Problems keeping my unit alive.

[usmckeith]

I am the Mission Support Squadron Commander for my unit and also the most likely choice for Group Commander next year (I'm the only junior above the rank of c/SMSgt). In my sophomore year we were without an SASI (our full Col retired, but we now have a LtCol after a year without an SASI) and we lost our PE credentials. Since then things have been going downhill. We have a total of 41 cadets at this very second. There is a lack of motivation, dedication, and discipline in my unit. We have an extremely lazy promotion system as well. I fear that our program may crumble and die next year without proper guidance. And to make matters even worse, our CMSgt ASI is retiring after my year graduates, so my unit needs to be kicked in the butt and rolling before then. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to improve our recruiting, such as examples on the way your unit does it. And it would be VERY much appreciated to recieve tips on how to command a unit effectively and authoritatively.

[Drill for life]

I have never had to pull my unit out of a rut this big but I can help you with recruiting.

P.M. Inbound.

[TruBlu]

I'm not much for recruiting, but I can possibly help with your command and promotion system. Can you describe your current CoC, promotion system, and specific problems?

[usmckeith]

Our promotion system goes off one basic little requirement: if you have a 2.0 GPA, then you get promoted; a 3.0 is a double promotion. That's it. There are no other requirements at all.
The only reason i am a c/1st Lt is because the instructors told me (face-to-face) how "set apart I am from the other cadets." Meanwhile, my fellow juniors are being quickly caught by the sohomores. We have a few c/MSgt and c/SMSgt sophomores as well, which i find to be ridiculous, as none of them are near that in reality. In addition, we have way to many officers than even allowed, according to our cadet handbook. We're only supposed to have 8 officers; we currently have around 14.

As far as our Chain of Command goes, it is basic in terms of how things are set up. It goes like this:

Cadet Board
Group Commander
Deputy Group Commander
c/CCMSgt
Mission Support Squadron Cmdr._Group Operations Squadron Cmdr.

Mission Support Squadron
Squadron Commander
Deputy Squadron Commander
Superintendent
Adminstration and Personnel Flight Cmdr.
-NCOIC Administration
-NCOIC Personnel
Logistics Flight Cmdr.
Communications Flight Cmdr.
-NCOIC Communications
-Historian

Group Operations Squadron
Squadron Commander
Deputy Squadron Commander
Superintendent
-A-Flight Cmdr
-B-Flight Cmdr
-C-Flight Cmdr
-D-Flight Cmdr
-E-Flight Cmdr

Now, I'm not even sure if we even qualify to be a group. I think our whole Corps is technically the size of a regular squadron (we have 41 cadets). That's just what it says on the chart.

[TruBlu]

AFJROTC HQ does not mandate a certain size structure for the amount of personnel, although they do recommend certain numbers. For corps of 250 or more cadets, it is recommended that they be in a Wing design. 250 or less should be a Group. Corps with even less (specified at 175 cadets or fewer) could operate as a Squadron or even a Flight. With a number like 42, you should be a Squadron. I'd be happy to talk with you about how to become one and set one up effectively if you would like. I can also help you out with a promotion system, although it is my weaker subject seeing as though I am currently establishing one myself, but I believe the concept is good. If you are interested, we can talk right over this thread, through email, PMs, whatever, but I'm usually around.

[usmckeith]

I'd prefer over the thread, so anyone else with this problem can find help as well.

[TruBlu]

OK, lets talk structure first (and anyone else please feel free to jump in also and give your opinions). Your corps is a Group now but sits at a Squadron size in terms of personnel. You need to scale down, but you don't want to lose all of your staff positions and leadership roles. Before I recommend any structure, I need to know all of your current positions (provide a brief description of each), how your Group, Squadrons, and Flights are structured down to the most basic airman, and what you and your instructors deem required to the operation of the corps. Take your time with it and make sure not to leave anything off. Once that is provided, I will examine it, scale it, and produce one or two structures that I believe will suit your wants/needs.

[waitingforasoldier]

Don’t worry your unit is not the only one. We also have 40 some odd cadets. If we don’t do some kicking butt to get coming in freshman, we mite not have a unit next year, plus next year is my last year, and I really want C/Col. next year. I'm trying my hardest to kick start senior staff into gear, but there all guys and they are very harded headed.

[TruBlu]

Over the past few years JROTC of all branches, states, cities, etc., have experienced a drop in enrollment. One of the primary reasons is the fact that we have troops deployed in places we may or may not need to be, and with that many students and parents of students don't want to be associated with the military or even cadet organizations because of our 'affiliation.' One thing we as cadets need to do is make sure people no that we don't incur service or claim a military status. If we do that, maybe, just maybe, can we save a few more corps every year from being shut down.

[Justify]

My unit is having a lot of problems this year. We've been through five instructors in the past three year. And this year is the worse so far. Our ASI keeps changing everything all of our competition teams do, so they're never stuck on one thing (and as the unarmed commander, the previous armed commander, certified member of both competition and regular Color Guard and the overall drill team commander, it's a lot to keep up with!). At the beginningn of the year, we had nearly two hundred cadets. Now, we're down to about 130, most of those having dropped were upperclassmen who couldn't stand the instructors. All of our problems lie in the instructors at my unit. Does anybody know how to report instructors to an Area Administrator if they're not doing they're job right?