FIRST BATTALION AAR Academic Year 2015-2016

ISSUE: Cadet submission of CQB/Cadet Assignments   DISCUSSION: Each year, every cadet is boarded at the Battalion Level to give cadets board experience and to assist Commandant’s Department in determining proper place to continue cadet’s leadership development. RECOMMENDATION: Eliminate the requirement to submit a CQB. Eliminate the cadet option to “opt out” of increased responsibility. Assign cadets to positions and locations as required to continue leadership development.

ISSUE: Commencement Week Training Schedule   DISCUSSION: Cadets have excess time on campus following completion of their last exam. Awards Convocation, Long Grey Line, Star of the West, and Commissioning related events can be adjusted. RECOMMENDATION: Move Awards Convocation and Long Grey Line parade to the Wednesday after exams to facilitate family attendance. All cadets not on Commencement Detail depart for Summer Furlough immediately after Long Grey Line parade. Seniors report on Saturday for Commencement. Seniors to be commissioned report as required by their respective services. Incorporate Star of the West into Corps Day.

ISSUE: Majority of Cadets lack the training/will to process/report alcohol, uniform, and conduct related violations.   DISCUSSION: Cadets are classroom trained, but there is no “safe” place to practice scenarios in their world. RECOMMENDATION: Create exercise scenarios where cadet reaction is observed, critiqued, and rewarded if response is correct. If response is incorrect or response is to do nothing, then we teach, advise, coach on the spot without a PR for toleration had the event/scenario been “real.” Examples include accountability, alcohol, uniform, mess hall.

ISSUE: Cadre training period executed at the Company Level   DISCUSSION: 4C Cadets are currently trained at the company level by a cadre often times staffed by those that are “available.” RECOMMENDATION: Execute 4C cadre training period at a Battalion Level led by BN XO. The provisional training company would be staffed by the best of the BN, not the best available. Standardization of training and resulting loyalties would be across 5 BNs rather than 21 companies.

ISSUE: Rotation of cadets within the SCCC   DISCUSSION: Loyalty to company continues to supersede loyalty to the SCCC. RECOMMENDATION: Rotate entire rising sophomore or junior class upon SCCC return in August. If that is a bridge too far, rotate Company XOs and Company Drill masters within the BN.