Purpose of the Fourthclass System and its Connection to LDP Cadre Training

Training Objective Task: Understand the purpose of the Fourthclass System and its connection to the Leader Development Program Condition: Given the purpose and objectives of the Fourthclass System identified in the Blue Book and the learning outcomes identified in the Leader Development Program Standard: Correctly identify positive leadership methods that a cadre member could employ to help a cadet recruit manage the artificial stress associated with each objective of the Fourthclass System

Overall Purpose of the Fourth Class System “The Fourth Class System represents the foundation of The Citadel’s signature four year leadership development programs. It creates the discipline and instills the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect which is expected of principled leaders in all walks of life.” – Blue Book para

Purpose of the Fourth Class System for Freshmen “The Fourth Class System creates artificial stress to accelerate and make second nature the habits of self-discipline, teamwork, and a collective sense of accountability for everyone on the team.” – Blue Book para

Purpose of the Fourth Class System for Upper Classmen “The system provides Upper Class Cadets with the opportunity to demonstrate learned leadership characteristics as they set the example, motivate, train, and mentor new cadets.” – Blue Book para 3.3.8

Resolving the Potential Tension Between the 4C System and Leadership as Service The artificial stress created by the fourthclass system can promote remarkable individual growth in such areas as dealing with adversity, pushing yourself beyond your perceived limits, time management, understanding life is not fair, teamwork, perseverance, and prioritization for the fourthclassmen. The potential leadership problem develops when the upperclass perceive their primary role as administering this system rather than helping the fourthclassmen succeed in it. The upperclassmen then assume an adversarial rather than a service or positive leadership relationship with the fourthclassmen.

Resolving the Potential Tension Between the 4C System and Leadership as Service The “system” should be a fairly neutral, detached, and impersonal organizational bureaucracy made up of rules, traditions, schedules, duties, knowledge requirements, etc. The “system” exists largely of its own accord. It is merely the operational environment. Rules governing how and where knobs walk is an example of system-induced artificial stress

Resolving the Potential Tension Between the 4C System and Leadership as Service Like the fourthclass, the upperclass operate within that existing environment but their role is to learn leadership themselves rather than to ensure the fourthclassmen get their money’s worth. Instead of focusing on making things hard for their subordinates, the upperclass role is to serve the fourthclass by helping them succeed as they negotiate the environment. To do otherwise is antithetical to leadership.

Objectives of the FCS (Blue Book Para 3.4) To provide new cadets with an understanding of The Citadel’s core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect To teach new cadets the regulations, customs, and traditions of The Citadel To remove wealth and former station as factors in the development of new cadets To instill in new cadets a sense of humility and selfless subordination To develop personal character and create a foundation for honorable and ethical decision-making

Objectives of the FCS (Blue Book Para 3.4) (continued) To instill new cadets with self-discipline To physically challenge new cadets and establish a foundation of understanding the necessity of physical fitness for life To instruct new cadets in time management To prepare new cadets for academic achievement To inculcate class cohesion in support of The Citadel’s Mission and the development of Principled Leaders

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System For each of the stated objectives, answer the following: – How does the “system,” without any extraordinary effort on the part of the cadre, create the artificial stress associated with this objective? – What is a negative way that a cadre member could add to this stress? – What is a positive way that a cadre member could help a cadet recruit manage the artificial stress associated with this objective?

Example Objective: To inculcate class cohesion in support of The Citadel’s Mission and the development of Principled Leaders System-induced stress: Cadet recruits are dependent upon each other to accomplish such tasks as cleaning their rooms, sweep details, and reciting knob knowledge in unison on-line Negative leadership: Encouraging a knob to tornado a classmate’s room to send him a message that he is making the class look bad Positive leadership: When a knob has to move to another room, have the whole squad help him move and get his new room in order. Give them some tips on how to do this efficiently. Inspect the room when they are done and compliment them on their teamwork.

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To provide new cadets with an understanding of The Citadel’s core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To teach new cadets the regulations, customs, and traditions of The Citadel – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To remove wealth and former station as factors in the development of new cadets – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To instill in new cadets a sense of humility and selfless subordination – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To develop personal character and create a foundation for honorable and ethical decision- making – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To instill new cadets with self-discipline – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To physically challenge new cadets and establish a foundation of understanding the necessity of physical fitness for life – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To instruct new cadets in time management – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To prepare new cadets for academic achievement – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

Leadership and the Objectives of the Fourth Class System To inculcate class cohesion in support of The Citadel’s Mission and the development of Principled Leaders – System-induced stress – Negative leadership response – Positive leadership response

4C Military Pillar Key Learning Outcomes in the LDP Explain and comply with standards and regulations of The Citadel Understand the key leadership concepts and process in The Citadel Training Manual Understand and apply principles to lead peers to complete tasks/detail to standards Explain the connection among the 4C system, the pillars, and individual resiliency; demonstrate individual resiliency Develop an initial career plan 23 The cadet recruits will receive instruction on these learning outcomes. They are included here for your situational awareness.

“Explain the connection among the 4C system, the pillars, and individual resiliency” The Fourth Class System and the Academic pillar – As long as you are a cadet, academics is your first priority – The time management, attention to detail, and prioritization skills you learn as a result of the fourthclass system should transition to your study habits and academic preparations The Fourth Class System and the Military pillar – In addition to the regulations common to all cadets, the exacting standards of the fourthclass system teach duty, obedience, and discipline – You will learn to operate in a team environment as a follower, member, and peer leader 24

“Explain the connection among the 4C system, the pillars, and individual resiliency” The Fourth Class System and the Moral-ethical pillar – The stress of the fourthclass system will no doubt present you with a series of moral temptations and ethical dilemmas – Resolve now to not compromise your integrity, regardless of the consequences – Hold each other accountable and support each other through difficult times The Fourth Class System and the Physical Effectiveness pillar – Most visible will be the sets of 20 push-ups first semester and 30 push-ups second semester that will be part of your normal routine – Perhaps more enduring, however, will be the stamina and confidence you gain as you push yourself to new physical limits – Staying healthy will be critical to your success 25

“Demonstrate individual resiliency” Resiliency is the ability to bounce back and recover quickly from change, hardship, or misfortune You can build resiliency by: – Having a realistic and intimate knowledge of yourself – Having a supportive personal and professional network – Keeping your eye on the prize – Remembering that setbacks are temporary events, not permanent conditions – Keeping your sense of humor – Taking things one day at a time (dividing big tasks up into manageable pieces) 26

“Demonstrate individual resiliency” Most of you will at some point or another want to quit – That’s natural and normal Remember why you came here Remember your family and friends love and support you Remember you’re part of a team Remember that your presence makes The Citadel better and we want you to succeed Remember that others before you have done it and you can too 27

“Demonstrate individual resiliency” 28 We’d all like life to look like one smooth, steady march upward The reality is that life is a series of ups and downs, but resiliency keeps us moving forward

“Demonstrate individual resiliency” 29 Still those falls are jarring and, the bigger the drop, the longer the recovery time. As you improve your resiliency, falls will be less drastic because you catch yourself quicker and know how to get back on track. The goal is to become so resilient that the ups and downs lose their abruptness altogether, because you have the experience, perspective, and resources to deal with most of whatever life throws at you. Knob year helps you learn that kind of resiliency.

Conclusion The Fourthclass System has a purpose both for fourthclassmen and upperclassmen. We often focus solely on its purpose for the fourthclassmen. Based on this class, what do you want to personally learn as a cadre member this year?