training juniors?

Question

well, i just wanted to see if anyone here could offer plausible suggestions. i come from a uniformed group (still a student), where we are in charge of training up the juniors, who are at most 3 years younger than us. anyway, these days parents seem to become over-protective of their children, and really, it is hindering us from exposing juniors to the rigour we used to have. and yes, no more coporal punishment like the old days.

can anyone suggest some way which we can effectively train up these juniors? they are getting weak and feeble...

Answer 1

hey,

before i even suggest anything, there's two kinds of strength, up there in the head and ofcourse physical. I know they are interlinked in many cases, but since you are getting pressure from parents, maybe look at making your cadets stonger, mentally first..

i mean, the most important thing is for them to start having passion for the group they are with, and respect. the only reason parents are complaining is probably because the kids are complaining to them.. so if you get your kids to really feel for the group and know why they're doing what they're being asked to do, then that in itself clears a lot of problems.

I knoe all of this sounds great and yes, it is easier said than done, but that's the approach you can take. Build up a sense of "i want to do this because if i don't my whole batch will have to pay for it'. Make them do everything together, so they look our for the weakest among them and help them get better, let them work as a batch..

hope that helps! was from a uniformed group/ am still helping out, so yeah..

Answer 2

Discipline and punishment are not the same things. Discipline comes from within, punishment is external. How do you instill discipline without punishment or parental support? Welcome to the world of teaching. Here are a few hints.

1. Start with a list of actions that happen when rules are broken. This is a list of consequences, starting with the mild ( report to superiors and parents, going to loss of rank ending with expulsion from group - the most severe)

2. Include a list of expectations , this should be a positive - it give the students a sense of identity and performance level. (think of the boy scout creed and law)

3. Find a way to mentor people as they develop the discipline needed. You may need to do this one on one.

4. Focus on the positives about being part of the group, make the group desireable to be in.

5. To persuade someone to really want to be part of a group and accept the groups discipline and attitudes you must give them enough information about why being part of the group is desireble (logic) You must also appeal to their sense of identification ( We are the group and we are here for each other - finally they need a sense of being an important part of the group, a emotion of belonging and pride.

6. Most important Have the students sign this contract and have the parent agree to the terms of it. If you say drill is at 6 am and its in the contract, there is no argument. If you say disrespect will cause the person to be suspended or lose rank, no arguments.

You are no longer in a position of using force to extract discipline, you are in a position of using your brains. The up side is this. If a person is convinced , logically to accept the discipline they then do it willingly and with zeal. They become solid parts of the group and you loose the maveriks who will turn on you the moment the threat of physical discipline is gone.