Cadet sergeants serve in NCO leadership and staff positions in the Corps of Cadets. Cadet sergeants lead through subordinate leaders; that is, they lead small military units in which they exercise responsibility for other members through their influence upon subordinate leaders. The goals of MD302 are to: (1) supervise squads and larger units as cadet non-commissioned officers, (2) lead by personal example, (3) practice positive, effective leadership of subordinates, and (4) conduct performance counseling. Cadet sergeants are evaluated by their cadet chain of command and Tactical Officer. Evaluation is based on performance data within the framework of the Leader Characteristics. The sources of this data include academic instructors, team coaches, club officer-in-charge, and other members of the staff and faculty who observe cadets in different situations. The cadet sergeant is assigned a MD grade for MD302. The final grade is a numerical weighted average of the submitted grades. There is an expectation of improved performance during MD302, based upon lessons learned from MD301 and an increased understanding and inculcation of what is expected within the framework of the Leader Characteristics.
