CADET OF THE SEMESTER BOARD STUDY GUIDE
Introduction
This
guide will help you find your way though the cadet of the semester board. It takes a lot of initiative and imagination
to win boards. The board is not going to
be a “walk in the park”.
The
officers and NCOs who chair boards can seem intimidating at times. They’re usually high-ranking officers and
NCOs, and you can bet they know the answers to their questions. If you are unable to answer a board question,
don’t try to “tap dance”, simply state that you do not know the answer.
These
same officers and NCOs, however, will sometimes let a soldier restart the
entire board if they feel the boardee is too nervous and is really botching
things. Don’t let a loss of points on a
board discourage you from trying another match-up. The knowledge gained from preparation and
board experience are very valuable.
Officers and NCOs appreciate a cadet who doesn’t give up.
How to Present
Yourself to the Board
Appearance
Before going to the board make sure your haircut (or
style for females) exceeds military standards.
Insure your uniform fits, meets all AR 670-1 regulations, and is neatly
pressed. Before going into the board
room, insure your “gig line” is straight, smooth out any lumps or wrinkles in
the coat and pants, straighten your tie, smooth out your hair.
Entrance
When you’re ready to enter the board room, knock
firmly and loudly enough to demonstrate your confidence and determination. Three or four raps should be enough. Wait for
the invitation to enter. When you enter
the board room, don’t kick the door open, or slam the door behind you. March in the most direct route towards the
president of the board. Halt
approximately two steps from the front of the president and execute a facing
movement if necessary.
Reporting to the President
of the Board
Execute a smart salute and report (i.e., Sir, Cadet
____________ reports”).
Initial Inspection
Remember you’re being examined for proper execution
of the salute, proper uniform, proper placement of your hands, so you may be
holding that salute for a while because of the inspection.
After the president of the board has dropped his
hand, sharply drop your salute (don’t exaggerate by slapping the side of your
leg). Insure your hands are properly
placed after the salute.
After the salute remain at the position of
attention. You will then be given
some commands for the execution of a number of facing movements.
Finding Your Seat
In most cases the president of the board will move
you directly to the front of a chair via marching movements. In any case make a mental note of where the
chair is located when you’re executing marching or facing movements.
When the president tells you to take your seat, sit
down in a relaxed but professional posture,
you do not have to sit at the position of attention.
Don’t fidget.
Don’t tap your feet, and don’t slouch or get too relaxed. Keep your arms to your side, don’t let them
start to move away from your sides.
Keep your head erect and eyes looking at the president of the board or
whomever is speaking to you.
When the president introduces each member of the
board, acknowledge each member in turn.
Telling Your History
The first thing you’ll probably be asked by the
president of the board is for you to tell them a little bit about
yourself. Practice your responses
several times prior to going to the board either while seated, before a mirror
or another person.
Be brief, concise-tell them specifically when you
were born, when you graduated from high school, or any special recognition
you’ve received. Also, tell them
specifically when you arrived at UD, your major and/or minor.
Responding to Questions
Always begin an answer with the title of the person
who asks the question, and a brief restatement of the question.
For example:
“Sir or Sergeant, the publication regarding the wear and appearance of
Army uniforms is AR 670-1.” Remember to speak clearly, confidently and
firmly. The board must decide if you’re
a worthy cadet. A board is usually
impressed with soldiers who act and speak with confidence and tact.
Really Messing Up
This can happen to anyone and is no problem if you
keep your military bearing.
If it is becoming evident to you and the board that
you are making a real mess of things because you’re simply nervous, tell the
president of the board.
You might say, “Sir, may I be allowed to retake the
marching movements”? I was just too nervous at the beginning.
Wait until the current questions have been answered
before you ask the board president to answer missed questions.
Of course, you’re not going to score big points by
messing up like that. However, you may still win because you had the presence
of mind to confront your embarrassment and overcome it. Old soldiers like
nothing better than a cadet who can keep an honest, confident attitude in the
face of stress.
Leaving the Board
When the president of the board is finished with you
he’ll say “dismissed.” Come to the position of attention, move to a position
within two steps of the president and salute.
Wait until the president’s hand is down before you drop your salute. In the most direct route, execute marching movements
toward the door, exit and close the door behind you.
Getting the Board Results
After a Soldier of the Semester board, the president
of the board will call all candidates in and announce how everyone placed. The
president will also include any recommendations or comments about individual
and group performances.
CADET OF THE SEMESTER BOARD
Chain of Command
Q: What is
the Chain of Command?
A: The correct order of a command follows when
issued by a superior to a subordinate:
Commander
in Chief
________________________________
Secretary
of Defense _________________________________
Secretary
of the Army ________________________________
Army
Chief of Staff
_________________________________
FORSCOM
Commander ______________________________
Corps
Commander ___________________________________
Division
Commander _________________________________
Brigade
Commander __________________________________
Battalion Commander
_________________________________
Company
Commander _________________________________
Platoon
Leader ______________________________________
First Aid
Q: What Army
manual covers first aid for soldiers?
A: FM 21-11
Q: What is First Aid?
A: It is the fist care given to injured soldiers
before medical personnel are available.
Q: What are the four life-saving steps while performing first aid?
A: 1. Clear the airway and restore breathing.
2. Stop the bleeding.
3. Treat and dress the
wounds to prevent infection.
4. Prevent Shock.
Q: How do you stop bleeding?
A: 1. Apply a field dressing.
2. Apply
manual pressure.
3. Elevate
an injured limb.
4. Apply a
pressure dressing.
5. Apply a
tourniquet.
Q: When should a tourniquet be used to stop bleeding?
A: As a last resort when everything else has failed
to stop the bleeding, or when
an arm or
leg has been cut off.
Q: What are the four types of burns?
A: Electrical, thermal, chemical and laser
Q: What should you do to indicate a casualty has a
tourniquet?
A: Mark the casualty's head with a "T" and
the time of application.
Q: What is HIV?
A: Human Immunovirus.
Q: What are the two types of artificial respiration?
A: The mouth-to-mouth method, and the back
pressure-arm lift method.
Q: What procedure is used to restore heartbeat?
A: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Q: What is unique about type "O" blood?
A: It can be used by anybody.
Q: Why should wounds be treated right away?
A: To control the bleeding, and protect the wound
from contamination and germs.
Q: What are the three categories of heat injuries?
A: Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Q: Describe the signs of heat cramps.
A: Muscle cramps of the arms, legs, or abdomen,
excessive sweating.
Q: What should be done first for an open fracture?
A: Stop the bleeding.
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of fractures
A: Pain at the site, dislocation and deformity.
Q: What does the key word "COLD" mean in
cold weather protection?
A: COLD stands for keeping the wound Clean,
avoiding Overheating, Loose
clothing
in layers, and keeping it Dry.
Q: Describe the signs and symptoms of frostbite.
A: Loss of sensation or numb feeling in any part of
the body.
Sudden,
whitening of the skin in the affected area, followed by a momentary
tingling
feeling
Discoloration of skin
Blisters.
Swollen
and/or tender areas..
Q: How much water should be given to a soldier with
an abdominal wound?
A: None.
Q: Would you elevate a patients legs if he had a
head injury?
A: No.
Q: What is self aid?
A: Emergency first aid applied by oneself.
Q: What is an STD?
A: A sexually transmitted disease.
Maps and Land Navigation
Q: What document covers maps and land navigation?
A: FM 21-26.
Q: What is a map?
A: A graphic representation of the earth’s surface,
drawn to scale as seen from above
Q: Where is a map sheet number found?
A: In two places, the upper left and lower right
margins.
Q: Where is the map series name found?
A: It’s found in the upper left margin.
Q: Where is the series number found?
A: The upper right and lower left margins.
Q: Where is the scale of the map found?
A: In the upper left margin after the series name,
and in the lower margin at the center.
Q: Where is the legend of a map found?
A: In the lower left margin.
Q: How many colors does a map usually have?
A: Five.
Q: What are the colors?
A: Black, blue, green, brown and red (and reddish
brown if the map is readable by red light).
Q: In what city is the prime meridian?
A: Greenwich, England.
Q: What is the basic rule for finding coordinates on
a map?
A: Beginning from the lower left-hand corner, read
right and up.
Q: How close will you get to a location with an
eight digit grid coordinate?
A: Within10 meters.
Q: Name the three types of contour lines.
A: Index, intermediate, and supplementary.
Q: What is an azimuth?
A: It is a direction --a horizontal clockwise angle
which is measured in degrees or miles from the
North.
Q: What is a back azimuth?
A: An azimuth that is 180 degrees in reverse of a
given azimuth.
Q: How is a back azimuth found?
A: If the given azimuth is 180 degrees or less --add
180 degrees. If the azimuth is 180
degrees or
more
subtract 180 degrees.
Q: What is resection?
A: Finding your unknown position by using the
back azimuth of two known points. Draw
lines
from the
known points. Where they intersect is your position. Remember to convert all
magnetic
azimuths to grid azimuths.
Q: What is intersection?
A: Finding an unknown point by shooting an
azimuth to it from two known points. The
intersection
is where the lines of azimuth intersect.
Q: Name the five major terrain features of a map.
A: Hill, ridge, valley, saddle, depression.
Q: Name the three minor ones:
A: draw, spur cliff
Q: Name the supplementary ones:
A: cut, fill
Q: How many degrees and mills are on a compass?
A: 360 degrees, 6400 mills
Q: What are the two methods for holding a compass?
A: The center hold technique and the
compass-to-cheek technique.
Q: What affects the performance of a compass?
A: Metal objects and sources of electricity.
Q: What is a bench mark?
A: A surveyor’s sign which indicates elevation?
Q: Describe the fastest way to orient a map.
A: Place a compass on a map and align it with the
grid lines ensuring that the needle points
North.
Q: How would you orient a map without a compass?
A: By aligning it with the observable terrain
features.
Q: What three elements are necessary for dead
reckoning in land navigation?
A: Known starting point, known distance and known
azimuth.
Q: What are the three North’s shown on a military
map?
A: True, Grid, Magnetic
Drill and Ceremony
Q: What Army manual covers drill and
ceremony?
A: FM 22-5
Q: What is the purpose of drill?
A: Enable a commander to move a unit from one
place to another in an orderly and timely manner. Promotes discipline, teamwork, confidence,
pride, attention to detail..
Q: What’s the purpose of ceremonies?
A: Adds color and pageantry to military life
while preserving tradition and espirit de corps.
Q: Describe cadence.
A: The uniform step and rhythm in marching.
Q: What is the length of a marching step?
A: 30 inches.
Q: How long is a half-step?
A: 15 inches.
Q: Describe a rank.
A: A line that is one element in depth.
Q: What is a file?
A: A column that has a front of one element.
Q: What is interval?
A: The lateral distance between elements.
Q: Describe how arms are swung while
marching?
A: Nine to the front and six to rear.
Q: On what foot is the command "halt"
given?
A: The left foot.
Q: How many steps per minute in "quick
time" march?
A: 120.
Q: How many steps per minute in "double
time" march?
A: 180.
Q: Which marching movement does not begin on the
left foot?
A: Right step, march.
Q: What person in a platoon is never out of step?
A: the platoon guide or leader.
Q: How is "open ranks, march" executed?
A: The first rank takes two paces forward.
The
second rank takes one pace forward.
The third
rank stands fast.
The fourth
rank takes two steps backward.
Q: Describe the commands given for the first
formation of the day:
A: "Fall in" and "receive the
report".
Q: Describe how the "halt" command is
executed during a left or right step march.
A: It is a two-count command with the preparatory
command given when the heels are together,
and. the
command of execution given the next step when the heels are together.
Q: Describe the difference between "route step,
march" and "at ease, march".
A: The only major difference is that troops must
remain silent during "at ease march".
Both marches allow personnel to march out of step but maintain distance and interval.
Q: What command revokes a preparatory command"
A: As you were.
Q: What is inflection
A: It is the rise and fall in pitch and the tone
changes of the voice.
Q: On what side of the body are sabers and swords
worn?
A: The left side.
Q: Who wears sabers?
A: Officers while participating in ceremonies with
troops under arms or as directed.
Q: What is the command to avoid an obstacle in the
line of march?
A: Incline around__________.
Q: What command brings you back to attention from
"route step, march"?
A: Quick time, march.
Q: How is "Counter column, march"
executed?
A: The first squad marches forward three steps,
executes a column right, marches across the front of the platoon and executes
another column right just beyond the fourth
squad. The second squad steps
forward one step, executes a column right, marches forward and executes another column right
between the third and fourth squads.
The third squad executes two short column lefts from the halt and
marches between the remainder of the third squad and the second squad. The fourth squad marches forward two steps,
executes a column left, marches across the front of the platoon, executes
another column left between the first and second squads.
Leadership
Q: What manual covers military leadership?
A: FM 22-100.
Q: What is military leadership?
A: The ability to influence others in such a manner
as to accomplish a mission in a timely manner by providing motivation, purpose,
and direction.
Q: What is tact?
A: A keen sense of what to say and do in order to
maintain good relations with others and to avoid offense.
Q: Describe motivation.
A: The ability to make people want to do what you
know must be done.
Q: Describe supervision.
A: Controlling a situation and ensuring a task or
mission is done properly.
Q: What is the objective of military leadership?
A: Successful accomplishment of a mission.
Q: How many human needs are there?
A: Four.
Q: What are the four human needs?
A: Physical needs, security needs, social needs, and
higher (spiritual) needs.
Q: What are the four elements of leadership?
A: The leader, the follower, the situation and
communication.
Q: Describe the three styles of leadership.
A: Directive , participative and delegative.
Q: What are the two modes of leadership?
A: Direct and indirect.
Q: Give an example of direct leadership.
A: Face-to-face influence.
Q: What is technical proficiency?
A: Knowing how to successfully peform and teach your
job or mission.
Q: What is tactical proficiency?
A: Knowing how to successfully employ your
equipment, personnel during a mission.
Q: Are commander’s required to have an open door
policy?
A: Yes.
Q: Describe the meaning of values.
A: An attitude about the relative worth or
importance of people, jobs, ideas or things.
Q: What are the four essential values?
A: Courage, candor, competence and commitment.
Q: What are leadership traits?
A: Traits are personal qualities?
Q: What is the cause of most problems in leadership
?
A: Communications.
Q: Which communication barrier is harder to
overcome, psychological or physical?
A: Psychological.
Q: Describe three things that affect a unit’s
morale?
A: Military justice, chow, mail , supply, billets.
Q: Will the study of human behavior make a better
leader of a person?
A: Yes.
Q: What does each letter mean in the acronym
LDRSHIP?
A: L-oyalty;
D-uty; R-espect; S-elfless service; H-onor;
I-ntegrity; P-ersonal courage.
Q: What FM covers counseling?
A: FM 22-100
Q: What is the name of the counseling form?
A: Developmental Counseling
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