Can you believe it’s 2024? As we turn a fresh new page, many choose to embark on a journey of self-improvement and set new goals for the year. For students at Randolph-Macon Academy, pursuing goals does not just occur at the beginning of the year. Instead, it’s an integral part of their daily lives. R-MA has a rich history of emphasizing character and leadership development. Today, we will delve deeper into how R-MA’s Character & Leadership Development Program cultivates goal attainment and prepares students for success, both within the classroom and beyond.
Recognizing that education transcends the confines of textbooks and lectures, R-MA emphasizes values like honor, self-discipline, resilience, and character. These qualities are believed to be best acquired experientially, woven into the fabric of a cadet’s daily life.
What Is the Character & Leadership Development Program?
At the heart of R-MA’s unique approach to character and leadership development lies the Character & Leadership Development Program (CLDP). This program encompasses a broad spectrum of essential life skills and values, ranging from self-discipline, holistic health and fitness, and emotional resilience to the Code of Conduct and citizenship, drill and etiquette, teamwork, applied and adaptive leadership, and ethical decision-making. Cadet leadership is about positive development and allows students to set and reach goals all year round.
Cadets Learn All About Shared Goal Setting
What sets the CLDP apart is its unique unit-based training approach. Instead of segregating cadets by class year, they attend CLDP classes alongside their respective units. This methodology cultivates leadership and mentorship opportunities within each unit, fosters a strong sense of unit cohesion, encourages shared goal setting, and underscores the importance of being a proficient follower as a foundational aspect of effective leadership.
The CLDP training regimen is robust and rigorous, occurring four days a week. These classes are mandatory and carry academic credit. The program is meticulously designed to equip cadets with the tools required to excel academically and navigate the complexities of group dynamics and collaboration.
Supporting Personal Accountability
The CLDP at our private school is split into four distinct tracks designed to equip students with the skills and personal accountability needed to become proactive individuals. With the skills and mindset adjustments we offer our students, they stay committed to self-improvement. The four tracks of the CLDP include:
1. Code of Conduct, Military Courtesy, and Drill: Cadets learn the significance of discipline, respect, and attention to detail through the art of drill and military etiquette.
2. Physical Fitness and Wellness: Recognizing that physical health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, cadets participate in activities that promote physical fitness and holistic wellness.
3. GPS for SUCCESS: Using five core principles: vision, mission, purpose, team, and commitment, we provide motivation and support along the challenging journey of young adulthood. This track is a life skills program designed to shift the focus from unhealthy distractions toward possibilities for a bright future.
4. Principles of Leadership: Cadets delve into the fundamental principles of leadership, including The Synergy of Fellowship and Leadership, Ethical Decision-Making, Adaptive Leadership, and Creating a Positive Team Culture.
Personal accountability is a fundamental cornerstone of successful goal setting and achievement. It is the ability to take ownership of your actions, decisions, and responsibilities, and it plays a crucial role in helping individuals reach their objectives.
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