Preparing for Basic Encampment

[TheSkyHornet]

PHalls point is valid though, go read the pubs carefully, including 52-16 as he says, and the new curriculum.

One thought here is that there isn't such a term as "Basic Encampment" in the program. There should be no cadets at the activity who have not completed their Curry award, hence no Cadet Basics by definition (the program should correctly refer to them as students or trainees, not "Basics").  Referring to them as "Basics" can feed the erroneous mindset that they are there for basic military training, which they aren't.

From that mindset, everything needful "should" be encompassed by the Curry. We know that isn't always the case, even with simple things like D&C, right (e.g. how many encampment pass in reviews have you seen, where 1 stripers stumble through a column movement because the LL1 Curry drill practical only covers up through flanks)?

My Wing doesn't use all the encampment tools, but one assessment tool I tried in vain to get used was the entry/exit survey, which would have helped me (when I was DCP) to diagnose which units weren't administering the PFT properly, or weren't requiring the Cadet Oath to be memorized for advancement (as is mandated). That quick survey is a nice short assessment tool (unfortunately they let our cadets write their own oddball quizzes). Go take a look...

V/R,
Spam

In our wing, "Basic" is the term used for first-time cadets at encampment. The wing officially refers to first-time, non-staff cadets as "basic cadets." All cadets MUST have achieved Curry before attending.

It seems as if it's becoming more the norm in our locale to refer to basic encampment as a mini boot camp, and that's what the CDCs and Character Development Officers are getting at when they prep cadets for their first encampment experience. Everyone knows that it's a kids program, but it does get regarded quite often as a miniature military-esque indoctrination course.

It seems some of our cadet NCOs at the Tech Sergeant and Master Sergeant grades feel that first-timers should know beyond the minimum expected of Curry, feeling that knowing Curry standards alone isn't enough to do "well," just enough to get by and figure it out by the end of encampment week.

Some of you guys are working off of old memories.
A through review of CAPP 52-24, 1 June 2014 would be a very good idea.

Type B is still around, and can be completed over multiple weekends in a 60 day period. After reading the requirements however, I think that it would need to be over three weekends minimum to squeeze in all that is now required.

Back to the original poster, CAPP 52-24 and CAPP 52-25 have lots of base info to start your unit training plan off of. 

Precisely the point of this topic. We are structuring the training program to prepare cadets for encampment, from step 1 to step 10 (or however many steps it takes), over the defined period. It seems that meeting the minimums to excel at basic encampment is the commonality between squadron training plans for new cadets when done in groups, rather than as individuals.

We're currently taking in walk-ins, and while we can try to get them each up to speed for encampment, it's hard to track where each is at as they progress because none of them are on the same timeline for building up their knowledge and experience.

So, it seems like we're covering a lot of checklist items for getting ready for encampment. Any more suggestions on how to mentally prepare cadets in regard to training? We get a lot of cadets in many squadrons that meet the minimum requirements for their Curry, as mentioned earlier on in this post, and they go off to encampment, but they still don't seem to have been prepared where they should be.
...

Granted, encampment isn't Parris Island. But it's also not happy, happy, joy, joy daycare. I just don't know how in-depth I would be comfortable making it to allow training cadets to get a little "rougher" with trainees (all within regs of course). It's not that I wouldn't be okay with doing it, but there's a very broad line that starts to get crossed where people aren't happy in that environment and adults aren't happy seeing kids yelling at other kids. How much is too much? How much is not enough?

CAPP 52-23 has some very useful guidelines for setting the right intensity level - it specifically addresses yelling and used of raised voices. VAWG's encampment leaders train to this reference and I expect them to fully implement it. The more we all standardize to it, the better.

As far as a specific recommendation for your home squadron meeting, I wouldn't raise the intensity to encampment level unless you can provide the rest of the full experience of the cadet program at the same time.

I think this question comes from seeing other squadrons conduct themselves at different styles. Some seem more disciplined and intense than others. Some CDCs have commented to me that they want to step up the intensity slightly so to establish that quick level of thinking from the cadets and snap-to customs and courtesies.

I find that the squadrons where the majority of the senior members are prior military seem to prefer a little bit of intensity, without going overboard, knowing that these are kids. But there's a lot of kickback from the non-military crowd that kids need to be treated like kids. When you have ages ranging from 12 and up, it's very easy to treat a 12 year old differently than a 17 year old, but when they're all in a group, you have to tone it down to the level of the youngest one present. Just an observation, and something that's come up in discussion with other squadron CCs and CP specialists.

It's a huge grey area to know when it's too much versus room to get some more in there. Like our Safety Officer/Chaplain said at our meeting yesterday: The point is to provide a military environment where every senior member and cadet knows that nobody's safety is ever in jeopardy, and to have a culture where if anyone feels safety is being compromised, even verbally, we can address it and identify the level of severity of the action. That being said, he has his own teenager in the cadet program who he admits needs a good kick in the pants at times to get him to lock up the shenanigans.

If you want to prep them then I recommend the following:

1) Have their D&C upto Par (teach them the RIGHT WAY!!! per AFMAN 26-2203
2) Teach them about heat injuries
3) Teach them proper foot care (broken in boots, proper socks, applying mole skin)
4) Obtain the packing list and emphasize that it needs to be followed.  (Attention to detail)

These are the key things for encampment.  You don't need to ramp up anything or increase the intensity at home units for it. 

I totally agree with the safety aspects of this. I think those are areas that can be applied back at the home unit, not just encampment, and should be reminded on regularly.

If you want to prep them then I recommend the following:

1) Have their D&C up to Par (teach them the RIGHT WAY!!! per AFMAN 26-2203
2) Teach them about heat injuries
3) Teach them proper foot care (broken in boots, proper socks, applying mole skin)
4) Obtain the packing list and emphasize that it needs to be followed.  (Attention to detail)

These are the key things for encampment.  You don't need to ramp up anything or increase the intensity at home units for it.

Exactly.  Outside of being homesick, the biggest problems I have seen at encampments are each of these items.

I've added to your list a little.

• Cadets don't know how to march (36-2203 and Youtube can really be your friend here.  There are tons of great USAF-based drill videos)
• Heat injuries should be a focus of your monthly safety briefing, especially just before your encampment
• Proper foot care - another emphasis for your safety briefing
• Packing List - this is a big one from what I have seen.  Cadets either bring too much stuff or not enough.  I have seen cadets show up with just a small backpack and other with large backpacks AND a trunk.

In my squadron we start prepping the new cadets a few weeks before encampment.  This generally consists of going over items 3-4 on the above list.  We also require the cadets to bring in their gear on the meeting one week prior to leaving for encampment for us to check.  That gives them time to get missing items and remove items they don't need.

Some of the more senior cadets also set expectations for the cadets so they know what is going to happen on day 1 - day 7.  We go by 36-2203 always so that isn't an issue for us.  This has worked very well for us as we have had no homesickness issues in the 3 years we have been doing this and have had very minor issues with blisters and heat.

Using YouTube seems to be a problem at times because it goes back to being taught outside of training country and it may not be correct. Too many people look stuff up on the internet and take it as being proper format. I think this needs to be carefully considered when it comes to telling anyone "Go look up videos" because what happens when they come back and they're doing something we've never seen before?

Granted, this topic is more specific to what can be done at the meetings, no so much homework. We can always figure out what to suggest gets studied outside of the meeting, but this is for a structured hands-on training program. Appreciate the input anyway.

The most effective thing you can do to make sure your cadets succeed at Encampment?
Don't send them until they can handle it!
Just because they meet the minimum standards to attend doesn't mean that they're mature enough to handle it.
Do the cadet a favor and don't send them until they're mature enough to handle it.  They'll be much happier for it.

I fully agree. I think, in the past, we've had cadets go off to encampment who really weren't prepared, and a couple of cadets who bailed out of going to encampment out of fear/discomfort. It seems a lot of the previous suggestions here, especially the bivouac idea, gear to helping those cadets who aren't so comfortable in that environment away from home get accustomed to it. Encampment should be encouraged, but not forced, and should definitely not be something that a cadet who gets their Curry on June 1 attends a June 5 encampment.




Loving the feedback so far. Taking a lot of notes here, and I'm getting some good input from the squadron. We're going to have a lot of work ahead of us to put all of this together.

[PHall]

In our wing, "Basic" is the term used for first-time cadets at encampment. The wing officially refers to first-time, non-staff cadets as "basic cadets." All cadets MUST have achieved Curry before attending.

Better get used to calling them Students, because that what the new Encampment Manual says they will called.
And you don't have Cadet Staff either, they're the Cadre now.

[Fubar]

In our wing, "Basic" is the term used for first-time cadets at encampment. The wing officially refers to first-time, non-staff cadets as "basic cadets." All cadets MUST have achieved Curry before attending.

Better get used to calling them Students, because that what the new Encampment Manual says they will called.
And you don't have Cadet Staff either, they're the Cadre now.

Well based on this:

It seems as if it's becoming more the norm in our locale to refer to basic encampment as a mini boot camp, and that's what the CDCs and Character Development Officers are getting at when they prep cadets for their first encampment experience.

Just reading the encampment manual in general might be a good idea.

[TheSkyHornet]

In our wing, "Basic" is the term used for first-time cadets at encampment. The wing officially refers to first-time, non-staff cadets as "basic cadets." All cadets MUST have achieved Curry before attending.

Better get used to calling them Students, because that what the new Encampment Manual says they will called.
And you don't have Cadet Staff either, they're the Cadre now.

I'm not calling them anything Wing doesn't recognize, even if it differs from the national standard. Wing hasn't put out the 2016 packet yet, but the 2015 packet specifically refers to first-timers as "Basic Cadets," coming straight from the Commander. The same goes for "Cadet Staff." Many wings are using these terms still, even though they go against what's written in CAPP 52-24/25. That's a semantic issue anyway. I'll let NHQ handle the terminology end of it. That's off topic.

I find the cadet encampment handbook seems to work better for my purpose here than the encampment manual, which is more focused on how to structure and run encampment. This is about setting up a cadet training program for new members, to get them ready to be sent off to encampment, not to get them to conduct an encampment or live away from home for a week.

[Майор Хаткевич]

I'm not calling them anything Wing doesn't recognize, even if it differs from the national standard. Wing hasn't put out the 2016 packet yet, but the 2015 packet specifically refers to first-timers as "Basic Cadets," coming straight from the Commander. The same goes for "Cadet Staff." Many wings are using these terms still, even though they go against what's written in CAPP 52-24/25. That's a semantic issue anyway. I'll let NHQ handle the terminology end of it. That's off topic.

This will be year 3 of the new program, and people are STILL having this issue? I know this is off topic, but saying "not my problem" is actually...a problem. Have you tried inquiring why they haven't "got with the times" yet?

[arajca]

I'm not calling them anything Wing doesn't recognize, even if it differs from the national standard. Wing hasn't put out the 2016 packet yet, but the 2015 packet specifically refers to first-timers as "Basic Cadets," coming straight from the Commander. The same goes for "Cadet Staff." Many wings are using these terms still, even though they go against what's written in CAPP 52-24/25. That's a semantic issue anyway. I'll let NHQ handle the terminology end of it. That's off topic.

This will be year 3 of the new program, and people are STILL having this issue? I know this is off topic, but saying "not my problem" is actually...a problem. Have you tried inquiring why they haven't "got with the times" yet?

Calling the student cadets "Students" is fine. Calling the cadet staff 'cadre' is a problem in COWG. This is due to a couple of CAWG transplants that created significant issues with "Cadre" attitude that negatively affected the units and promoted secret rituals and habits to be hidden from senior members and cadets who were not part of the "Cadre". The folks who established the "Cadre" encouraged that behavior.  It was bad enough that that the "Cadre" t-shirts are prohibited from being worn at Encampment. The past two wing commanders have prohibited using the term 'cadre' to refer to the cadet staff. We figure it'll take another two years before the effects have been mitigated.

[Майор Хаткевич]

I'm not calling them anything Wing doesn't recognize, even if it differs from the national standard. Wing hasn't put out the 2016 packet yet, but the 2015 packet specifically refers to first-timers as "Basic Cadets," coming straight from the Commander. The same goes for "Cadet Staff." Many wings are using these terms still, even though they go against what's written in CAPP 52-24/25. That's a semantic issue anyway. I'll let NHQ handle the terminology end of it. That's off topic.

This will be year 3 of the new program, and people are STILL having this issue? I know this is off topic, but saying "not my problem" is actually...a problem. Have you tried inquiring why they haven't "got with the times" yet?

Calling the student cadets "Students" is fine. Calling the cadet staff 'cadre' is a problem in COWG. This is due to a couple of CAWG transplants that created significant issues with "Cadre" attitude that negatively affected the units and promoted secret rituals and habits to be hidden from senior members and cadets who were not part of the "Cadre". The folks who established the "Cadre" encouraged that behavior.  It was bad enough that that the "Cadre" t-shirts are prohibited from being worn at Encampment. The past two wing commanders have prohibited using the term 'cadre' to refer to the cadet staff. We figure it'll take another two years before the effects have been mitigated.

I may not be understanding the issue, but besides some "dank meme" behaviour, there was nothing secret the cadet cadre could get away with at our encampment that I, or other SMs weren't aware of. This is why we have RST. Cadre is a word. It's not a special status. They are there to train and teach cadets, so any issues get hammer out early on, or they don't get to play.

[arajca]

I'm not calling them anything Wing doesn't recognize, even if it differs from the national standard. Wing hasn't put out the 2016 packet yet, but the 2015 packet specifically refers to first-timers as "Basic Cadets," coming straight from the Commander. The same goes for "Cadet Staff." Many wings are using these terms still, even though they go against what's written in CAPP 52-24/25. That's a semantic issue anyway. I'll let NHQ handle the terminology end of it. That's off topic.

This will be year 3 of the new program, and people are STILL having this issue? I know this is off topic, but saying "not my problem" is actually...a problem. Have you tried inquiring why they haven't "got with the times" yet?

Calling the student cadets "Students" is fine. Calling the cadet staff 'cadre' is a problem in COWG. This is due to a couple of CAWG transplants that created significant issues with "Cadre" attitude that negatively affected the units and promoted secret rituals and habits to be hidden from senior members and cadets who were not part of the "Cadre". The folks who established the "Cadre" encouraged that behavior.  It was bad enough that that the "Cadre" t-shirts are prohibited from being worn at Encampment. The past two wing commanders have prohibited using the term 'cadre' to refer to the cadet staff. We figure it'll take another two years before the effects have been mitigated.

I may not be understanding the issue, but besides some "dank meme" behaviour, there was nothing secret the cadet cadre could get away with at our encampment that I, or other SMs weren't aware of. This is why we have RST. Cadre is a word. It's not a special status. They are there to train and teach cadets, so any issues get hammer out early on, or they don't get to play.

And a beret is just a hat. While many may say the term just a word, words have meanings. The folks who created the problem were in place for several years. We still have attitude problems from their time. They preached that "The Cadre" were an elite training force only created at encampment and were to spread their vision throughout the wing. Many times, this entailed spreading the word away from seniors and other who would not appreciate or accept the word.

[Garibaldi]

It sounds like someone read The Lords of Discipline and took it way too seriously. I haven't been to an encampment since 2011, but things I hear and have heard in the past still bother me. Its not just the cadets; it's the SM staff that promulgate the culture of "it's always been this way, what's the harm?"

Changing the names of things doesn't get rid of the problem.Changing the attitudes does.

[THRAWN]

I'm not calling them anything Wing doesn't recognize, even if it differs from the national standard. Wing hasn't put out the 2016 packet yet, but the 2015 packet specifically refers to first-timers as "Basic Cadets," coming straight from the Commander. The same goes for "Cadet Staff." Many wings are using these terms still, even though they go against what's written in CAPP 52-24/25. That's a semantic issue anyway. I'll let NHQ handle the terminology end of it. That's off topic.

This will be year 3 of the new program, and people are STILL having this issue? I know this is off topic, but saying "not my problem" is actually...a problem. Have you tried inquiring why they haven't "got with the times" yet?

Calling the student cadets "Students" is fine. Calling the cadet staff 'cadre' is a problem in COWG. This is due to a couple of CAWG transplants that created significant issues with "Cadre" attitude that negatively affected the units and promoted secret rituals and habits to be hidden from senior members and cadets who were not part of the "Cadre". The folks who established the "Cadre" encouraged that behavior.  It was bad enough that that the "Cadre" t-shirts are prohibited from being worn at Encampment. The past two wing commanders have prohibited using the term 'cadre' to refer to the cadet staff. We figure it'll take another two years before the effects have been mitigated.

I may not be understanding the issue, but besides some "dank meme" behaviour, there was nothing secret the cadet cadre could get away with at our encampment that I, or other SMs weren't aware of. This is why we have RST. Cadre is a word. It's not a special status. They are there to train and teach cadets, so any issues get hammer out early on, or they don't get to play.

And a beret is just a hat. While many may say the term just a word, words have meanings. The folks who created the problem were in place for several years. We still have attitude problems from their time. They preached that "The Cadre" were an elite training force only created at encampment and were to spread their vision throughout the wing. Many times, this entailed spreading the word away from seniors and other who would not appreciate or accept the word.

You're correct. Words do have meaning. I'm thinking of one right now....

Try these words to those who can't follow the rules: "Pack your trash, you're fired!" If they can't or won't follow the rules, lose them.

[BFreemanMA]

In addition to what has already been said, our squadron holds a weekend-long bivouac. Not only does it allow us time to reinforce all the preparations we've been making during our meeting nights, but it also gives cadets a chance to be away from home in a familiar and controlled session. I've served as FTO at an encampment (admittedly not as experience as others who have posted) and homesickness and the inability to cope with it was a real problem.

[PHall]

arajca, FYI, Cadre is not a CAWG thing.  We used Basic Cadets or Basics and Cadet Staff. 
We now use Student and Cadre because that's what we're all required to use now.

[Майор Хаткевич]

arajca, FYI, Cadre is not a CAWG thing.  We used Basic Cadets or Basics and Cadet Staff. 
We now use Student and Cadre because that's what we're all required to use now.

+100.


The faster everyone just accepts that the rules are the rules, or NHQ actually cracks down on encampments...the better.

[Ned]

The faster everyone just accepts that the rules are the rules, or NHQ actually cracks down on encampments...the better.

Come on, now.  We do our best.  We specifically sent folks to several encampments this summer, including Massachusetts and California, just to see how things were going.  And overall, we think the new standards are being implemented fairly consistently.  And we will visit at least one of the winter encampments and probably 3-4 summer encampments next year.  Summer, of course, is our busy season and there are also NCSAs and the odd national convention to worry about.  Overall, we rely on our colleagues at the wing and region level to do the lion's share of monitoring encampments and sharing best practices.

And truth be told, I am more concerned about the sleep rules and curriculum compliance than I am about the nomenclature used for students and staff.  First things first, and all that.


Ned Lee
Col, CAP
National Cadet Program Manager

[Майор Хаткевич]

The faster everyone just accepts that the rules are the rules, or NHQ actually cracks down on encampments...the better.

Come on, now.  We do our best.  We specifically sent folks to several encampments this summer, including Massachusetts and California, just to see how things were going.  And overall, we think the new standards are being implemented fairly consistently.  And we will visit at least one of the winter encampments and probably 3-4 summer encampments next year.  Summer, of course, is our busy season and there are also NCSAs and the odd national convention to worry about.  Overall, we rely on our colleagues at the wing and region level to do the lion's share of monitoring encampments and sharing best practices.

And truth be told, I am more concerned about the sleep rules and curriculum compliance than I am about the nomenclature used for students and staff.  First things first, and all that.


Ned Lee
Col, CAP
National Cadet Program Manager

I get priorities are the priorities. But is that a reason to "let it slide" because something is more important? Really? I also share your sentiment on getting this addressed by wings and regions, but unfortunately the reality seems to not be uniform across the land.


We've had a number of reports of the old terminology and practices on CAPTalk, I've heard some from cadets who traveled to other wings, etc. These are the basic (No pun intended) elements of the program, so if there are problems with getting on track with those, THEN I'd worry about what else might not be followed as outlined in the Encampment Manual.

[PHall]

Yeah, killing off the "we've always done it this way" is going to be difficult.
And I don't see it changing until there are some consequences for not following the new standards.

[Spam]

The faster everyone just accepts that the rules are the rules, or NHQ actually cracks down on encampments...the better.

... Overall, we rely on our colleagues at the wing and region level to do the lion's share of monitoring encampments and sharing best practices.

And truth be told, I am more concerned about the sleep rules and curriculum compliance than I am about the nomenclature used for students and staff.  First things first, and all that.

That reliance on the "dog not barking" to use Sherlock Holmes' term, may be contributing to a false sense of security. In my Wing, the DCP isn't part of the review chain, and isn't in the loop on most encampment planning and execution (at least, my predecessor and I weren't, as DCPs).  Our Wing/CC and CV have pointed out their disagreement with the newly approved Encampment Guide lines of command, with the justification that an Encampment/CC is an appointed line position, and as such should not report through the DCP as a staff director. So, at least some DCPs are not in the loop on Encampments, by design, and I think I'll stop there on that topic.


Back to the OP's thrust: as I've now returned my focus to retaining excellence at my local heritage unit, we're including modules on Encampment Student prep for our Basic Cadet Training modules based around the Wingman curriculum, on Encampment Cadre prep in our C/NCO modules, and on Encampment Command prep in our C/Officer modules. My unit supplied about a third of our Wing's C/Officer and C/NCO cadre this year, including the Encampment C/CC (although, apparently none of them intend to apply to my Wings event again, based on our internal review this summer). I'm trying to capture their cadre "prep" lessons learned on a local level, before their experience evaporates.


I suppose then, my point would be that a broad spectrum encampment "prep" would include an institutionalized training program for students, for cadre, and for officer staff. Beyond the RST event, that is. For adult officers, we should document and cover actual encampment planning and execution, logistics, admin, communication and delegation vice organizational breakdown, how to network with DoD agencies and POCs to get things done (from military O rides to getting the AC turned on BEFORE graduation), on actually turning ORM into smart decision making to avoid incidents, on criteria for reportable safety incidents, and on conducting an open, honest, accurate public AAR and in pivoting off those results to improve for successive years. Selecting and equipping ADULT officers seems to be the biggest preparation task that's not being filled, I would suggest, although I don't want to distract from the OP's great original point.

V/R,
Spam

[Ned]

In my Wing, the DCP isn't part of the review chain, and isn't in the loop on most encampment planning and execution (at least, my predecessor and I weren't, as DCPs).  Our Wing/CC and CV have pointed out their disagreement with the newly approved Encampment Guide lines of command, with the justification that an Encampment/CC is an appointed line position, and as such should not report through the DCP as a staff director. So, at least some DCPs are not in the loop on Encampments, by design, and I think I'll stop there on that topic.

Interesting.  But that was one of the changes effective just this year.

4.3 Position Descriptions
Senior staff positions are described below. For cadet cadre position descriptions, see CAPP 52-15. Encampments may customize the descriptions to meet their needs; the outlines below and at CAPP 52-15 are starting points.

a. Encampment Commander. Appointed by the wing or region commander to direct the overall
encampment program, under the supervision of the director of cadet programs. This position's major functional
areas include:

I suppose Curt or I should start planning to visit your wing's encampment next year.

[PHall]

Like I said Ned, until it becomes "painful" to not follow the new regs. Compliance will be a problem.

[abdsp51]

I suppose Curt or I should start planning to visit your wing's encampment next year.

Sir,  should this not happen to make sure the National standard is beig adhered to? 

We get SAV'd and UEI'd in the AF every couple years and with MICT now being the norm why could we not do it here?

I agree with PHall for this to be effective it should be reviewed by NHQ to ensure compliance and action should be taken when Wgs don't comply. 

Ca Wg runs their leadership schools and the one I had thevpleasure of helping to plan, staff, and execute went well. 
Part of that was the sit down with the cadet staff and they were told flat out no yelling, raised voices etc.  The were told they were to address the cadets as "cadets or grade and last name". 

The staff was told also anyone caught uellong and trying to make it Encampment would be reassigned. 

The entire weekend was a success and effective partly due to those steps. 

It wouldn't hurt to do a SAV or even and ECI(envampment compliance inspection).