The overall goal of the Youth Leadership Academy is to teach leadership and "followership." The intent of the academy is that through the leadership model, the cadets become their own leaders and then move on to gain the ability to influence others in positive ways. Some assumptions of the model are that people have endless potential for development, want to improve, are drawn to a leader who feeds their sense of worth, want to be part of a reinforcing unit or group, and want to achieve self-discipline and focus from being their own leaders. These assumptions of the model guide the leadership behaviors modeled for the cadets. Role modeling is a crucial element of teaching the leadership model to cadets. Affirmations for youths encompassed in the model are to like and respect self, have a positive expectation of achieving goals, be optimistic about life, guide one's own destiny, and express oneself and know that others respect one's point of view. Other aspects of the leadership model are esteem training and communication. Charts that illustrate the model are included.