL know the goals of the Cadets?\
    (Promotions, Positions, Radio Operators Authorization,\
     ES Qualifications, Competitions, Solo Wings, etc.)\
- Has the EL helped them reach that goal?\
\
Once all the boxes are checked, the Assistant EL should\
be running an element of his/her own, everyone in the element\
should have 2 stripes, and the EL should be preparing for\
the position of flight sergeant.

**Where can I go to learn more?**

**About this document**

During the summer on 1999, Lt Col John Ballard pointed out numerous
times that the Cadet NCO Corps at Boulle-Norman was lacking; especially
the element leaders. After a series of discussions, the reason for this
was clear: The Cadet NCOs neither knew what was expected of them, nor
how to do it. To rectify this situation, Capt. Matthew Heusser
recommended a 'Cadet Element Leaders Handbook', and, in January of 1999,
the Staff of the Squadron began what would eventually become this
document. This document is intended as a 'living document', to be edited
and revised by generations of Cadets to come.

**Credits**

Inspiration Lt Col John Ballard, Deputy Commander

Outline Capt. Matthew Heusser, Leadership Officer
[mattandap@allegan.net]{.underline}

Contributing Authors Capt. Matthew Heusser, Leadership Officer
mattandap@allegan.net

Cadet Airman 1^st^ Class Been Visser, Element Leader