TX WING Encampment Day Zero

by **Add01** Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:44 am

14 June 2008
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BIG SANDY, Texas – Training Day Zero began at 1300 on 14 June when basic and advanced training squadron (ATS) cadets started to arrive. One by one, cadets braved the pouring rain to unload their belongings and say quick goodbyes to their families. Cadet staff helped the basics carry their luggage through the open doors of the gymnasium until they reached the in-processing. The long in-processing line wound through stations for finance, administration and medical. At the end of the l TX WING Encampment Day Zero White%20004_small

TX WING Encampment Day Zero White%20004_small

ine cadets marched to their flight’s table, where they met their flight staff for the first time and received their SOI handbooks. The SOI or Standard Operating Instructions handbook is a small booklet of knowledge cadets are expected to study and memorize during encampment. Facts such as the encampment chain of command and how to recognize ranks are included among the important material they must know. Cadets study the SOIs during downtime before classes, while waiting in line and any other time the flight commander deems necessary.

After in processing, the cadets were dropped off at their barracks. They explored their rooms and their facilities for 10-30 minutes before marching into the auditorium. Once in the auditorium, the Cadet Commander welcomed everyone to encampment and introduced all the cadet staff.

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TX WING Encampment Day Zero TD%20zero%20013_small

Soon after the introductions, the cadets headed to dinner, the best time of a very long and stressful day. Dinner consisted of lasagna, salad, bread, vegetables and water home cooked for CAP by the ALERT kitchen staff. The cadets ate their meals quickly, and then cleaned their tables. Afterwards, they were marched to their barracks where they learned the standards they must keep their bunks to for the rest of the week. Each day, the standards and evaluation team (or SET as they are more popularly known) will inspect the cadets and grade them based on these standards. Eventually, those points and others earned throughout the encampment will go toward determining the overall warrior flight of encampment.

After instruction was given, cadets were allowed a few precious moments of personal time to prepare their uniforms for the next day. It was the beginning for some of a very long and challenging week.

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TX WING Encampment Day Zero White%20008_small

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by **Add01** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:57 pm

DAY 1:

Training Day 1

15 June 2008
BIG SANDY, Texas – At 0445 the cadets were awakened by their flight staff and marched down to the parade field for physical training. PT consisted of flutter kicks, push ups, sit ups and a 15-minute run. After PT the cadets made their way to the chow hall to eat hard boiled eggs, cereal, and muffins for breakfast. 30 minutes later, the cadets were back in their barracks, cleaning and changing into their battle dress uniforms for the day.

TX WING Encampment Day Zero Chow%20&%20Morning%20Formation%20(9)_small

TX WING Encampment Day Zero Chow%20&%20Morning%20Formation%20(9)_small

By 0800 the cadets had marched to the auditorium for classes. Today’s classes covered civilian career opportunities in aviation, activities cadets can attend in the Texas Wing, national cadet special activities and the benefits of the Mitchell and Spaatz awards. Once classes concluded, the cadets returned to the dining hall for a pizza lunch. After chow, the cadets marched back to class for a program that covered safe operation and use of the firearms that will be shot on the range later.

After the evening class, Chaplain Whitt put on optional church services for the cadets. Cadets that did not attend services were brought back to their barracks for personal time. Personal time is a valued commodity at encampments. During their brief moments of free time cadets can take showers, iron their uniforms, polish boots, visit with each other or sleep to prepare for the next day. Tomorrow cadets will begin a rotation of visits to the firing range, a ropes course and the parade field for drill.
Evening Formation:
Honor Flight Hotel

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TX WING Encampment Day Zero Inspection%20008_small

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by **Add01** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:58 pm

Day 2:

BIG SANDY, Texas – Cadets woke up again at 0445 for their morning PT. Once again, cadets endured a 45 minute workout consisting of flutter kicks, push ups, sit ups and a 15-minute run. After PT, cadets were marched to the dining hall for breakfast.

After breakfast, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie flights were transported to the firing range for a chance to shoot and earn a marksmanship medal. Delta, Echo and Foxtrot flights marched across campus to the ropes course hidden in the woods. At each station flights encountered different scenarios and obstacle props. Delta’s flight was split into two teams. Their obstacle was to figure out a way to get past each other on a log, while standing on one foot, without falling off.

The Echo flight obstacle was to figure out a way to navigate over a log that was eight feet high. Foxtrot flight’s obstacle was to transport each other one at a time across a cable, also balancing on one foot, without losing their balance.

While Alpha, Bravo and Charlie flights were enjoying their time at the ropes course, Golf, Hotel and India flights went to train on the parade field. Their training consisted of marching on step, facing movements, customs and courtesies while in uniform and sounding off. The flight sergeants and commanders drilled the cadets until they had mastered the steps. They also worked on memorizing their flight chants in case they had to challenge another flight to a screaming match.

After the flights finished with their activities, they marched to the dining hall. For lunch cadets had BBQ sandwiches - on sweet potato bread – salad, beans and pickles.

After the meal, the cadets marched to the auditorium for classes over Air Force history, structure of the Air Force, Service Academies and ROTC. After these classes cadets will have dinner and a moral leadership class. Tomorrow, cadets will rotate through the three training areas again, giving each flight a chance to experience everything.

Evening Format:

Honor Flight - India

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TX WING Encampment Day Zero Evening%20Formation%20010_small

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by **Add01** Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:22 pm

Day 3:

BIG SANDY, Texas – Reveille was sounded at 0530 hours on June 17^th. Thanks to bad weather, PT was canceled and all personnel were allowed to get another hour of much needed sleep. 51^st Squadron dressed into their BDUs, while 50^th and 52nd dressed into their PT uniforms. All squadrons marched to the chow hall and ate their delicious cereal, muffins, fruit and hard-boiled eggs. Juice and water were also available.

After breakfast, 51^st Squadron marched out to the CAP vans and left for the rifle range. Here they were able to fire live ammo – one bullet at a time- at a target 50 yards away. The cadets were instructed to lie on the ground in the prone position. They wore safety glasses and ear protection at all times and were supervised by seven line staff. Each cadet had to be patient and wait for just the right moment to fire their weapon.

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TX WING Encampment Day Zero Day3%20Rope_small

Also 52nd Squadron went to the ropes course. At the ropes course the flights had to use team work to complete the challenges that they were given. Their TAC officers supervised to make sure no one got injured. These challenges that they were given are to teach them how to work as a team.

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TX WING Encampment Day Zero Day%203%20formation_small

That evening they watched “Star Wars” before their personal time. Every encampment has a theme, at this encampment the Cadet Commander has decided for the theme to be Star Wars.

Evening Format:

Honor Flight - Hotel
Warrior Flight -

by **Add01** Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:23 pm

Day 4:

Training Day 4

18 June 2008
BIG SANDY, Texas – this morning cadets woke up bright and early for some refreshing PT. They did the usual stretches, pushups, sit ups, flutter kicks and a jog to wrap it all up. And right after that they headed over to the chow hall to have some breakfast. Breakfast consisted of cereal, muffins, fruit and juice to drink.

Directly after breakfast the 52nd squadron loaded on the busses to head over to the firing range. It was about a 30 minute drive there and back. At the firing range the cadets were shown how to lie in the prone position as they fired their fire arms at targets 50 feet away. The cadets can earn a badge to wear on their uniform if they get a high enough score.

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TX WING Encampment Day Zero Day%204%20ropes_small

As the 52nd squadron was at the firing range, the 50^thsquadron went to the ropes course. As the first thing they had to do was. They blind folded the flight and the flight staff had to lead them to the course without talking to them at all. After they got to the course each flight had a different obstacle they had to complete. These obstacles taught the cadets how to work as a team.

Lunch is the happiest time of the day for the cadets this is time where they can sit and relax and enjoy their meal.

Through the day the cadets had several classes to go to. Such as: Air Force History Part 2, Air Force Flying Unit, USAF Distinctive Capabilities and NAV Course Introduction. And after the classes comes the fun, they are having a volleyball Tournament, basics vs. Staff. After their game the cadets will head to personal time to do what they need to do for their next big day.

Evening Format:

Honor Flight - Delta
Warrior Flight - Charlie

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