Post by dberube on Jun 4, 2009 19:27:46 GMT -5
So I was going through my email today and inside my @nu newsletter was a blurb about a change in the structure of the Corps and a link to the full article
www.alumni.norwich.edu/s/758/index.aspx?sid=758&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=2715&ecid=2715&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=1709
I've also been hit up by email and other places today with this same thing asking my thoughts.
So far? I've got a few theories.
1) The upperclassmen were getting too friendly with the rooks and now it is time to take that away. It's easier to lock down a dorm that has only rooks (and I imagine immediate cadre) in it than trying to segregate the floors where there will be mingling in the bathrooms, stairwells, and laundry rooms.
2) The good-ole-boy system somehow made a return and this is this decade's attempt to stomp it out. The mid-90's started the yearly shakeup of the companies because they started developing their own group personalities.
3) A Lawsuit against the school of some kind. Always popular and might explain why there is an Equal Opportunity Officer making an appearance.
4) Simple marketing to get some attention on the school. They can now trot out this new organization as part of a marketing blitz.
5) The administration got bored since school is out and now they can spend their summer reading postings like this.
Any thoughts out there?
-Berube
www.alumni.norwich.edu/s/758/index.aspx?sid=758&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=2715&ecid=2715&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=1709
From the President: Important changes to the NUCC
Dear Members of the Norwich Family:
The Corps of Cadets has been in existence for 190 years. Periodically it becomes necessary to review its structure and training in order to ensure that Cadets are getting the most out of their Corps experience. I am writing this note to inform you of changes that will be made this fall.
These changes have been prompted, in part, by an internal review of the Corps. In April 2009, I received a series of briefings from a group consisting of the NU Retention Team, the Commandant, the Deputy Commandant and staff, the Equal Opportunity Officer, and the Director of Counseling Services. The briefings addressed issues that included: declining Rook retention; increased incidents of inappropriate actions in the Corps; a wide variation of Rook training from company to company; and the Corps not achieving the goal of offering a four year progressive leadership model.
We have decided to make the following changes that will help to address some of these issues:
1) Realign the 1st Battalion and the 2nd Battalion into upper-class battalions to focus on sophomore training and upper-class standards. Reset the training model for the upper-class battalions to focus on retention by preparing the sophomores to be our key NCO leaders during their junior year. Some of this training will focus on outdoor experiential learning in the Partridge model.
2) Realign the 3rd Battalion into a freshmen training battalion with all Rooks assigned to it. Reset the training model in the Rook battalion to improve retention, develop and execute a sequential and progressive training plan, and standardize the rook experience.
3) Realign the Provisional Battalion to receive Rooks for unit specific training. This is music training for band, equestrian training for cavalry, artillery training for artillery, and drill training for the drill team. Provisional Battalion will also plan for all qualification training. These are the band lyre, the cavalry crossed sabers, the artillery crossed cannons, and the drill tab.
In addition to this new training structure, a Blue Ribbon Panel of trustees and alumni, chaired by Trustee BG Leo Brooks, USA (Ret.), has been formed to review the values and other aspects of the Corps of Cadets. This panel will work during the summer and AY09-10 and will regularly report back to me on their progress.
The Corps of Cadets has always faced challenges. We view these changes as positive steps which will have several profound benefits. The new structure will provide a more standardized but just as rigorous Rook experience. It will also provide a much more robust sophomore training experience. Finally, the reorganized Corps will build institutional unity.
I know I can count on your support as the Corps makes this transition.
Sincerely,
Richard W. Schneider
RADM, USCGR (Ret.)
President
Dear Members of the Norwich Family:
The Corps of Cadets has been in existence for 190 years. Periodically it becomes necessary to review its structure and training in order to ensure that Cadets are getting the most out of their Corps experience. I am writing this note to inform you of changes that will be made this fall.
These changes have been prompted, in part, by an internal review of the Corps. In April 2009, I received a series of briefings from a group consisting of the NU Retention Team, the Commandant, the Deputy Commandant and staff, the Equal Opportunity Officer, and the Director of Counseling Services. The briefings addressed issues that included: declining Rook retention; increased incidents of inappropriate actions in the Corps; a wide variation of Rook training from company to company; and the Corps not achieving the goal of offering a four year progressive leadership model.
We have decided to make the following changes that will help to address some of these issues:
1) Realign the 1st Battalion and the 2nd Battalion into upper-class battalions to focus on sophomore training and upper-class standards. Reset the training model for the upper-class battalions to focus on retention by preparing the sophomores to be our key NCO leaders during their junior year. Some of this training will focus on outdoor experiential learning in the Partridge model.
2) Realign the 3rd Battalion into a freshmen training battalion with all Rooks assigned to it. Reset the training model in the Rook battalion to improve retention, develop and execute a sequential and progressive training plan, and standardize the rook experience.
3) Realign the Provisional Battalion to receive Rooks for unit specific training. This is music training for band, equestrian training for cavalry, artillery training for artillery, and drill training for the drill team. Provisional Battalion will also plan for all qualification training. These are the band lyre, the cavalry crossed sabers, the artillery crossed cannons, and the drill tab.
In addition to this new training structure, a Blue Ribbon Panel of trustees and alumni, chaired by Trustee BG Leo Brooks, USA (Ret.), has been formed to review the values and other aspects of the Corps of Cadets. This panel will work during the summer and AY09-10 and will regularly report back to me on their progress.
The Corps of Cadets has always faced challenges. We view these changes as positive steps which will have several profound benefits. The new structure will provide a more standardized but just as rigorous Rook experience. It will also provide a much more robust sophomore training experience. Finally, the reorganized Corps will build institutional unity.
I know I can count on your support as the Corps makes this transition.
Sincerely,
Richard W. Schneider
RADM, USCGR (Ret.)
President
I've also been hit up by email and other places today with this same thing asking my thoughts.
So far? I've got a few theories.
1) The upperclassmen were getting too friendly with the rooks and now it is time to take that away. It's easier to lock down a dorm that has only rooks (and I imagine immediate cadre) in it than trying to segregate the floors where there will be mingling in the bathrooms, stairwells, and laundry rooms.
2) The good-ole-boy system somehow made a return and this is this decade's attempt to stomp it out. The mid-90's started the yearly shakeup of the companies because they started developing their own group personalities.
3) A Lawsuit against the school of some kind. Always popular and might explain why there is an Equal Opportunity Officer making an appearance.
4) Simple marketing to get some attention on the school. They can now trot out this new organization as part of a marketing blitz.
5) The administration got bored since school is out and now they can spend their summer reading postings like this.
Any thoughts out there?
-Berube