National Staff College -- Hours to go!

[JohnKachenmeister]

I will leave my quarters at 0-dark-30 to fly from Orlando to Memphis, change planes, then on to Montgomery and Maxwell.  If the Airline God smiles on me I will be checking into quarters at Maxwell AFB around 1200 hours tomorrow. 

I checked the MSA, and I recognize some CAPtalkers.

See you tomorrow.  Otherwise, I'm off the net for a week.  I expect to be too busy.

[JAFO78]

Kack have a safe trip.

[James Shaw]

I will be leaving at 12AM my time which is 11AM Alabama time. I expect to be busy as well. I look forward to it.

[RiverAux]

I would appreciate it if you guys could give us a report on the event when you return.  I've heard generally favorable comments about it. 

[James Shaw]

it was a great experience. I enjoyed it very much and the people that were in my group were a pleasure to be matched up with. Our practicum for the week was to propose a new way of selecting the Nat CC and Nat VCC. That discussion will some later. I will list the names later. I will go into further detail at a later time as well.

Seminar 2 Group

[CAPLAW]

Like the uniforms, Good pic.  Congrats to all.

[bosshawk]

guy in the middle of the second row is John Longley, Vice Wing Commander of CAWG: know him well.

[Chappie]

Jim...great pic of your seminar group.  Haven't had a chance to download my camera yet.  I'm still in Montgomery and will leave at 0430 tomorrow.  It was great meeting you and John while here.  Thanks for letting me "crash" the film festival on Thursday evening.  I did have to bug out to prepare for Friday.

This year the NSC sessions were held in 3 separate locations: the NHQ Conference room, the Squadron Officers College (SOC) on the academic circle, and the Air University Facility.  So students were exposed to the different venues.  Then of course the banquet and graduation was conducted at the Officer's Club at Maxwell -- a great setting.

Plug for next year...if you want to have the opportunity for great training and meeting CAP members from across the nation, plan to attend.  My seminar group had 11 members -- 6 of the 8 regions were represented; ages ranged from 31-82; careers ranged from aerospace engineers, law enforcement, active and retired military as well as a retiree; 3 squadron commanders and 1 group commander.... a great mix and a tremendous bunch of people.

[LtCol057]

I've been trying for several years to go to NSC, but one of the problems is they wait so late to schedule it. For some of us, we have to schedule vacation in Dec for the entire next year.  After the vacation schedule is posted, I might be able to get one or two days off, but to get an entire week off is almost impossible.

[Chappie]

I've been trying for several years to go to NSC, but one of the problems is they wait so late to schedule it. For some of us, we have to schedule vacation in Dec for the entire next year.  After the vacation schedule is posted, I might be able to get one or two days off, but to get an entire week off is almost impossible.

Unfortunately, the scheduling of NSC is based on the availability of both classrooms and billeting.  For a few years, the NSC was held at the Gunter Annex.  Due to the annex's full schedule, CAP is not able to use those facilities. 

One of the reasons there were 3 venues this year, were the conflict in class sessions between the USAF and CAP (though we were in the SOC -- both Husband and Polifka auditoriums were used).  As one our people said (with tongue firmly stuck in cheek), "What's with these Air Force people, they walk around like they own the place!" LOL.  So NSC is scheduled on space availability.  As CAP is vacating, another AF school is arriving. 

[RiverAux]

I often wonder if CAP would be better off using non-military facilities for training, encampments, etc. given issues such as the above.  Granted being in a military environment has its advantages, but there are also some tradeoffs that I'm not always sure are worth it.

[JohnKachenmeister]

I often wonder if CAP would be better off using non-military facilities for training, encampments, etc. given issues such as the above.  Granted being in a military environment has its advantages, but there are also some tradeoffs that I'm not always sure are worth it.

No way!  The artifacts and historical pictures in ALL of the Maxwell buildings are inspiring.  By the way, by "All," I am including Building 714.  Plus, it is a great chance to interact with AF officers in their early career development stages, and for them to get to know some of our best officers.

[Chappie]

I often wonder if CAP would be better off using non-military facilities for training, encampments, etc. given issues such as the above.  Granted being in a military environment has its advantages, but there are also some tradeoffs that I'm not always sure are worth it.

No way!  The artifacts and historical pictures in ALL of the Maxwell buildings are inspiring.  By the way, by "All," I am including Building 714.  Plus, it is a great chance to interact with AF officers in their early career development stages, and for them to get to know some of our best officers.

Will say a hearty "Amen" to John's observation.   Maxwell AFB is a great place to get a sense of aviation/USAF history.  The monument of the Wright Flyer (and the monument to the Wright Brother's first flying school in the US -- their hanger was near where the flight ops is located) to the USAF Medal of Honor awardees displayed outside Polifka Auditorium -- to using the facilities of the Air University (and having access to AU Press - 10 books a day free to students)... the room at the Officers' Cluber where the reception is held (the flags of the numbered AF's are hung proudly from the ceiling -- oil paintings of the notable founders of the modern day USAF and two large propellars displayed...one over a fireplace....and the ornate ballroom where the graduation banquet is conducted -- and the list could go on.  It was my 5th trip to this base...and I see/experience something new on each visit.   To deprive CAP members from this experience would be almost criminal.