 Why
would a young person want to join the Cadets?
The youth will join for many reasons and will
have different expectations of the CCC.
There are those who join because:
They are bored and
looking for something to do
These kids are the ones who want more than
just the "standard" entertainment. Some kids are
content to go home after school and watch television, or
play video games. The ones that are "bored" require
more varied activities. To accommodate them and keep them
interested in the CCC, you will have to solicit projects,
ideas or activities from these cadets, and work together
to make it possible. Although they appear to have no ambition,
given the opportunity they may surprise you and become a
positive part of your cadet corps.
They join because a friend has joined
The child who joins because their friend has
joined is a person who still may possess leadership qualities,
but fails to display them or use them. He/she will depend
on others to make their decisions and expect others to "show
them the way". These people must be weaned slowly from
their "support person". When this person first
joins, allow him/her to be with their support person when
it comes to sports and other activities. The continuance
of this person in the cadet corps may even hinge on him/her
being able to stand beside their "support person"
in rank during drill class.
As each class passes and this person gains
more confidence, friends or other "support persons",
he/she will be able to be weaned from the original support
person and eventually stand on their own. The confidence
gained by this individual will not only benefit them in
regards to the cadet cops but will assist them at home,
in school and in the community.
Their parents make
them join
These children may be the most defiant. Not
because they do not like you or the CCC, but just because
they are told to do something that they did not want to
do, or that they had no say in. These type of people are
not always stubborn or uncooperative, they are just more
independent and may have wanted to make their own decision
to join or not to join. Their initial act of defiance or
indifference is not because you and the other leaders are
not doing a proper job. It may be this cadets way of indirectly
rebelling against their parents for making them join.
As time passes, he/she may see that the CCC
is something they will enjoy and excel at. There may be
times when this individual may be reminded by their parent(s)
that they were right, and this may
lead to the odd case of defiance on the cadets part. These
people are independent thinkers and can become proficient
leaders in your cadet corps. Allow them to assume some duties
and responsibilities and you will see them become a definite
asset to themselves and your cadet corp.
 They
join just for the sports
This is a category a high number of kids who
join the CCC fall into. They are sports minded and just
want to play sports. These kids do not usually play "organized
sports" when they do compete. When you first start
a cadet corps, it is very important that organized sports
dominate your first few classes to get them into the cadet
corps and to keep them there. You will then ease into putting
more emphasis on drill, structured classes and other items
covered by the CCC. Competition and peer pressure from the
others in their troop will keep them coming back.
They want to be
with others who have a common interest
A child may fall into one or more of these
categories you have just covered. Common interest may also
be one of the contributing factors to them joining and staying
with the cadet corps. Even though some kids do not say it,
or even show it at times, a high number of them do want
to make something of themselves.
They may dream of being a doctor, scientist,
or go into some other type of profession, but this is not
a "cool topic" you would discuss with your friends
when you hang out together. Once the cadets are together
as a group, they will all see that they do have a common
interest, to get through school, take some further education
or training, to get a good job, have a family and to make
it on their own.
As the cadet classes progress, you will slowly
hear of their dreams, and ambitions. This is where the support
of the Section Leader and Cadet Leaders come into play.
eg: If Cadet YOUNG wants to be a doctor,
what is required?
- What classes should she be taking in
high school and concentrating on?
- Who can she talk to about the educational requirements?
- What is being a doctor really all about?
- Is there a doctor in your area that she can "Job
Shadow" to get the feel of the profession?
- What are the requirements to get into medical school?
- Where are these classes offered?
- What are the different areas in the medical field?
- What can be expected when going into University?
Each Cadet will be assigned to
a Cadet Leader who will monitor their personnel files and
act as a "guidance councillor"
to assist them.
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