I am a Chief Master Sergeant and I will be attending my first encampment this year with Georgia Wing. I am very curious as to how my experience will play out because of my rank. Can anyone tell me what to expect?
First encampment is.. first encampment. You are there for the training. Your rank means you have been exposed to a lot more of what you will be covering. But there's still plenty you've not encountered because you have not been to encampment.
It's a week long school. Your rank means nothing otherwise. It's not why you are there, but it will potentially help you succeed in ways the lower ranking cadets won't see.
You're in good standing to help with your flight and contribute to the overall outcome so that you all can be the best flight you can be.
So I will treated like every other cadet?
P.S not saying I have a problem with that
That's how it's supposed to work. You will be treated like every other cadet, and responded to in the way you react to it. The encampment does not change just because your near completing Phase II.
You're there as an attendee (basic, student, or whatever degrading derogatory term some people like to use), or you're there as staff.
Some encampments run an advanced flight/curriculum, that may be either the non-flight staff cadets with a portion being advanced curriculum interleaved with staff duties, or whole time curriculum.
^ You have to complete a basic encampment before you can participate in advanced training flights, etc.
Although you'll be treated the same as everyone else, more will be expected of you. Since you're a Chief, you'll have other cadets on your flight look to you for guidance. However, these are unofficial expectations; you only have to perform to the level of the rest of the basics.
Secondly, make sure you have a good relationship with your flight staff. Don't give them attitude cause you're a top NCO. If you've got a good relationship with them, they might put a little bit more responsibility on you. In most cases though, there's no conflict and there's a good chance you'll be respected among your peers and staff.
Thanks everyone for your answers! This has eased my anxiety of going to encampment.
Quote from: Cjthom1728 on May 15, 2013, 10:47:24 PM
Thanks everyone for your answers! This has eased my anxiety of going to encampment.
Where is 157? I used to know but since moving and coming back to GA I have forgotten many things.
Quote from: Cjthom1728 on May 14, 2013, 05:37:17 PM
So I will treated like every other cadet?
P.S not saying I have a problem with that
Yes and no. You will be treated like any other participant because you are attending this encampment as a first time participant. But as others have said, more is expected from you because of your rank and experience. As a senior member, I have participated in training where others more junior than me in rank (to include cadets) where instructing or leading. In these situations, rank is irrelevant because you're there for the training. That's not to say that I didn't provide assistance as needed, as a leader should do. You too are a leader and, while a trainee in this context, should also lead by example.
Quote from: Garibaldi on May 16, 2013, 10:34:33 PM
Quote from: Cjthom1728 on May 15, 2013, 10:47:24 PM
Thanks everyone for your answers! This has eased my anxiety of going to encampment.
Where is 157? I used to know but since moving and coming back to GA I have forgotten many things.
Its the Newton County Composite Squadron.
Quote from: Cjthom1728 on May 14, 2013, 05:09:13 PM
I am a Chief Master Sergeant and I will be attending my first encampment this year with Georgia Wing. I am very curious as to how my experience will play out because of my rank. Can anyone tell me what to expect?
you will be expected to know a little more but an encampment is an encampment
C/2nd lt Hildebrand
Coming from a flight sergeant (hopfully) I would expect any cadet NCO to behave properly, know all the customs and curtsies, and wear their uniform properly. I would also expect them to be more advanced I their drill training. The reason why I say this is when I was an inflight/basic my flight sergeant and flight commander both had to leave the flight in a conference room while we were waiting for c-130 rides. They put a fellow inflight, a chief, in charge of keeping order.
As a more experienced cadet, I would expect you would be made element leader. The cadets of lesser rank will look up to you because your in the same situation as them, but you've got rank.
All in all, act like you think you should, and don't do anything stupid.
Good luck,
A.O.S.
But it's really hard to screw up, so you should be fine. Remember to have a good time.
It is very important to remember that you will probably be of a higher 'grade' than many Cadet Staff Members, but you must always show them respect as all of them will 'outrank' you while you are there. They have already completed thier basic Encampment (many will be working their 2nd or 3rd Encampment as a Staff Member), they applied, interviewed, and were selected for their positions. You will have to listen to them, regardless that you have a few more chevrons of brass on your colar.
By the tone of your posts, I don't think you will have a problem. Have fun with it!
Quote from: aceofspades on May 21, 2013, 11:53:50 AM
Coming from a flight sergeant (hopfully) I would expect any cadet NCO to behave properly, know all the customs and curtsies, and wear their uniform properly. I would also expect them to be more advanced I their drill training. The reason why I say this is when I was an inflight/basic my flight sergeant and flight commander both had to leave the flight in a conference room while we were waiting for c-130 rides. They put a fellow inflight, a chief, in charge of keeping order.
As a more experienced cadet, I would expect you would be made element leader. The cadets of lesser rank will look up to you because your in the same situation as them, but you've got rank.
All in all, act like you think you should, and don't do anything stupid.
Good luck,
A.O.S.
I see that you have pointed out drill. Should i review drill commands that i do not often use at my home squadron i.e: column of files, extend and close march, change step, etc?
As a C/CMSgt you should be well versed in the following:
CAPM39-1
AFMAN36-2203
CAPR 52-16
Quote from: Cjthom1728 on May 22, 2013, 01:33:00 AM
I see that you have pointed out drill. Should i review drill commands that i do not often use at my home squadron i.e: column of files, extend and close march, change step, etc?
As a C/CMSgt you should be knowledgeable about all drill commands, movements and formations that are part of Achievement 1 through Achievement 8.
They use colums and files A LOT. At least they did at my encampment. Change step I wouldn't really worry about, because te pretty self explainitory. Close and extend march I would be familiar with. But remember the simple stuff. Head 45 degrees at dress right dress, snap to drd when opening ranks and not when closing ranks, and look at counter columns on YouTube. I had to learn it for drill tests at encampment: it was hard to learn but SO AWESOME when we got it right.
One of the hardest things to do in the military is lead your peers, and here CAP isn't any different. There may well be cadet cadre that you outrank. Some people have the tendency to try to milk that situation to get away with things that they shouldn't. Respect their position, and make their life easier- it's very likely that you'll be in their position someday. Try to see it from their point of view, that they're just trying to accomplish the mission, and imagine how you would want others to behave that you're trying to direct.
Remember- do not confuse rank with authority.
Just because someone outranks someone else, it does not mean one gets to boss the other around. All it means is you treat the higher ranking person with respect and some tact. The Flight Commander and Flight Sergeant (and whole chain of command) have the authority to get things done, but even if you happen to outrank them, you are in the wrong if you try to go against what they direct (safety/ethics issues aside).
However, from your good attitude reflected through the post, I know this will not be a problem for you. See it as a chance to help the younger cadets out and mentor them, though be careful not to make it seem like you're doing so in some sort of official capacity as a member of the cadre.