Interestingly folks in the Patriot Wing were recently informed that the Northeast Region Color Guard Competition will be held at Westover ARB in Late February or early March 2010.
Reports that everyone was stunned upon the announcement since there still will be snow on the ground to perform outside activities and thus cadets will have to wear winter type uniforms not normally used at the National competition.
Rumor is that National wasn't happy because the NER competition was held only two weeks prior to the National Competition.
Looks like another great plan by NER to be first in CY 2011, doesn't it >:( :( :o (perhaps they should look at the end of April 2010 and wings could hold competitions the beginning of April, when the weather is better).
It's the National competition at Wright Patterson AFB in 2011?
RM
It is possible that all of the competition will be held indoors...
I have done the "outdoor" presentation portion of the competition in a gym as a cadet at a regional competition. No sweat.
Suck it up. It is what it is. WIWAC, I remember when the NER competition was held in November in Newport, RI. The mile run in the morning started at about 15 degrees, we ran in shorts.
I can't imagine that the spot that they'll be using for outdoor presentation, or even the drill pad will be covered in snow. Sometimes, these things happen and you just have to roll with the punches.
If it is at Westover, they will proably use the base gym for drill, indoor, inspection, etc. The outdoor portion only takes 10 minutes per team, max - so even if they were in short sleeves, nothing bad will happen.
Quote from: jimmydeanno on September 17, 2010, 03:33:45 PM
Suck it up. It is what it is. WIWAC, I remember when the NER competition was held in November in Newport, RI. The mile run in the morning started at about 15 degrees, we ran in shorts.
Brings back memories...
Quote from: jimmydeanno on September 17, 2010, 03:33:45 PM
Suck it up. It is what it is. WIWAC, I remember when the NER competition was held in November in Newport, RI. The mile run in the morning started at about 15 degrees, we ran in shorts.
I can't imagine that the spot that they'll be using for outdoor presentation, or even the drill pad will be covered in snow. Sometimes, these things happen and you just have to roll with the punches.
If it is at Westover, they will proably use the base gym for drill, indoor, inspection, etc. The outdoor portion only takes 10 minutes per team, max - so even if they were in short sleeves, nothing bad will happen.
My understanding is that the Base Hanger is where the action is normally held for all the indoor events. Testing is done at the local unit headquarters (If I remember correctly it's on the 2nd floor of Hangar 5). The run is done outside, there's a new track (special built with special materials) in the center of the base (but if covered with snow, won't be useable) BUT there is a perimeter access road that was used in the past for the runs that is marked. Usually the Marine Corps Reserve headquarters flag poles are utilized for the outdoor ceremoney function (since it has the newet flag poles on the base).
It would be VERY unfair to the cadets to just have them wear their short sleeve shirts in cold weather and also have to concentrate on the movements. CAP's National competition is not held in very cold weather and there's no requirement for color guard teams to have blue blouses. This isn't commando training for kids to suck up and likely some parents aren't going to be happy with this. Cadet protection also means common sense.
I'm not sure when the National Competition will be held at Wright Patterson, BUT region should reconsider when they will have their competition. I see no reason why all of this (both wing & regional) couldn't take place in mid/late April 2011. This still gives enough time for National to get things done. Unfortunately, last year it was only two weeks between the regional and national competitions. Surely this is over reaction on region's part.
RM
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on September 19, 2010, 12:06:55 AMIt would be VERY unfair to the cadets to just have them wear their short sleeve shirts in cold weather and also have to concentrate on the movements. CAP's National competition is not held in very cold weather and there's no requirement for color guard teams to have blue blouses. This isn't commando training for kids to suck up and likely some parents aren't going to be happy with this. Cadet protection also means common sense.
I'm not sure when the National Competition will be held at Wright Patterson, BUT region should reconsider when they will have their competition. I see no reason why all of this (both wing & regional) couldn't take place in mid/late April 2011. This still gives enough time for National to get things done. Unfortunately, last year it was only two weeks between the regional and national competitions. Surely this is over reaction on region's part.
I think then, we should hold all competitions in Florida, wait, no, then the cadets will have the possibility of hurricanes to worry about. California then, wait no, code pink might mistake them for real military and hurt their feelings.
The point is that a Color Guard preforms in adverse weather or situations that require the same amount of bearing as any other time. Also if its a Region competition for NER, shouldn't the cadets have the proper equipment for cold weather? I would understand if Florida cadets were going up to Maine in the winter but this is where you guys live and conduct normal ops.
If this really is a big deal, then how about you actually present this to the people coordinating the event. Hangars make great places to do outdoor presentation, so do gyms. Talk to the people actually running the event, you might find that there is a contingency for inclement weather. At the very least you'll have put the idea in their heads that they need one.
Adverse weather aside, why operate on the assumption of bad faith and that the good folks running the competition aren't familiar with the potential conditions. I highly doubt that the cadets will be placed in any danger or conditions that would be detrimental to the success of the competition. After all, who wants to fill out all those CAPF 78s...
Quote from: jimmydeanno on September 19, 2010, 05:14:15 PM
Adverse weather aside, why operate on the assumption of bad faith and that the good folks running the competition aren't familiar with the potential conditions. I highly doubt that the cadets will be placed in any danger or conditions that would be detrimental to the success of the competition. After all, who wants to fill out all those CAPF 78s...
Wow, just the travel distance and increased travel time for some of the teams in winter weather is a very big safety consideration. If there's a blizzard it likely is going to be rescheduled anyways. Why the big rush by NER ???
Yes there is the Base hangar, but I'm not aware of any full size portable flag poles that are available in CAP. Likely outside (at the Marine Corps Reserve Headquarters) will be used for the flag raising/folder, etc.
BTW the unit I'm familiar with is already trying to figure out how to get the appropriate outer wear for the cadets on their team -- so region by their great decision is costing the individual members or the units more money. Hey this is
Come
And
Pay anyways isn't it, so they really don't care, do they ??? >:( :( >:(
RM
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on September 19, 2010, 07:03:57 PM... I'm not aware ...
This might be more telling than you think.
I've competed in and had color guard teams compete in competitions that had (not full size, but improvised) flag poles, indoors. It is possible, and just because you aren't personally aware, doesn't mean that it isn't going to happen. Just because someone hasn't driven to your home, with a 300 page activity plan outlining every single piece of equipment that will be present, every location, with corresponding fire exits, hurricane evacuation routes, the farmers almanac and a psychic doesn't mean that it is going to be poorly planned or executed.
Perhaps, to overcome the "very big safety consideration" of driving in the month of February or March the teams should just video tape themselves and send it in for judging. However, I hear that there was a shipment of camcorders that didn't have the right shielding and they're in violation of FCC transmission rules, and they might be a possible cancer threat.
The 2011 NCC will be held June 22 through June 27 in Dayton, Ohio at Wright State University.
NCC requires all rosters to be submitted 30-60 days before the event to make travel arrangements.
So that means all Region Competitions should be held by the end of April or end of May.
And all Wing Competitions should be end March - April, presumeing again regions want a 30 day notice on who is coming.
Quote from: Bluelakes 13 on September 19, 2010, 07:37:16 PM
The 2011 NCC will be held June 22 through June 27 in Dayton, Ohio at Wright State University.
NCC requires all rosters to be submitted 30-60 days before the event to make travel arrangements.
So that means all Region Competitions should be held by the end of April or end of May.
And all Wing Competitions should be end March - April, presumeing again regions want a 30 day notice on who is coming.
Thank you for the information.
May I ask when Great Lake Rgn intends on having their competition? Having been stationed in MI for a long time, we had some fairly bad winters.
RM
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on September 19, 2010, 07:03:57 PM
BTW the unit I'm familiar with is already trying to figure out how to get the appropriate outer wear for the cadets on their team -- so region by their great decision is costing the individual members or the units more money. Hey this is Come And Pay anyways isn't it, so they really don't care, do they ??? >:( :( >:(
RM
Talk to your local ROTC det. (there has to be at least one) and see what they have available to donate or at the very least, loan. This doesn't have to be as expensive as you make it out to be.
Competition equipment is usually a great thing to motivate cadets to fund raise for. Maybe Wreathes Across America >:D
I have scheduled the GLR CC to be on 6 - 8 May 2011. It usually is the first weekend of May.
http://kalemis.com/rcc/
All my Wing's CC are usually in March - April. I expect all paperwork in by 15 April.
Vermont Wing has made a very nice flag pole for the outdoor practical -- it is great for indoor use.
NO need to spend money on winter clothing when all events can be done inside. This includes the mile run - I'm sure there is a indoor track somewhere near to Westover. If not, we don't HAVE to have it at Westover. We can find an indoor track.
I have always wondered why NER did not abide by NHQs 30-60 day notice rule..... I think its about time they do.
When is the rest of NER going to receive this announcement?