Cadet Chain of Command

BATTALION COMMANDER

Description:

This position is the most demanding in a cadet battalion. The instructor staff selects the cadet for this position based on demonstrated leadership ability and academic standing. The appointed cadet must be able to apply common sense and judgment in the solving of problems that affect the entire cadet corps.

The battalion commander must be mature, willing to accept responsibility, and able to effectively delegate authority and supervise subordinates. The battalion commander controls the staff through the battalion executive officer and the companies through the company commanders, while maintaining the final approval authority in the cadet chain of command.

Duties:

• ·         Command the battalion at all formations.

• ·         Prepare for and conduct the training of the battalion on drill days.

• ·         Maintain a direct and personal relationship with the staff and the company commanders.

• ·         Encourage the company commanders to communicate freely.

• ·         Use the staff to assist in gathering information and preparing plans for conducting training and controlling the battalion.

• ·         Designate staff officers to assist in the preparation, execution, and supervision of orders.

• ·         Ensure that feelings of mutual respect and confidence exist between the staff and company commanders.

• ·         Ensure that staff members are capable and that they understand their responsibilities to the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, and to the corps of cadets.

• ·         Ensure orders and actions are in compliance with JROTC regulations, policies, and directives and with local school regulations and policies.

• ·         Execute all responsibilities in the name of the Senior Army Instructor; seek advice and assistance from the instructor staff and carry out all of their directives quickly and completely.

• ·         Arrange the required meetings and assemble the required command or staff personnel to determine any actions that may be necessary in fulfilling the obligations of the cadet battalion.

• ·         Be prepared to evaluate any member of the battalion, but specifically the battalion headquarters personnel and the company commanders.

• ·         Make operational decisions for the cadet battalion.

• ·         Preside over officer call.

• ·         Work with school authorities in coordinating activities of the cadet battalion with the organizations of school, ensuring that battalion activities are in accordance with school policy.

• ·         In coordination with the senior Army Instructor, assign missions to all extracurricular team captains such as drill,rifle,color guard, and so on.

BATTALION EXECUTIVE OFFICER (XO)

Description:

The cadet battalion executive officer (XO) supervises, directs, and coordinates the cadet battalion staff to prevent overlapping efforts and to ensure that the commander’s desires are understood and achieved. The cadet battalion XO keeps the staff informed of the commander’s policies and keeps the cadet battalion commander informed of the status of projects assigned to the staff. The cadet battalion XO assumes command of the cadet battalion in the absence of the cadet battalion commander.

Duties:

• • Organize the cadet battalion staff properly and ensure that it works as a team.

  • Inspect the work of the cadet battalion staff and make other inspections as directed by the cadet battalion commander.

  • Ensure that the battalion staff officers prepare and submit reports on time and that they are engaged in future planning.

  • Act as the commander of troops during ceremonies.

  • Ensure that instructions and orders issued to the cadet battalion are in accordance with the established policies of the cadet battalion commander; report all violations of orders to the cadet battalion commander.

  • Perform other duties as assigned by the cadet battalion commander or the instructor staff.

·         Be responsible for all the battalion does or fail to do.

BATTALION COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)

Description:

The battalion command sergeant major is the principal cadet enlisted assistant to the battalion commander. As the senior enlisted member of the cadet corps, the command sergeant major supervises the other noncommissioned officers (NCOs) of the battalion and companies.

Duties:

• • • ·         Assist subordinate NCOs, the battalion XO, and the adjutant with administrative duties/details.

    • ·         Advise and assist the battalion commander in all matters pertaining to the enlisted members of the cadet battalion.

    • ·         Assist the adjutant in the formation and alignment of the battalion at all battalion formations.

    • ·         Receive lists of absentees from the companies and submit them to the adjutant.

    • ·         Supervise the color guard and all flag details. Ensure that company first sergeants submit their weekly flag details on time, post those rosters, and ensure that members selected for detail receive their notification slips prior to the assignment.

    • ·         Ensure the flag details are properly trained.

    • ·         Ensure that the battalion area, including the drill field, is maintained in a high state of police at all times and that JROTC offices and classrooms are kept neat and orderly.

    • ·         Preside over all noncommissioned officer promotion boards.

    • ·         Assume command of the battalion in the absence of all officers.

    • ·         Perform other duties as assigned by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff. 

BATTALION PERSONNEL OFFICER (S-1)

Description:

The battalion adjutant is the administrative assistant to the battalion commander. The adjutant is also responsible for performing other administrative duties as assigned by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff.

Duties:

• ·         Assist in aligning the battalion at all battalion formations.

• ·         Receive the report at battalion formations from the company commanders and receive the names of absentees from the sergeant major.

• ·         Plan for the conduct of special ceremonies in coordination with the operations and training officer.

• ·         Prepare and publish any orders necessary for the operation of the cadet battalion.

• ·         Maintain the qualification records and personal files on all cadets.

• ·         Publish and execute the cadet battalion’s recruiting plan.

• ·         Collect, consolidate, post, and maintain all merit and demerit reports and records.

• ·         Coordinate with the company commanders and the battalion staff on recommendations to the instructor staff on reassignments and organization; assign cadets to the various companies and maintain a record of those assignments.

• ·         Prepare periodic strength reports under the supervision of the instructor staff and keep the manning board posted and up to date.

• ·         Report incidents that are prejudicial to good order and discipline, and submit reports to the instructor staff, the cadet battalion commander, and the executive officer.

• ·         In coordination with the S-2, make recommendations to improve morale and welfare of the cadet battalion.

• ·         Perform other duties as assigned by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff.

BATTALION INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY OFFICER (S-2)

Description:

The battalion S-2 assists the battalion commander and the instructor staff in matters pertaining to unit security and enforces the provisions of the security requirements for the battalion.

Duties:

• ·         Assist in making periodic inspections of the security of weapons (if available within the unit).

• ·         Make periodic inspections of the security of the supply room and equipment storage areas.

• ·         Make necessary on-the-spot corrections resulting from security inspections and keep the battalion commander and instructor staff informed.

• ·         In coordination with the S-1, report incidents that are prejudicial to good order and discipline, and submit reports to the instructor staff, the cadet battalion commander, and the executive officer.

• ·         Perform other duties as assigned by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff. For example, in some JROTC units, the S-2 may also be responsible for the information center and the duties of a public affairs officer if one is not assigned or for the duties of an ordnance officer if one is not assigned.

BATTALION OPERATIONS OFFICER (S-3)

Description:

The battalion S-3 assists the battalion commander in the preparation, conduct, and supervision of all training activities of the cadet battalion. Additionally, the S-3 keeps the commander advised on the progress of training within the battalion.

Duties:

• ·         Prepare the weekly training schedules.

• ·         Select and designate cadet instructors in coordination with the instructor staff; post the weekly training schedules no later than one week in advance of training on all bulletin boards.

• ·         Assign areas for outdoor training and ensure classrooms are available and prepared for instruction.

• ·         Inspect the drill field prior to use by the battalion and prepare it for ceremonies.

• ·         Coordinate the training of the rifle team(s), drill team(s),Color Guard, and the honor guard; also, coordinate training for guidon bearers and manual of the saber for cadet officers.

• ·         Organize events such as reviews, parades, and extracurricular activities.

• ·         Plan and supervise field events.

• ·         Inspect cadet training for compliance.

• ·         Maintain the unit reference library.

• ·         Maintain the training portion of cadet records.

• ·         Assume command of the battalion in the absence of both the battalion commander and XO.

• ·         Supervise the activities of the battalion communications officer.

• ·         Perform other duties as assigned by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff.

BATTALION LOGISTICS OFFICER (S-4)

Description:

The battalion logistics or supply officer is responsible for the maintenance, security, record keeping, issue, and turn-in of all U.S. government property (except ordnance). The S-4 coordinates the securing of property with the S-2.

Duties:

• ·         Create a JROTC Clothing and Equipment Record for each cadet.Maintain all cadet supply records in proper order.

• ·         Maintain accountability of all equipment and supplies used by the unit.

• ·         Conduct periodic inventories of the on-hand supplies and equipment; submit weekly reports to the instructor staff on the availability of supplies and on the condition of equipment.

• ·         Ensure that adequate cleaning materials are available for use during assigned maintenance activities.

• ·         In coordination with the battalion sergeant major, make periodic inspections of the national, state, and organizational Colors for serviceability.

• ·         Maintain security of all items of clothing and equipment in the supply room and training aids storage area.

• ·         Maintain the supply room in a neat and orderly fashion at all times.

• ·         Maintain a running inventory of all supplies/property; determine supply requirements; and prepare requisitions for equipment and supplies required for the cadet battalion.

• ·         Issue clothing, insignia, and other supply items as directed by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff.

• ·         Collect and dispose of excess salvage equipment and clothing.

• ·         Supervise the activities of the battalion ordnance officer (if assigned).

• ·         Perform other duties as assigned by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff.

BATTALION PUBLIC AFFAIRS (INFORMATION) OFFICER (S-5)

Description:

This officer acts as the contact between the corps of cadets and all news media and student publications. This officer publicizes as many of the activities of the Army JROTC program as possible to create an outstanding image of the cadet battalion and to reinforce the image of the school.

Duties:

• • • ·         Maintain the cadet information board in the correct state showing news events of local, national, and international interest.

    • ·         Keep abreast of newsworthy events in the cadet battalion; prepare and distribute news releases, articles, or announcements on events of the JROTC program to appropriate news agencies. Submit all articles to the instructor staff for approval prior to their release.

    • ·         Act as the battalion’s point of contact with the school newspaper and yearbook committees. Ensure at least one item of JROTC interest makes every publication of the school newspaper.

    • ·         Maintain the cadet battalion scrapbook.

    • ·         Make recommendations to improve morale and welfare of the cadet battalion.