The trouble with experts
The trouble with experts is that they set an example that can be
misleading. Your typical Cadet Colonel, for example, has probably taught a Class on
Customs and Courtesies several dozen times, and has an interesting, challenging class
memorized. The problem occurs when a C/SSgt in the back of the class sees what the Colonel
does and thinks “oh, that’s easy. If Colonel Smith can wing it, so can I
…”
The following week, when C/SSgt Schmoe tries to teach a Uniform
Class by “winging it”, he notices that the cadets aren’t paying attention
and are bored. Worse yet, the following week at inspection, the uniforms haven’t
really improved much. C/SSgt Schmoe blames his Cadets.
I blame C/SSgt Schmoe, but I blame Colonel Smith more. Sure,
experienced officers can pull training out of a hat, like a magic trick, now and then, but
we can’t show it or brag about it to juniors who lack the experience.
The trouble with not planning
After a few years of this kind of thinking, strange things sneak
into the minds of a Cadet Commander. Phrases like “We nee to be flexible” are
used as an excuse for not planning meetings at all, and winging the whole two hours.
When all the planning we put into a meeting is during the
10-minute drive, quality suffers. Project X’s, Quality Classes, interesting drill
sessions, in-flight competitions - most things that make CAP Worthwhile take work to plan.
Murphy’s Law says that If anything can go wrong, it will.
Plan a model rocket launch? It will probably rain. Plan on having Senior Member X teach Y
class? He will probably call in sick. Not only do you have to plan things right,
you’ll have to plan back-ups. And that makes it even tougher.
Have you ever “planned” an activity (or known someone
who did) where the “planning” consisted of someone saying “wouldn’t it
be cool to …” and wrote a date on a calendar? The training date came … and
went … and nothing happened. Or else the entire activity was postponed, time and time
and time again?
It could be because the activity:
- Didn’t have a sponsoring Senior Member
- Had a date, but no location
- Had a location, but the location wasn’t available on the right date
- Didn’t have food/budget/sleeping quarters/showers/etc
- Didn’t have a schedule
- Didn’t have instructors
- Etc.
At Boulle-Norman, we require activities to be planned at least 30
days in advance. That way, Cadets and Parents can plan to be available that week. No one
like to hear about an activity the week before it is to occur; and no one who plans those
activities likes it when only 6 Cadets show up.
The trouble with quality programs
Everything above just seems so … obvious. How could someone
forget? Well, the trouble is, quality takes hard work. Imagine a flight commander planning
a 30-minute drill period every week:
“We finished stationary drill last week. We’ll
break it down like this:
5 Minutes: Sgt. Says (Get them warmed-up; review stationary drill)
2 Minutes: Teach fwd march/half
2 Minutes: Practice fwd/halt
3 Minutes: Teach to the rear
5 Minutes: Teach fwd/halt/to the rear
5 Minutes: Practice fwd/halt/to the read
9 Minutes: Sgt Says stationary + basic marching drill
If we run over: Cut Sgt. Says
If we run fast: Teach Left/Right Flank
How much easier is it say “Well, I’ll just march them
around and stuff. We’ll work on the weaknesses I find.”
Yes, it is far easier to not plan. That doesn’t make it
right.
Are your people worth it?
CAP Cadets are smart folks. If you give your time, energy, effort,
and attention to them, they will take notice and follow. If you expect them to do all the
followership work while you enjoy the glory of “Command” … well, why would
people want to follow you?
It comes down to this: If your people know they are worth your
time, then you will be worth their attention.
Conclusions
The best way to improve retention is to make this program worth
being a member of, and that takes energy, effort and time. That means taking care of
details, writing the little introductory jokes, thinking of things to do when you’re
stuck waiting in the chow line, and writing lesson plans and practicing them in front of a
mirror with a watch.
To try to short-circuit the problem by avoiding work is a great
way to get bored, annoyed cadets and increase turnover. If you only have two hours of CAP
a week to impress cadets - then you’d better impress them for two hours a week!
Matthew Heusser, Capt, CAP
Leadership Officer, GLR-MI-265
Comments, thoughts, criticisms, complaints? I’m looking for
feedback. Please feel free to drop
me an email. |
