Cadet NCOs

[SlightlyCatholic]

A question for you JROTC cadets-

Do you feel that cadet NCOs are given less importance in your programs? It seems like with a program that goes to cadet Colonel, a cadet sergeant or the like could appear unimportant or just merely a step to a higher position for the cadet sergeant themselves.

I know as a Sea Cadet, I had to go from Cadet Seaman Recruit to Cadet Chief Petty Officer. I had to wait six months in between promotions, and I was unable to jump ranks or positions. It took me a long time to get promoted, but one thing it did do was allow me to learn my job position and appreciate the promotions more.

Any thoughts?

[devin0116]

You nailed the NCO's role in JROTC programs, nearly pointless. From what I observe, the NCO's at least of my unit do nothing. It's just another stepping stone to that nice Lieutenant rank. I would love if there was more pride in NCO ranks. I remember in middle school there was only a couple of officers maybe 5 tops, at any one time. With a population of about 100 cadets it worked extrememly well. When I reached c/Sergeant first class (didn't know the correct abbreviation) I was so happy. But yeah NCO's have a much lesser role in JROTC units than the military or auxillary units.

[TruBlu]

I hate with a passion the way that JROTC cadets have placed enlisted cadets, especially the NCOs, to the bottom of the barrel. In all my research and observation, the story is much the same across the board: 1 year of "enlisted"/NCO and 2 to 3 years of officership. It's bull.

Myself and several others from my unit (a few have joined this board actually) have recognized it, and now we have made an attempt to strengthen it. We now have a 4 year plan, divided into two "paths" of being a cadet. The first and second year of a cadet is the same for both "paths": airman year and the NCO year. As a third year cadet, they are given the "choice" (cadets who are deemed officer material do) to either stay "enlisted" or move to officership. If they choose to stay "enlisted," they earn the chance at ranks like c/MSgt, c/SMSgt, and c/CMSgt, and of course the all coveted c/1stSgt. If they choose to take the path of officership, cadets have a "company grade" year and a "field grade" year.

In theory, this gives the NCO ranks much more importance and respect, because it takes time and effort to earn those stripes. In fact, as we set up our promotion systems for next year, those cadets will be tested on much of the same material as officers, and will be held to different standards than other cadets. We want to have the cadet NCO return to the "lifeblood" of the corps, as opposed to "just another link in the officer chain."

[devin0116]

But you need to get some cadets to WANT to be NCO's. I'm sure almost all of them will choose officership. So im not sure how to so this. I suppose show that NCO's can get certain benefits and rewards that officers cannot.

[TruBlu]

Originally Posted by devin0116

But you need to get some cadets to WANT to be NCO's. I'm sure almost all of them will choose officership. So im not sure how to so this. I suppose show that NCO's can get certain benefits and rewards that officers cannot.

It's a balancing act. You have to have the two appear to be diametrically opposed to one another to appeal to the larger audiences. What we have done is basically have the NCO not so much as a leader, but a trainer and helper. He/she is the go to when you've got problems and the like. The officer is the leader, the one who catches the flak and the praise. He/she is usually the hard charging strait forward leader who doesn't want to hear all the complaints from the source.

[devin0116]

So basically like the military? Still, cadets are going to want to be the ones at the top. They want to get salutes from enlisted, not the other way around. At least thats the way with my unit.

[El Supremo]

Actually from my experiences in the Army JROTC program. The First Sergeant of a Company does more work than any other rank in the whole Battalion, He teaches drill, is generally the go-to man for the Company Commander, is the disciplinarian for the Company, and is in the promotion process for all those in the company below him.

[El Supremo]

Originally Posted by devin0116

But you need to get some cadets to WANT to be NCO's. I'm sure almost all of them will choose officership. So im not sure how to so this. I suppose show that NCO's can get certain benefits and rewards that officers cannot.

Ironically in our program, we have cadets who never want to become officers,Cadet Command Sergeant Major is what they're gunnin for.

[devin0116]

Wish it was that way in my unit.

[El Supremo]

Originally Posted by devin0116

Wish it was that way in my unit.

It's mostly because our AI is the one with us on a general basis, Our SAI only teaches one a week. Our AI is a Ret. First Sergeant US Army