Encampment Advice

[DakRadz]

So, I'll be going to GAWG Encampment 2010 as a doolie, basic, first-year, whatchamacallit.
I just thought I'd ask for advice, seeing as I'm going as a c/Chief Master Sergeant... I've been to a Navy JROTC version (same *basic* concept as far as I can tell), but any advice as far as being so high-ranking compared to the norm?

Obviously, I don't care if you're in GAWG, going to GAWG's encampment, or if you're going to encampment at all this year- just so long as you've been before.

[a2capt]

Don't ask about sneaking in food? 


The good thing? You already know all the "hard" stuff.


The bad thing? You still have to put up with it.


Rise up and contribute to your Flight. You give them an advantage.

[DC]

Your flight staff probably wont care about your rank, but realize that there is a significant possibility that you will outrank your flight sergeant. Don't let that go to your head. Be a team player, and help out the newer/younger cadets in your flight, they will appreciate having someone who has half a clue what's going on to talk to.

[JC004]

For a number of reasons, I had to go to Encampment late (C/CMSgt).  I would have benefited from going earlier, but given the circumstances, I couldn't have helped it, so oh well.

Just don't start any trouble.  Don't try to stand out too much.  It's likely that the flight staff will expect more of you and want you to help out the less knowledgeable cadets.  That's what they wanted from me.  They also had good fun with me because they all knew me and took the opportunity to torture me a bit.  I bit back nicely.  Nonetheless, there will probably be at least several others in your situation.  Try helping out and mentoring the airmen.  The flight staff and the basics will likely appreciate it.

[DakRadz]

I wasn't able to attend last summer (joined before encampment, after application process), and then moved to GAWG from ALWG, where the winter encampment in Florida was overlooked/lost in translation. Plus, being a JROTC cadet let me advance quicker.

I've been told others will expect more from me because of the fact I'm a c/Chief, and I'll be more than happy to help the younger basics.

[Nathan]

I wasn't able to attend last summer (joined before encampment, after application process), and then moved to GAWG from ALWG, where the winter encampment in Florida was overlooked/lost in translation. Plus, being a JROTC cadet let me advance quicker.

I've been told others will expect more from me because of the fact I'm a c/Chief, and I'll be more than happy to help the younger basics.

Alrighty. Good question.

At encampment, for command purposes, a basic is a basic. You will be reporting to your sergeant, regardless of his/her rank. It would definitely be a good idea to show all the proper respects, such as referring to your flight sergeant as "sergeant", reinforcing orders, and so on.

The cadets will be looking up to you, and sometimes, that will be a good thing. You are a more experienced cadet, and you will likely be older than many of them. However, keep in mind that the sergeant is still in charge, and if it looks like the cadets are starting to look to you for guidance when they should be looking to their flight sergeant, you should be ready to direct them to the right area. Remember that the flight sergeant is also in a learning position, and you should not deprive him/her of the ability to command, regardless of whether or not the cadets prefer to come to you.

That being said, the flight sergeant may look to you for help with some things, and you should be ready to handle that. You are going to know a lot of the things that cadets are taught, such as drill, C&C, rank structure, and so forth, so be ready to help your fellow cadets to get a hold on that.

But at the end of the day, remember that you will still be in a situation where you are going to be learning things, and your flight sergeant is the one in charge. So as long as you remain humble, you will not only ensure that you get the experience you're supposed to be getting out of encampment, but you will also have a chance to be as helpful as your sergeant needs you to be.

You'll have your chance to command next year. CAP makes cadets go through the basic stage first for a reason, so do everything you can to absorb the experience of being a basic.

[DakRadz]

At encampment, for command purposes, a basic is a basic. You will be reporting to your sergeant, regardless of his/her rank. It would definitely be a good idea to show all the proper respects, such as referring to your flight sergeant as "sergeant", reinforcing orders, and so on.

Figured that one, ready for it.

The cadets will be looking up to you, and sometimes, that will be a good thing. You are a more experienced cadet, and you will likely be older than many of them. However, keep in mind that the sergeant is still in charge, and if it looks like the cadets are starting to look to you for guidance when they should be looking to their flight sergeant, you should be ready to direct them to the right area. Remember that the flight sergeant is also in a learning position, and you should not deprive him/her of the ability to command, regardless of whether or not the cadets prefer to come to you.

I can go all *don't bother me*  Not really. Don't start a fight on that, I wouldn't even joke while at encampment

But at the end of the day, remember that you will still be in a situation where you are going to be learning things, and your flight sergeant is the one in charge. So as long as you remain humble, you will not only ensure that you get the experience you're supposed to be getting out of encampment, but you will also have a chance to be as helpful as your sergeant needs you to be.

You'll have your chance to command next year. CAP makes cadets go through the basic stage first for a reason, so do everything you can to absorb the experience of being a basic.

That's something I respect about CAP. I'll be more proud of my Mitchell than anything other than my AFJROTC State Champs trophies. Unless you're pencil-whipped up to c/officer, you've earned the rank.

I almost derailed my own topic right there... Lots of deleted text.

[Ozzy]

Other then the stuff already being said, you should be the example of what a chief should be. Meaning that your uniforms should be very good (Your BDUs Perfect actually), you should know all of your customs and courtesies, you should be able to answer questions that don't have to deal with encampment (Like where does parts of the uniform go) and you should leave those questions that deal with encampment (Like where does the shoes go, how to make the bunk, etc.) to the flight staff and training staff.

Above all, do not show any disrespect towards the flight sergeant or commander. That can and has messed up plenty of encampment experiences. If you don't like who he or she is, bit the bullet and humor them and get over it. Take it as an exercise on how patient you can be and if you are ever looking to join the military, take a look at new LTs compared to the NCOs they have command over.

[JROB]

I attended my first encampment as a 20 year old Cadet Senior Master Sergeant. I was the oldest cadet at the encampment. My advise is to be a team player, be the example of an experienced cadet, and Keep your flight motivated.

[Kerrbie]

I when as soon as I could when I joined. What I do know is you don't want to go as a chief haha a little late for you but it's not the end of the world. I know a lot of people who have done the same thing. Basiclly your staff is going to expect a lot from you. Help your fellow flight members with their rooms and the memory work and whatever they need. Be the role model. Like mentioned before you know everything already so that will be annoying but you gotta do it which wont be as hard then as if you didn't. Just try to have fun, and don't get that attitude that because your a cheif and most likely a higer grade then your flight sgt you can do whatever you want.

[DakRadz]

This is a really old thread...

I've been to encampment, passed with flying colors, and have my Honor Cadet certificate to show. The advice was used- I'm done now.

[viperred396]

This is a really old thread...

I've been to encampment, passed with flying colors, and have my Honor Cadet certificate to show. The advice was used- I'm done now.

not to keep this thread alive any longer but, congrats on getting Honor Cadet!!!