Midshipman Counseling

LT Craig Famoso, RPICapt. Drew Ramey, RutgersLT Teeter, Boston University

July 30, 2013

Topics

1. ROD requirements (NSTC M-1533.2)

2. Documents3. Discussion Items4. Best practices– Pitfalls– Tricks

5. Take-away6. Q&A

What to know before we begin

• Everyone counsels differently– Advisors and ROTC units

• Counseling must be tailored to individual– 4/C v. 1/C– Navy v. Marine– Motivator v. bottom feeder

• Documentation– Similar but slightly different across units– It will save you

ROD Requirements

(the minimum)

ROD Requirements

• “the primary job of instructors is to mentor students…[including] counseling on academic, personal, and professional standards.” (4-3)

• “Instructors shall: – (c) Provide formal, scheduled counseling and

advising to NROTC students at a minimum of twice per academic term.” (4-4)

– (d) Make themselves readily available to students during the normal working day.

5 Objectives

1. Identify the student’s strengths and weaknesses. 2. Address specific performance problems,

concentrating on ways to develop growth…but do not dwell on the negatives.

3. Evaluate previous goals, and establish new goals for each semester.

4. Ensure clear understanding of performance and acknowledge areas for improvement.

5. Review what is expected before the next counseling session, and program expectations.

Documentation

ROD

1. Shall be documented using a Fitness Report and Counseling Record, NAVPERS 1610/2

2. The student and advisor shall sign the counseling form.

3. The student shall receive a copy and the original shall be placed in the student performance file.

Admin Requirements

• Evaluation• Record review• OPMIS Datasheet• Degree Completion Plan• Semester Schedule and goals

Discussion Items

Professional Discussion

• Plan, goals & performance– Academics • DCP, study abroad, summer school

– PFA– Swim & sail qualifications

• Leadership development– Time management, study habits, organization– Unit/community involvement– NROTC Billets– Summer cruise

Professional Discussion

• Service Assignment– Goals, requirements & timeline– ASTB, PRK/LASIK, Commissioning Physicals, Nuc

Interview

Other• Scholarship (for College Programmers)• LREC Requirements• Tier changes• Summer school

Personal Discussion

• Finances– Employment

• Living arrangement• Athletics and organizations• Concerns– Personal and family– Health • Sleep• Nutrition & fitness• Mental health

Smart to reiterate

• Your expectations– “Personal ownership”

• NROTC requirements & standards– GPA, PFA, Calc/Physics, swim, sail

• Service above self• Navy alcohol (and drug) policy• General safety

Extra counseling?

• Anything on the path to disenrollment– Warning, Probation, LOA, Disenrollment• Academics, PFA, • Honor Violations, Disciplinary problems, disrespect,

swimming, • DOR

• Unpreparedness for commissioning

Best Practices, Pitfalls, Ticks

Best Practices

• Students arrive with paperwork– Biography– Brag sheet– Personal assessment– Degree Completion Plan– Semester academic goals

• Personal preparation– Review past paperwork– Prepare record

Best Practices

Best Practices

• Record everything– Signatures

• Confidentiality• Open-Door• Enforce Navy protocol– Request to enter and exit– Student tone and posture

Tricks

• Voice dictation system• Record conversation• Type as student speaks

Takeaways

Leave you with three

Takeaways

1. Be prepared2. Focus on requirements3. Follow-up

Questions?