Training Leaders of Cadets

Coming June 18, 2025!

Format:  A fully online, self-paced pathway to TLC credit. Participants complete 10 online modules and receive TLC credit. Course is located in Absorb

• Participants complete 4 modules in Youth Development Fundamentals and 6 modules in Cadet Programs Essentials.

• Participants have a choice in what module s they choose in each section.

• Participants may receive credit for other Cadet Programs training they complete (restrictions apply), including the Youth Development Conference, NHQ hosted webinars, RST.

• Participants must complete 10 modules within 36 months of the first module.

Outcome:  Adult leaders are prepared to lead a quality youth development program.

Target Audience:  

• Adult volunteers looking to expand their knowledge in Cadet Programs and youth development topics. 

• Experienced CP officers seeking refresher training

• Any adult member who cannot get to another TLC course. 

• An "in-person" TLC Course is not required to take TLC On Demand.

Find out more!

As part of the ongoing effort to improve Training Leaders of Cadets (TLC), several updates were released on 10 September, relating to eService and Registration Zone. 

The NEW TLC Process:

1. Participants take the online modules in Absorb and their credit automatically goes from Absorb into a TLC Pathway on eServices (similar to the Level pathways). Details on finding the courses in Absorb.  

   1. This pathways is listed under Menu> Cadet Programs> Training Leaders of Cadets (TLC). 

2.  When participants take the In-Residence portion that credit must be entered manually by NHQ staff (via CAPF-11) or by pushing from Registration Zone (see details on setting this up). 

3. Once all tasks in the pathway are completed, someone must click the “Submit for Completion” button. This button will only appear when all the tasks are completed (details here).

   1. Anyone who can see the member can submit the path for them, or the member can do it themselves.

4. There is no approval needed. Once the button is clicked credit automatically goes to the participant's Training Record in eServices and the path resets for the next time they want to take TLC (which means the task areas in the pathway become blank). 

TLC Basic and TLC Intermediate Online Prerequisites Now in Absorb

The online modules associated with both TLC Basic and TLC Intermediate have been moved out of Old LMS and are now available in Absorb. Just type “TLC” in the search area.  The modules will only be visible to senior members who have completed Level 1. 

Step by step instructions on locating and enrolling the modules can be found in the TLC Basic & TLC Intermediate eServices Updates User Guide. 

Registration Zone TLC Prerequisite Integration

TLC Course Directors can now add the TLC online modules as Attendance Prerequisites to an event created in Registration Zone. Once participants are registered, course directors will be able to view if registrants have completed the prerequisites through the “Reports - Attendance Prerequisites” section of Registration Zone.

Step by step instructions on Adding and checking prerequisites can be found in the TLC Basic & TLC Intermediate eServices Updates User Guide. 

Submitting TLC for Credit

Once both the online modules and the in-residence portion of a TLC course are complete, a member will need to go to eServices to submit the course for credit. This is a new step that was not required in the past. 

Under the Cadet Programs menu within eServices there is a new area called “Training Leaders of Cadets (TLC)”. This is where a member will go to submit their course for credit. 

There is an informational lesson within the TLC online modules in Absorb that shows you step by step how to do this.  Step by step instructions can also be found in the TLC Basic & TLC Intermediate eServices Updates User Guide. 

DCPs Can Apply TLC Credit to a Course in Registration Zone

Once a course has been created in Registration Zone, the wing Director of Cadet Programs (DCP) or the Region DCS-CP is able to add TLC credit to the course. Once the course is over and the course director marks attendance, credit is automatically applied to the in-residence task in eServices. If this method is used, a CAPF-11 is not needed. CAPF-11s are still available if you prefer that method.

**Note: For this to work properly attendance must be marked AFTER the credit has been applied to the course. 

Step by step instructions on Adding and checking prerequisites can be found in the TLC Basic & TLC Intermediate eServices Updates User Guide. 

Legacy LMS Credit

Anyone who completed an online module in the Legacy LMS in the last year (but has not yet fully completed the TLC course) your online module credit will transfer to Absorb/eServices TLC. This migration was completed on 16 September 2024. You can view your credit in the "Training Leaders of Cadets (TLC)" section in eServices, located under the Cadet Programs Menu.

If you do not see your credit listed, please take the following steps:

• Check Past Results to ensure your modules were completed after 9/01/2023, and that you had completed both the Video AND the Quiz for each module. If both parts were not complete then you will need to retake the course in Absorb.

  • Menu> Online Learning> Learning Management System> Past Results (under Modules)

• Log on to Absorb. Course credit may not have been transferred if you had not created your Absorb account before the date of transfer. To create your account simply log on to Absorb: 

  • Menu> Online Learning> Absorb LMS

• Once you have competed all of these steps, email ehornbach@capnhq.gov. Credit will be entered manually. Include:

  • your CAPID

  • Titles of the modules you have completed

  • date of completion for each module

  • Make a note that you have created your Absorb account. 

Look for the launch of TLC On-Demand, a fully online TLC pathway, coming late fall!
 

In an effort to expand the offerings for TLC, National Headquarters will begin offering regularly scheduled TLC-Basic & TLC-Intermediate courses, offered virtually.  These courses will be in addition to the locally offered courses, hosted by each wing.  These virtual courses are just another way to expand the availability of TLC. We will soon begin offering 1 course per month, alternating TLC-Basic one month and TLC-Intermediate the next.

Find out more!

Format:  7.25 hours of discussion-based learning in-residence, with three short web modules

Outcome:  Adult leaders prepared to contribute as Cadet Programs Officers on a squadron staff

Learning Goals: 

1. Articulate the Cadet Programs vision, to include referencing the key traits of cadet life, the program elements and the outcomes each produces, and an explanation of the promotion process.

2. Explain the roles and responsibilities of cadet programs officers serving at the squadron level, with special regard to leadership dynamics, as the adult’s role changes when the cadet staff’s readiness changes.

3. Describe operating principles for squadron-level cadet programs, including Cadet Great Start, weekly meetings and activities, and using the Quality Cadet Unit Award as a self-assessment and managerial tool.

Target Audience:  
•  New adult volunteers
•  Adult volunteers serving in positions below squadron deputy commander
•  Expereinced CP officers seeking refresher training

Pre-Arrival Coursework:  Students need to complete three web-based lessons prior to arrival.
See eServices > Menu > Online Learning > Absorb LMS > Search: TLC Basic Online Modules

Course Materials:  Visit the Student & Instructor Downloads page

TLC Basic -
Student & Instructor Downloads

Format:  6.5 hours of discussion-based learning in-residence, with one short web modules

Outcome:  Cadet Programs Officers prepared to lead a squadron’s Cadet Program

Learning Goals:  

1. Discuss how local leaders might serve cadets with unique situations. 

2. Describe methods for positive, indirect leadership.

3. Describe major national and wing activity programs. 

Target Audience:  
• Graduates of the TLC Basic Course
• Adult volunteers preparing themselves for service as a squadron commander or deputy commander for cadets
• Veteran CP officers seeking refresher training

Pre-Arrival Coursework:  One web module

See eServices > Menu > Online Learning > Absorb LMS > Search: TLC Intermediate Online Modules

Course Materials:  Visit the Student & Instructor Downloads page

Format:  6 hours of discussion-based learning and briefings delivered via NHQ-hosted webinars

Outcome:  Cadet Programs Officers prepared to administer a wing Cadet Program

Learning Goals:  

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive awareness of the DCP’s responsibilities

2. Identify what resources NHQ makes available to wings and describe best   practices for maximizing them

3. Describe effective ways for training, monitoring, and evaluating, squadron-level people and programs

4. Describe effective ways to implement wing-level cadet activities, consistent with CAP standards

Target Audience:  
• Adult volunteers recently appointed as Region or Wing DCPs

Registration:  Limited to Region and Wing DCPs

Pre-Arrival Coursework:   None

TLC remains current for 48 months. Because the Cadet Program cannot succeed without adult leadership, every cadet unit shall have at least two members who have completed a TLC course (any level) within the last 48 months. Although, it is ideal that all adult members who work with cadets have taken TLC.  (see CAPR 60-1, 2.3.2.4)

Those wishing to refresh or renew their TLC standing can go about in one of the following ways:

1. Re-take a course: You may retake a TLC course that you have already taken. For example, if you took TLC Basic you may re-take TLC Basic. Your standing would remain current for 48 months form the date of your most recent course. 

2. Take a higher-level course: You may wish to continue your education by taking the next level course, especially if your duty position has advanced. You do not need to re-take a lower level prior to taking the next level. In fact, while TLC Basic is encouraged, it is not a prerequisite for TLC Intermediate or Advanced. It is recommended that you take the TLC course that most aligns with the level in which you are serving.

   TLC Basic is geared for new adult volunteers and adult volunteers serving in positions below squadron deputy commander
   TLC Intermediate is aimed at adult volunteers preparing themselves for service as a squadron commander or deputy commander for cadets|
   TLC Advanced is for adult volunteers recently appointed as Region or Wing DCPs

3. Take TLC On Demand: You may wish to refresh online, by taking TLC On Demand, which is a fully online, self-paced TLC course located in Absorb.  **NOTE** if you are working on the CP Specialty Track, review the list of requirements for the level you are working toward. TLC On Demand would not replace the TLC requirement for the specific course listed in the Specialty Track.

4. Instruct a TLC Course: If you have extensive knowledge in an area of cadet programs, you may opt to instruct at a TLC course.  For instructors to gain credit for the course, they must complete the online modules and be present and engaged with 80% of the course. Active participation in discussions should be dominated by the students, but instructors should be present, engaged and listening to the discussion. For more information on instructing at a TLC, see pages 7-9 of the TLC Course Director’s Handbook. 

If you have any questions about how to keep your TLC credit current, please contact Elizabeth Hornbach. 

The Training Leaders of Cadets course was revised in October 2021 to bring it up to date with the current CAP Cadet Program; much has changed since 2016 when the course was last edited. Some lessons do have substantial changes, to reflect the new program as well as feedback from the field, while others only required moderate or minor changes. 

All Levels

• Guidelines for virtual instruction were added to the Course Director’s Handbook

• Course Director’s Handbook includes sample e-mails and schedules

• Course Evaluations will now be done digitally through an online survey system (link in course conclusion)

• All slide photos were updated to reflect uniform changes (removing BDUs)

•  Student Packets now includes all resources and blank forms students will need for the class

•  “Answer Key” packets created to give as additional resources, post exercises.

• All regulation and pamphlet references updated to reflect the 26 October 2021 regulation updates

TLC – Basic

• Progressive Discipline web module added

• Cadet Advancement web module has substantial updates; Cadet Great Start web module has minor updates.  

• Lesson plans created for the Z.1 Greeting & Overview and Z.2 Conclusion sections

• Cadet Programs Officer (2.1) has substantial changes to reflect the current CAPP 60-11

• Cadet Activities I (3.3) now includes a section on the CAPF 160

• All other lessons have moderate to minor changes

TLC – Intermediate

• Transformational Leadership (2.1), Feedback & Mentoring (2.2), Progressive Discipline (2.3) and Cadet Activities II (3.2) all have substantial changes

• Tour of the Cadet Curriculum (3.1) is now a web module

• All other lessons have moderate to minor changes

• Generation Z as Learners and Cadet Safety & Welfare will not be created for this edition. 

TLC – Advanced

• None at this time