How to motivate a cadet??

[decuervo]

Star, here it is. Alright, I need help. I have a person in my academy that is falling a little behind the power curve on alot of things. I want to help properly motivate him without resorting to what I learned in the Marine Corps. He was in the AirForce and I think our methods would hurt him more than help. Here's the list from week one:
A) Got pulled over for speeding by an FTO going 30 in a school zone.
B) Forgets things (i.e. his belt and to button his pockets).
C) Doesn't pay attention to verbal instructions.
D) A know it all attitude because of his fathers position in an LEO agency.
E) Talks too much and listens too little, including during classes.
I also realise he is only 24 years old and is trying to impress those of us that are older. I really want to help him without hurting him. I would like any suggestions that my team can use to get him to get his act together.
p.s. Shotgun punishments here, if one messes up, we all pay.

[steelcityk9cop]

Sounds like he dosn't really want to be there. Let him wash out.

[Samuel]

At 24, he should be much more squared away than that! Blanket party time...

[Star]

OMG! This is serious! A know-it-all because his Dad is LEO is hard to crack. I say you all take him out after classes and talk to him one on one....all of you! Put some emphasis on how he's making his Dad look bad by not being the model recruit. If all of you talk to him away from the academy, maybe this will help. If that doesn't work, a pink belly by the entire class might. :D

I'm sure all of the other LEO's here will have some great answers!

[decuervo]

Appreciate it guys. I've tried talking to him, and so has our resident E-6 reservist AirForce cadet. He (the moron in question) doesn't get it. He talks a good talk but doesn't back it up by doing the right thing. I don't want him to wash out, but right now I can't say I would want him to have my back. I'll give him until week 3 'til I give up on him.

[K-9MALY]

I would pull him aside and spell it out with harsh tones. Your method of kiddie gloves looks like it won't sink in. I would rather come out of the academy with a stellar class reputation as whole, and individual than to be associated with one that has stink on it due to a few **** birds. You were a Marine, show him the example by your standard, then tell him to follow it, don't ask him or plead. Get more class mates involved with motivation and persistance with vocal rebukes for below standard performance by him. If he doesn't come around, I would cold shoulder his *** completely. He is the type of turd that will only get more cocky once you become possessors of a gun and badge.

[Star]

If worse comes to worst, call his Dad and tell him what a jerk he's been. I am sure his Dad would put his butt in gear real quick!

[MOCOP]

It's not the Corps, Devil Dog. You are not his NCO. You have no duty to motivate this guy. At 24 with prior military service he should have his head and his *** wired together. The speeding and forgetting the belt and to button the pockets is his problem.

If his 'tude is drawing crap down on the rest of the Class then a few of you might want to voice your concerns about that to him. Explain your position and like Star said mention Dad. If he continues along his current path then I concur with Steelcity. let him wash out.

[decuervo]

Roger that. I know I'm not his NCO, but as the lead cadet in my class I feel some obligation (reverting back to MC days I guess) to help. If he's not straightened out by week 2 day 1, the whole class is staying at the academy for lunch on day 2 and we're gonna have a "B$%& session". Everyone will get their concerns off their chests. Mine will be to take care of him. Also, calling his dad isn't an option since he's a deputy director of DHS/BP operations. I doubt he's appreciate the call saying his son is a "s-bird".

[Ranger__101]

I also agree. Let him dig his own hole. Let the FTO tell him straight out that if he doesn't get in grear he's going to fail probation.

There is nothing you can do to motivate a person. They either want to do it or they don't. Sounds like he doesn't want to.

[Star]

Roger that. I know I'm not his NCO, but as the lead cadet in my class I feel some obligation (reverting back to MC days I guess) to help. If he's not straightened out by week 2 day 1, the whole class is staying at the academy for lunch on day 2 and we're gonna have a "B$%& session". Everyone will get their concerns off their chests. Mine will be to take care of him. Also, calling his dad isn't an option since he's a deputy director of DHS/BP operations. I doubt he's appreciate the call saying his son is a "s-bird".

There is a nice way to say, "Sir, I am sorry to bother you but your son is not doing his best in the academy and we are asking for your help and knowledge to put him on the right track."

If his father is negative to that, then, there is your answer to why s-bird is a twat.

[MOCOP]

Didn't mean call his Dad. What I meant was mention to your Problem Child that his acting like an *** and presenting himself as a S-bird is an insult to his father.

You might just want to have a heart to heart with him one on one. Since you are the ranking cadet. Maybe you can gauge him a little.

But the most important thing is as ranking cadet he's not your only concern. You have the rest of the class to think about. Don't waste too much time or heartburn on a tool.

[Darin]

It's not the Corps, Devil Dog. You are not his NCO. You have no duty to motivate this guy. At 24 with prior military service he should have his head and his *** wired together. The speeding and forgetting the belt and to button the pockets is his problem.

If his 'tude is drawing crap down on the rest of the Class then a few of you might want to voice your concerns about that to him. Explain your position and like Star said mention Dad. If he continues along his current path then I concur with Steelcity. let him wash out.

Exactly....good post MOCOP.

In my academy they didn't punish the rest of the class for one persons screw up. Each person was held accountable for his/her actions.

Plus the "problem" people were dealt with accordingly during DT and against the FIST suit.

[Star]

Plus the "problem" people were dealt with accordingly during DT and against the FIST suit.

That is the best treatment, no doubt!

[DeltaV]

I'd say forget about him. A cadet in an academy shouldn't need any motivation. The fact that they got accepted into the academy when others did not and that they're on the way to a job they've worked extremely hard to get should be motivation in itself. If he's acting like this now, he sure as hell doesn't belong on the street, where he'll be equally as lazy. There are enough problems with lazy veterans without having lazy rookies coming out of the academy.

It's admirable that you want to help him out, but it would be best for all if he just washed out.