CADET DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This section is probably the most important in the site. It will serve as a checklist of duties when you are in these positions and help you understand how the chain of command works. Some of this discusses camp, but applies on campus too!
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TRAINING PREPARE SOLDIERS, LEADERS AND UNITS TO FIGHT AND WIN
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A. General
1. Put out your maximum effort even if it means personal discomfort. You can sleep tomorrow.
2. Don’t allow anyone to usurp your job.
3. Lead by example (in uniform and actions!)
4. SHOW CONFIDENCE in everything you do.
5. As a leader you must consider the needs of your troops.
6. Pay attention to detail – small things are important and can make a big difference in your unit’s success.
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B. Squad Leader
This person is the doer – you will be directly responsible to accomplish the various objectives given you by the other leaders. Know your squad members – the quicker you learn names, the better.
1. Keep informed – know the schedule, know what is required of your squad and to what standards; insure they know everything you know.
2. Maintain accountability of people and equipment. You must know where everyone is at all times. (Not knowing is a sure way to flunk your job!) Constantly check gear – you’ll be surprised how many times squad members will lose or misplace gear. There is a certain way to wear your gear, check it at every formation.
3. Make sure every person knows his/her duties and what is expected of them all day. Don’t run a "hey-you" roster. Brief your people thoroughly.
4. Inspect equipment before training—pre combat inspections (PCI). Give yourself time to fix deficiencies. Don’t try to second guess the system. If formation requires a poncho and two canteens, make sure that is the only equipment taken. You even have to check to make sure people wear their kevlar properly. CHECK EVERYTHING!
5. Supervise. This means make sure the job gets done. Don’t just stand there.
6. Don’t let others run your squad. If it is your time to lead, accept advice – but YOU make all of the decisions.
7. Follow up! Spot check your cadets after you pass out the information.
8. Set clear standards. Use visual aids. If you are having a field gear layout the next day, (junk on the bunk), lay your equipment out before your meeting. That way everyone sees how to do it.
9. Team Leaders should assist you. Don’t plan on always being with your squad. Something always comes up that will take you away from them for awhile.
10. Night Before. At camp, duties and responsibilities shift at 1700, after dinner, or after training is completed. A series of meetings begin at company and work down to you. GET AHEAD – brief your people on uniform and common tasks (those that are the same everyday, e.g. who will mop, who sweeps). Later you can fill in all of the details you left out. Brief on time schedule, equipment and who is responsible for what actions. Utilize team leaders. Post night watch or guards before everyone leaves the area. Your briefings must tell the following:
Time schedule of significant events:
-What time is light out?
-What time and where will gear be inspected?
-What time is wakeup?
-What time should everyone be dressed?
-What time should each person start his/her detail in the morning?
-What time is formation for chow?
-What time are the CPT and SGT going to check your area?
-What time is movement formation?
-What time is lunch?
-What time do we return to company area?
-What gear and equipment is needed – especially where is it located or carried?
-What is each individual responsible to do in sequence after wakeup?
-If you have barracks guard, who is on guard, whom do they wake up? For the first week, make sure they know where the next person sleeps.
-Male/female bathroom time & designate times for each squad to use showers. Be sure to alternate the times to be fair.
11. Day of Training
-Supervise personnel in barracks cleanup.
-Check equipment in formation – especially full canteens and clean canteen cups.
-Have 100% accountability before departing.
-March your squad during the training day – it seems mickey mouse – but it is professional, first-class and makes a super impression but do not overdo it.
-If you ground gear, inspect to make sure everyone’s gear is dressed and covered. (Always have a guard on equipment!)
-Insure all your people eat at chow times (leadership should be last to eat, i.e., SL is last to eat in his/her squad; PL/PSG are last in platoon).
-Be very aware of changes in personnel status – especially on boarding the truck, medical evacuees, etc.
-If you have to get any paperwork filled out from your squad, get it finished "ASAP" check each one for completeness.
-Make sure your people keep you informed if they have to leave training and when they return.
-You are responsible for motivation. SET THE EXAMPLE. Don’t fall asleep at training. Help keep others awake.
-Upon return to the company area, you are not finished until all of your people have cleaned and turned in any equipment necessary. Don’t ignore those stragglers. There will be people at camp who don’t know how to assemble and disassemble weapons.
-Goof-offs – if you have one, try and help him. But if the person becomes impossible, inform your chain of command. (Whatever you do, don’t get flustered. The TACs will notice & your peer eval will be better if you try to get along with everyone, even if you can’t stand them).
-INSPECT constantly. Check your bunks and area before formation. Check your people all day. Be alert for heat/cold injuries.
12. PLATOON LEADER/PLATOON SERGEANT
Common remarks. This is the BIG ONE. You’ll generally get only one graded chance to have one of these jobs. Don’t spare one bit of energy. SUCCEED. Your evaluators will be especially observant on your day. The key words are detailed planning, complete supervision and flexibility. The exact roles for either the Plt Ldr or Plt Sgt will differ by units. However, the sum total of what is explained below will not. Just modify the checkpoints to fit the job descriptions in your or our unit.
a. PLATOON LEADER (PLT LDR)
-You are responsible for everything your platoon does or fails to do. You are in charge. Success will come only from maximum effort in planning and execution.
-Keep your NCO’s informed. Your evaluation depends on how well you manage your platoon – you need active assistance of your platoon NCOs.
-Talk to individual who was in the same leadership position the day before. They will give you helpful advice. Do the same for them.
-DON’T TRY TO DO IT ALONE. You should check everything, but assign someone else the responsibility to do it. Leave enough time to correct problems as you find them. You should check all the billets 10-15 minutes before formation. You should check personnel and equipment while your people fall in.
-Be prepared for 100 FRAGOs. It’s a test to see how you react
-Physically check wall locker security!
-While your Plt Sgt conducts formation, you can check each person’s gear.
-Make on the spot corrections. Until your evaluators see it, it hasn’t happened. Once they find a problem, they want it corrected. (But don’t wait until TACs are watching, i.e., Don’t be a Spot Light Ranger. Believe me, the TACs will know)!
-Practice your commands to march the platoon. Both you and Plt Sgt must march in "mob."
-If you have to do something unusual like stacking rifles – add rehearsal time before formation. Be professional, but don’t waste people’s free time with the unnecessary. Remember, you are responsible for the morale of your unit also.
-Write up a time schedule for yourself and your platoon sergeant. It should detail actions and responsibilities. Include who eats first, who checks what, who counts people getting on the trucks. For example:
0445 - Wake up for Plt Sgt and Plt Ldr
0500 - Wake up troops
0530 - PT formation – Plt Sgt. PT instruction drill 1 – Plt Ldr
0530 - Clean Billets
0615 - Breakfast formation (Plt Ldr eats last, Plt Sgt with last squad). Order of chow – 3, 2, 1
0700 - Everyone out of billets. Plt Ldr checks both floors. Plt Sgt checks people in formation
0715 - Rehearsal of grounding gear.
0730 – First formation. Plt Sgt marches to company area
-Make sure everyone understands your orders and plans. Be specific. Don’t assume anything.
-Be confident. If you give the wrong command, just regain control and go ahead. (No one expects a perfect cadet or soldier.)
-Use a warning order for upcoming events and a tentative time schedule. The platoon will be scattered by the time you get back from your company meeting.
-If your platoon is divided up, you go with one section, your platoon sergeant with the other.
-Make sure you know everything in the platoon. You are expected to know status, equipment issued. Don’t ever say "ask my platoon sergeant."
-Physically count everyone as they enter the trucks. You will be expected to know how many cadets are on your truck. Account for other platoons’ people also if they are attached to your platoon!
-PLAN AHEAD!
-Night Before
(1) At your company meeting make sure you understand what is expected of you. Ask questions.
(2) Know order of chow, order of weapons issue and turn-in, order of linen turn-in.
(3) Know movement plans (who is on what truck)
(4). If you have details, how many, to where and when?
(5). Make sure you understand how company wants gear worn?
(6). After you return to the billets before you have your meeting, double check with your evaluators to see if they have any additional requirements.
(7). Then put the word out. Use a backward planning sequence to check your time schedule. Be specific. Don’t leave anything to chance. If you have to rehearse, do it! This is your only BIG day!
(8). After your squad leaders have put out the info, spot check on them. Ask one or two members of each squad, especially the females, to determine if people are being told what they are supposed to do. If not, make corrections.
(9). Get your own gear together! Know your D&C.
(10). In your briefings to your leaders, don’t forget to designate order of chow, who’s responsible to guard in barracks, who will provide weapons guards, what time everyone needs to be out of the billets.
(11). If you have the detail platoon, make sure you and the Plt Sgt know the responsible person in charge of each detail. Insure they know where they are to go. Then you or your Plt Sgt must insure they get there! If your servers don’t show up on time, chow will be late. You or the Plt Sgt must physically check on the details.
-Day of Training
(1). Check the Plt Sgt’s status before it is turned into the orderly room.
(2). Then start looking for problems. Keep everything on schedule. In the field, however, the leader eats last. Look out for the welfare of your people.
(3). Avoid surprises. You will only be surprised if you are not supervising.
(4). Make sure the barracks are clean and up to standards. Physically insure that all wall lockers are secure and all windows are shut and secured.
(5). When you are conducting formation, be careful about your posture and your commands, Give commands only while you are at the POSITION OF ATTENTION.
(6). Be professional in everything. Be aggressive but maintain poise.
(7). If you ground your equipment before training, make sure it is lined up correctly. If not, get it squared away at the first break!
(8). Don’t keep your mob at attention or parade rest. Give them at ease or rest while waiting around.
(9). Don’t hold unnecessary formations!!!!!
(10). After training, you are not finished until the last person in your platoon is finished.
(11). Stay on top of things; know everything that is happening.
(12). Brief your evaluators. Don’t wait for them to ask for your problems or status. Keep them informed.
(13). Call jodies when marching. This is usually the platoon sergeant’s duty or use someone that is good.
(14). After you are done, say thanks to your platoon. That could really help you as camp goes on.
(15). In your debriefing, take notes and ask questions.
b. PLATOON SERGEANT (PLT SGT)
-Make sure you read the platoon leader’s section.
-Know how to conduct a formation.
-Know the status report better than you know your own name.
-In many platoons, the barracks is your total responsibility.
-If your platoon is next in line for chow, post a runner so he can
tell you when to form up.
-Make sure every squad is completely familiar with their responsibility in the barracks.
-Turn in the status report on time.
-Monitor sick calls closely, make them report back to you when they return to training. (If you don’t you’ll never know their status.)
-If you ground equipment for chow, leave a guard. Be sure they get relieved. Assign one of your squads the responsibility.
-Never be late.
-Count your people as they load the vehicles.
-You can eat last so that the XO or 1st Sergeant knows your platoon is finished.
-After the squad leaders brief their people, spot check various individuals to insure the people are getting the right word.
-If you are required to fill papers out for evaluators, make sure you get one on everyone and check for completeness.
-Constantly look for problems.
13. COMPANY COMMANDERS
(1) As CO, you are responsible for everything the company does or fails to do. Rehearsals are critical. Make sure the Platoon Sergeants, Guidon Bearers and Platoon Leaders all know their positions and their job.
(2) The plan is yours. Insure you know what is expected of you. Your briefing must be complete and detailed. After it – no one should be in doubt as to what to do. Pay attention to details; try to find problems in your plan.
(3) Recon the training site. Look for where to have your formation, where to ground your gear, etc. Ask to be taken there in order to recon.
-Use your XO and 1st SGT. Assign them specific supervisory jobs. Then check them.
-You may want to use 3X5 cards to list XO and 1st SGT duties, their own particular time schedules and any commands they have to give. Don’t assume they know their jobs.
-Keep your meeting brief. Time is critical.
-Keep the number of formations to a minimum. Some units will require one before you depart the training site.
-Make sure your people carry only the minimum essential equipment.
-If marching, keep control of the lead platoon. The others will follow the first platoon.
-If moving by van or truck, insure you and your 1st Sgt know how many actually got on the trucks. It takes 10 minutes or better to board vehicles and get a head count. Don’t under plan that or you’ll be late.
-Weapons security is very important.
-Night Before
(1) The first step is get organized.
a. What does the company have to do?
b. What time must the company arrive at training and to whom do you report?
c. Are you walking or riding?
d. What are the uniform requirements? (Sometimes these will change at lunch.)
e. Who is detail platoon? (Cadre 1st SGT will brief you on their duties.)
f. Does the company have to be divided into sections at the training site? (If so, make sure someone is designated in charge for each group.)
g. Is it linen turn-in day? (Order of linen turn-in should be the opposite of chow order. If rifles are issued, then they should be picked up at the same time.
h. Where are the formations to be held at the training site?
(2) Next, use the backward planning sequence. NEVER BE LATE OR TOO EARLY.
(3) At your briefing, insure the platoons receive all information that they need. Brief your 1st SGT and XO before that meeting.
(4) Each one in your chain should be responsible for checking that each platoon is awake at first call.
(5) Insure someone in your chain spot checks every platoon and the insure they are putting their gear together properly before lights out.
(6) Have your 1st SGT practice a formation that night. (Only Plt SGTs and Guidon Bearer need to be present. Never call out the whole company for a rehearsal.)
(7) If you march to training, check the route and time it takes to arrive at training site.
(8) Have your Guidon Bearer trained. If they don’t know their duties, they will make you look like a fool.
(9) The XO should check the mess hall 15 minutes prior to chow being served. They check for the servers being present and the cooks being ready to serve.
(10) The time for each platoon to eat should be designated. The XO should eat first, then 1st SGT, then, CO.
(11) During chow the CO and 1st SGT should insure that all of the barracks cleanup is progressing. The 1st SGT should insure the mess hall is empty of cadets at designated times. (The last platoon always runs late!)
(12) The CO should spot check platoons prior to company formation to avoid any uniform or equipment problems.
(13) As the 1st SGT holds formation, the CO can, if necessary, put out last minute instructions to the platoon leaders at the rear of the formation.
-Training Site
(1). The formation of the training site is very important. The XO should place the Guidon Bearer properly after receiving guidance from the site’s cadre. The CO or 1st Sgt can then guide on the Guidon Bearer for correct positioning.
(2). Don’t allow your unit to just "mob" into the training area. Have platoons march! Have them file into the bleachers.
(3). Know the company’s status report all day.
(4). At breaks – walk around looking for problem areas.
(5). Lunchtime – have your XO insure the servers are on time and ready to go. If necessary, make sure the platoons leave equipment guards. Your XO should eat with the second platoon in line; the 1st SGT with the third; and the CO with the last platoon.
(6). As the 1st SGT conducts formation, double check status reports and equipment.
(7). At the end of the day, don’t leave the training site until all equipment is accounted for. Weapons accountability is critical.
-Upon return to the rear area, you are generally still responsible for the evening meal! Same procedures as in the other meals.
-Be polite and show interest in your debriefing by the cadre.
-The major guide word is organization! Have all the commands on a 3X5 card so you can refer to them easily. Have a status card so you know by name who is not at training. (Believe that the cadre will want to know by name who is missing!)
14. EXECUTIVE OFFICER (XO)
(1). The duties of the XO involve oversight of all administrative and logistic support in a company. Additionally, the XO must know enough to assume the CO’s position if necessary.
(2). At the mess hall after the servers and headcount are present, check the cleanup area constantly. (This is where soap and water are available for the cadets to wash.)
(3). Avoid "hey you details." There is a duty platoon to serve that function.
(4). Stay on top of the transportation! You must know what kind of vehicles (school buses, Army trucks or cattle cars) you are receiving. If one breaks down, you will have to know who is on it and how many are there.
(5). Make sure all platoons know the location of the first aid vehicle at all times.
(6). Make sure everyone has the opportunity to eat. Cadet platoons are famous for not relieving guards so they can eat.
(7). Help the chain of command by anticipating problems.
(8). If weapons cleaning is to be done, make sure there is enough cleaning supplies available.
(9). Coordinate with the cadre at the training site as to where to put the formation.
(10). Look for transportation about 10 minutes prior to company formation. All platoons should know where they will be stopped and which truck they are to board.
(11). At training site, place the Guidon Bearer properly after receiving guidance from the site’s cadre.
15. FIRST SERGEANT (1ST SGT)
(1). The 1st SGT is responsible for day to day operations. Also, he/she ensures that soldiers’ health and welfare needs are addressed.
(2). You must be constantly checking everything – police the area, condition the billets, etc. Check outside barracks; check inside each barracks.
(3). You must know your D&C - especially how to conduct a formation.
(4). Make the platoon sergeants give you an up-to-date status report before and after each meal and before and after training. (Be especially careful at lunchtime; most sick calls return then.)
(5). You should know the status of each platoon before formation. Get with each Plt SGT 15 minutes before formation. The formation is a formality.
(6). Practice a formation with CO and Guidon Bearer the night before training.
(7). Insure that the mess hall is empty of cadets at the designated times. (The last platoon always runs late!) Run them out.
(8). At training site, make sure that all equipment grounded is aligned properly.
(9). Along with the XO, insure that the mess area is policed by the detail platoon. Insure that the entire area the company has used is clean and free of trash. Assign squad that’s first out to clean up after each platoon.
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BE THE BEST
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