OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN

It is important that each year at this time we establish goals to focus and channel out efforts for the current year. While I appreciate the growth of the NLCC and NSCC programs this past year, a number of the 2002 goals were only partially met and thus need to be continued during 2003.

While last year's goals were challenging, I believe they were necessary and achievable had all worked to attain them. Enclosure (1) is the 2003 road map to improve our program. Enclosure (2) provides the annual "State of the Corps" report.

I gratefully thank and applaud those who met the 2002 goals. I truly appreciate the efforts of all who honestly tried to meet the goals, but may have missed the mark.

But, I'm disappointed with those who did not take steps to meet the established goals. We still have far to many units with only one or two adult leaders. We still have too many commands that do not yet meet the modest long-standing minimum membership numbers of 15 League cadets or 25 Sea Cadets. It's interesting to see how many relatively small communities meet the modest standard, while some larger communities cannot achieve minimum numbers and some units in good size communities barely survive.

As I indicated last year, only through action can these important goals be accomplished. I plead with all of you to take steps NOW to achieve the 2003 goals.

  
 Jim Ward
National Chairman

It is for the CADETS!