NCC 2011

[mrg]

Training should not take a year and with good leadership, a well trained motivated team can be formed and prepared to compete with in a 6-8 week period.

Good luck with that. Otherwise, depending on your definition of "prepared". In that 6-8 weeks, are you talking one day a week, three days a week? Three days a week would equal about the typical 6 month practice sessions in quantity. But there is nothing wrong with training hard for the preceding six months leading up to NCC, inclusive of the prior competitions. But if you're insinuating that teams that otherwise have trained hard, worked their collectives off are some how presenting an unfair advantage to the 6-8 week ones..

You completely misunderstood my comment. First, what I was saying was that it's not how long you train but how efficient you train. This was in response to some of the comments that the training of a team takes too long therefore many cadets do not want to participate. Some teams stretch the training out over long periods of time. I was simply suggesting that a team of motivated hard working cadets could easily be trained and prepared in shorter amount of time like 6-8 weeks (consecutive Sat-Sun).

[Eclipse]

If it takes longer than 6-8 weeks, you will lose the attention span of the participants, especially if you're practicing more than a couple times a week.

While I appreciate the skill and attention to detail that a successful Drill Team requires, I think it detracts too much from the cadets overall participation,
while contributing very little back to the unit for the drain of manpower and money it requires.  The extra effort and attention these cadets receive
then tends to engender a feeling of elitism, which, when mixed with the wrong personalities, can be disastrous.

All of that is manageable with the right seniors involved, but sadly, in most cases, things are out of hand before anyone gets involved.
Limiting the amount of practice, disallowing special uniforms, and in general lowering the expectations would, in fact, facilitate more participation
and likely bring the DTC back to where it is supposed to be, namely a team-building and leadership competition, not a check book contest.

Color guard, on the other hand is something every unit should be doing, because it provides a skillset every unit should possess and be able to "sell" externally.  Fielding competition teams for color guard should not be nearly the challenge it is.  Since flag skills and respect are a core part of the curriculum, the requirement for a basic CG team would be something good to add to the CP portion of the SUI.

[a2capt]

http://www.capvolunteernow.com/news.cfm/top_cadets_headed_for_spotlight_in_national_competition?show=news&newsID=10890

[a2capt]

Ya know, looking at the team rosters, that whole debate about super teams, and how it's hard to get one from a single unit. I think I only see two of the 8 regions that are not single unit.

[Ron1319]

Reporting from NCC...

Where are all the Phase IV cadets?  In short, I'm wondering if there is going to be a lower level of competition this year due to the lack of cadet grade from the majority of the teams.  As always, I'll let you know what I think. 

I also do find it very interesting that the majority of teams are from a single unit.  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.

[Spaceman3750]

I also do find it very interesting that the majority of teams are from a single unit.  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.

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.

[DProsser14]

Congrats to all teams that competed this year!  Hoping to be there next year!

I have a couple questions.

1. Will "Superteams" as they are being called here, be allowed to participate next year? 
2. Are "white" rifles allowed in CG competition?  Someone gave me info that "Only" brown were allowed?

Thank you and where would I go to check out some pictures from this years Competition?

[Bluelakes 13]

Last year, NHQ CP wrote a paper on proposed changes to NCC that included the Superteam issue.  The paper died on the vine.  If that is ever ressurected and approved, the changes will probably apply for the following year to allow units/wings/regions to adjust.  At Kurt's CP update, no remarks on proposed changes were made.

I didn't see any team use the white rifles.  They look so cheap and tacky, why would a team want them? 
Here is the update and the photos:

http://nationalcadetcompetition.com

[a2capt]

I saw at least one set, but it felt like two sets, of white rifles there this year. One of the teams in our rotation had them for sure.

To me, it's not just the cheapness of the look. The fake/plastic just don't look right at all to me. I know, you use what you have, what you can afford, etc. Not everyone is as lucky at times to come across other equipment. However, if I had to use plastic rifles I'd be so inclined to add real weight to them at least. When they get picked up they swing far too easy, so easy to see it's not heavy. Plus the thickness of the stock, and the shape tend to be very square, and very noticeable at least to me.

If the difference is have no color guard or have one, and it comes down to the equipment. Use what you have. In the end, the performance will shine if you put the work into it. The rifle? It's just a prop.

[Майор Хаткевич]

One of the best legacies I left to the squadron when I went to college were the two nice rifles issued to me and another cadet at HGA. Much better than the 1903 mockups, but not quite the M-1 models (which are too heavy anyway).

[Ron1319]

http://youtu.be/e0kMfgZK8MU

Woot!  Any future team commander will be asked to please leave more than 6 inches between the cadets and the cones to save their escorts/coaches from permanent cardiovascular damage.  I almost passed out on the floor.

[a2capt]

You are not the only one. At both region and national, I swear we were all going for one members pace maker. ;-)

[Grumpy]

Last year, NHQ CP wrote a paper on proposed changes to NCC that included the Superteam issue.  The paper died on the vine.  If that is ever ressurected and approved, the changes will probably apply for the following year to allow units/wings/regions to adjust.  At Kurt's CP update, no remarks on proposed changes were made.

I didn't see any team use the white rifles.  They look so cheap and tacky, why would a team want them? 
Here is the update and the photos:

http://nationalcadetcompetition.com

I was at NCC and and I saw one color guard team with rifles with what looked like white plastic stocks. 

[Eclipse]

I was at NCC and and I saw one color guard team with rifles with what looked like white plastic stocks.

Wouldn't two 2x4's cut to length be just as good?

Isn't this supposed to be primarily about the precision of commands and actions, not who has the best sponsor?

Why doesn't NCC (and every echelon below) simply have a set of rifles that everyone uses?

These are the kinds of discussions that result in custom-tailored uniforms.

[Grumpy]

I was at NCC and and I saw one color guard team with rifles with what looked like white plastic stocks.

Wouldn't two 2x4's cut to length be just as good?

Isn't this supposed to be primarily about the precision of commands and actions, not who has the best sponsor?

Why doesn't NCC (and every echelon below) simply have a set of rifles that everyone uses?

These are the kinds of discussions that result in custom-tailored uniforms.

It's ashame that not everybody can have or afford to have the same equipment and it might be a good idea for Nat'l to have equipment available.  It would be a lot easier to travel through TSA and such.  On the other hand it would probably cut down on individuality and creativeness of the teams.  As much as you can have it with a military organization.

Our junior flag was so much taller then our senior flag that we had to modify his pole so his flag wouldn't be taller than the US Flag.  Nat'l had us use their equipment and that nullified our modification.  The US flag was once again shorter that the organizational flag.  That didn't matter either because as soon as we stepped off for our routine the US flag became detached from the top of the pole, came down and covered the cadet's head.  He did the entire routine without being able to see where they were going.  He did a great job anyway.  Who's to say?

[Eclipse]

The flags further my point.

Why are we making teams drag their stuff all over the country?

NCC, especially, should have a set of flags and a set of rifles that are used by every team.

[a2capt]

"All over the country", It's as little as two extra checked bags.  One containing rifles, and a fishing pole box works very well for two flag poles. With some people only bringing one, or one of theirs qualifying as carry on, it's no extra checked items. The flag stands can be carried on board., and fit nicely in the overhead bin or under the seat.

Rifles all have a different feel. You're correct in that the competition is more precision and action, but part of precision is fitting with how you practiced. If the rifle given weighs different than you are used to, has fittings, clips and the like in different places, you don't feel like it's in the right place.  If you are used to picking up something that has some weight to it, and suddenly you've got a light weight item, it's not going to swing naturally. Likewise if you're used to the lighter item and suddenly you've got a much heavier thing to pick up.

Could be worse, a marching band would probably need half the luggage space on the flight for just itself. A color guard and drill team travel quite efficiently, all things considered.

Like the flag set presented to the teams 5 minutes prior to performing. Granted, of the 8 teams, it didn't slide down the pole except for one, but that one being the second one, surely got at least two others to look at it before using it. I don't know if it was briefed or looked at by the next set of four teams, but myself, I've never seen a flag with only velcro around the top to hold it up on the pole. Perhaps because I've only ever looked at flags for drill. Not just indoor placement.

Part of drill is snap, and snap and velcro don't get along obviously. IE, if equipment is to be provided it should be of the proper type.

As for tailored uniforms, is not part of the regulation to wear your uniform correctly? Equally, I'll agree that some tailoring could be excessive, I'm also of the mindset that a bunch of stuff tucked into the side just doesn't cut it when all eyes are on you.

Likewise, handing a cadet a new shirt on arrival at the competition isn't exactly the most productive thing I can think of, either. Especially with airline delays and teams arriving sometimes the morning of the start. Plus see the point above, that there are times when tailoring is just plain necessary. Certainly that time is better spent practicing, and working on AE rather than an ironing marathon.

Then again, the ironing and steaming marathon was going on anyway, so maybe that would't matter.

[Eclipse]

As for tailored uniforms, is not part of the regulation to wear your uniform correctly? Equally, I'll agree that some tailoring could be excessive, I'm also of the mindset that a bunch of stuff tucked into the side just doesn't cut it when all eyes are on you.

There's a difference between "wearing your uniform correctly", and going to multiple fittings and having the shirt cut and shaped to fit better.
Cadets should be wearing their every day uniforms, not spending money on all new uniform parts, ribbons, and tailoring, to custom fit a uniform
that can't be reasonably worn elsewhere.  I have seen DT uniforms that are more jumpsuits then separates.

I have personal, direct,  knowledge that in years past my wing had literally spent thousands on custom tailored uniforms for the drill team.   A number that would make most people a little green with both envy and sickness when you consider what the operational budget for the entire wing was that same year.  That's what starts the bad feelings about "super teams" and "checkbook teams".

Standardize the rifle and the flags, and require everyone use the NHQ equipment for the actual competition.

If units choose to deviate from that standard for their practice, then it is done at their own risk, but no one can say "you didn't know".

[Bluelakes 13]

Just as an aside, NCC does supply the flags for the Competition, unless a unit brings their own.

[a2capt]

Check into that...
We brought our own, and I saw at least one other team practicing in the Home Depot parking lot, with flags. ... management said "you have to use what we provide".

Which would be fine.. As long as what is provided is fit for the job. Display only flags held on their poles by velcro are not drill equipment.

But as an effort to level the playing field, it's not much of one if one team is used to the same stuff and the other is not. It's actually now more of a dis-advantage.