Seniors at an NCSA

JC004 · August 17, 2007, 05:07:10 AM

Quote from: Stonewall on August 17, 2007, 03:27:32 AM
Should NESA really be considered a National Cadet Special Activity? It isn't exclusively for cadets. In fact, there are courses offered at NESA that are almost only attended by seniors.

Just curious. Should there be a new classification of activities? National Special Activity. Hey, maybe we can make a new ribbon... :angel:

New ribbon?! ::runs screaming::

ladyreferee · August 20, 2007, 07:07:25 PM

Hmmm. Are there any other NCSAs where the cadet doesn't have to interview first before he/she can attend? I could be wrong but wasn't NESA started as just for cadets and it just has grown with more layers of classes? GTL didn't start until 3 or 4 years ago.

Stonewall · August 20, 2007, 07:12:09 PM

I didn't attend but I visited the first NGSAR (before NESA) when it was at the Miller School in Virginia back in 1996. I think it was '96. Anyway, it was only ground team member training. No barracks, a field chow trailer, and from what I remember (11 years ago), the only seniors there were staff.

Actually, after a quick search on the NESA website, I found a link to the first NGSAR. Yep, it was 2 weeks long and the entire 2 weeks was in your tent or temproary "hooch".

http://www.pbase.com/pathfindar/nesa1996

FYI: The Miller School is where they filmed the movie Major Payne.

SJFedor · August 21, 2007, 10:15:46 PM

Quote from: ladyreferee on August 20, 2007, 07:07:25 PM
Hmmm. Are there any other NCSAs where the cadet doesn't have to interview first before he/she can attend? I could be wrong but wasn't NESA started as just for cadets and it just has grown with more layers of classes? GTL didn't start until 3 or 4 years ago.

That's up to your individual wings. They have to rank cadet NCSA applicants to national, that's how they decide who goes. Most wings choose to do interviews to ensure they're sending the high speeds. In TN, however, the Wing Director slots them according to recommendations from the Group Cadet Prog Officer who usually knows the cadets and can speak for their character.

I personally think the interview process is a good idea. It gives the cadet opportunities to work on interview skills as an interviewee, allows the wing director to get face to face with who they're slotting for which activities, and usually gives the cadets at the interviews a good chance to co-mingle with one another. Lets say you have 2 cadets applying for 1 SUPT-FC slot (fictionally). They're both C/1st Lts, about the same time in CAP. One comes in with major uniform issues, ribbons out of order, hair out of reg, etc, and interviews poorly. The 2nd is the poster boy of what CAP cadets should be, high and tight hair, good attitude, spotless uniform. Wouldn't you, as the Wing director, want to send the best, most deserving cadet that will reflect positively upon the wing, and moreso, yourself?

Duke Dillio · August 22, 2007, 01:01:39 AM

I'm thinkin I might want to try Hawk sometime before I get too old. It's kindof a long flight though. I have heard some pretty good things about it and then some not so good things. Has anyone here ever been to the actual Hawk?

Stonewall · August 22, 2007, 03:08:06 AM

I only spent a long weekend at Winter Hawk and you can read about it

here: http://www.cadetstuff.org/archives/000086.html#000086

and

here: http://www.cadetstuff.org/archives/000087.html#000087

I was part of an "advanced" course and had a good time. I learned a little about the mountain and honed some skills, but to be honest, I mainly humped my CFP-90 up and down the mountain while staying the night somewhere on side of the mountain. It was fun and the instructor, Captain Gibbons, was awesome. A real professional and dedicated to the program. Truly one of the most professional Hawk types I've ever encountered. Not sure why he was so different.

Anyhoo, it may be fun for you, but of course, there is NESA. I'm considering NESA as a future activity for something other than Ground Operations. Maybe rekindle my observer skills or something. But I'm really hoping to get my hand in the Cadet Survival School out in California.

Duke Dillio · August 22, 2007, 05:30:45 AM

Hey, if you head to the Survival School, lemme know. I want the hook up too!!! *begins sharpening his huge Rambo style knife while turning the rabbit on the stake over the fire in his back yard, slowly humming the Marine Corps Hymn*

SJFedor · August 22, 2007, 11:49:51 PM

Quote from: Stonewall on August 22, 2007, 03:08:06 AM
I only spent a long weekend at Winter Hawk and you can read about it

here: http://www.cadetstuff.org/archives/000086.html#000086

and

here: http://www.cadetstuff.org/archives/000087.html#000087

I was part of an "advanced" course and had a good time. I learned a little about the mountain and honed some skills, but to be honest, I mainly humped my CFP-90 up and down the mountain while staying the night somewhere on side of the mountain. It was fun and the instructor, Captain Gibbons, was awesome. A real professional and dedicated to the program. Truly one of the most professional Hawk types I've ever encountered. Not sure why he was so different.

Anyhoo, it may be fun for you, but of course, there is NESA. I'm considering NESA as a future activity for something other than Ground Operations. Maybe rekindle my observer skills or something. But I'm really hoping to get my hand in the Cadet Survival School out in California.

And if you decide to come to NESA, let me know. I plan on being an instructor in the MAS for at least the next few years. It's a super fun time.

Stonewall · August 23, 2007, 12:03:01 AM

I was commandant of the advance NGSAR course in '99 and had a pretty good time. This time, I'd like to relax a little. Play the role of a senior member instead of a bush beating ground ops dude.

I am definately considering spending some time doing something worth while in CAP over the next couple years.

winterg · August 31, 2007, 07:52:43 PM

I have done NBB twice. In my 15 years in CAP it is probably one of the greatest experiences in CAP. As a TAC officer you are definitely more than a "cadet sitter". TACs are right there with their flights getting the job done and making sure it is done right. From Flightline duty, where the TAC walks a few miles per 2 1/2 shift) to crowd control (more walking) to working the ES shifts. On ES shifts, your flight is broken up to work the two towers and two mobile ES carts. This is golden duty for TACs since it is the one post you get to ride!

The days are extremely long and the weather is usually hot. And every year, at least one storm blows through. This year we spent two days soaked to the bone, but still did our job cheerfully!

The operational tempo is high, the days are very long, and the weather never cooperates. But NBB is a very rewarding experience which I highly reccomend for Officers as well as Cadets.

BBATW (Blue Beret All The Way)

flyguy06 · September 03, 2007, 06:19:06 PM

The events are called National Cadet Special Activities. Why should a Senior member have the same experiences? Then it wouldnt be a cadet activity. It waould be a CAP activity.

I used to be a cadet also, but sooner or later you have to move on. I know its hard but you gotta do it. When I became an officer in the army from being enlisted, I couldnt do the same things I did when I was enlisted eventhough I was used to them.