Team Captain

Ex.BT.USN

5-Year Member
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Jan 6, 2013
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My DS is the Captain of one team which is already on his application.

The other team he is on has 6 seniors who the coach likes equal. The coach said that picking one is not an easy choice so he is going to cycle the captain title from game to game giving each the opportunity to be the team captain. My DS asked the coach if this was something they could all put on their applications and he said yes. The first game is going to my DS, there are several games.

My DS told me he thought about it for a while but is not sure if adding this to his application is the right thing to do. For the first time my son has asked for my thoughts. I want to agree with him because it's not for the full season.

Does anybody have any thoughts on this??? (also posted under ROTC)
 
I would say if the coach says "yes" than it would be fine to put on his applicaiton ... it still has to be verified through his guidance counselor so I would have your DS make sure that the guidance counselor is aware of that. In my DS high school the football team ( my son is on a different team) has senior team leaders.. the coach never wants to pick one or two seniors to be captain as well.
 
I'm guessing its more of a checkmark for admissions than any real criteria. My DD never reported being asked any questions regarding what she did as team captain. This is HS afterall so what does the captain actually do besides call heads or tails?
 
@ OS dad

Not all team captains are team captains of football..... My DS is a team Captain of cross country and track .. he was responsible for leading all of the summer workouts. During the school year he is resposible for leading all of the varsity workouts and responsible for making sure all the JV and freshamn runners understand what is going on and to cheer them on in their race . He also attends a leaderhsip seminar with all of the other team captains from his school once a month for 3 hours. He aslo plans and executes all out of school activites for the team.
Don's assume all captains are alike.
 
Thank you...all!

Just found some advise on Co-Captain. I did not think of this his school only has Captains.

In regard to responsibilities there is a great deal more than a coin flip. These kids have to plan and organize team practices based on game performance and discuss the plan with the coaches prior to their next practice. They also have to organize JV player responsibilities for taking care of equipment, setting the field as well as other responsibilities.

Thank you!!
 
I'm guessing its more of a checkmark for admissions than any real criteria. My DD never reported being asked any questions regarding what she did as team captain. This is HS afterall so what does the captain actually do besides call heads or tails?

LOL. Here, as a football team captain, a "contact" sport, you are elected by your teammates. You don't get get picked by the coach. You get elected if you are a leader both on the field and in the weight room and at practice. You have to give a speech. We don't just "call heads or tails." We lead voluntary workouts in the summer when the coaches can't due to state rules on certain time periods. We give pre-game, half-time, and post-game motivational speeches. We also get on any teammates who, for example, start partying too much and posting beer drinking pictures on facebook. We try to get it handled before the coach has to get involved.
 
I stand corrected.

What you're all describing is called leadership. One does not have to be the "Captain" to be a leader.
 
+1 to 18'r
My DS was voted captain, but the coach has final say ...
 
osdad hit the point: while the obvious is team captain, president of class or student government, etc, the real search is for evidence of LEADERSHIP, and you do NOT have to be captain or president to develop and exert leadership. I would expect any senior on a varsity team to be making the effort to make the team perform on a higher level. I would expect them to be working with the team's coach(es) to help develop the younger members of the team develop and perform better.

As mentioned earlier, the military is heavily invested in teamwork; it is absolutely necessary to success on every level from squad to the whole service mission. It also extends to the inter-service missions as well. Teamwork is a multiplier of effort.
 
However, you do get points in your WCS for things like Team Captain, Eagle Scout, Class President, etc. So I would not just brush those off as 'check the box' type items. Obviously, in some schools being a team captain or even class president means more leadership experience rather then just being a popularity contest where you hold a title that has no real responsibilities.

During your various application interviews you may be asked to explain exactly what you did in those roles and should be prepared to elaborate on that.
 
My point is that being named Captain, President, Chairman, etc, is not an end in itself! And yes, you will do yourself a world of good to have documented what you accomplished as a leader - you WILL be expected to tell the MOC's interview team, your BGO, etc, what you did to make a difference.
 
Excellent Insight...

Thank you...

My wife and I have instilled in our children that everything they do needs to be proactive with a value added result. Start them small, plant the seed and watch it develop. I sure hope he remembers to give his interview with this small yet very important detail regarding "make a difference." I'm confident he will knock it out of the park.

Good stuff, cheers!
 
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