As a prior enlisted cadet I knew LDAC was going to try my patience.  I have been through numerous Army schools and deployments and was mentally preparing myself for a 28 day emotional roller coaster ride. My strategy was to avoid interfering with the TAC's and just let the course play out.  Only taking charge with I was in an evaluated position. I arrived at Ft. Lewis, WA and quickly did my best to blend in and not allow the NCO mentality in me take charge. I was very frustrated at how young cadets tried so hard to "reinvent the wheel" so to speak trying to earn an "E" on thier blue cards when they were in an evaluated position.  Of the 37 cadets in my platoon 6 of us where prior enlisted NCO's and it quickly showed. We used the chain of command and common sense to deal with problems the cadre members threw our way.  While other cadets used their positions and micromanaged things trying to make themselves look good to their evaluators, we allowed things to develop, used the Troop Leading Procedures, and LISTENED to eachother to manage the platoon. 

To all cadets going to LDAC next summer please understand you will have good days and bad days.  Some things you will be able to control and somethings will be so far out of your control it will not have mattered what you did or didn't do.  I was in great shape going in and failed to max my push-ups in the APFT (the most subjective event of the test, GRADED BY NEWLY COMMISSIONED 2LT's WHO HAD BEEN MSIV'S JUST WEEKS BEFORE AND WHERE TOTALLY NEW TO THE ARMY APFT STANDARDS) I could not control that.  However, I bounced back and maxed both the sit-up event and the 2-mile run.  I could not control that some green LT forgot how to count everytime a CPT or higher walked by and stopped and watched him counting my push-ups.  What I could controld was workiing harder and making sure I did my best for the other two events.

Cadets when it comes to evaluations at LDAC understand they are subjective.  So many things go into evaluating a cadet.  Focus on successfully completing the mission not getting an "E".  Use the OPORD process, the TLP's, but above all else COMMON SENSE!  Do not try to reinevent the wheel.  It will show and you will pay for it the second things begin to go bad.  Never assume anything and ask as many questions as you can.  Asking questions shows the TAC's that you are thinking and have a concept in you mind.  If a TAC asks you a question don't freak out thinking you did something wrong.  They are probably just checking to see what your thought process is for doing what your doing.   If you can do thses things the "E's" will fall into place and the evaluations will take care of themselves.

Good luck to all of you this coming year.