As the esteemed esquire Ned alluded to in the other thread, we answered that question and then went off on our own azimuth regarding intensity (mostly focused on the nebulous term "yelling"). I'm pretty passionate about this stuff (encampment is my favorite part of CAP and the part I think does the most good for the most cadets) and think we would be well-served to have an in-depth discussion on it. If a mod could pull the relevant posts from the other topic onto this one (I assume that's possible but I don't know for sure) I would greatly appreciate it.We don't do a great job of professionally discussing things like this. In a perfect world, the Volunteer would be more like a "professional" CAP journal where peers discuss the issues (it mainly serves to recruit the already recruited, but I digress). So I'd like some feedback on if I'm right, wrong, or anywhere in between and why.In a nutshell, we need to have a common definition and conditions associated with the raised voice:- The voice is not raised to the point of injury (to the speaker's vocal cords or the listener's ear). It also is not to be used in the immediate "bubble" of the listener. A good rule of thumb (I think, let me know if I'm off base) is that a circle drawn around the listener with the radius being that person's arm-length is a good definition for a "bubble".- The content is more important than the delivery volume. Train staff in the relevant information regarding this subject (raise voice at the group, don't single out one person, etc) and this should be a non-issue. - The raised voice is an intentional tool in the intensity toolbox. The tools of presence, volume, expectations, and time from https://youtu.be/6GD7wf5kwu4 are an excellent guideline, along with the "Effective Training Box" model I've already stolen. The tool is selected for a specific reason to accomplish a specific purpose. It isn't because the cadre member is frustrated and lashing out (this requires mentorship, supervision, and training which should be happening anyway). Remember, this is a learning experience at all levels.- The encampment program should be a good entry-level introduction to the military training model. This means age-appropriate. This means varying levels of intensity appropriate to the situation. It does not mean that the raised voice is replaced in the toolbox by Eskimo kisses because their helicopter parents don't want their precious bunnies scolded. If a cadet never enters a training program again that uses and requires Level 1 intensity, then fine; they can do the cyber NCSAs, COS, etc to their heart's content. If the first time they ever catch a raised voice is day one of PJOC, you've failed to prepare them. - I have little-to-no concern about the cultural changes in today's youth. Life is still stressful. 100 pounds will be 100 pounds no matter what you try to do to change it. Cadets are going to have to do some physical, emotional, and mental heavy lifting at some point. The very least we can do for them is get them to lift the empty bar at the beginning and add appropriate excess weight to push their limits, not just say "we shouldn't lift heavy things anymore, we have cars to carry these things for us today". Just know your people and don't add so much weight you break them. Linear progression and progressive overload are not just weightlifting concepts. - Cadets want to be challenged. Many of them join for this kind of thing. They want to be tested. I've overheard cadets (that weren't Superman by any stretch) complain that encampment was too easy and a letdown. If encampment is the full immersion into the cadet experience and we nerf encampment, the cadet program is doomed to failure by logical extension.
Yelling or the tap dance "raised voice" is a dated tool and needs to be placed on the shelf unless there is a safety issue.
Please do not try and compare military basic training with encampment. They have different goals and are dealing with adults. Encampment is not a tool to separate quality people from everyone else like basic training is. Encampment is an event to teach young teens to be a CAP cadet. It also has to deal with a huge rang of maturity levels and must fit all levels.
Would an NCSA or even a region-level "encampment instructor course" or something like that help? I see pluses and minuses to it but haven't given it severe thought.
Quote from: Jester on June 19, 2018, 05:39:05 PMWould an NCSA or even a region-level "encampment instructor course" or something like that help? I see pluses and minuses to it but haven't given it severe thought.I think it would, however if it was not "required", like actually required, then the effect would probably be like most other "required" training, mixed at best.And if it was "required" like actually required, the pool of available people which is already far too low, would shrink even further, and much like the rest of CAP, there is no way to guarantee continuity.Even when CAP-USAF had oversight, things were still inconsistent wing-to-wing and even year to year, but now that they are largely out of the picture, CAP has lost that check valve.
But there are major differences between encampment and BMT.
It is one thing for an MTI at Lackland to "yell" at a flt of 30-40 people and another for Cadet Snuffy at encampment.
My experience with the latter has been cadets especially cadet cadre yelling simply because they can.
I'm all for a structured encampment regime however yelling especially when there is no imminent dange just to yell or prove a point is counter productive. I can't even recall the last time I had to yell as a training tool in daily job or CAP.
This is the breeding of weakness. It's making cadets who think it's supposed to be all fun, all the time.
1.6.5. Fun. CAP should be fun. New friends and great opportunities are the hallmarks of cadet life.The cadets who work hard in CAP reap the most benefits, but the program should not be another form ofschool – it needs to be fun, hands-on, rewarding, and exciting. Proper adult supervision, an emphasis onrisk management, and teamwork built upon mutual respect create a safe and fun environment. Everyactivity should be fun, for cadets and their adult leaders alike.
Quote from: Jester on June 19, 2018, 05:01:33 PMThis is the breeding of weakness. It's making cadets who think it's supposed to be all fun, all the time. Isn't it? Quote from: CAPR 60-1 1.6.5. Fun. CAP should be fun. New friends and great opportunities are the hallmarks of cadet life.The cadets who work hard in CAP reap the most benefits, but the program should not be another form ofschool – it needs to be fun, hands-on, rewarding, and exciting. Proper adult supervision, an emphasis onrisk management, and teamwork built upon mutual respect create a safe and fun environment. Everyactivity should be fun, for cadets and their adult leaders alike.