Improving Basic Cadet Training for Changing Environment: Case Study at the Korea Air Force Academy

Improving Basic Cadet Training for Changing Environment: Case Study at the Korea Air Force Academy
Author: Yoojin Kwon
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023
Genre:
ISBN:

Increasing uncertainty, such as Covid-19 and weather changes, threatens BCT (Basic Cadet Training) at ROKAFA (Republic of Korea Air Force Academy). In preparation for the changing and adverse environment, this study carried out the following steps to propose a system improvement utilizing LVC (Live, Virtual, Constructive) in BCT system at ROKAFA; 1) Researching the examples of BCT and LVC by advanced countries, 2) Analyzing BCT (ROKAFA) through systems approach (document analysis, survey of 140 cadets and officers, written interviews with military experts), 3) Applying LVC to BCT. BCT is a vital step in the transition from civilian to military status (ROKAFA, 2022), which has significant components such as the environment, its plan, the motivation of trainees, and training instructors. A review of BCT systems of the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Sweden revealed that South Korea and the United States are the most similar. After analyzing BCT through the systems approach, it was identified that BCT has no alternative training despite time constraints (4 weeks). Besides, 87.9% of trainees and instructors experienced changes in BCT plan, and 4.86 ( > 4: Neutral) agreed with improvement in BCT. There was a significant correlation between negative emotions when changing training plans and the desire to improve BCT; the correlation coefficient (r) is 0.317 (p-value 0.001). Respondents provided positive feedback ( 4: Neutral) on nine of the 14 LVC training cases that would be applied to BCT, with Q25 (formerly Eagle training, not conducted since 2002) being ranked as the most needed training with a score of 4.74. Military experts advised considering the training development needed for Korea Air Force Academy cadets, system development through a long-term plan, and cost-effectiveness when applying LVC to BCT. The application of LVC in military training is inevitable because it is a proactive alternative training to prepare for the future and guide the way forward, and many advanced countries have already recognized the importance of LVC and are using it for the future military. In addition, LVC enables the accumulation of data to personalize the training data of Korea Air Force cadets even after enrollment. There are limitations of this study that need to be overcome, such as increasing the awareness of LVC among participants, performing Heuristic decision analysis when choosing alternative plans (Blanchard, 2014), and confirming the actual effect of LVC before and after its application.

Dash One

Dash One
Author: United States Air Force Academy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 52
Release: 1987
Genre: Military education
ISBN:

Basic Cadet Training

Basic Cadet Training
Author: United States Air Force Academy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 28
Release: 1990
Genre: Basic training (Military education).
ISBN:

Lorenz on Leadership

Lorenz on Leadership
Author: Stephen R Lorenzt
Publisher: Military Bookshop
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2012-10-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781782661603

Evaluation of the BCT (Basic Cadet Training) Paraprofessional Counselor Training at the United States Air Force Academy

Evaluation of the BCT (Basic Cadet Training) Paraprofessional Counselor Training at the United States Air Force Academy
Author: P. R. Brown
Publisher:
Total Pages: 5
Release: 1984
Genre:
ISBN:

This study evaluated the competence of USAF Academy paraprofessional counselors in communicating a helpful response to assess the success of counselor training. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by objectively measuring counseling ability, training for paraprofessional counselors who worked as cadre in Basic Cadet Training (BCT) at the United States Air Force Academy. BCT is a six-week training program for cadets entering the Academy, designed to provide military instruction and experience to transition the basic cadet from civilian to military life and provide a foundation for future military development. To meet the individual-specific needs caused by the strenuous environment, the USAF Academy uses upperclass cadets as paraprofessional counselors to the basic cadets.

Longitudinal Study of the Social Network Influences on the Leadership and Professional Military Development of Cadets at the U. S. Air Force Academy

Longitudinal Study of the Social Network Influences on the Leadership and Professional Military Development of Cadets at the U. S. Air Force Academy
Author: Gary Packard
Publisher:
Total Pages: 208
Release: 1999-07-01
Genre:
ISBN: 9781423543923

This study investigated the influence of social networks on the leadership and professional military development of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy. Using a longitudinal design over an academic year (August 1997 to May 1998), the study examined the differences in the composition of cadet social groups and their influence on leadership development in two cadet squadrons. Cadet peer groups, identified using Social Cognitive Map procedures (Cairns, Gariepy, & Kinderman, 1990), were influential and stable components of the cadet squadron social ecology. Cadets nominated as "being a good leader" by their peers were not necessarily the same cadets holding positions of formal leadership. These "informal leaders" performed better on academic and military performance measures than other cadets in the squadron, were more respected than other cadets in the squadron, and were more central in the squadron social network. An exploratory measurement model of leadership suggested that leadership is best measured by both the formal position one holds, as well as, ratings of leadership effectiveness and respect obtained from other cadets in the squadron. Cadets who had high ratings of hostile aggression were less likely to receive peer nominations for being one of the "most respected cadets" in the squadron and less likely to be considered a leader in the squadron. These findings suggest that cadet social groups provide a rich context for leadership training and have the potential to influence leadership development trajectories. Suggestions are provided to aid in applying these findings.