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.
To C/Major Steven Decraene,
Start an "Encampment Smart Book" with "lessons learned" and "after action reports" from your staff on all primary events. Pass this down to the next group of encampment leaders so they are not reinventing the wheel ever year. Cull from all participants, to include senior leaders, support staff and cadets, what they would like to "START, STOP, and CONTINUE" during future encampments. Budget restraints will dampen any exuberance but this will give you a flavor what they are thinking. Getting input from the new guys will empower his behavior and attitude as a critical cog in your war fighting wing.
This might be the first time you can help develop and influence future encampment leaders. Use it wisely and remember, "The leader is never equal to the led"
Posted by: Tim Clark | July 25, 2008 at 11:25 AM