LESSON 9:
BASIC COMMAND AND STAFF PRINCIPLES
Learning Objectives
• Describe staff responsibilities and three common
procedures used to coordinate staff actions
• Compare the three types of staffs and their relationship to
the commander
• List the nine-step sequence of command and staff
actions in the correct order
• Clarify the scope and purpose of the commander's
estimate
• Define key words: coordinating staff, course of action,
echelon, personal staff, special staff
CHAPTER 1: FOUNDATIONS OF ARMY JROTC AND GETTING INVOLVED
Inquire Phase
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Crusader Battalion Cadet Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Chapter 4 - Duties and Responsibilities
4-1. Battalion Commander: Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the
following:
a. Perform as the primary liaison between the JROTC instructors and the JROTC Cadets for
all operations beyond the normal classroom instruction.
b. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors and provide guidance to the JROTC staff and
leadership for the planning and execution of all JROTC events.
c. Command the Battalion, by taking responsibility for everything the Battalion accomplishes
or fails to accomplish and making use of the subordinate chain of command to conduct all
operations.
d. Based on guidance from the SAI/AI and paragraph 1-2 of this SOP, develop goals for the
battalion, and oversee the progress towards those goals.
e. Lead by example; the primary role model for appearance, behavior, and attitude for the
entire Battalion.
f. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors to be the final decision authority for JROTC staff
actions, promotion boards, and JROTC Cadet issues.
g. Prepare the battalion for the Cadet Formal Inspection.
h. Be prepared to be the primary briefing officer for all JROTC briefings.
4-2. Battalion Executive Officer. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the
following:
a. Assume command of the battalion in the Battalion Commander’s absence.
b. Supervise the JROTC staff. Monitor staff in-boxes to ensure actions are accomplished in
a timely manner.
c. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors and the Battalion Commander to prioritize staff
actions.
d. Coordinate with the S3 to insure the JROTC instructors’ and Battalion Commander’s
JROTC calendar of upcoming events is current at all times.
e. Be prepared to brief and escort VIP’s to the JROTC program.
f. Ensure the Cadet staff is prepared for the Cadet Formal Inspection
g. Lead the weekly Command and Staff meetings.
4-3. Battalion Command Sergeant Major. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not
limited to the following:
4-1
Crusader Battalion Cadet Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
a. Be the Battalion Cadet expert on Drill and Ceremony.
b. Advise the Battalion Commander on issues pertaining to enlisted Cadets.
c. Attend JROTC staff meetings and provide input as necessary to insure that the interests
of enlisted Cadets are represented.
d. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors to process and plan all requests for JROTC Cadet
color guards.
e. Schedule and provide oversight of Color Guard, to include scheduling.
f. Maintain the chain of command boards.
g. In conjunction with the Battalion S1, not later than the end of September (and for Bravo
Company during the 2nd semester, NLT March 1st), break the Cadet battalion down into
companies, platoons, and squads and post the information on the Cadet bulletin board.
i. Ensure Cadet of the Month boards are scheduled monthly.
j. Maintain Cadet of the Month and Promotion Board score sheets and study guides.
k. Maintain the cleanliness of the JROTC area.
l. Be prepared to brief and escort VIP’s to the JROTC program.
4-4. Battalion S1. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Maintain and comply with the S1 internal SOP.
b. Ensure that all requirements on the S1 section of the Cadet Formal Inspection checklist
are met at all times.
c. Maintain active Cadet records in the JUMS program.
d. Maintain inactive Cadet records in JUMS, or paper copies for Cadets not entered in JUMS
as required.
e. Produce JUMS generated orders for all promotions and Cadet awards.
f. Maintain Cadet administrative records, and ensure they contain all required documents.
g. Maintain, update, and post the Cadet promotion point roster on a monthly basis.
h. Coordinate with the Company Commanders to ensure Cadet portfolios are being checked
against the current Cadet Command standards.
i. Maintain copies of the battalion’s Assistance Visits and inspection checklists for the past
three years.
4-2
Crusader Battalion Cadet Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
j. Be prepared to brief VIP’s on the S1 functions, current status, historical data, and how
JROTC has impacted your high school experience.
k. Attend Cadet staff meetings, and be prepared to discuss any JROTC issues from the S1
perspective.
l. In conjunction with the Battalion S1, not later than the end of September (and for Bravo
Company during the 2nd semester, NLT March 1st), break the Cadet battalion down into
companies, platoons, and squads and post the information on the Cadet bulletin board.
4-5. Battalion S2. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Ensure battalion security.
b. Ensure conduct of monthly sensitive item inventory, INCLUDING WEAPONS.
c. Coordinate the battalion’s merit/demerit system. Inform the S1 whenever a Cadet has
earned enough merits for a distinction promotion or enough demerits for a demotion.
d. Maintain blank merit/demerit slips for Cadet staff.
e. Maintain the JROTC lost and found.
4-6. Battalion S3. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Maintain and comply with the S3 internal SOP.
b. Ensure that all requirements on the S3 section of the Cadet Formal Inspection checklist
are met at all times.
c. In conjunction with the SAI, produce and publish the weekly training schedules.
d. Produce and publish planning documents for all JROTC activities not later than two
weeks prior to the activity.
e. Maintain file copies of all coordination with the school and community for any support
requested by the Delsea Regional Battalion.
f. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors to process, prioritize, and plan all requests for
JROTC competitions, community support, and service learning projects.
g. Update the Unit Report in the JUMS program after every Unit Report event executed by
the Delsea Regional Battalion.
h. Be prepared to brief VIP’s on the S3 functions, upcoming events, completed events, and
how JROTC has impacted your high school experience.
i. Attend Cadet staff meetings, and be prepared to discuss any JROTC issues from the S3
perspective.
j. Update and maintain Cadet Challenge information in the JUMS program.
4-3
Crusader Battalion Cadet Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
4-7. Battalion S4. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Maintain and comply with the S4 internal SOP.
b. Ensure that all requirements on the S4 section of the Cadet Formal Inspection checklist
are met at all times.
c. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors to input all JROTC equipment and uniform
information into the JUMS program.
d. Produce and maintain a signed, JUMS generated, clothing record for every active Cadet.
e. Maintain an accurate inventory (shelf) of all JROTC uniform items. Primary system is the
JUMS program; secondary system is a manual inventory maintained in the Supply Room.
f. Organize and maintain the Supply Room in an efficient manner; and ensure the area is
free from safety or fire hazards.
g. Tag all government equipment to distinguish it from school property.
h. Be prepared to brief VIP’s on the S4 functions, equipment status, supply issues, and how
JROTC has impacted your high school experience.
i. Attend Cadet staff meetings, and be prepared to discuss any JROTC issues from the S4
perspective.
j. Coordinate with the S1 for orders to document promotions and awards issue.
k. Maintain documentation demonstrating coordination with the Cadet leadership and staff
for all supply matters.
4-8. Battalion S5. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Maintain and comply with the S5 internal SOP.
b. Ensure that all requirements on the S5 section of the Cadet Formal Inspection checklist
are met at all times.
c. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors and school personnel, and conjunction with the
Battalion S6, establish and maintain a Delsea Regional JROTC Battalion web site.
d. Produce and publish bimonthly JROTC newsletters (either hardcopy or on-line) that
inform Cadets, students, parents, and school administrators of past, current, and future JROTC
activities and accomplishments.
e. Coordinate to have JROTC information published in the school and local newspapers.
Maintain documentation of all requests for articles and published articles.
f. Maintain the JROTC bulletin board in the school hallways (if available) to advertise JROTC
activities and promote higher enrollment.
4-4
Crusader Battalion Cadet Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
g. Coordinate with the Year Book Staff to have the JROTC pages published in the Year
Book.
h. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors, S3 and middle schools to conduct feeder school
visits to each feeder school at least once a year.
i. Be prepared to brief VIP’s on the S5 functions, web site, Feeder schools, and how JROTC
has impacted your high school experience.
j. Attend Cadet staff meetings, and be prepared to discuss any JROTC issues from the S5
perspective.
k. Develop and maintain the internal Cadet Battalion Annual Scrapbook.
4-9. Battalion S6. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Maintain and comply with the S5 internal SOP.
b. Ensure that all requirements on the S6 section of the Cadet Formal Inspection checklist
are met at all times.
c. Coordinate with the JROTC instructors and school personnel, and conjunction with the
Battalion S6, establish and maintain a Delsea Regional JROTC Battalion web site.
d. Update and/or post critical information to the Delsea JROTC website as directed by the
Cadet Battalion Commander, XO and/or SAI and AI.
4-10. Company Commanders. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the
following:
a. Command the Company, by taking responsibility for everything the Company
accomplishes or fails to accomplish and making use of the subordinate chain of command to
conduct all operations.
b. Coordinate with the Battalion Commander and the Battalion Staff to organize and direct
Company personnel to accomplish all required activities.
c. Lead by example; the primary role model for appearance, behavior, and attitude for the
Company.
d. Coordinate conduct of battalion drill.
e. Monitor the contents of Cadet portfolios and notify S1 of any discrepancies.
f. Recommend Cadets for promotion.
4-11. Company First Sergeants. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the
following:
a. Assist the Company Commander to oversee Company activities and taskings.
4-5
Crusader Battalion Cadet Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
b. Lead by example; the primary role model for appearance, behavior, and attitude for the
Company.
c. Recommend Cadets for promotion.
4-12. All Cadets. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Follow the instructions of the JROTC instructors and Cadet chain of command.
b. Strive to improve as a student and a citizen by fully participating in and applying the
lessons learned in JROTC.
c. Wear the JROTC uniform on all uniform days and for designated JROTC activities in
accordance with (IAW) the standards in the Cadet Reference Guide.
d. Maintain a current JROTC Cadet portfolio.
e. Live by the JROTC Creed and Core Abilities.
f. Remember that the Delsea Regional Battalion is a team and that your actions reflect not
just on yourself, but on the entire battalion, Delsea Regional High School, and JROTC as a
whole.
4-6
Performance Assessment Task
Unit 1: Citizenship in Action
Basic Command and Staff Principles [U1C1L9]
This performance assessment task gives you an opportunity to document your achievement of the
lesson’s competency:
Demonstrate command and staff principles while performing the duties of an
earned leadership position within your Cadet battalion
Directions
As you advance through JROTC, you will assume positions of more responsibility. At least one of those
positions will be as a staff officer at the battalion level. For this performance assessment task, you will
summarize the types, purposes, responsibilities and procedures of battalion staffs, and will create a Flow
Map describing the nine-step sequence of command and staff actions. For this assessment you will:
1. Preview the criteria listed in the scoring guide to plan for your assessment.
2. Think about the descriptions and procedures learned and applied in this lesson.
3. Write a short summary that includes a description of staff responsibilities and three common
procedures used to coordinate staff actions; the three types of staffs and their relationships to the
Commander; and the scope and purpose of the Commander's estimate.
4. Use the attached scoring guide criteria for what you need to do to complete this task.
5. Submit your completed performance assessment task and scoring guide to your instructor for
evaluation and a grade.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that you add this performance assessment task to your Cadet
Portfolio.
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Unit 1: Citizenship in Action
Basic Command and Staff Principles [U1C1L9]
Performance Assessment Task
Basic Command and Staff Principles Performance
Assessment Task Scoring Guide
Criteria
Ratings
1. Written summary correctly describes staff responsibilities and three common
procedures used to coordinate staff actions
met
not met
2. Written summary correctly describes the three types of staffs and their
relationships to the commander
met
not met
3. Written summary explains the scope and purpose of the commander's
estimate
met
not met
4. Written summary uses proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation
met
not met
5. Flow Map lists the nine-step sequence of command and staff actions in the
correct order
met
not met
Comments:
Name:______________________________________ Date:___________
Evaluator’s Signature:__________________________ Date:___________
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Unit 1: Citizenship in Action
Basic Command and Staff Principles [U1C1L9]
Performance Assessment Task