About the evaluation criteria

What will follow is specific, objective criteria to determine if a Cadet is learning what they need to in order to advance in responsibility. While it might not be found in any CAP Manual, the author has found that the majority of Squadrons of Merit/Distinction tend to use a similar system, and that’s good enough for him. Sadly, an exhaustive explanation as to why such a system is allowed under CAPR 52-16 is beyond the scope of this article, but, if you feel a justification is needed, feel free to email the author.

What are the expectations?

The current cadet program is split into four phases:

1. The Learning Phase (Achievements 1-3)
2. The Leadership Phase (Achievements 4-8)
3. The Command Phase (Achievements 9-11)
4. The Executive Phase (Achievements 12-16)

Phase III: The Command Phase (Achievements 9-11)

9 - Flight Commander 10 - Administrative Officer 11 - Public Affairs Officer

The Command Phase (formerly the Leadership Phase) is about first-level Command. Cadets learn to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and control through NCOs. They learn to set the goals, put the structure in place, create the plan, and let the NCOs carry out the plan. This is often described as a step “back”, but is more accurately a step “up”, from routine details to abstract thinking and the big picture.

At the same time, these Cadets are learning to follow the orders of executives, and to serve as advisors and staff officers. Phase III Cadets should get involved with their specialty and make a difference at the Group or Wing level. A Phase III Cadet should be capable of Commanding a Drill Team, A (Winning) Academic Bowl Team, A Flight (Squadron as C/Capt) at Encampment, Graduating from CLS, Serving as Project Officer at a wing-level activity, taking an active role on CAC, etc.

Phase IV: The Executive Phase (Achievements 12-16)

12 - Leadership Officer
13 - Aerospace Education Officer
14 - Operations Officer
15 - Logistics Officer
16 - Cadet Commander

Phase IV Cadets are executives and second (and third or fourth!) level commanders. Phase IV Cadets have had years to learn how the Cadet Program works, and are going about running it and running it well. In theory, Phase IV Cadets only need help from seniors in the things that are specifically forbidden them, like testing and adult chaperones at activities. Otherwise, Phase IV Cadets provide the training, groundwork, goals and plans that allow Phase III Cadets to get started, and Phase II Cadets to finish the job. Of the activities listed in Phase III, the Phase III Cadet may need to ‘ask for help’ to get them accomplished. The Phase IV Cadet does these things routinely and takes them to the next level: Chairing CAC, Commanding a Wing or Region Drill Team, Commanding Encampment, running Wing Leadership Schools, Cadet Commander of a Squadron, Etc.

An important distinction at the Phase IV level is that Phase IV Cadet should be Actually getting things done that grow and improve the program. Chairing the region CAC means nothing if nothing is accomplished. “Top 3” Cadet-Service at Encampment means nothing if that Cadet contributes nothing to the Encampment. If the Squadron’s membership and awards go down, and the squadron stops fielding teams for competitions and ground teams, than Cadet Commander means nothing. The Cadet Commander is always looking to the future, training subordinates to do his job and do it well, and otherwise trying to save the world. A good phase IV Cadet believes he can do it. A true Phase IV Cadet can actually come close.

Achievement 16 - Phase IV Completion

The Ira C. Eaker Award - Eligible to Test for The Spaatz Award The final pre-Spaatz board is similar in nature to the other Phase IV boards, only more intense. Is this Cadet Living the Cadet Code of Honor? Is this Cadet Living The Leadership Laboratory? Is this Cadet a great example? Does this Cadet Have More to Learn? Does this Cadet have a true mastery of the entire Cadet Program, or is he/she just “doing what I was taught?”

And, also, the Heusser Caveat: Is this Cadet really, truly, doing things that will benefit the entire unit, not just him/herself? Is this Cadet helping the number of cadets, activities, and promotions grow, or is this cadet just receiving awards from Generals who talk about how great he is? Does this Cadet really understand what this program is about?

An example: Years ago, the Old Cadet Programs Manual (CAPM 50-16) used to specifically forbid Spaatz Presentations at National Special Activities, or the National Cadet Competition. Of course, few people actually bothered to read it, and cadets set up their presentations at these activities anyway, and everyone was either ignorant or didn’t care.

The board should ensure that no Boulle-Norman Cadet Colonel (or C/2d Lt, for that matter!) would ever do such a thing.

A second, more critical caveat to simple ignorance is this: Does this Cadet really understand the responsibilities of command to the ones they lead? How easily authority can be abused and confused, and the special trust and confidence they are given when they assume Command? By the Spaatz level, A Cadet MUST understand these things at the level of a responsible Senior Member. A ranking Phase IV Cadet is bound to eventually be “in charge” when no Senior is around, or, just as bad, when the few Senior Members present defer without question to the more-experienced Cadet Colonel. A Phase IV Cadet is going to make some key decisions. They had better make the right ones.