NCC 2011

[LC]

The "super teams" part was the only item I was referring to. 

I fail to see how the proposed "2 squadrons" maximum would encourage participation from everyone.

Sure you'd be doing that for larger squadrons, but smaller ones would be left behind in the endeavor. 

Let me break it down barney for you.

SDWG has 9 squadrons, with active cadet participation ranging from 2-15 cadets.  Two squadrons in the state have 10 or more active cadets. 

So basically it's either the two large squadrons make a team, or we play, "who gets to be the squadron to join one of the larger ones". while the others are left behind.  I fail to see how that benefits a local squadron at all.

All that will happen, is an influx of cadets "transferring" to the participating squadrons, and that definitely doesn't help a local unit in the least bit.


Some squadrons are bigger and smaller than others, the proposed "super team" item is ignorant of that.

Is it still a boatload of crap?

Yes



If I could change anything about the NCC rules, I would allow cadet officers to participate in color guard competition, and remove the requirement for the accompanying senior member to be 25. 
CAP goes through great lengths ensuring that it is grade that matters, and not age, but they put in regulatory dribble like that.

As being a former member of SDWG and the SD drill team. It was hard for us to get a team together with just 2 squadrons...So we had to do "super team" and use members from across the entire wing.

[a2capt]

Although, I'm not outright complaining, either. Part of the competition isn't how you perform. It's how you adapt, overcome and conquer the issues that you have not encountered yet.

No matter what happens, keep your bearing. If you are going to be wrong, be boldly wrong. (and I don't mean make big mistakes, I mean keep going.) Unless it's something blatant they may not even notice.

Whats important is do your best, and show the judges and spectators, how hard you trained to get there.

[Capination]

The winners, Puerto Rico, were quite a team. Far above and beyond the rest.  When we were talking the subject of practicing, they said they practiced every day, but I believe they were also part of a school program.

They are indeed a great team. No, they are not from a school program. They all attend different schools. Matter of fact, their squadron is based at a Community College. Their former CC (now their DT mentor) is committed. He picks up all the cadets that have no transportation, they go through a long study session (school study), he feeds them, and when they are done with assignments, then and only then, they immerse in the DT practice up to 9PM. And this goes for 7 days a week (with no study on Friday or Saturday). They put in ten hours on Sat and Sun. When I say they immerse in the DT practice I mean all the areas (mile run, volley ball, DT, theory and special sessions on ESL).  They set the example for other squadrons and, these guys are very mature for their age. Their DT mentor is a master in leadership because he makes them do what they do because they want to and not because they are required to do it. These guys breathe CAP and DT 24/7 and they enjoy it.

[Capination]

PR however has cadets transfer to the drill team squadron if they want to go to NCC based on my conversation with their escort last year.  That does not appear to be the case from many of the other teams.

Just a note to clarify. The escort that mentioned this is either: not from the unit PR-123 or ignores how the team works. The answer is NO. PR Drill Team is a team made of cadets from the same unit PR-123. And NO, no one can transfers to the unit just to participate in NCC. Their DT mentor is very jealous with not just having a professional team, but also with character formation. If a cadet wants in, he must join the unit years before and go through the whole enchilada (AE, Cadet Education, grade advancement and everything). And even this will not grant a position in the team. I've seen cadets that master the DT but lagging on character or grade advancement, and believe me, they do not get a free ticket to region competitions.

[Capination]

PRWG really "grooms" their drill team. They start training them young, and by the time the team is about 18-19 they really rock. Then those cadets age out and they have a bad team for a couple of years, then come back strong again.

At least, that was the way it was explained to me a few years ago.

I agree. Their DT mentor is fully concentrated on the Drill Team for a long period and does not have enough personnel to develop a "team behind the team" to keep continuity. Not because he doesn't want it, just lack of resources and time. He does a great job. Most of these kids come from disadvantageous sections of the Metropolitan area, yet, they all learn English, excel in academics and either: go to college and finish professional degrees or enroll in the military and excel in service. Physicians, Engineers, Attorneys, USAF Pilots, USAF and USMC Officers and enlisted...and the list goes on. All thanks to LtCol Davila and his commitment. Hats off for him.

[Ron1319]

The clarification doesn't change the fact that if the rules were such that NCC teams had to come from one squadron, you'd drain the best cadets from groups into one squadron because they'd transfer to be part of the team.  That's the opposite of why I've helped organize a team the last two years as our primary goal is to grow Phase IV cadets and cadet competency in the group.

Post NCC, I have to say that all of my previous statements about uniform prep and cost were valid.  We did all of NCC for <$200/cadet.  Some spent <$100.  If they had shoes that were in good shape already, they wore them.  Some wore their existing pants and some really just needed new ones anyway.  Everyone spent the $12-14 on a brand new shirt and we did the tailoring ourselves.   I just want to repeat this one more time in light of sensationalism about NCC team budget compared to wing HQ budget.  NCC cost the cadets less than it would have cost to attend an encampment.

Our competitiveness was EXTREMELY good for a 2nd year team in my opinion.  http://ncsas.com/ncc_winners/2011_ncc_results.cfm  As you can see, our inspection results awarded us a 2nd place trophy in inspection.  We had mistakes that we're not aware of and will do some things differently next year.  The cost of those improvements - $0.  All of them were in the preparation.  I can't say how proud I am of them for taking 1st place in standard drill, especially in competition with cadets who trained more in a week than our cadets trained all year.

As far as more equipment by NCC, they mentioned several times that they were already at or over budget and would have to figure out what they could reduce next year to be able to afford to do the event, or determine if they were going to have to charge for NCC.  Given that, I don't think they'll be buying new top of the line gear.

It doesn't take insanity to meet reasonable objectives.  Our stated objective this year was to place in the top three overall.  We know what we need to work on if there are enough cadets who want to commit to going back next year.

[Capination]

I agree. With regards to the uniforms, I've heard  that the PR-123 team keeps two sets of uniforms and shoes stored; one set for practice and set only for competitions. Congratulations on a job well done and keep the good work with your squadron.

[Ron1319]

Shoes are actually one thing I need to give more thought to.  With almost entirely new shoes and the ones that were not new looking like new we got 8/10's for shoes on inspection.  The wiped them all down carefully right before going out.  I'm not sure how we could have scored higher on "shoes."  Most of the cadets really needed new shoes anyway, so it wasn't a bad expense for them to have.  I think the biggest thing is that all of the cadets who now are used to wearing tailored shirts wear them everywhere.  They just look better than everybody with baggy shirts and they're very proud of them.  They're definitely not too tight to wear to meeting and activities, at least from our team.  Like I said, we placed a solid 2nd in inspection, so it's not like we came in last and I'm saying everyone should do it like us.

[Майор Хаткевич]

I honestly don't see how the PRWG model is something to look up to. "Breathing" DT 24/7 (even if the cadets still partake in the CAP CP as a whole), shows a complete lack of life balance.

[Capination]

Res ipsa loquitur

[Grumpy]

Res ipsa loquitur

You do and you'll clean it up!

[Capination]

 :clap: