National Blue Beret 2012

[Lindauer82]

Hello, I want to go to NBB but my parents said i cant go if They don't pay for travel ticket (plane Ticket is too expensive) Do they pay?

Also is there alot of Marching there?

[NCRblues]

Hello, I want to go to NBB but my parents said i cant go if They don't pay for travel ticket (plane Ticket is too expensive) Do they pay?

Also is there alot of Marching there?

Travel expenses are covered by the cadet or cadets parents. It would blow the NBB budget to pay for over 130 cadets travel. Apply for next year and ask around to see if someone from your area is taking up a COV. Free rides in COV's.

[dianetavegia]

The National Blue Beret is $300.  You provide your own airfare or transportation. 

_{Each participant will work in
several areas including the flight line and exhibits.
Training will include techniques of aircraft marshaling
and electronic direction finding. Cadets will be
encouraged to take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime
events that often occur during the air show.}

http://ncsas.com/index.cfm/blue_beret?show=career_fair&careerFairID=18

The documents down the left side of the page will answer more of your questions.

Are you aware the blue beret can only be worn with BDU's?  If you're very concerned about 'marching', I wonder if the beret is the only reason you want to attend this national event.

[Eclipse]

You have a year to work this out, including getting a job and saving, asking someone to sponsor you, birthday and other event money, etc.

If you really want to do it, you will find a way.

[Lindauer82]

I was told that we were only aloud to where the beret only if we at a Blue Beret event

So I would not go for only the beret I am very interested in national blue beret.

I am just not a big fan of 'marching'

Thank you,
C/MSgt Lindauer

[Eclipse]

I was told that we were only aloud to where the beret only if we at a Blue Beret event

Let's just say that issue is "contentious" and leave it at that...

[CAPSGT]

Yes, you will do a LOT of marching.  Various taskings are spread out all over the field and there are few areas where vehicles can safely drive due to the immense volume of pedestrian traffic.

[jeders]

You'll do very little organized marching, from my experience. However, you will have miles and miles to go before you sleep, most of it on foot.

[Irishrenegade]

I just got back and we did very little formation marching...we had formation in the AM and PM so that was the only formation type stuff going on. We do alot of walking around for each tasking however. There are plenty of SMs who drive up with POV or COVs so there is that route as well. Ask around and maybe your sqdn can do a "scholarship" should you be selected. It is an amazing experience to say the least and I had a blast and I would hate to see someone not be able to go if it was just money that is the thing holding them back.

[BillB]

 A couple of years ago, Sun-N-Fun was mentioned as a blue beret activity. It's just about as large as Oshcosh and it's in Florida in April. The biggest problem, cadets attending would have to be home schooled since it is during the school year. All duties would be the same at both locations, and CAP staffs Sun-N-Fun anyway with both cadets and seniors.

[JC004]

A couple of years ago, Sun-N-Fun was mentioned as a blue beret activity. It's just about as large as Oshcosh and it's in Florida in April. The biggest problem, cadets attending would have to be home schooled since it is during the school year. All duties would be the same at both locations, and CAP staffs Sun-N-Fun anyway with both cadets and seniors.

That would be outstanding.  Sun-N-Fun is great.  I have been several times.  Of course, CLA is during the school year too, but that's a different situation because I feel like a NBB would have a harder time getting certified as CLA is for educational purposes.

[lordmonar]

Isn't it near spring break time?

Getting permission to get off from school to attend CAP functions is between the cadet and the parent....CAP should be focused on the mission.  The only question would be is whether or not we could get enough people who could take off time from school to go.

NBB could open up the whole air show/fly in support idea. 

I could think of CAP support to the RENO Air Races and for the Red Bull Races as they travel across the U.S.

[Paul Creed III]

C/MSgt Lindauer,

You may also want to escalate a question through your local chain of command about scholarship opportunities and if there are other cadets or seniors who may be going which would help cut down travel expenses by spreading the cost out between several people.

[Shotgun]

I served as a TAC for this year's NBB and I can only say that it was an amazing experience.

Just a couple of thoughts:

It is not like an an encampment.  The cadets at NBB are there to work. They train the first 4-5 days then work the rest. There is limited free time to visit the show, but don't count on huge stretches of time to wander around the field.

There is very little drill and no required PT. In fact, the EAA has asked that  the cadets NOT march in formation when travelling to duty areas and jodies are pretty much forbidden. You will do a LOT of walking and standing while manning a post.

There are three main duty assignments - flight marshaling, ES, and "crowd control".  There will be plenty of times where you are simply standing in one spot waiting for a plane to taxi your way or keeping people from crossing an invisible line.

All that bring said, you have access to pretty much any area of the field and will witness plenty of action.  There was a whole flight of CAP cadets whoever were 25 yards away from where an F-16 over ran the runway and skidded into the "dead zone" at the end of 18-36. A couple hours later it happened again with an Airshow jet.

I heartily recommend applying. And if you get selected as an alternate be sure to keep a bag packed and those two weeks open.  One of this years Berets was notified that she could attend two days  before the start of the event.

[Eclipse]

There is very little drill and no required PT. In fact, the EAA has asked that  the cadets NOT march in formation when travelling to duty areas and jodies are pretty much forbidden. You will do a LOT of walking and standing while manning a post.

Right, because the last thing you would want to do is give people the impression CAP is a paramilitary organization, or possible do some accidental recruiting.

Seriously...a big, double   

[NCRblues]

There is very little drill and no required PT. In fact, the EAA has asked that  the cadets NOT march in formation when travelling to duty areas and jodies are pretty much forbidden. You will do a LOT of walking and standing while manning a post.

Right, because the last thing you would want to do is give people the impression CAP is a paramilitary organization, or possible do some accidental recruiting.

Seriously...a big, double   

The EAA asked NBB to not do PT in the morning because of how close the EAA workers tents are to the NBB compound. Cadets are up at 0530, the rest of the airfield does not come alive for about another hour.

The lack of marching was done because of the limited amount of time NBB has for flights to transition from duty station to duty station. Its much faster to have them form 2 lines and "route step" to the destination.

The lack of Jodie's, you can blame squarely on cadets with inappropriate songs. It seems some people get offended when they hear people in uniform sing about "shaking baby's" and "napalming civilians"....

[Eclipse]

The EAA asked NBB to not do PT in the morning because of how close the EAA workers tents are to the NBB compound. Cadets are up at 0530, the rest of the airfield does not come alive for about another hour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAoABuJS1MA

The lack of marching was done because of the limited amount of time NBB has for flights to transition from duty station to duty station. Its much faster to have them form 2 lines and "route step" to the destination.

A route step in formation could be more impressive than marching.

The lack of Jodie's, you can blame squarely on cadets with inappropriate songs. It seems some people get offended when they hear people in uniform sing about "shaking baby's" and "napalming civilians"...

BTDT - I think sometimes we remove the common sense circuit when we pin on Curry.

I have rescinded my double 

[darkserra]

If you want to learn more about Blue Beret, visit the NCSA website about Beret or talk to someone who has been to MULTIPLE Beret events.  Each year is different and it takes several years to get a good view of Beret.

[JC004]

If you want to learn more about Blue Beret, visit the NCSA website about Beret or talk to someone who has been to MULTIPLE Beret events.  Each year is different and it takes several years to get a good view of Beret.

Welcome, new person.

[SouthernSAR]

The EAA asked NBB to not do PT in the morning because of how close the EAA workers tents are to the NBB compound. Cadets are up at 0530, the rest of the airfield does not come alive for about another hour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAoABuJS1MA

Please keep in mind... EAA runs most of the Oshkosh event... their workers are tasked with activities that involve great danger (i.e. propellers and a/c)... the workers need their sleep more than cadets need to do PT. Besides... at least this year there was time for PT in the evening.

[Rogovin]

Just to let everyone know, Darkserra is the assistant director for NBB... and i know the director does not go on CapTalk... so Darkserra is probably best able to answer your questions.  That said, i am also a beret, and i am willing to answer any questions sent to me in a PM.

[Fubar]

Please keep in mind... EAA runs most of the Oshkosh event... their workers are tasked with activities that involve great danger (i.e. propellers and a/c)... the workers need their sleep more than cadets need to do PT. Besides... at least this year there was time for PT in the evening.

I've seen plenty of photos on the net that seems to indicate those cadets are just as close to the active aircraft as the EAA folks... It's too bad the EAA doesn't give them any credit for doing so.

[Eclipse]

Please keep in mind... EAA runs most of the Oshkosh event... their workers are tasked with activities that involve great danger (i.e. propellers and a/c)... the workers need their sleep more than cadets need to do PT. Besides... at least this year there was time for PT in the evening.

I've seen plenty of photos on the net that seems to indicate those cadets are just as close to the active aircraft as the EAA folks... It's too bad the EAA doesn't give them any credit for doing so.

Can you post a few?  Because that video of cadets on the flight line when the F16 ran off the runway was honestly the first non-CAP photo I'd ever seen
with CAP anyone at Airventure.

[RickFranz]

Please keep in mind... EAA runs most of the Oshkosh event... their workers are tasked with activities that involve great danger (i.e. propellers and a/c)... the workers need their sleep more than cadets need to do PT. Besides... at least this year there was time for PT in the evening.

I've seen plenty of photos on the net that seems to indicate those cadets are just as close to the active aircraft as the EAA folks... It's too bad the EAA doesn't give them any credit for doing so.

Can you post a few?  Because that video of cadets on the flight line when the F16 ran off the runway was honestly the first non-CAP photo I'd ever seen
with CAP anyone at Airventure.

http://www.avweb.com/news/airventure/EAAAirVenture2009_PhotoGallery_DayFour_200867-1.html
http://www.lightsportaircraft.ca/eaa_airventure2005/volunteers.html
Some older pictures to be sure but the still tell the story.

[Rogovin]

Most (if not all!) of the pictures taken at/of NBB are personal property of its participants.  You would have to ask them (personally, we dont really have time to upload them all)  or find some of them on FB.  As for stuff of the actual airshow, that was all on off-duty time, as we aren't allowed to take pictures and video while on duty (duh!)

[Fubar]

Most (if not all!) of the pictures taken at/of NBB are personal property of its participants.

The EAA or CAP doesn't have a public affairs team on the ground that could promote CAP's participation?

[NCRblues]

Most (if not all!) of the pictures taken at/of NBB are personal property of its participants.

The EAA or CAP doesn't have a public affairs team on the ground that could promote CAP's participation?

Yes, NBB has a PAO staff. Let me ask if i can post his email here for questions or request for pictures. I don't want to post it without his permission.

[Huey Driver]

Just poking in, I thought this was pretty cool. I don't know if any of you have discovered it yet- the Google Maps pictures for Oshkosh were taken during the Airventure.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=43.984601,-88.550491&spn=0.051382,0.132093&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6

[Spaceman3750]

Just poking in, I thought this was pretty cool. I don't know if any of you have discovered it yet- the Google Maps pictures for Oshkosh were taken during the Airventure.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=43.984601,-88.550491&spn=0.051382,0.132093&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6

First person to spot a CAP aircraft gets a cookie. I see 2.

[Eclipse]

Please keep in mind... EAA runs most of the Oshkosh event... their workers are tasked with activities that involve great danger (i.e. propellers and a/c)... the workers need their sleep more than cadets need to do PT. Besides... at least this year there was time for PT in the evening.

I've seen plenty of photos on the net that seems to indicate those cadets are just as close to the active aircraft as the EAA folks... It's too bad the EAA doesn't give them any credit for doing so.

Can you post a few?  Because that video of cadets on the flight line when the F16 ran off the runway was honestly the first non-CAP photo I'd ever seen
with CAP anyone at Airventure.

http://www.avweb.com/news/airventure/EAAAirVenture2009_PhotoGallery_DayFour_200867-1.html
http://www.lightsportaircraft.ca/eaa_airventure2005/volunteers.html
Some older pictures to be sure but the still tell the story.

Pretty much making my ongoing point - where are the photos from official sources that show us as the "partner" we present that we are?
Ditto on the question about where are the PAOs?  For those who believe the GA community is our primary recruiting pool, why are we not capitalizing on
this?  They are a captive audience for two weeks, and months before and after.

[NCRblues]

Please keep in mind... EAA runs most of the Oshkosh event... their workers are tasked with activities that involve great danger (i.e. propellers and a/c)... the workers need their sleep more than cadets need to do PT. Besides... at least this year there was time for PT in the evening.

I've seen plenty of photos on the net that seems to indicate those cadets are just as close to the active aircraft as the EAA folks... It's too bad the EAA doesn't give them any credit for doing so.

Can you post a few?  Because that video of cadets on the flight line when the F16 ran off the runway was honestly the first non-CAP photo I'd ever seen
with CAP anyone at Airventure.

http://www.avweb.com/news/airventure/EAAAirVenture2009_PhotoGallery_DayFour_200867-1.html
http://www.lightsportaircraft.ca/eaa_airventure2005/volunteers.html
Some older pictures to be sure but the still tell the story.

Pretty much making my ongoing point - where are the photos from official sources that show us as the "partner" we present that we are?
Ditto on the question about where are the PAOs?  For those who believe the GA community is our primary recruiting pool, why are we not capitalizing on
this?  They are a captive audience for two weeks, and months before an after.

We are "capitalizing" on this

NHQ and WI wing sets up a national recruitment booth. That is where the 2 cap aircraft are sitting. Literally thousands of people speak to the members that are working that both. ( btw the booth is not run by nbb, but by WI wing and NHQ)

The photos you want to see from the eaa (I'm guessing you want them from eaa sources) are not going to come out. We (as in NBB staff) have asked repeatedly about that to the EAA. They don't want to advertise to much about CAP/boyscout/girlscout/venturekids volunteer's to much because they are afraid they will lose the "walk in volunteers" that help run things other than GROUND OPS/SAR.

They do like CAP, but they don't like us more than the boyscouts that work the same amount of hours in the parking lots. The like cap, but they don't like us more than "walk in volunteers" that work 18-36 and 18-36right.

The EAA gives NBB ALOT (and i mean tons) of food during the activity. The EAA gives NBB hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars worth of free things to give to the cadets. Everything from posters signed by famous pilots, to preferred seating for famous aviator's giving speech's.

Dick Rutan specifically asked CAP to provide help for his aircraft parking display. No one other than CAP cadets got to go near the aircraft. Not EAA, not boyscouts...only CAP cadets.

Cadets get full access to the airfield after hours. No one else gets that, not boyscouts nor anyone else. Only our cadets are trusted enough around MILLIONS of $$$ worth of aviation history.

Our cadets where asked (personally) by the WI TAG to provide accident scene security for the F-16 crash this year.

CAP is well liked at Oshkosh, but the EAA does not want to make others feel slighted by paying more attention to us than anyone else. So they chose to focus on the aircraft and pilots who pay to play in the EAA, than the volunteers, and you know what? I don't blame them, they focus on the customer for those 2 weeks... something cap needs to do....

[Майор Хаткевич]

So...instead of giving credit to everyone there, they just show their 'walkins'?

[NCRblues]

So...instead of giving credit to everyone there, they just show their 'walkins'?

No, they basically ignore all workers, and focus on who pays the bills and salary's...the pilots who fly in and spend billions every year on the EAA...

[jeders]

So...instead of giving credit to everyone there, they just show their 'walkins'?

No, they basically ignore all workers, and focus on who pays the bills and salary's...the pilots who fly in and spend billions every year on the EAA...

To be clear, they ignore the workers in media. But as NCR said, they give tons to CAP and everyone else who works there. If you want to see CAP cadets working at AirVenture from a non-CAP source, go take a look at the AOPA magazine. There were several great pictures and mentions in there this year, and every year pretty much.

Just poking in, I thought this was pretty cool. I don't know if any of you have discovered it yet- the Google Maps pictures for Oshkosh were taken during the Airventure.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=43.984601,-88.550491&spn=0.051382,0.132093&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6

First person to spot a CAP aircraft gets a cookie. I see 2.

Well I can positively confirm one at what I assume is the CAP booth about 200 feet west of the Hondajet Pavilion. I'm not sure if that silver looking plane is supposed to be a CAP plane as well.

[Spaceman3750]

Just poking in, I thought this was pretty cool. I don't know if any of you have discovered it yet- the Google Maps pictures for Oshkosh were taken during the Airventure.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=43.984601,-88.550491&spn=0.051382,0.132093&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6

First person to spot a CAP aircraft gets a cookie. I see 2.

Well I can positively confirm one at what I assume is the CAP booth about 200 feet west of the Hondajet Pavilion. I'm not sure if that silver looking plane is supposed to be a CAP plane as well.

I see one north of Capp Ave. and one south. Not sure where the Hondajet's at.

[jeders]

Just poking in, I thought this was pretty cool. I don't know if any of you have discovered it yet- the Google Maps pictures for Oshkosh were taken during the Airventure.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=43.984601,-88.550491&spn=0.051382,0.132093&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6

First person to spot a CAP aircraft gets a cookie. I see 2.

Well I can positively confirm one at what I assume is the CAP booth about 200 feet west of the Hondajet Pavilion. I'm not sure if that silver looking plane is supposed to be a CAP plane as well.

I see one north of Capp Ave. and one south. Not sure where the Hondajet's at.

I don't see any aircraft around Capp Ave. I see some old war birds painted in Army red/white which looks a little like the current CAP paint scheme. I see a bunch of CAP vans north of Capp Ave., but no aircraft. The Hondajet Pavilion is south, on Airport Drive just north of Celebration Way in the area of show center.

[Spaceman3750]

Just poking in, I thought this was pretty cool. I don't know if any of you have discovered it yet- the Google Maps pictures for Oshkosh were taken during the Airventure.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=43.984601,-88.550491&spn=0.051382,0.132093&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6

First person to spot a CAP aircraft gets a cookie. I see 2.

Well I can positively confirm one at what I assume is the CAP booth about 200 feet west of the Hondajet Pavilion. I'm not sure if that silver looking plane is supposed to be a CAP plane as well.

I see one north of Capp Ave. and one south. Not sure where the Hondajet's at.

I don't see any aircraft around Capp Ave. I see some old war birds painted in Army red/white which looks a little like the current CAP paint scheme. I see a bunch of CAP vans north of Capp Ave., but no aircraft. The Hondajet Pavilion is south, on Airport Drive just north of Celebration Way in the area of show center.

43.987349,-88.561842

The other one is due north, although on looking again I'm not sure it isn't Army

[jeders]

Well I'll be, an old war bird in a CAP paint scheme. Not an active CAP plane, but very neat. The one to the north I think is an army one.

The current CAP plane and CAP recruiting booth are at 43.980399,-88.561423.

[Eclipse]

http://tinyurl.com/67m9smd

Huge difference if you look at Wittman on local.live.com - Bird's eye view, though there are a whole lot of scary-looking, camouflaged vehicles.

Too bad they didn't arrange a Streeview car to come drive the area.

[NCRblues]

The Aircraft on Capp street located next to the ww2 reenactors tent is a privately owned spotter warbird painted in ww2 CAP layout.

The vehicles your speaking about eclipse is the Oshkosh truck company that makes heavy duty trucks for the USA/USMC. They have hundreds of those things on site all the time

[Rogovin]

http://tinyurl.com/67m9smd

Huge difference if you look at Wittman on local.live.com - Bird's eye view, though there are a whole lot of scary-looking, camouflaged vehicles.

Too bad they didn't arrange a Streeview car to come drive the area.

That would be the Oshkosh truck factory.  Or something like that.  They make a lot of heavy vehicles and they park em along 18-36 on the east side.