I'm currently listed as alternate for the Blue Beret NCSA. How likely is someone to decline a position for Blue Beret so that I may be listed as primary?
I can't speak to the odds, but if it helps, everyone is an alternate for any NCSA until the primary slotting is complete. Keep the faith!
Quote from: jhighman on March 05, 2019, 07:05:02 PM
I can't speak to the odds, but if it helps, everyone is an alternate for any NCSA until the primary slotting is complete. Keep the faith!
When is the primary slotting complete?
They always seem to be needing people right before the event starts because of last minute drops and such.
So if you really want to go stay available. You might be getting a phone call.
Quote from: PHall on March 05, 2019, 07:31:33 PM
They always seem to be needing people right before the event starts because of last minute drops and such.
So if you really want to go stay available. You might be getting a phone call.
But I could go to multiple NCSA's?
Yes, there are many cadets who manage multiple Special Activities in one year.
Quote from: MSG Mac on March 05, 2019, 08:03:24 PM
Yes, there are many cadets who manage multiple Special Activities in one year.
Is there any certain date that alternates must be changed to primary by? Or could it happen at anytime before the activity?
A lot of people who were originally alternates are selected to go to NBB. That happened to me my first year. You have a pretty good chance if you complete all of the required qualifications as soon as possible, which you can find here:
http://nbb.cap.gov/faqs.html
And you can be selected any time before the activity starts. A person in my flight became a primary about one week before NBB started.
Good luck!
There are probably several dropouts by the time the lists were published. When the paperwork and payment deadlines come due, they will drop anyone who hasn't fulfilled those requirements and start contacting alternates the following day. As stated by previous posters you can be contacted anytime upto the beginning of the activity.
Speaking solely to NBB, there are about 4 alternates for each primary selected. Within a month or two that number will drop down to about 2 alternates for each primary as cadets, both primary and alternate, decline NBB in favor of other activities. As the event gets nearer, there is always a chance that several of the remaining primaries will be dropped by the NBB staff for failure to complete the prerequisite training requirements.
Generally speaking, when a primary has to be replaced with an alternate, they will choose first from the alternates that have all of their required training completed. So if you want to increase your chances, get those quals done early.
As for timing, I've seen primaries replaced with an alternate on the first day of the activity.
Quote from: jeders on March 06, 2019, 04:34:21 PM
Speaking solely to NBB, there are about 4 alternates for each primary selected. Within a month or two that number will drop down to about 2 alternates for each primary as cadets, both primary and alternate, decline NBB in favor of other activities. As the event gets nearer, there is always a chance that several of the remaining primaries will be dropped by the NBB staff for failure to complete the prerequisite training requirements.
Generally speaking, when a primary has to be replaced with an alternate, they will choose first from the alternates that have all of their required training completed. So if you want to increase your chances, get those quals done early.
As for timing, I've seen primaries replaced with an alternate on the first day of the activity.
I've already completed all of my requirements.
I was lucky enough to get slotted as a primary. I'm thinking because it's my first NCSA, and I had all the requirements done, I got selected.
Quote from: Capmonkey on March 06, 2019, 06:58:10 PM
I was lucky enough to get slotted as a primary. I'm thinking because it's my first NCSA, and I had all the requirements done, I got selected.
I had it listed as my first choice and had all the requirements done. So how come I wasn't selected as primary? :-\
Have you been to NCSA's before?
You also have to remember, with me, I'm a C/Lt Col, with 5 years in, 0 NCSA's. That boosts my points substantially, plus green-lighting. I had 154 total points.
The explaination for slotting is available here https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/activities/national-cadet-special-activities/national-cadet-activity-application-instructions (https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/activities/national-cadet-special-activities/national-cadet-activity-application-instructions)
I had 136 points. How far down the list do you think I am for alternates in your opinion?
Being that this is my first NCSA, I'm not in a position to speak, nor will I speak on this. If I'm not mistaken, you made a post inquiring as how to decline. You're a C/SMSgt. It's not the end of the world not getting NBB. Go do the other NCSA's you were accepted for, and power on.
Quote from: Capmonkey on March 06, 2019, 07:21:25 PM
Being that this is my first NCSA, I'm not in a position to speak, nor will I speak on this. If I'm not mistaken, you made a post inquiring as how to decline. You're a C/SMSgt. It's not the end of the world not getting NBB. Go do the other NCSA's you were accepted for, and power on.
The thing is I'm busy during most other ones due to me staffing this year's MIWG Encampment as a First Sergeant. So it would really help if I could go to Blue Beret as how it would be more convenient. Also, I'm 17 yrs old, so I don't have much time left
When it comes down to that, my best advice for you is to prioritize. I'm 17 as well, and this is my first NCSA. Remember, you can stay a cadet until you're 21, so you still have 4 years left. Prioritize whichever is most important for you, and set your heart to that.
I was thinking the other day about why I didn't go to special activities or more encampments when I was a cadet. While this was 50 years ago I remembered why. I worked during the summer when I was in college. I managed one encampment (my second) which was very late in the summer. This isn't a problem any longer?
I think it depends on age - I see more then a few cadets who are literally gone the whole summer CAP-ing.
They go from encampment to NCSA to NESA or HMRS, to EAA, and maybe staff an RCLS or something along the way.
These are usually the ones whose names rise up in national visibility. I don't know if this is a good idea, it can really strain
families sometimes with all the travel, but you can't fault these cadets for not taking advantage of CAP opportunities.
We saw a cadet this year applying for staff who had only been in about 2.5 years and already 7 encampments & 3 NCSAs.
Quote from: Eclipse on March 07, 2019, 06:26:37 PM
I think it depends on age - I see more then a few cadets who are literally gone the whole summer CAP-ing.
They go from encampment to NCSA to NESA or HMRS, to EAA, and maybe staff an RCLS or something along the way.
These are usually the ones whose names rise up in national visibility. I don't know if this is a good idea, it can really strain
families sometimes with all the travel, but you can't fault these cadets for not taking advantage of CAP opportunities.
We saw a cadet this year applying for staff who had only been in about 2.5 years and already 7 encampments & 3 NCSAs.
That's insane, but I've seen it happen. I definitely agree that it can strain families, especially being gone an entire summer.
Or not.
Back in the day I was at Boy Scout Summer Camp all summer long. First Week of June to mid Aug. It was not a strain. If it were a strain....that is for the family to decide what is best for that family.
Our only concern as CP leaders is are we putting on a good, safe, enjoyable program for our cadets.