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.
To all ILWGSE staff:
I want to echo the sentiments made yesterday by Mr. Menge. When my wife and I left our son and another cadet from our squadron on Saturday, they had rather deep furrows of concern on their brows. My wife commented that she thought if they hadn't been placed at attention prior to our good-byes, there probably would have been copious tears. The pictures have been a Godsend to us, although we've yet to see a smile on our son's face. I suspect there has been at least one off-camera smile, and I have no doubt he has learned some invaluable lessons-in-life this week. Thank you for all your efforts on behalf of our children and the Civil Air Patrol's cadet program.
Posted by: Maj. Gary Hopkins, CAP | July 24, 2008 at 05:49 AM
Leadership is developed through a dynamic process of three important pillars: institutional training, operational assignments and self development. This is their start in the institutional phase. The senior leaders and staff have developed an environment that is setting the bedrock for their future. Everyone writing, in the daily log, has recalled highs and lows of past encampments and the foundation it afforded in enriching their lives. I’ve notice more smiles on the faces as the week progress. By the time sugar has left their minds they morph into a cohesive and confident flight faster than us when we were in this stage. These airmen are becoming more confident and optimistic about any adverse conditions imposed as another unfavorable obstacle only to be mastered as a team. Great accomplishments will occur with this bunch and you’re there at the apex. Great job. Great program.
Posted by: Tim Clark | July 24, 2008 at 10:02 AM