I am going to sign up for NESA once the website gets fixed up. I already applied to Hawk. If I get accepted to both, which should I do? I already have my GTM3 rating (since August), so I would bve able to attend the Advanced Nesa course. I have wanted to go to Hawk for many years though and I am looking for a career in Pararescue, which hawk is based off of. (Please do not argue the PJ fact, I already know it enough). Thanks!
I would not really make much connection between either activity and Para-rescue, beyond that both will help you grow beyond
your current limits.
NESA if you intend to active in CAP Emergency Services.
HMRS for the adventure experience.
If Pararescue is your thing why didn't you apply to PJOC? The instructors are AF Pararescue personnel. But if you want to be involved in CAP ES go NESA. If an Outward Bound leadership type experience appeals to you then Hawk is the way to go. You could also go to both if there are no date conflicts.
I can't go to PJOC yet. But I will in the future, and I can only go to one, because I have Basic this summer...
Will you have completed encampment prior to NESA/Hawk?
Your first encampment?
Unless something has changed, that is supposed to be completed by 31 Dec of the year prior to attending any NCSAs.
So in this case, a 2013 NESA participation would require a 2012 encampment.
No, I am going to encampment a week before Hawk. PJOC age is the problem.
You do not need to have an encampment to attend NESA. Ecampment is "Recommended" but not required. This may factor into your decision. ;)
Hawk does not require previous encampment.
HMRS is not based off of any section of the Pararescue pipeline (or any other DoD school) it is based primarily off of the HMRS ranger training curriculum and includes the CAP GTM and GTL curriculum as well.
mk
I have not attended either, so take my advise with a grain of salt. If your focus is ES training and qualifications, then go to Advanced GSAR at NESA and get your GTM2, GTM1 and UDF in one week (assuming you complete all required tasks). If you're looking for adventure and physical challenge (in addition to ES training), then go to Hawk. Keep in mind that you would be going to the Cadet Basic Course and that, while you may be able to get advanced ES qualifications, it's not guaranteed and that there will some overlap between your previous Basic GSAR (GTM3) training and Hawk's Cadet Basic Course.