ILWG Summer Encampment

Graduation Day

Photos have been posted HERE.

Success Stories

By Capt. James Kalemis

As the Encampment comes to a close, there was one difference that stuck out: the cadets were TERRORIZED to be here on day one, and today they are laughing, having fun, and are all glad they stuck it out.  That is the story of the 2008 Summer Encampment.  And here are other successes of the Encampment:

From the Commander, Major Noelle Sublett

• No one went home
• We broke the attendance record for at least the past 7 years (169 cadets, 47 seniors)
• The base loved us and invited us back
• Recruited people to come back next year
• Met mission of providing a quality encampment

From the Communications School

• Six cadets completed ROA training, five completed advanced rating
• Three cadets completed tasking for Communications Unit Leader

From Cadet Erin Dunne, Squadron 13 Commander

• Cadets greatly improved their drill
• Cadets learned to make their bunks

From Cadet Derryth Gaviria, Squadron 12 Commander

• Cadets improved their military bearing
• They left better than they arrived

From Cadet Timothy Newport, Squadron 14 Commander

• Cadets learned to work as a team
• Marching skills improved greatly

From Cadet Emily Medina, ATS Commander

• We overcame large roadblocks working as a team
• We have made potential leaders
• Cadets will leave here with much more confidence.

Photos of all flights are below with Col. Gordon Larson, ILWG Commander

 

 

Thursday's Events

Thursday was another busy day as flights continued their scheduled activities.  This included visits to the Air National Guard station, the Illinois State Military Museum, leadership exercises with Army 1st Sgt Galvan, and a visit from the Illinois Wing Commander, Col. Gordon Larson who held several classes.

From the Cadet Deputy Commander
By C/Major Steven Decraene

The keystone to a good leader is a knowledge and understanding of followership.  One of the most important components in developing leaders in CAP is encampments.  After my first encampment in 2004, I was inspired to improve myself and return each consecutive year until I held the position of Cadet Commander.  After Summer Encampment 2004, I then went to Spring Encampment 2005 as a Flight Sergeant, Summer Encampment 2005 on Support Staff, Summer Encampment 2006 as a Flight Commander, and Summer Encampment 2007 as Squadron 10 commander.

When I was accepted as the Cadet Deputy Commander, I immediately began planning with the Cadet Commander.  We evaluated staff applications, made changes to the Cadet Staff Structure, and created manuals for Flight Sergeants, Flight Commanders, and the Standards and Evaluations Team.

I am thinking of a few changes for the 2009 Summer Encampment.  I would like to see a larger RCLS class and have more cadets on support staff.  Support Staff is one of the most important functions of an encampment.  The more specialized their functions the smoother the encampment is run.  I would also like to assist the ILWG Director of Cadet Programs and the ILWGSE 2009 Commander in implementing a new wing-wide training program that would be a requirement for cadet staff.  Our Texas brethren have a five step training program beginning with Airman Leadership School and ending with Cadet Command Staff College, and I would like to help implement a training program similar to that for Illinois that would help train the cadet staff at all levels.  I have been taking down notes all week on opportunities for improvement for the next Summer Encampment, and I will be counting the next 365 days after encampment very closely!

Additional photos from the day's events are on the Photo Page.

Fifth Day of Encampment

What to Expect from Encampment
By Lt Col. Gerry Levesque

As I complete my sixth encampment as the Commandant of Cadets with Illinois Wing, my thoughts really range from past to present when it comes to CAP encampments.  My first one was some thirty plus years ago, but it significantly influenced me to where I have made it a point to attend every year if at all possible. 

I’ll never forget being sent away from home the first time.  A two striper that was good at his home unit, but really unprepared.  I walked in the door and saluted my flight commander,  who then proceeded to educate me in the error of my ways.  By the end of the first week (it was two weeks back then), I wanted to go home with my parents when they came to visit on family day.  My dad convinced me to stay and it was the best decision I ever made.  The second week was great and the lessons they were trying to teach finally sank in.

The first week was all work, making beds with measurements to fractions of an inch, hand polishing the floor, latrine cleaning, marching, physical training, kitchen police, classes, Charge of Quarters (CQ) duty and the 0500 wake ups.  Sounds familiar?  It was a roller coaster ride of success and failure with inspections and trying to get everyone to work as a team.  There were so many little things that seemed to take us in different directions all at the same time.  I remember thinking it was madness.

The second week was just opposite of the first.  There were fewer problems, everyone seemed on the same sheet of music and we were having fun!  I never could have imagined such a transition.  Our uniforms looked sharp, we marched and sang cadences in unison and were very proud and motivated.  Even at 14, I could see the change and I liked it. 

The lesson that I learned about encampment and what cadets should expect is that you will learn about teamwork and that often requires breaking down individuality and making everyone recognize they need to work together.  That everyone will practice, and practice again, those fundamentals of the military lifestyle - marching, inspections, customs and courtesies and so forth.  And most important is attention to detail.  While a 1/4” is not make a big deal when making your bed - what about a missed landing on an aircraft carrier?

The lessons that I have tried to teach cadets is to remember the four Cs:

Communication:  Every message requires a sender and a receiver that must understand the message.  That message should mean the same to everyone.
Candor:  Be honest with yourself and others.  Say exactly what you mean - don’t leave room for people to misinterpret. 
Courage:  Be strong enough to do the right thing - the right way, no matter how difficult the process may be.  Very often it is harder to do things correctly - be strong.
Commitment:  If you decide to do something - then do it.  Give the best of your self to the point where you know you did everything you could.

You are showing improvement everyday.  Continue that path and return to help us make better cadets in the future.

The Wednesday of Encampment
By Capt. James Kalemis

Today the full program of the Encampment continued.  The cadet flights were split up in Moral Leadership classes, pop-bottle rocketry, group leadership exercises, drill & ceremony exercises, and museum visits (more on the museum tomorrow).  The orientation flights continued at the airports.  The cadets also seemed much more at ease and enjoying the activities. 

SSgt Hannah Godar, USAF,  is a Loadmaster on MC-130s and described her experiences flying cargo in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The cadets asked a lot of questions on the types of cargo—including personnel—and how to balance the aircraft. 

Lt Col. Gerry Levesque, Commandant, talked about the “4 C’s”: Communications, Candor, Commitment and Courage.  He had all the cadets laughing in stitches as he described the story of his dogs.

When the cadets had their lights-out the staff members had a little appreciation dinner, joined by our Wing Commander, Col. Gordy Larson.  Special presentations were made to the cook of the Encampment, the one and only, Capt. Nina Rossini; the Communications School staff of Majors Jim Bartel, Gerry Scherer and Lt Col. Tom Golz were presented with Commander's Commendations for their efforts with the Comms School; and last but not least, Lt Col. James Weiland was presented with a Certificate of the Congressional Record read to the 110th Congress in Recognition of James Weiland's service to the Civil Air Patrol.  This was Lt Col. Weiland's 60th - that's right - 60th Encampment!

 

The Antenna Farm
By Major Jerry Scherer

You may have noticed at the side of the building that the Communications School has planted their antenna farm.  Each year we attempt to improve our crop and it is the second year we have grown one this large.  All kidding aside, this is a serious effort to raise our capabilities.  At the Communications School, part of our goals is to develop new and more efficient methods of deploying our equipment.  Currently with 3 antenna masts we are supporting two VHF antennas—an HF antenna and an FM band—serving our CAP members.

The VHF antennas are used to communicate with our aircraft and vehicles.  This allows operations the ability to communicate and coordinate all of our daily activities.  The HF antenna is configurable between short distance (NVIS) and long distance (Skywave) configurations.  This is something we have developed over a couple of years and is similar to what the military use in their field operations.  We have even installed lighted beacons on the top of our antenna masts.  Not something necessary here at the school, but in the field could be used to assist ground teams and aircraft at night.

If we look back at the at the beginnings of the Communications School, it goes back to Volk Field where we had only 1 VHF antenna and 1 HF antenna.  Those were jerry-rigged where one antenna was strung by rope between two trees using nylon rope and the other mast section was tie-wrapped to a rain gutter.  Last year was our largest crop supporting five antenna masts with the same number of antennas mounted. 

What we have learned over the years has both maximized our capabilities while effectively minimizing our resource requirements.  This is demonstrated with our latest farm giving all of our capabilities of the past Communications School with less kits.  We continue to improve our capabilities and expect to see more of our farms in the future.

More photos from the day are at the Photo Page.

Fourth Day of Encampment

The Tuesday of Encampment
By Capt. James Kalemis

Today was a very active day for the cadets.  Powered and glider orientation flights continued, although low clouds delayed the flights.  The morning included barrack inspections.    “Today’s inspections were much better”, said LtCol. Levesque, Encampment Commandant.

In the classrooms, Capt. Joe Hacket gave an introduction on CAP’s Emergency Services and used an exercise on identifying the most valuable survival gear if you find yourself stranded.  Majors Robertson and Miller discussed the Cadet Program with the cadets.  Major Miller’s presentation was particularly interesting because she used excerpts from the show “Space Above and Beyond”  that features a team of Marines going through the trials and tribulations of leadership and followership.  Additional classes included a beginner Communications class and a Rocketry class. 

The cadets finished the simulated firearm training shooting computer screens full of enemies.  “Finally the Seniors got a try at the simulator”, said Capt. Ron Gwaltney, ATS Director, “and we showed our superiority to the cadets!”  The day ended with more Physical Training exercises after dinner.

                                 

                                                                                                

                                                                                     

            

                                                                                                                                             

From the Cadet Commander
By C/Col Daniel Riordan

I went to my basic encampment in June of 2002.  It was my first time away from home, and I was scared beyond all belief.  My parents had just dropped me off for seven days of “Basic Training” and I was unprepared, worried, and in the unfamiliar area of Fort Leonard Wood.  We drilled non-stop, and ate without talking.  We practiced our customs and courtesies, and were lectured by Air Force officers.  We studied, what seemed like, pointless information.  I can still remember my cadet commander’s name, C/Lt Col. Robert M. Lowery.  “Encampment was suppose to be fun, was I lied to that it was going to be easy?” I was tired and wanted to go home.  I talked to my TAC Officer, but he only told me that it would be worth it to stay.  I was upset and was certain my TAC did not understand my personal needs.
Much to my dismay, I stayed at the encampment.  Seven days came and went and thanks to my TAC’s advice, I ended up having the best time of my life.  The same encampment I wanted to leave day six days earlier, had become a lifestyle that I had no intention of giving up. I was sad to leave all my flight members, but extremely excited to go to my next encampment.  From that point on, I wanted to be an encampment cadet commander.  Six years later, I was given the opportunity to lead a staff of cadets to aid in the education and training of the basic cadets at the 2008 ILWG Summer Encampment.  With hard work and determination, I was able to push through the difficulties of encampment and work to accomplish my ultimate goal of becoming cadet commander.   Despite its difficulties, encampment has become the CAP activity I look forward to most.

                                                                                       

                                                            

                                                          

Meet Your Transportation Officer
By LtCol. Randy Mitchell

The transportation section at encampment is responsible for transporting people to and from different activities, running errands off base to pick up supplies or deliver lunch to the pilots at the airport.   The transportation section chief is 1st Lt Bunny Sies.  She does the scheduling for transport and handles the paperwork part of the operation.  This is a big responsibility and she handles it admirably.  All I have to do is to drive where I am supposed to, be safe, and not get lost…much.

This is my 15th encampment since joining CAP in 1977.  I attended my first encampment in 1979 at the old Chanute AFB in Rantoul, IL.  I then got to attend the first ever Officer’s Training School in Illinois Wing in 1981.  This was what ATS is at this encampment.  It was a matter of pride for us that the 16 in OTS received a grand total of 77 demerits for the whole week. That’s not average or per person.  That is TOTAL.  That’s something for the ATS cadets to shoot for the rest of the week.  After that, I was cadet commander of a weekend encampment at Scott AFB.  Then I returned to summer encampment in 1983 as the XO of Charlie Squadron.  I didn’t return to encampment for 14 years.

In 1997, Major Kelly Robertson, the Deputy Commander, and I decided to come back to encampment because of all the stories we were hearing from our cadets that we sent to encampment.  They were telling us that they were getting yelled at for doing things wrong in drill.  This confused us because we had trained them to drill and we knew we were teaching it the right way straight out of the manual.  So we decided to go back to encampment as TACs.  That first year was fun but exhausting.  We ran into a lot of people we had known as cadets and young seniors who we didn’t know were still in CAP.  One of these was LtCol. Paul Nordhaus who was a CAP-RAP officer at the time, but who had been my cadet commander at OTS in 1981.  We also met a bunch of new people who we became friends with like Major Noelle Sublett, Encampment Commander, and LtCol. Jim Weiland, Finance Officer.

I didn’t return in 1998, but I have been back every year since. For several years, I was an OTS instructor and director.  Then in 2002, I had the privilege of running the Illinois Wing’s first Region Cadet Leadership School at Volk ANGB with Major Jacqueline Miller, the new Wing Director of Cadet Programs.  After Major Sublett became the Encampment Commander in late 2002, I worked as the COMSEC chief for a few years before becoming one of the transportation section the last two years.

Since 2003, because the command staff has remained in place and has been very selective about the rest of the senior and cadet staff, the encampment has become a much more smooth running organization.  There is always room for improvement in any activity such as this, but there is a greater sense of confidence that everything will turn out for the best.  I think this is a tribute to the talent and the dedication of the staff here at encampment.  It is also a reflection of the idea that the basic cadets are the most important people at the encampment.  We as the staff have to keep working to ensure that they have fun, keep safe, and learn something from this experience.

For additional photos from today, see this Photo Page.

Third Day of Encampment

The Monday of Encampment
By Capt. James Kalemis

Monday morning started with barracks inspection.  “Inspection was an eye opener”, said LtCol. Levesque, Encampment Commandant, “there is definitely room for improvement.  The cadets just need to be shown how to do it correctly.” 

Air Force instruction continued on enlisted careers and benefits.  Then LtCol. Kevin Hayes, USAF, had a show-and-tell with Air Force gear including parachutes, G-suits, and survival gear.

Even though the morning started with looming storm clouds, the front moved quickly and the Orientation Flights commenced.  Additionally, Engagement Skills Training (simulated firearms) kept the cadets entertained as they tried shooting enemies on a screen.

 

A Word from your Health Services Officer
By Capt. Joe  Hackett

Aqua, H2O, Lake Michigan straight, water…. Yes, water is the necessity of life. Keep hydrated, an empty canteen is a useless tool. Keep it filled and drink often. If you are thirsty you have already started to get dehydrated.  What goes in must come out…. Use the bathroom when you have to and remember, as your mom always says, wash your hands when you’re done.

Have you told the Chef you love her yet?  Remember your body needs fuel to keep up with all your encampment activities. The food here is great, eat as much as you would like and remember to thank the Chef.

From all the health staff, we are here to make your encampment a safe, healthy and enjoyable one.  If you need help, please ask, Captain Hackett, Captain Santiago or C/MSgt Campbell.  Captain Hackett comes from WIWG where he has been active in Emergency Medical Services since the mid 1980’s. He is a Licensed EMT-B,  EMT License Examiner, State Certified Firefighter 2, Firefighter Officer, Fire Instructor and Fire Inspector.   He has been involved with CAP for 15 years and is currently the Emergency Services Officer for the 461st Composite Squadron in West Bend, WI, and Wisconsin Wing Director of Professional Development.

Being the Commander’s Assistant
By C/Capt Katie Bishop

Being the Commander’s Assistant is a very challenging job.  During the week of Encampment I am in charge of coordinating the orientation flights and getting all of the cadets off to the airports.  I am also the Color Guard commander in charge of raising and lowering the Facility’s American and Illinois flags, as well as commanding the Color Guard at the Pass in Review.  And of course, whatever Major Sublett asks me to do.

Having these roles are very demanding but also very rewarding.  I am able to pay respects to the American flag which I have treasured and honored all my life.  I can not think of a better way to honor my country and the American flag this week than being the Color Guard commander.

Another rewarding part of this role is being able to see cadets go on their first orientation flight and seeing their faces when they return.  It is truly a look you could never forget.  It’s such a great thing for me because I still remember how I felt after my first glider flight at my basic encampment in 2004.  It was exhilarating!

This role may be challenging and demanding but also fun.  I always look forward to encampment and I already can not wait for next year!

Moral Leadership

1st Lt Doug Gluntz taught a Moral Leadership class today.  He emphasized morals, leadership, duty and honor.  His presentation discussed the various people to whom we have leadership influence.  One example he used was if asked to perform a duty that goes against their moral convictions.  Other discussion points included esteeming highly someone or something, honoring the flag, and why we do things a certain way because we respect things highly.  In addition to being a Moral Leadership Officer, 1st Lt Gluntz serves as a TAC Officer in the Encampment.

For additional photos of the day, see the Photos Page.

Second Day of Encampment

A Word from the Deputy Commander
By Major Kelly Robertson

Here we find ourselves again.  It’s a different place than we are used to, but we find ourselves together again as the Summer Encampment.  Some of us have been members of the family for a long time.  Others are attending for their first time. Many things have happened this year that might have kept our family from getting together to reunite again for the ritual of encampment.  However thanks to the tireless efforts of all our senior members we found our new home, Camp Lincoln.  We have adapted to the challenges that it has presented, we improvised were things were lacking to make the encampment work, and have overcome many obstacles to be ready for in-processing of cadets on 19 July. 

We are a family, united to accomplish a common purpose – the execution of the 2008 Illinois Wing Summer Encampment.  For me, this is my 11th consecutive Illinois Wing Summer Encampment, my 12th Illinois Wing Summer Encampment, my 13th Summer Encampment and 15th Encampment.  Others here in our family are celebrating their third, firth, 20th, 45th or even an amazing 60th encampment.  It is simply outstanding how many years of encampment experience we have here to draw upon and rely upon to see this encampment executed. 

Years of dedication to the Cadet Program of Civil Air Patrol and to the Illinois Wing Cadet Programs, in particular.  Experienced seasoned and dedicated senior members with a can-do attitude and a desire to see the encampment through and completed successfully.  Senior Members whose only agenda is to work together as a team or family and win.  And winning is to see the cadets have a successful, learning and growing experience in the CAP program.  An experience that they can take home to their home units and grow at the local level to improve not only their unit, but their home wing, and make CAP a better program for all of us.

Six years ago we started the “Five Year Program” to build an encampment structure that would bring and build a cohesive staff with cooperative members who desired continuity from one year to the next.  I had no idea what we would end up with.  I had an idea of what I would hope to see but had no real clue as to what it would look like.  Now on the sixth year, that vision is pretty clear.  In almost every respect we have exceeded my wildest dreams.  The Illinois Wing Summer Encampment has grown from a basic encampment to an encampment with four different opportunities for cadets to participate in.  The basic encampment is still the backbone and our reason for existing.  Adding to it is the Advanced Training Squadron (ATS) to teach skills necessary for a cadet to be on staff.  The Communications School teaches cadets and seniors all the skills necessary to development experienced communicators.  And this year we added the Region Cadet Leadership School (RCLS), allowing cadets to now fulfill the requirements for promotion in Phase IV.   In the “Sixth Year” of the “Five Year Plan”, we have begun to see the program we started with expand and grow to a place we could not dream of.  Five years of hard work by a group of great senior members. 

The feeling of gratitude and appreciation I feel for each and every senior member in attendance here can’t be adequately expressed in words.  You are my friends but most importantly you are my CAP family.  The Illinois Wing Summer Encampment is the one time and one place each year in CAP that I truly look forward to and would not miss because of you, my senior member brothers and sisters, who work so hard to see this activity succeed.  Thank you for your friendship, dedication to the Summer Encampment Program and service to the Cadet Program.

And THANK YOU for allowing me to be apart of your family.

Second Day of Encampment
By Capt James Kalemis

The second day of Encampment consisted of two major activities, Air Force instruction and Orientation Flights.  The Air Force instruction was facilitated by three Air Force officers headed by LtCol. Brian Greer.  The cadets were given instruction on Air Force careers, the organization and structure of the Air Force, the Chain of Command, and the USAF-CAP Liaison office.  The Air Force officers will also be conducting the inspections for the aircraft during the Orientation Flights.

They Are Here from Texas!
By C/2nd Lt Emily Gaviria

The union between Texas and Illinois began in Philadelphia in 2002 at the National Board meeting.  Major Sublett was offered the position of Encampment Commander by Col. Burrell.  Major Sublett offered the position of Commandant of Cadets to LtCol. Levesque and agreed on a “Five Year Plan”.  The plan was to build a structure for cadet progression through the staff ranks to eventually become cadet commander.  This plan allowed for consistency and efficiency and produced some effective cadet leaders.  From the 2003 Summer Encampment to today, LtCol. Levesque and Major Sublett have staffed the top positions.  LtCol. Levesque has used all his frequent flyer miles to come to the Summer Encampments, even brought a van this year.

In the summer of 2004, LtCol. Levesque started bringing experienced cadets from Texas to fill in vital positions of the cadet staff.  This is now the 6th year of the “Five Year Plan” and the Texas cadets are accepted with open arms.  There are no more “you are not welcome” messages being sent, no grudges held, and no misunderstandings.  This is your house and we are just warm (or sometimes chilly) visitors!

Photos from day two of the Encampment are on the Photo Page.

Encampment Day One

Welcome from the Encampment Commander
By Major Noelle Sublett

The 2008 Illinois Wing Summer Encampment is off to a great start!  We have cadets from seven wings and senior members from four wings in attendance.  Our cadet attendance has increased 32% over last year’s numbers.  We are fortunate to have found the facilities at Camp Lincoln, as the location we have used in the past for encampment was unable to accommodate us this year.  We have some adjustments to make with the move, but it shouldn’t slow us down! 

               

National Headquarters CAP publishes a required curriculum for the basic cadets at encampment.  It includes instruction in Air Force and Civil Air Patrol fundamentals, moral leadership, physical fitness, drill and ceremonies, creative thinking, and aerospace career opportunities.  Cadets must successfully complete at least 80% of the required curriculum in order to receive encampment credit.  In addition to classroom instruction, the cadets will participate in orientation flights in powered or glider aircraft.  We have plans to visit the Illinois state military museum during the week as well.

                     

The cadets have a long, hectic week ahead of them.  Many of them have been “hanging out” at home all summer.  Encampment can be a bit of a shock to some of the cadets in the beginning, but the majority of cadets who attend and complete encampment have great things to report and end up returning again the next year.

                  

The encampment staff is excited to be here and give the cadets the opportunity to learn about the Air Force, about Civil Air Patrol, and about themselves.  We are looking forward to a rewarding week!

Encampment Introduction

The first day of the Summer Encampment was mainly the check-in process for the cadets.  Each cadet validated their membership, had their belongings inspected, appropriated their meds, and then received their bunk assignments. 

Major Noelle Sublett, the Encampment Commander, welcomed the cadets.  She made a point of safety and procedure for the meds for those who need them.  Lt Col. Gerry Levesque, Commandant of Cadets, explained the proper conduct and etiquette of Encampment, stressing the care of the facilities.   This is the first time the Summer Encampment is held at Camp Lincoln.  As a matter of fact, the facilities we are using were just opened in October.  More so, we are the first to use the kitchen.  He highlighted the point by noting that dessert will not be part of dinner until he is happy!

The Health Services Officer, Capt. Joe Hackett, re-iterated how critical drinking water is in this weather.  “This a glass”, he said while showing a glass upright, “and this is an empty glass”, as he rotated the glass. “You will drink one full glass of water with every meal.”

The Cadet Commander, C/Col. Daniel Riordan, introduced his staff and the command staff of each flight.  Final remarks were made by Major Kelly Robertson, Deputy Commander of the Encampment.  “You are here to learn and have fun!”

Communications School

The idea of a Communications School was born from being very short of communicators in the Wing, recalls Major James Bartell, Communications Director of the Encampment.  Major Bartell is on his 12th year at Summer Encampment.  In the earlier encampments they only offered an ROA card.  The genesis of the Communications School was selfish. “We need to have more people that can do this job”, said Major Bartell.  “It’s one of the few jobs a cadet can be a Unit Leader in.  It behooves us to teach cadets to take over our jobs.” 

The Communications School starts with basic ROA, and covers basic electricity, antennas, soldering, the MRO and CUL curriculum, even new systems like SDIS, Archer, and IMU are introduced. 
The Communications School cadets are split into two groups—one group handles the basic communications while the other group is in class.  Throughout the week the two groups switch.  As an added bonus, Major Jerry Scherer will be teaching the FCC courses for FCC licensing.  “Our hopes are to grow the school,” says Major Bartell.  “It works so well to have it during the Encampment because of the class time and time on the radios.”

The encampment benefits from having a Communications School.  The Communications School staff run the Encampment communications, including vehicle and aircraft communications.  Additionally, it’s a huge asset to learn how to work the communications equipment.  “Many of our senior members do not know to use a CAP radio”, said LtCol. Golz, “and they would be coming to you [Communications School cadets] for assistance.” 

Meet the First Sergeant

The Encampment 1st Sgt, C/CMSgt Kelsey Mathis is from Texas Wing Squadron 802.  During the Encampment Introduction, she emphasized that she “hated sloppy drill!”.  “Drill is important because it builds teamwork and teamwork helps accomplish your goals”, she later explained.  She wants to be an excellent 1st Sgt so she can train future Encampment staff. “And I don’t want to scare a lot of cadets out of CAP while doing it!”

Additional photos can be seen on the Day One Photo Page.

The 2008 ILWG Summer Encampment will be held at Camp Lincoln Army National Guard facility in Springfield, IL.  The Marseilles Training Center will be training a large number of Illinois National Guard soldiers this summer in preparation for deployment later this year.  As a result, they will not have space for CAP this summer. 

For more information, visit the Summer Encampment webpage.

This blog will be dedicated to daily postings of the 2008 Summer Encampment.