Icenine and I are making the trek to Grissom, any other Captalkers?
I'll be there with you! You two sharing a room, oh boy thats going to be interesting.
Have fun at 'maggot school'! ;D
If billeting is available, usually you get an individual room in the BOQ. All of us were assigned individual rooms at Nellis BOQ during the week of RSC.
<- 2009 PCRSC grad
Ice and I bypassed the on-base housing in favor of a commercial hotel in the area.
The best part of GLRSC is the Peru Circus! :clap: I am sure others will disagree. >:( It is the best example of team work I have seen outside of the military. My advice, enjoy the trip into town, take in the street festival since you are on vacation and don't get hung up on the idea of going to the circus. What other CAP activity can you go to that has elephant ears and funnel cakes?
^^^ Hawk Mountain....
A few souvenirs from the last week.
(http://hq.group22.net/files/009-07-18%2019.35.48_trimmed.jpg)
The permanent HQ plaque for DSG is called the "Julius Jackson Outstanding Student Award" and has the names of the past DSGs.
Icenine (who, BTW, was elected President of the Mess and did a great job) noticed I was in esteemed company - none other than CT's own Stonewall, who was the 2003 top student.
Stone - I've got a little something to send your way.
It was a loooong week, with classes going 8-6 (including meals), and either an activity, seminar (team) work sessions, or homework every night. At least two nights were 0200 sleeps or later.
Some of the sessions were great, some of them were somewhat basic for an RSC, but the team sessions were awesome (Go Seminar 3! It takes both 1 & 2 to make 3!) I'd go another week to hang with those guys - they had experience and were easy to get along with. Unpaid professionals of the highest caliber!
As always with these activities, the non-class networking is usually the most rewarding time. I try to be cynical about this stuff, but the fact that I got emotional telling my wife about receiving my coin from Lt. Col. Jackson should tell you where it really hit me.
CAP has provided me many opportunities to make up for things in my 40's that I failed to do in my 20's.
This week I got to spend a night in an old O-Club alongside Marines, Airmen, old friends, and new-found comrades, swapping war stories, challenging for rounds, and singing along with everyone in the joint.
You can't put a price on that.
Sorry that I wasn't able to stay for the banquet. Sounds like it went well. Congrats on the DG award. BTW, when did you did a cold prickly?
Quote from: Capt_Redfox30 on July 19, 2009, 01:57:55 AM
Sorry that I wasn't able to stay for the banquet. Sounds like it went well. Congrats on the DG award. BTW, when did you did a cold prickly?
The food was great - inch thick prime rib, baked potatoes and pie - and so was the dining out stuff.
We got our buddy pretty good with his "present" during dinner.
(http://hq.group22.net/files/STP_1.jpg)
There was a warm fuzzy and cold prickly for each person on the tables. Sorry you couldn't stay - I'm assuming you made it to Scott w/o killing anyone or yourself?
Food sounds good. Thats great I wonder what you got him. Anyone have pics of the Mother of all Fuzzys? And yes I am here and I didnt kill anyone.
Sorry, I forgot to show you - it was a bottle of STP with the above "adjustment" to the label. ;D
Quote from: Eclipse on July 19, 2009, 01:02:00 AMStone - I've got a little something to send your way.
I'm interested. Check PM.
Quote from: Robert Hartigan on July 03, 2009, 03:42:49 AM
The best part of GLRSC is the Peru Circus! :clap: I am sure others will disagree. >:( It is the best example of team work I have seen outside of the military. My advice, enjoy the trip into town, take in the street festival since you are on vacation and don't get hung up on the idea of going to the circus. What other CAP activity can you go to that has elephant ears and funnel cakes?
We did all of the above, and I'll admit I was impressed, though from a teamwork perspective, a behind the scenes deal might have meant more.
Did you see the "strange thing"? Me, Ice, and REDFOX_30 agreed it was a buck's worth of strange, that's for sure.
Here's info on the circus: http://www.perucircus.com/peru_amateur_circus.asp
The biggest, warmest fuzzy you've ever seen.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kS9SJlniQHg/SmKgqHkTuqI/AAAAAAAAAHg/5-Ei3M7dPnc/s512/IMG_0324.JPG)
I remember the warm fuzzies...
I also remember that I was the youngest person there by at least 10 years. Even though I learned a lot and did enjoy the course, that was the only activity in 22 years of service that I didn't click with anyone and make some life-long friend. I went to class, went back to my room when I was finished and then went out to eat by myself.
Nothing bad about the course, it was great. But nothing beats being able to hang out with someone you get along great with.
Ha. I also just remember that the first day didn't start until 1300 because there was an air show going on at Grissom.
I went to the air show incognito and checked out the CAP display. That's where I saw a cadet officer wearing a maroon beret and pistol belt around his waist. I played dumb and asked him about CAP and his cool beret. He explained that he was a part of CAP's Pararescue group that attends a course put on by real PJs. Once you graduate you get to wear a pistol belt and maroon beret.
Killed me that his squadron (Grissom) allowed this to happen, not to mention the other handful of senior members in attendance. Later in the course, I met the DCC of the squadron and informed her of the situation and that he was not allowed to wear the beret. Her response? "Yes he is, he told me he earned it at PJOC". I suggested she attend the RSC we were there for and listen to my speech about uniforms (39-1) in CAP.
Quote from: Stonewall on July 19, 2009, 03:25:04 PM
Ha. I also just remember that the first day didn't start until 1300 because there was an air show going on at Grissom.
I went to the air show incognito and checked out the CAP display. That's where I saw a cadet officer wearing a maroon beret and pistol belt around his waist. I played dumb and asked him about CAP and his cool beret. He explained that he was a part of CAP's Pararescue group that attends a course put on by real PJs. Once you graduate you get to wear a pistol belt and maroon beret.
Killed me that his squadron (Grissom) allowed this to happen, not to mention the other handful of senior members in attendance. Later in the course, I met the DCC of the squadron and informed her of the situation and that he was not allowed to wear the beret. Her response? "Yes he is, he told me he earned it at PJOC". I suggested she attend the RSC we were there for and listen to my speech about uniforms (39-1) in CAP.
When was this?
2003
Quote from: Stonewall on July 19, 2009, 03:25:04 PM
Ha. I also just remember that the first day didn't start until 1300 because there was an air show going on at Grissom.
I went to the air show incognito and checked out the CAP display. That's where I saw a cadet officer wearing a maroon beret and pistol belt around his waist. I played dumb and asked him about CAP and his cool beret. He explained that he was a part of CAP's Pararescue group that attends a course put on by real PJs. Once you graduate you get to wear a pistol belt and maroon beret.
Killed me that his squadron (Grissom) allowed this to happen, not to mention the other handful of senior members in attendance. Later in the course, I met the DCC of the squadron and informed her of the situation and that he was not allowed to wear the beret. Her response? "Yes he is, he told me he earned it at PJOC". I suggested she attend the RSC we were there for and listen to my speech about uniforms (39-1) in CAP.
Actually, it would have been way funnier if a
real PJ had caught him wearing the beret! >:D
only if you replace funnier w/ bloodier
Quote from: IceNine on July 19, 2009, 05:17:09 PM
2003
I think I've heard stories about him. My new Commander has spent 10 years at Grissom and is still their safety officer.
Quote from: davidsinn on July 19, 2009, 05:53:43 PM
Quote from: IceNine on July 19, 2009, 05:17:09 PM
2003
I think I've heard stories about him. My new Commander has spent 10 years at Grissom and is still their safety officer.
I'm sure they were all positive and speak to his professionalism. Let's be nice about people the 09 RSC had no involvement with - if you want to walk that road take it to PM please.
BTW - as an aside, we had no issue whatsoever getting on base or shopping at the BX (though its pretty small). The USMC building we were in was really nice, and the Marines working there seemed to be able to maintain their dignity and still say "Sir" once in a while to us without Armageddon storming down (it was appreciated but not expected). Besides, I'm getting to see an age on the horizon where I expect to be called "Sir" as these young hipsters help me with my walker because of their age (and mine), not the military affiliation. >:D
We saw Airmen down there in both BDU's and ABU's.
Quote from: Eclipse on July 19, 2009, 06:00:35 PMWe saw Airmen down there in both BDU's and ABU's.[/i]
Not really surprising. The mandatory wear date is still 1 October 2011 for the ABU's.
Quote from: PHall on July 19, 2009, 06:07:25 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on July 19, 2009, 06:00:35 PMWe saw Airmen down there in both BDU's and ABU's.[/i]
Not really surprising. The mandatory wear date is still 1 October 2011 for the ABU's.
Yep - but the background noise here and elsewhere is that no one wears them and you can't get them anymore. From my completely circumstantial surveys it looks like about 25% of active duty are still in them and 50/50 for Reservists and Guard.
(I have no ability to support those numbers).
(Let's not make this a uniform thread - I apologize for taking it there...)
Quote from: Eclipse on July 19, 2009, 06:16:08 PM
Quote from: PHall on July 19, 2009, 06:07:25 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on July 19, 2009, 06:00:35 PMWe saw Airmen down there in both BDU's and ABU's.[/i]
Not really surprising. The mandatory wear date is still 1 October 2011 for the ABU's.
Yep - but the background noise here and elsewhere is that no one wears them and you can't get them anymore. From my completely circumstantial surveys it looks like about 25% of active duty are still in them and 50/50 for Reservists and Guard. (I have no ability to support those numbers).
(Let's not make this a uniform thread - I apologize for taking it there...)
Okay, getting off the uniform bandwagon, did ya learn anything? Was it worth burning vacation time for?
Quote from: Eclipse on July 19, 2009, 06:00:35 PM
Quote from: davidsinn on July 19, 2009, 05:53:43 PM
Quote from: IceNine on July 19, 2009, 05:17:09 PM
2003
I think I've heard stories about him. My new Commander has spent 10 years at Grissom and is still their safety officer.
I'm sure they were all positive and speak to his professionalism. Let's be nice about people the 09 RSC had no involvement with - if you want to walk that road take it to PM please.
BTW - as an aside, we had no issue whatsoever getting on base or shopping at the BX (though its pretty small). The USMC building we were in was really nice, and the Marines working there seemed to be able to maintain their dignity and still say "Sir" once in a while to us without Armageddon storming down (it was appreciated but not expected). Besides, I'm getting to see an age on the horizon where I expect to be called "Sir" as these young hipsters help me with my walker because of their age (and mine), not the military affiliation. >:D
We saw Airmen down there in both BDU's and ABU's.
That Marine building is a very nice facility isn't it? I've been to an ES activity there and it was just about perfect for what we were doing.
Quote from: PHall on July 19, 2009, 09:21:13 PM
Okay, getting off the uniform bandwagon, did ya learn anything? Was it worth burning vacation time for?
Yes, though not necessarily always in the direct sense of the classroom setting.
I was a little disappointed that many of the classes were too tactical for a Region-level training course, being more appropriate for SLS/CLC-level training.
The wing conference planning exercise was a worthwhile effort, as was the speech and 50/50 on all the writing projects. One would like to argue that Majors who are running units would be able to string a few sentences together in a military format, but sadly we all know that is not universally the case.
As is always the case, the networking and hallway conversations were priceless, likely generating relationships that will benefit our respective wings for years to come.
There are things I would absolutely do differently, as well as placing emphasis more in other areas and at a more strategic level, but I also saw some things in myself, in the context of CAP, that made me question if my focus is proper (I tend to want to stay in the work / pro lane, and out of the social aspects). Ice and I spoke several times about this exact issue.
On Monday I was frustrated, and by Wednesday I was sleep deprived and trying to figure out how I was going to get everything done by Friday - after all it'd have been somewhat of a kick in the pants to be complaining about the training and then not even be able to complete it myself.
Its one more notch on my CAP belt, gave me a few things I wouldn't trade for anything, and a few things I know not to repeat myself.
So yes, it was worth it, as long as you are capable of coloring quietly sometimes and placing yourself "there" instead of trying to change the universe.
Quote from: Eclipse on July 20, 2009, 03:07:27 PM
I was a little disappointed that many of the classes were too tactical for a Region-level training course, being more appropriate for SLS/CLC-level training.
That was my "complaint" about RSC. The opening statement was "This course is designed to make you better squadron commanders and unit staff members."
My first thought was, "I thought that is what SLS, CLC and UCC were for. Isn't Region Staff College supposed to prepare you to be on Region and Wing staff?"
But I think that it emphasizes the disparity between the expectations of those courses and the execution from the local leadership. Even more disappointing is the fact that at RSC and NSC the "wear your uniform properly" discussions still have to be made. They still have to talk about saluting military personnel, not getting arrested, etc.
I was told that at NSC last year one of the "full birds" had to be told that he probably shouldn't be keeping apples in his blues shirt pockets. Good Grief.
Now, this isn't to say that there wasn't some really good courses at RSC. The myers-briggs was fantastic, the conflict resolution class was great, the Thunderbirds tour was great, etc.
Do I think RSC was a worthwhile investment of my time and vacation? Yes, absolutely. Even my employer thought so (let me take the week without using my vacation time).
Quote from: IceNine on July 19, 2009, 04:30:24 AM
The biggest, warmest fuzzy you've ever seen.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kS9SJlniQHg/SmKgqHkTuqI/AAAAAAAAAHg/5-Ei3M7dPnc/s512/IMG_0324.JPG)
You did a good job, wish I could have seen him in person. Hope that they really liked it.