# Presentation: 246654

## Seminar inCadet Program Administration

**Seminar in the ****TRAINING LEADERS of CADETS**** curriculum**** **
**“****Strategic Perspective” Block  **  **Lesson M2**

## Overview & objectives

**Describe the top ten regulatory policies that govern how the Cadet Program is administered, and discuss best practices.**
-   1. Orientations & membership
-   2. Personnel records
-   3. Textbooks & manuals
-   4. Test administration
-   5. Special performance requirements
-   6. Promotions
-   7. Special awards
-   8. Flying
-   9. Fundraising
- 10. Adverse actions

## Format

**For each of our 10 topics we will:**
- - Briefly review the Cadet Program’s administrative policies & procedures, as outlined in the on-line lesson.
- - Answer your questions
- - Devote most of our time to discussing best practices

## 1. Orientation & membership - general

**Important Facts**
- Eligibility: age 12 to 18
- School Program is open to 6th graders
- Apply using CAPF 15
- Physician’s review may be needed
- Membership is official when shown on  E-Services
- Must be a member to fly, ride in a van

## 1. Orientation & membership - general

**Best Practices**
- Have a cadet ready to greet new prospects.
- Meet the parents; use the Parent’s Guide.
- Require prospective cadets to attend 3 meetings before joining.

## 1. Orientation & membership - tools

**Member Kits**
- TextbooksCD-ROMMini-postersWallet cards
**Free Cadet Uniform**
- Taxpayer-fundedAF-style blue uniform Be a good steward

## 1. Orientation & membership - tools

**Best Practices**
- Help size cadets for their uniform.
- Issue BDUs from unit or wing supplies, if possible.
- Have wing patches, cutouts, and insignia in unit supply.
- Encourage cadets who do not have computers to use the library’s or a fellow cadet’s.

## 2. Personnel records

**Treat member records as confidential.**

| CAPF 66
Cadet Master Record | CAPF 52-x
Phase Certification | E-Services
cap.gov |
| --- | --- | --- |

## 2. Personnel records

**Best Practices**
- Schedule time for record-keeping after testing.
- Consider using a database in lieu of a CAPF 66.
- Use E-Services to watch for when member renewals come due.
- Recording test scores and promotion dates is what’s most important for the CAPF 66.

## 3. Textbooks & manuals – core curriculum

**Leadership      ****	****Aerospace     ****	****  Moral Lead.   ****	****  Physical Fitness**

## 3. Leader & activity guides

**Best Practices**
- Read and become familiar with the cadet textbooks.
- Use instructor guides and the special texts to plan unit activities.
- Keep a set of texts handy to show prospective cadets and parents.
- Encourage cadets to study using the AE student guides.

## 4. Test administration

**Important Facts**
- Only testing officers proctor tests.
- Keep tests under lock and key.
- Offer testing every 30 days.
- Read the test instructions.
- Some leadership tests have a drill portion.
- Provide cadets with feedback about the questions they missed; correct AE tests to 100%
- See CAPP 52-18 for how to administer the CPFT.
- State directors administer the Spaatz Award exam.

## 4. Test administration

**Best Practices**
- Proctor, score, and give feedback – all on the same night.
- Schedule time for AE mentors and performance tests in drill.
- Have enough copies of tests to meet your unit’s needs.
- Record cadets’ test scores on the CAPF 66 as soon as possible.
- Watch for cadets who fail a test more than twice; provide them a tutor.
- Schedule fitness training, not just fitness testing.
- Use the Testing Officer’s Quick Reference to inventory tests.

## 5. Special performance requirements

**Important Facts**
- Must participate actively to earn promotions.
- Must serve as discussion leaders and recorders during Moral Leadership.
- Encampment is required to earn the Mitchell.
- An essay & speech is required at Achievement 8 and the Eaker Award.
- Phase III & IV cadets participate in Staff Duty Analysis.
- A leadership academy is required to earn the Eaker Award.

## 5. Special performance requirements

**Best Practices**
- Use sign-up rosters for activities; encourage missing cadets to participate.
- Have cadets tell you in advance if they know they will be absent.
- Have encampment information ready when cadets join.
- Ask seniors to mentor cadets during SDAs.
- Have mentors help cadets get started writing essays & speaking in public.

## Coffee break

- Take a 5-minute break!

## 6. Promotions

**Important Facts**
- Cadets become **eligible** for promotionupon meeting leadership, aerospace, fitness & moral leadership requirements.
- Squadron commanders are the promoting authority.
- Promotions should bring new responsibilities.
- Cadets may be retained in grade.
- Counsel cadets using a CAPF 50.
- Promotion boards may be used, if applied consistently.  Focus on performance.
- “Pin-on” new insignia in public and celebrate the promotion.
- Milestone Awards are issued by National Headquarters.

## 6. Promotions

**Best Practices**
- Keep CAPF 66’s current; know when cadets are eligibile for promotion.
- Give cadets’ feedback using CAPF 50; involve cadet officers.
- When retaining a cadet in grade, be specific about what they need to do and when you’ll reevaluate their performance. Stay positive.
- Make award ceremonies special.
- Challenge cadets and raise your expectations as they progress, but remember the Cadet Program is a learning environment for youth.

## 7. Special awards

**Important Facts**
- Promotions are not the only awards cadets can receive.
- - Service & activity ribbons - Cadet of the year awards- College & flight scholarships- Commanders’ commendations- The Congressional Award- President’s Challenge awards

## 7. Special awards

**Best Practices**
- Host an annual awards dinner.
- Present a cadet of the year award.
- Use the AFSA award to recognize younger cadets.
- Tell cadets & parents about scholarships.
- Involve the PAO in awards ceremonies.
- Create your own annual awards – Most Improved Cadet, Outstanding Mentor, Academic Honor Roll, Cadet of the Month, etc.

## 8. Flying

**Important Facts**
- Flights are fun and educational.
- Tell parents when flying is scheduled.
- Flights can be powered or glider.
- Ten flights can be reimbursed.
- Cadets fly for free.
- Follow the reporting & reimbursement rules.
- Cadets must be under 18 and in uniform to fly.
- Military O-flights may be available.

## 8. Flying

**Best Practices**
- Have cadets review their syllabus before flying.
- Each flight corresponds to one of the modules, so have the cadet fly the syllabus that matches the module they just completed, if possible.
- Coordinate with pilots, wing staff, and other units to schedule flights.
- Fly each cadet at least twice per year.
- Be judicious with aircraft ferry time.
- Have a senior stay on the ground to marshal cadets and handle paperwork.
- Plan sorties with a detailed schedule.
- Put 1 cadet in the front, 1 in back.  Fly to a different airport, then have the cadets switch seats and fly back.
- Take pictures and involve the PAO.
- Remember, for many cadets, an O-flight will be their first time ever aloft!

## 9. Fundraising

**Best Practices**
- People support people, not programs. Show how CAP helps local kids.
- Seek donations from area businesses, civic groups, and the United Way.
- Put your parents’ committee to work.
- Use plane washes, concession stands, raffles, etc. as fundraisers.
- Charge monthly dues ($2 - $3).
- Promote accountability by making  financial reports available.

**Important Facts**
- Local activities are supported with local funds.
- Leaders need to account for all funds.
- Review CAPR 173-4 before beginning a fundraising project.

## 10. Adverse actions

**Important Facts**
**Try to handle personnel issues informally.** - Counseling- Oral reprimands - Written reprimands- Loss of privileges
**For persistent problems ****or a firmer response:**- Membership suspensions- Demotions- Membership termination

**Best Practices**
- Praise in public, punish in private.
- Help cadets learn from their mistakes.
- Demote & terminate only as a last resort.
- Read the regulation and follow it.
- For sensitive issues, see the DCP & legal officer.

## Summary & conclusions

- Administering cadet tests, records, & finances requires 1-3 seniors. Use “part timers” to help.
- The Member Kit gets cadets started, but leaders need to motivate them.
- Leaders need a working knowledge of promotion eligibility rules.
- Promotions motivate cadets; use them to shape & reward behavior.
- Don’t advance cadets if they are not ready for new responsibilities.
- Recognize your best cadets and seniors through awards.
- Schedule O-Flights regularly. Cadets want to fly!

## Final thought

*On behalf of the cadets*
- Thank you for your service!