CACC-HQ

LETTER OF INSTRUCTION 010-0809-04

19 October 2008

PROMOTION TESTING/BOARDING
1. GENERAL: Effective with the publication of this LOI, previous editions of the CACC Promotion Tests and
Promotion Board questions are obsolete and should be discarded.
2. PROMOTION TESTS:
a. Promotion tests have been posted to the CACC web site for the following:
Recruit to Cadet
Cadet to Cadet First Class
Cadet First Class to Cadet Corporal
Cadet Corporal to Cadet Sergeant
Cadet Staff Sergeant to Cadet Sergeant First Class
b. Promotion test keys have also been posted.
c. Tests and keys are in PDF format and are password protected. The password was distributed to attendees
at the Commandant Conference last weekend. If a commandant was not present at the conference and needs the
password, please contact LTC (CA) Ryan at mryan@cadet.org.
d. Promotion tests are all 50 questions to allow them to be administered during a typical 40-50 minute class
period.
e. Material for the promotion tests comes directly from the new study guides for the various strands
Strands 1-5 Recruit to Cadet
Strands 7-11 Cadet to Cadet First Class
Strands 13-17 Cadet First Class to Cadet Corporal
Strands 19-23 Cadet Corporal to Cadet Sergeant
Strands 25-29 Cadet Sergeant to Cadet Sergeant First Class
f. Materials on the tests is cumulative, meaning there are questions from previous study guides on each of
the higher rank tests.
g. Passing score on all tests is 80%.

3. ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION TO ACCOMPANY PROMOTION TESTS: It is recommended that

in addition to the written promotion tests, an oral interview portion be added for each rank. This can be in the form
a formal board or can be a one-on-one oral recitation as follows:
a. Recruit to Cadet Recite the General Orders, Pledge of Allegiance, and Sing the Star Spangled Banner
b. Cadet to Cadet First Class Sing America the Beautiful and This Land is Your Land and demonstrate
that you know how to properly fold a flag. Recite the Chain of Command.
c. Cadet First Class to Cadet Corporal Sing one of the military branch songs (Off We Go, Anchors
Aweigh, The Army Goes Rolling Along, Marine Corps Hymn) and Recite the Leadership Traits and Leadership
Principles.
d. Cadet Corporal to Cadet Sergeant Sing This Is My Country and a different military branch song than
was demonstrated for promotion to Cadet Corporal. In addition, recite the Leaders Code.
e. Cadet Sergeant to Cadet Staff Sergeant Demonstrate the Manual of Arms with a Springfield 1903 or
similar rifle. Demonstrate the ability properly form and march a squad.

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19 October 2008

4. PROMOTION TO C/SFC AND ABOVE: For promotion to C/SFC and above, cadets must complete a
promotion board. Appendix A to this LOI contains the promotion board questions for each rank above C/SSG.
Appendix B includes a Promotion Board scoring sheet. Scores of 80% or higher are required for promotion.
5. POC for this LOI is the undersigned at 510-594-3999 or mryan@cadet.org.
FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER:

/s/ signed electronically

MARK P. RYAN
LTC, CSMR
Assistant Executive Officer

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19 October 2008

APPENDIX A
PROMOTION BOARD QUESTIONS
PROMOTION FROM C/SSG TO C/SFC
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Explain the difference between authority and responsibility.

What is the California state animal? Flower? Tree?
What Cadet regulation governs Cadet Appointments and Promotions? Cadet Awards? The Cadet uniform?
What is delegation?
What components are included on a typical training schedule?
Explain the difference between leadership and management.
Explain how to stop bleeding.
Explain what a scale on a map is for and how it is used.
Cite some cultural differences between African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans.
Explain the factors affecting human motivation.

In addition, the cadet SSG should demonstrate s/he knows how to properly:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.

Complete a Clothing Record

Make a Training Schedule
Sing a cadence
Complete a Requisition and Inventory
Prepare a Service Record
Prepare a Strength and Activities Report
Prepare an Order
Demonstrate how to use a compass.
Demonstrate how to find grid coordinates.
Demonstrate the proper method of adult CPR.

PROMOTION FROM C/SFC to C/MSG or C/1SG or C/SGM or C/CSM

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Explain the difference between Direct, Organizational, and Strategic Leadership.

Explain what triage is.
Describe who makes up Californias Executive Branch.
Explain how a bill becomes a law.
Give the warning signs and treatment of a stroke.
Describe who makes up Californias Legislative Branch.
What does it mean to be a Leader of Character, Presence, and Intellect?
What are Universal Precautions?
Describe who makes up Californias Judicial Branch.
Explain the types of burns and how to treat them.

In addition, the cadet should demonstrate s/he knows how to properly:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

Demonstrate how to conduct a Head to Toe Exam

Demonstrate how to properly march a platoon
Demonstrate how to run a Physical Fitness training session.
Demonstrate the proper method of child and infant CPR.
Demonstrate how to properly orient a map.
Demonstrate how to command a Color Guard.
Demonstrate how to command a flag detail.

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19 October 2008

PROMOTION TO CADET WARRANT OFFICER ONE OR TWO OR CADET 2LT

Generic questions
1. Tell the board why you would like to be a cadet officer.
2. What is your biggest weakness as a leader? What have you done to work on that deficiency?
3. Give us an example of where your leadership skills shined (a situation where you showed great
leadership).
4. What does it mean to you to be patriotic? How do you demonstrate your patriotism?
5. Why is it important for a cadet officer to do well in school? How well do you do in school?
6. What were your latest PT test scores? Why is it important for a cadet officer to be healthy and
physically fit?
7. How will you treat cadet NCOs when you are commissioned? You are currently one of them.
What will change about your relationship with cadet NCOs when you become a cadet officer?
8. Have you been in any trouble at school in the last year? (detentions, suspensions, etc)
9. How has your attendance been at school the past year? (number of absences, tardies, truancies)
10. In what ways has being in the Cadet Corps helped shape you into a better person?
Content specific questions to verify knowledge
1. Tell us about a class you recently taught to cadets? How did it go? How effective was your
lesson plan? Tell us about the process you went through to plan that lesson?
2. Why is it important to be sensitive to and knowledgeable about people from other cultures?
3. How good are you are managing your time and staying organized? Why are those two things
important?
4. Describe for us how to administer CPR to an adult.
5. Show us how you would treat a choking victim.
6. Tell us about the last orienteering course you successfully completed. What techniques did you
use to complete it successfully?
7. Recite the leaders code.
8. What are the major responsibilities of a cadet S-1, S-3, S-4, S-5?
9. Are you familiar with where the cadet regulations can be found? Tell us something you recently
read in a cadet regulation that you did not know about previously.
PROMOTION BOARD QUESTIONS C/1LT
(Can repeat any of the C/2LT Generic Questions you think are appropriate)
1. Tell us about your three favorite leaders in American Military history. What makes them such
important and effective leaders?
2. What is a cadet Service Record?
3. What is an Individual Clothing Record?
4. What is a training schedule?
5. What is a Property Book?
6. What is a Report of Survey?
7. What is a Press Release?
8. What are the two types of orders an S-1 publishes and what does each accomplish?
9. What is a strength report and how often are they completed?
10. What is an inventory and how often does the cadet regulation 4-1 say it must be accomplished?

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19 October 2008
PROMOTION BOARD QUESTIONS C/CPT

(Can repeat any of the C/2LT Generic Questions you think are appropriate)
1. What are some considerations when constructing and placing a trap or a snare?
2. What are three methods of starting a fire other than with matches or similar lighting devices?
3. What are some good signals to use to alert potential rescuers when you are in a survival situation?
4. Why is fire so critical in a survival situation?
5. Describe the method of creating a solar still.
6. What is an Operations Order and what purpose does it serve?
7. What are some things to consider when performing a risk assessment in the planning stages of a
cadet event?
8. What components should always exist in a cadet commanders mission statement?
9. What are the differences between missions, goals, and objectives?
10. What are the two most important responsibilities of a leader?
PROMOTION BOARD QUESTIONS C/MAJ, C/LTC, C/COL
(Can repeat any of the C/2LT Generic Questions you think are appropriate)
1. What is your philosophy of leadership?
2. Share with us your vision for how to make the Cadet Corps better. How would you achieve that
vision?
3. Every leader has a fatal flaw. What is yours and how are you working on that fatal flaw so that
it does not result in your downfall?
4. Which 3-4 of the leadership traits are you best at and why?
5. Which 2-3 of the leadership principles are you best at and why?
In addition, the cadet should demonstrate s/he knows how to properly:

CACC
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19 October 2008

APPENDIX B
PROMOTION BOARD SCORING SHEET
Candidates Name ___________________________________Current Rank_________
Evaluate the cadet on a scale with four being outstanding and one being poor (zero is for no attempt or extremely
poor performance)
CATEGORY
1) Dress Uniform complies with CR 1-8
2) Haircut and hygiene
3) Poise, posture, and mannerisms
4) Self-confidence
5) Knowledge of CACC History, Objectives, Motto, etc
6) Knowledge of Basic Military Subjects
7) Knowledge of First Aid/CPR
8) Knowledge of Map and Compass Reading
9) Knowledge of Leadership Traits and Principles
10) Knowledge of other Leadership Topics
11) Demonstrated close order drill
12) Knowledge of squad, platoon, and company drill
13) Knowledge of Academic Vocabulary
14) Knowledge of Current Events
15) Knowledge of patriotic principles/information
16) Experiences in leadership positions have prepared this cadet
17) Knowledge of patriotic songs
18) Military courtesy
19) Attendance at school
20) Academic success in other classes
21) Citizenship record
22) Attendance at cadet events, activities, meetings
23) Quality/completeness of service record
24) Demonstrated ability to handle stresses of leadership
25) Willingness to serve (school and community service)
TOTAL FOR EACH SCORE
MULTIPLICATION FACTOR
TOTAL SCORE
GRAND TOTAL OUT OF A POSSIBLE 100

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

x4

x3

x2

x1

x0

Comments:

Printed Last Name of Board Member________________ Rank________ Signature_________________________