Blue Beret question

[RogueLeader]

What role do SMs have at NBB that aren't staff?  Or is that the only positions, other than TAC Officers?

I understand that all need GES quals with GTMt and CAPF 76 prefered.

[davidsinn]

What role do SMs have at NBB that aren't staff?  Or is that the only positions, other than TAC Officers?

I understand that all need GES quals with GTMt and CAPF 76 prefered.

I'm interested too. I'd love to go at sometime in the near future and I'm an FLS so I'm sure I'd be useful 

[Angus]

What are the dates for NBB?

[RogueLeader]

19 Jul- 02 Aug 2010,

Which overlap CCOC by two days . . . 

[Angus]

Darn, same time as a real vacation I've been planning.  Maybe I'll be able to go in 2011. 

[jeders]

All SMs at NBB are staff of some sort. There are three types of staff, Command/Admin, ES, TAC officers. There may also be some support roles such as cook, but as far as I know that was only once a couple of years ago.

Command/Admin is basically the Activity Commander, Executive Officer, Safety, Med, Finance. These are usually chosen well ahead of time.

ES is really everything that's not Command or TAC officers. This includes working in the Comm shack, hunting down ELTs seperate from the cadet flights, conducting ES training in the pre-operational period, driving CAP vans around the flightlines to shuttle cadets and others around, and in some cases rescuing TAC officers who get there van stuck in the mud on the flightline.

TAC officers work with the cadets to supervise, provide guidance, help train, but most of all keep things going as seamlessly as possible. Many of the cadet staff will not know what to do to keep everyone organized and will come to you for help. You will be responsible for making sure everything is safe in the cadet flights immediate area of concern. Most importantly though, you have to try to do all of this without stepping on the cadet staff's shoes. Though don't be afraid to step in when the cadet staff starts making stupid/unsafe decisions.

Oh yeah, as a TAC you're responsible for driving the van on your flights night out. If you don't have a CAP DL, you should find a driver to drive the van at least 24 hours in advance.

Those are generalities, if you have more questions about the specifics, just ask. And if Lt. Jaeger is the PAO again next year, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to have some people apply for assistant PAO. 

[jeders]

Also, Rick Franz can probably answer your questions with a good bit more detail as he's been there quite a bit more than I have.

[isuhawkeye]

I served as the ES director there a few moons ago.  I would be happy to help point specific questions in the right direction

John

[Angus]

I know Dave Belcher used to go out there what did he do when he went out there?  I never got a chance to talk to him about it.

[Ned]

There may also be some support roles such as cook, but as far as I know that was only once a couple of years ago.

I know that they are always looking for cooks and kitchen staff.  Experience is helpful, but not required.  I hear the Dining Facility Manager is a former Spaatz cadet as well as an outstanding cook and leader that has successfully managed both the NBB kitchen as well as some large encampments such as CAWG's.

And she is rather cute.

And lives at my house.   

Seriously, cooking for NBB is a pretty cool gig.

[AirAux]

One of my cadets will be turning senior shortly and he said he had heard that he had to be a senior for at least six months prior to attending NBB as a senior.  I can't locate this in the Reg's.  Does anyone have any info on this?  Thanks..

[isuhawkeye]

I was there one year where the cadet commander turned senior at the activity.

[NCRblues]

No you do not have to be a senior for 6 months to attend. There is kitchen staff, ES/comms, TAC's, command/admin like what has already been said. The kitchen staff usually goes along with one of the flights on their nights out. Tac's have the best time (IMO) because not only to you get to get off the compound but while the cadets are working you get to have a really good time with some of the best cadets in cap. Command/admin lots of paperwork....lots of phone calls.... Hardly ever off the compound. ES/comms, lots of old guys... only joking, no they pretty much make nbb work. PS Maj Aye will be very missed this upcoming summer.

[isuhawkeye]

PS Maj Aye will be very missed this upcoming summer

  he will be missed

[LtCol057]

I went in 97 as a medic.  Had a blast, other than long hours. But did get some down time thanks to my section chief.  Considering there were only 2 of us as medics.

The year I went, the kitchen staff were all USAF Reservists doing their 2 weeks duty. 

I think everyone should experience it at least one time.  I'd like to go back, but job won't allow me the time off.  Maybe in 15 years when I retire.   

[RickFranz]

Also, Rick Franz can probably answer your questions with a good bit more detail as he's been there quite a bit more than I have.

I would be happy to answer any questions I can.

I have been a flight line driver for the last three years.  Any position a senior member can fill at an encampment we need at NBB.  We do have need of flight line drivers.  TA C's are very important and should be in good shape, with well broken in boots.  Flight line qualification is a plus. 

The Cooking Staff NED was talking about are all CAP members.  I understand that the NG or AG did the cooking for a lot of years, however; for the last 2 years we have had to do it ourselves.  Many someday if then the war is over we can get the Guard to come back and cook again.

Phillip Aye will really be missed, he kept things jumping!!! 

[High Speed Low Drag]

Q:  I earned my beret in '85 - (Volk Field then Oshkosh). Got back into CAP little over a year ago, was TAC at encampment.   What type of position would be availble for me?  Would I still be able to wear my beret (still have it too) since the program has changed so much?

[RogueLeader]

If I attend as admin or comm, would I earn the beret or would I have to be a TAC Officer?

[jimmydeanno]

If I attend, would I be allowed to burn my beret in effigy and just wear the BDU cap?

[MIKE]

Werd.

[Gunner C]

Werd.

[RickFranz]

If I attend, would I be allowed to burn my beret in effigy and just wear the BDU cap?

I know I should have smacked you while I had the chance! 

[Airrace]

Thanks for all the information. I plan to apply and this wil be valuable information.

[DBlair]

For SMs interested in attending, do we have to apply via a selection process or do we just apply directly somehow?

[Pace]

Apply on e-services just as cadets do.  If you are selected, you will be notified.  I am unsure of how SMs are selected if there are more applications than space available.  Maybe an NCSA project officer can answer that one if one is on this board (I know a few are lurkers).

[High Speed Low Drag]

Q:  I earned my beret in '85 - (Volk Field then Oshkosh). Got back into CAP little over a year ago, was TAC at encampment.   What type of position would be availble for me?  Would I still be able to wear my beret (still have it too) since the program has changed so much?

? ? ? ? ? ?

[Pace]

Q:  I earned my beret in '85 - (Volk Field then Oshkosh). Got back into CAP little over a year ago, was TAC at encampment.   What type of position would be availble for me?  Would I still be able to wear my beret (still have it too) since the program has changed so much?

I missed this post.  There are numerous positions at NBB available to SMs (at least last time I was there): transportation, medical, safety, PAO, Aerospace Ed Officer, legal officer, ES Team, Comm Officer (usually also on the ES Team), TAC Officers (called Tacos - don't get me started...), command staff (although this is already filled), and maybe cooks (although the USAFR or is the the Guard?? usually helps out here).  I may be leaving something out, but that's most of it anyway.

Yes, you can still wear your beret.  If you ever earned it, you can still wear it at NBB.

Just apply in e-services and if you are selected someone will contact you.

If I attend as admin or comm, would I earn the beret or would I have to be a TAC Officer?

Everyone who attends (and doesn't get kicked out, which is rare) earns the beret.  Although if I get to attend again this summer, I will make every effort possible not to wear mine.  It just doesn't do the job under that WI sun. It's also equally as ineffective, if not moreso, when hail starts falling from the sky (at least my BDU cap has a thin layer of cardboard).

[Pace]

If I attend, would I be allowed to burn my beret in effigy and just wear the BDU cap?

You'd be outnumbered about 150:1.  I wouldn't recommend it.

[mynetdude]

One of these days I want to attend NBB, and I'd like to bring something that sounds kind of odd to the table... but how about IT support? I provided IT for a recent encampment I went to. It worked out quite nicely, now that I have a better idea of what more that could be done I was thinking maybe this might be good to do one of these NBB years.

Does anyone think that IT would be a good addition? It could help PAOs streamline photos from photographers, it can edit them for red eye correction on the fly (although many cameras can do this on board) color correction, sorting good/bad pics.  Providing general support in making sure the internet works and computers work and finding a means for backup alternatives if other computers become unavailable or can be fixed (I can fix computers too).

I also have GES and I plan to add a few quals by 2011.

[David Lewis]

This IT position is a great idea.  You could also stream photos and new updates onto the Facebook Blue Beret Page while you're there.  You have my vote.

Former C/LtCol
North Central Region Special Services Corps (Blue Beret) 1982, at Fort McCoy then Oshkosh

[Eclipse]

You could also stream photos and new updates onto the Facebook Blue Beret Page while you're there.

You could also post them somewhere adults will see them.

[SarDragon]

It takes less than five minutes to sign up, and another five minutes to turn off everything that gives out personal information. For that expense in time, you get to enjoy some benefits like looking at posted pix, you can join groups having interests similar to yours, and connect with folks from HS, college, and other organizations.

As someone no longer living near where I went to HS, it's been convenient forhooking back up with classmates I've lost track of.

It's not nearly as bad as you're making it out to be. Well over 75% of my "friends" are adults. Most of those who aren't adults are relatives in other parts of the country.

[Spike]

^ Facebook is a waste.  Twitter is more of a waste.  Social networking is a lazy persons way of interacting with people. 

[jeders]

Not to derail, but anyone who fails to head the potential of new technology is doomed to be left behind, as has been seen over and over again in history.

Back to the actual discussion, as far as IT, YES YES YES. It's not really necessary to have a full time single task position for IT. But if you know how to set up a network and get computers talking to each other, that would always be appreciated. When I was there, one of the comm guys, a Major whose name slips my memory at the moment, handled the IT stuff.

[Eclipse]

Not to derail, but anyone who fails to head the potential of new technology is doomed to be left behind, as has been seen over and over again in history.

I agree - there isn't anything remotely "new" about Facebook, twitter, or other similar social media narcisstic time wasters.
All they are is a collection of blank walls where people who don't know or care about each other can post stuff they don't need or want to know about each other publicly in a sad attempt to feel "relevant" and "connected".  While not realizing that they are in fact less of both because they are using these services.

Oh, yeah, and then there are the corporations with customer support lines that people think are "communities", which are, in fact, just cheap ways to direct market and head off complaints, at their customer's expense (both real and privacy).

[Nathan]

Not to derail, but anyone who fails to head the potential of new technology is doomed to be left behind, as has been seen over and over again in history.

I agree - there isn't anything remotely "new" about Facebook, twitter, or other similar social media narcisstic time wasters.
All they are is a collection of blank walls where people who don't know or care about each other can post stuff they don't need or want to know about each other publicly in a sad attempt to feel "relevant" and "connected".  While not realizing that they are in fact less of both because they are using these services.

Oh, yeah, and then there are the corporations with customer support lines that people think are "communities", which are, in fact, just cheap ways to direct market and head off complaints, at their customer's expense (both real and privacy).

Sounds like someone needs a Facebook friend request. 

[Eclipse]

Sounds like someone needs a Facebook friend request. 

Heh - nice.   OK. Hijack over, I'll stop.

[DBlair]

Does anyone know if there are still openings for SMs needing to be filled at NBB this summer?

There is a possibility of some changes to my summer plans, and so I may be able to attend and was curious if this would be a possibility.

[jeders]

When I went year before last, I think they were needing people still until as late as a week before the event. Though that's the exception rather than the rule, it never hurts to email the Activity Director and find out.

[mynetdude]

Not to derail, but anyone who fails to head the potential of new technology is doomed to be left behind, as has been seen over and over again in history.

Back to the actual discussion, as far as IT, YES YES YES. It's not really necessary to have a full time single task position for IT. But if you know how to set up a network and get computers talking to each other, that would always be appreciated. When I was there, one of the comm guys, a Major whose name slips my memory at the moment, handled the IT stuff.

I don't visit this forum regularly (or I'd get into {Censored]-load of trouble like I did in the past) and when I was waiting for replies they were kind of slow but no biggie I couldn't attend NBB this year. So I know this is an OLD reply so bear with me.

While I agree an IT position does not need to be a full time position depending on the needs/requirements however it would seem that it would be for NBB as a number of things I can do:

1. setup networks, network printers
2. assist with projectors/connecting them to laptops and placing them where needed
3. assist in streamlining any IT process (automating certificates, etc)
4. photo processing and cataloging/archiving from various photographers
5. stream/post videos/photos to designated website locations

I understand it is common for comms to handle IT sometimes (or even logistics) however I did my first IT position as a dedicated position at an encampment and it wasn't exactly what I thought it would be but gave me more ideas for next encampment and allowed me to serve as a dual "general support staff"

I would definitely consider doing NBB as IT strictly and performing minor general tasks to fill in the blanks.

So hopefully I will see some of you there next year at 2011 (I am working on being FLS qualified for the purpose of my wing but would like to do a little of FLM at NBB as well).

[heliodoc]

Facebook and Twitter a waste??

Ya better tell THAT to CAP NHQ since they are pretty narcisstic themselves, eh??

Or is CAP on the big bad Internets bandwagon trying to get their name out there in the name of recruitment.

I don't use either..but as a retired ARNG mech  the ARNG never said no to Facebook and some of us refer to it once-n-while....so we must be narcisstic time wasters also.

CAPers popping off about social media are just a liiiiitle toooooo late to even worry, comment, or stop FB or Twitter.

Don't like it???   Do not use it......you'll be glad you did !!!

[mynetdude]

Facebook and Twitter a waste??

Ya better tell THAT to CAP NHQ since they are pretty narcisstic themselves, eh??

Or is CAP on the big bad Internets bandwagon trying to get their name out there in the name of recruitment.

I don't use either..but as a retired ARNG mech  the ARNG never said no to Facebook and some of us refer to it once-n-while....so we must be narcisstic time wasters also.

CAPers popping off about social media are just a liiiiitle toooooo late to even worry, comment, or stop FB or Twitter.

Don't like it???   Do not use it......you'll be glad you did !!!

FB and Twitter I don't know what I'd do without it