SER Conference

lordmonar · February 15, 2009, 11:09:34 PM

Anyone go to the SER Conference? Any cool news?

DC · February 15, 2009, 11:56:33 PM

I didn't even know there was an SER Conference... When, where? I didn't hear anything about it, and I'm in FLWG...

Maj Ballard · February 16, 2009, 01:22:19 AM

I went, as a seminar presenter and SER staff member. It was outstanding. One of the best conferences I've ever attended. Very well organized. The banquet was excellent especially. Great food, and a wonderful speaker, Brig Gen Teresa Djuric.

I didn't hear a single negative comment all weekend, which is a first for a CAP conference I think.

As far as cool news... Just general news about progress in CP and PD things caught my attention. I can go into more detail if you like.

Maj Ballard · February 16, 2009, 01:22:44 AM

DC - It was in Birmingham. Several FLWG folks were there.

smitjud · February 16, 2009, 01:27:31 AM

I was there. It was pretty good. I think the most profound piece of news I heard was that NHQ was planning on limiting cadets to 3 NCSA's in the course of their cadet experience. Not a big fan of that. well done conference though and kudo's to those that worked on it's organization.

Senior · February 16, 2009, 01:58:22 AM

I wonder what the reason for limiting cadets in NCSA attendance would be?
If a cadet starts in the program young and advances, they should be allowed to attend as many as they can afford. I started late in the program WIWAC and only attended PJOC and APJOC. I was 19 and 20 years old respectively. I would have tried for more special activities if I had had time. The cadets now have so many more options for activities. What does national want the cadets to do, attend encampment after encampment? I would get very bored being on cadet staff year after year.

Maj Ballard · February 16, 2009, 02:10:43 AM

Apparently they're going to a system that will give weight to cadets in the selection process based on age, rank, and previous NCSA attendance. If you're older, higher ranked, and have never been to an NCSA, you're pretty much a sure bet to go to a top choice. I guess the idea is that they want to make sure that more cadets have the opportunity to go to their first or second choice at some point in their career, rather than the same high-speed cadets taking all the slots year after year.

I will note, however, they said that the activities like NESA, Hawk and Space Academy do not count toward the three. IACE and CLA will.

They've also gone to a "green light/red light" system, where each wing can select 10% of its applicants to "green light," thereby guaranteeing they will get their first or second choice. The remaining cadets will receive (or not) whatever slotting based on the formula and calculations mentioned before. A "red light" cadet has been disapproved for attendance by his or her wing king/queen.

CAPPAO · February 16, 2009, 10:12:26 PM

The Southeast Region Web site posts information about region-wide activities at:

http://www.sercap.us/

News about the region is posted immediately as it becomes available at:

http://twitter.com/SERCAP

smitjud · February 19, 2009, 10:38:05 PM

I've just heard from a NHQ staff member that there will indeed not be a limit to 3 activities in a CAP career for a cadet. Apparently there was some miscommunication from the messenger.

Instead, there will be no departure from the slotting system announced last year, which everyone should be familiar with by now.

What that policy says is that after a cadets 3rd NCSA, they no longer get points under Number of NCSA's in the objective slotting criteria.

Good to know.