Cadet officers serve in leadership positions from platoon through brigade level and learn to lead through their personal influence upon both a chain of command and staff. They learn that success as a leader is based on the performance of the unit. They demonstrate their capacity to exercise personal self-discipline in the absence of close supervision. Additionally, they are responsible for the development of cadet NCO's and for setting the example for all subordinates by establishing, attaining, maintaining, and exhibiting sound goals, standards of behavior, and values within the organization. Cadet officers are evaluated by the cadet chain of command and Tactical Officer, based on performance data within the framework of the Leader Characteristics. The sources of this data include academic instructors, team coaches, club officers-in-charge, and other members of the staff and faculty who observe cadets in different situations. The cadet officer is assigned a MD grade for MD402, which is a numerical weighted average of the submitted grades. There is an expectation of improved performance during MD402 based on lessons learned during MD401 and an increased understanding and inculcation of what is expected within the framework of the Seven Army Values and 16 Leadership Characteristics.
