2009, glad you enjoyed your call and your son is doing well.
The leadership (cadre) changed not because of a promotion, but because that is what happens during CBT. There are upperclassman who are assigned this as their summer leadership training. Because of the number of upperclassman who need the opportunity, the training is broken into two sections. The ice cream social marks the point at which the first detail has completed their training and turn over their duties to a whole new set of cadre. Your son is right about it being difficult for the new cadets -- they have just gotten used to the leadership they had, and now there are all new cadre with differing expectations! This is a large part of the new cadets training -- taking them out of their comfort zone repeatedly. When you write to him reassure him that he learned to deal with first detail, and he will do the same with second. The good news is that second detail has a lot less waiting in lines and a lot more of the "real" training. This is when they will learn marksmanship, rapelling, land navigation, etc! Here is the bad news... about the time he gets used to the cadre again, it will be Reorganization Week, and that brings a whole new set of leaders for him to deal with! It also takes the ratio of new cadets/cadre from 3/1 to about 1/3. Now you understand why for may Re-Orgy week will be the most difficult time they have experienced...
As far as sponsors, the homes they went to for the ice cream social generally will not be the people who sponsor them during the year, although they can. There will be the opportunity to sign up for a sponsor after the academic year begins, and if the cadet and family found they got along they can request one another. Many families sponsor several cadets, and the level of contact varies widely with each family and cadet. Some become like family members, some just have occasional contact. Many cadets end up finding "unofficial" sponsors with common interests among the faculty and staff.
