You’ve made a good choice in considering attendance at the SER Winter Encampment at Tyndall AFB. This year we are additionally offering both the Regional Cadet Leadership School (RCLS) and Regional NCO LeadershipFortSchoolBenning,GA.(RCNCOLS).
For those who have never been to a Basic Encampment/RCLS/RCNCOLSEncampment or have not been to Tyndall,Fort Benning,GA this website will give you important information you will need to prepare for the exciting adventure. Ops Orders for all activities are posted. Below are answers to questions that you may already be thinking? WHAT IS AN ENCAMPMENT? An encampment is a basic introduction to the military way of life and an opportunity to experience leadership from both a follower's and leader's point of view. It is an excellent way of meeting new cadets from throughout the Region and establishing an esprit de corps among the “next generation” of cadets. WHO SHOULD ATTEND AN ENCAMPMENT? Any cadet who is a current member of CAP as evidenced by the most recent CAP Cadet Monthly Membership Listing (MML) and has not previously attended an encampment. A minimum of squadron training is required to ensure that the cadet understands the basics of CAP customs and courtesies, the basics of CAP drill, and the basics of how to wear the CAP uniform, which will be discussed below. WHY SHOULD A CADET ATTEND AN ENCAMPMENT? · It is a requirement to achieve the Billy Mitchell Award. · It is required for most National and Wing-sponsored special activities. · It provides an outstanding leadership and training forum for new cadets and new cadet command/staff officers. · It provides an opportunity to meet other cadets and begin lasting friendships with them. · It provides an experience (usually on a military base) to show cadets what the military is about and gives the cadets an opportunity to live like military personnel for one week. WHAT SHOULD A SQUADRON COMMANDER DO TO PREPARE A CADET TO ATTEND AN ENCAMPMENT? Provide classes on the following topics (see CAP manual references in parentheses): § CAP customs and courtesies (CAPP 151) § Proper wear of the CAP uniform (CAPM 39-1) § Basic drill maneuvers (AFMAN 36-2203 drill and ceremonies) § Personal hygiene and self care (basic first aid, cleanliness). § Idea of what homesickness is for cadets who have never been away from home. Discuss with him/her the resources available at the encampment (Chaplain, TAC Officers, squadron members) § Explain to your cadets what it is like to live with little privacy. This can be a shock. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A CADET TO ATTEND AN ENCAMPMENT? Cadets must have a current membership card, be a C/Amn (Curry Achievement) or above, submit the necessary paperwork, and meet grooming standards. All application instructions are detailed under the OPERATION ORDERS. WHAT WEATHER SHOULD ANTICIPATE? For the southerners, be advised that it is cooler at TyndallFortBenning, than it is in Miami.Tyndall. 35 degrees is not uncommon in the mornings and a high of 60 degrees is typical. Bring warm clothes. WHAT ARE THE BARRACKS CONDITIONS LIKE? Rooms are heated with bunk beds. You will probably be sharing a room with 3 other cadets and have lockers for your items. The showers are the community-type where 10 cadets shower at one time: showers for males and showers for females in separate facilities. For showing purposes, bathing suits are left to your discretion. You will occasionally be awakened during the night to have CQ (fire watch) duty for a short period of time. WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE? Cooked by the Air Force, you will have the opportunity to have 3 meals a day of our choice in the Air Force Mess Hall. Special diets (ex. vegetarian, diabetic etc.) must be listed on your application form. If you do not inform us before the encampment, you may have a problem. IS THERE TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT OR BUS STATION? Yes. Contact Capt. Knudsen vsmknud@juno.com to determine what day/time is preferred for arrival/departure. Destination airport closest to Tyndall AFB is Panama City, Florida airport. (If you need to be picked up at the bus station the same instructions apply). Transportation to and from the airport/bus station will be offered but must be scheduled in advance. HOW CAN SOMEONE REACH BY PHONE AT THE ENCAMPMENT? Phones are NOT easy to find and usage is VERY limited. People wanting to call you to find out how you are will probably not get through to you unless it is an emergency. Cadets traveling in a group will be given opportunity to notify parents of their arrival. Parents needing to reach cadet for emergency purposes may call: Col. Masiker’s Cell Phone Number for Emergency: 561.758.3920. Plan to have a VERY good time as we have some VERY exciting events scheduled. Please feel free to contact me rmasiker@juno.com with any further questions you might have. See you at TAFB (Tyndall Air ForceFortBase)!Benning,GA!
Semper Vigilans, Robert Masiker, Lt. Col., CAP Commander SER Winter Encampment 04-0506-07 rmasiker@juno.com
