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CDT Noble, this is a conversation you should have with your cadre. When I did, they had sound advice on how to move forward. Bottom Line Up Front: You are the architect of your destiny, and you will get as much or as little out of the program as you want. You can also affect many of your fellow cadets, regardless of their year group, but only so much before it will probably be received poorly.

What they helped me understand is that ROTC is several things to several distinct groups of people. There is the training aspect, where ROTC develops future leaders. Here is where to cultivate that "Be, Know, Do" mentality. There is also the recruiting aspect, and because Cadet Command wants to make the military seem appealing to college students, I doubt you'll see strict, "Regular Army" adherence to the standard on campus.

The thing I had to deal with as a cadet was the realization that ROTC is designed this way. I was, to a certain extent, supposed to let my peers fail because that failure carries a lesson that everyone needs to learn, whether it's on campus, at LDAC, or in the Army.

So, my advice is:
- Talk to your cadre.
- Ensure that you and your element are the most tactically and technically proficient in your organization, whether it is squad and platoon battle drills, wear and appearance of the uniform, drill and ceremony, or anything else.
- Be a quiet professional, ready to impart knowledge at any time.
- Trust in the system... even though they may seem silly, the blue cards and all that STARTARTAR nonsense are crafted toward a specific goal.
- Don't be an asshole.

Showing up and being motivated are not options for leaders. If certain individuals think it is optional, then you have a leadership problem in your ROTC unit that goes to the highest levels. I always thought in these terms; If I cross the line of departure 5 minutes late, that gives the enemy 5 minutes to regain his composure from prepatory fires. Marines die that did not have to. You cannot fix the entire unit, but you can fix the slice that belongs to you. Intolerance is not always a bad thing.

Enforce the Standards or a new Standard will be set!