What to bring on an encampment?

[Spartan]

Don't bring extra anything.

You will likely be inspected on your locker or rack, and part of the inspection is following simple instructions.

I agree except for one thing...bring some extra pairs of underwear. Please don't be the cadet whose luggage I checked a few years ago that only had one pair of underwear in his bags. I "hope" he was wearing a pair. Two pair of underwear is not cool for a week long summer encampment. 

I have seen cadets like that.  It makes me want to have a long sit down kind of chat with their squadron commander and their parents.  Hopefully the person who wrote the packing list will have enough foresight to place an appropriate number of required items to the tune of "Underwear, appropriate 7-10 pair"  Even then, some people don't think the packing list applies to them and that it is a polite suggestion.  Please don't be one of those people.

[Sapper168]

From what i experienced as a TAC officer at encampment i don't think cadets bringing extra stuff is a problem, its the more common problem of cadets not bringing enough of what is on the packing lists.  Two pairs of socks, one set of bdu's and two pairs of underwear for a week or more isnt as uncommon as you would think.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Then why do I have so much less respect for him now that he's said that.

The four core values of CAP are respect, integrity, volunteerism and excellence. 

It's not a huge deal...but I think everyone would be happier with CAP if these are practiced more not just up and down the COC, but between each other.

It's something I've learned is true in life too.

That didn't take long at all!

[bflynn]

Congratulations, that's very impressive. So since you have apparently no idea what you're talking about in regards to this topic, why don't you let the guys who do put their two cents in?

Actually, I do have an idea what I'm talking about.  Encampment is a slimed down version of boot camp with similar techniques and purposes.

How about I say what I want to say when I want to say it?

Additionally, Encampment varies from state to state.  It's different everywhere.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Actually, I do have an idea what I'm talking about.  Encampment is a slimed down version of boot camp with similar techniques and purposes.

And I HOPE you don't end up a TAC anytime soon right off the bat!

How about I say what I want to say when I want to say it?

It's a free internet. But don't complain when you get called out on it.

Additionally, Encampment varies from state to state.  It's different everywhere.

That is true! But we have this thing...CAPR52-16...

[davidsinn]

By saying this:

Encampment is a slimed down version of boot camp with similar techniques and purposes.

You proved that this:

Actually, I do have an idea what I'm talking about.

Is wrong.

[bflynn]

And I HOPE you don't end up a TAC anytime soon right off the bat!

LOL - unlikely.  I'd have to volunteer for that and it isn't why I joined CAP.

I'm a little amused that you all are putting so much stress on compliance with military discipline, of packing exactly what the list says, nothing more and nothing less...and then wonder why nobody wants to play with you.

[Майор Хаткевич]

LOL - unlikely.  I'd have to volunteer for that and it isn't why I joined CAP.

Why ARE you here then? Besides CAPTalk trolling? If you have no interest in Encampments, nor any experience, why even open the topic? Insert foot in mouth?

I'm a little amused that you all are putting so much stress on compliance with military discipline, of packing exactly what the list says, nothing more and nothing less...and then wonder why nobody wants to play with you.

Nobody? You mean nobody actually shows up to encampment? Because I've seen cadets with silver attachments on their encampment ribbons...something must be keeping them there.

[bflynn]

You proved that this:

Actually, I do have an idea what I'm talking about.

Is wrong.

Yeah?  Have you been to boot camp in the real military yet?  Because I have talked with a few people about encampment, read about it and watched a couple of videos.  No, I don't know what it is exactly, I really have no interest in learning more.  I'm not against it, I actually think it's a fair program if done right.

What I roll my eyes at are people who think that packing extra socks because you might need them is a breach of discipline and ought to cause trouble for a cadet at encampment.  It's kind of a recruiting poster for what I see is wrong with the cadet program and what bleeds over to the senior program.

But what do I care, I don't have to deal with you guys.  CAP is a past time for me, I'll wear the golf shirt and wear the gray pants and try to get out of it what I can.

If anyone wants to call me out for it, please us PM and don't go bugging everyone else here.

[bflynn]

Why ARE you here then?

Well, with this thread, it was a suggestion to take some extra socks because I've always needed more socks than I had.

The rest of it has just been everyone busting on my on why I don't understand that taking extra socks is a huge breech of discipline.

Relax guys. 

[davidsinn]

You proved that this:

Actually, I do have an idea what I'm talking about.

Is wrong.

Because I have talked with a few people about encampment, read about it and watched a couple of videos.  No, I don't know what it is exactly, I really have no interest in learning more.

So you've never been, don't know exactly what it is, get all your info third hand, but feel qualified to opine on it? Are you for real?

I have not been to boot camp, but I have been to encampment and it is stressed all the time that encampment is not and should not be "like boot camp."

[Майор Хаткевич]

Why ARE you here then?

Well, with this thread, it was a suggestion to take some extra socks because I've always needed more socks than I had.

The rest of it has just been everyone busting on my on why I don't understand that taking extra socks is a huge breech of discipline.

Relax guys.

Nobody said it was a huge anything. But the point stands: cadets are expected to bring what is on the list and ONLY what is on the list.

Redbull under the bunk with some Doritos? Nope, just a Canteen/camelbak if allowed.
Gameboy and your whole game collection? Nope, just the OI which will be issued to you.
A pair of socks for XXXX days? Means a pair of socks for XXXX days.  Not YYY days, not ZZZZZ days. Just XXXX days.

No one is going to wall to wall a cadet for a small breach like an extra pair of socks, but there is no need to tell a cadet to bring MORE than specified. For all you and I know, the list specifies TEN pairs for a SIX/SEVEN day activity. Why would the cadet need more then?

[bflynn]

PMs please, unless you're just interested in hearing yourself talk.

[Extremepredjudice]

LOL - unlikely.  I'd have to volunteer for that and it isn't why I joined CAP.

Why ARE you here then? Besides CAPTalk trolling? If you have no interest in Encampments, nor any experience, why even open the topic? Insert foot in mouth?

I'm a little amused that you all are putting so much stress on compliance with military discipline, of packing exactly what the list says, nothing more and nothing less...and then wonder why nobody wants to play with you.

Nobody? You mean nobody actually shows up to encampment? Because I've seen cadets with silver attachments on their encampment ribbons...something must be keeping them there.

Sir, cadets are like magpies. They'll do anything for something shiny.

[Майор Хаткевич]

PMs please, unless you're just interested in hearing yourself talk.

I'm interested in getting cadets information that isn't contradictory.

I'm done with this discussion as it pertains to you. I believe the cadet has the answer much higher in the topic. If KERALA has anymore, the cadet can ask them freely.

[titanII]

[Sir, cadets are like magpies. They'll do anything for something shiny.

You speak of cadets as if you weren't one 


(unless of course I have my information wrong, and you aren't a cadet, in which case I'm very sorry, Sir!  )

[Extremepredjudice]

[Sir, cadets are like magpies. They'll do anything for something shiny.

You speak of cadets as if you weren't one 


(unless of course I have my information wrong, and you aren't a cadet, in which case I'm very sorry, Sir!  )

Yeah, I am a cadet. I was distracted because I was adding ribbons to my rack.

[Cap'n]

I was reading previous posts-curious because I myself will be attending as a basic this June- and saw someone had mentioned bringing an extra set of BDU's...Do we need to acquire extra BDU's and Blues uniforms to attend? Or from your experience do they generally have that on the packing list/are suggested to bring?
Thank you in advance.

-Pomegranate

[Майор Хаткевич]

I was reading previous posts-curious because I myself will be attending as a basic this June- and saw someone had mentioned bringing an extra set of BDU's...Do we need to acquire extra BDU's and Blues uniforms to attend? Or from your experience do they generally have that on the packing list/are suggested to bring?
Thank you in advance.

-Pomegranate

It depends on the specific activity. SOME encampments have access to laundry rooms, so you can be in PT gear while your BDUs go through the cycle.

Others suggest 2-3 sets of BDUs.

Others say just BDUs, and you come with just your ONE set (and it's manageable, but again, depends on climate, location, etc).

If you HAVE an extra set, and it's a week long event, I'd side with bringing it. But if the list from the specific activity specifies 1 set, chances are they have laundry access.

[Eclipse]

^ Yep.

Teaching cadets laundry or other seemingly basic hygiene "stuff" might be part of the plan.

Depending on where the activity is hosted, there may be very limited storage for personal items, with no option for "extra".  This is especially true for
activities that take place where they do BMT.  Further to that, there is usually a structured configuration for your "stuff", which will be inspected, and
you might lose points for the "extra".