Welcome to the New Jersey Wing
Basic Encampment Website
Check back each day!
By all reports, check-in went
very well on Sunday, July 23. Basic cadets were moved back to the barracks by 1600,
briefed, fed and familiarized with the base and some encampment concepts. Click
on the links to view photos from encampment. Photos should be uploaded each day
from the prior dayÕs activities.
In the first full day of
encampment, cadets started to dig in and train. They started their day with
some light physical training and drill and most had a chance with a USAF
C-17transport aircraft simulator, learning about cockpit operations as well the
art of loading. The rest of their day was filled out with classroom
instruction, which is also an important part of encampment. Special
congratulations go to cadet staff member Rogacki
(click to see a photo), who was promoted to chief master sergeant in an evening
ceremony with Maj. Jose Loa and Capt. Jose Avila.
The order of the day for
Tuesday was building teamwork on the Leadership Reaction Course and the
Obstacle Course. These facilities each presented cadet groups or flights with
situations that required them to solve problems as groups and work as teams.
For lunch, they had genuine military lunches Ð MREs,
Meals Ready to Eat. They ended up tired and dirty, finishing up after
well-deserved mess hall meals.
Wednesday for many cadets
started the meat and potatoes of encampment, flying on orientation flights
behind the stick of a Cessna 172 with an instructor, getting on board real
military aircraft on the ground and seeing interesting demonstrations, like how
falcons are used to clear geese from runways and military drill teams. All the
while, they are transforming into disciplined, responsible and knowledgeable
kids. They are just a couple of days away from graduation and already, they can
taste success.
ThereÕs a highlight to every
week of encampment, and this weekÕs was probably a visit to the
Almost done! Much of Friday
was devoted to classroom aerospace education classes, as required by national
encampment guidelines. Still, cadets managed to work in some physical training
time and tours of a flight simulation facility. Cadet and senior staff were
busily preparing for graduation ceremonies, scheduled for Sunday.
Ah, one day left. Saturday
was a busy day as the basic cadets had PT in the morning, classes, a blues uniform
inspection and the dreaded OI (operating instructions) exam. The cadet
Standards and Evaluations staff later reported that everyone did well on both
the inspections and exam. Late in the day, rumors started swirling around the
barracks that due to the heat this week, the encampment had fallen behind on
physical training objectives. Deputy Commander Capt. Avila announced that there
would an evening run, a long one, to make up for the shortfall. All the cadets
got into their PT gear and assembled in front of the barracks. The run started
off, led by Capt. Avila, who halted it again less than 200 yards later, in a
nearby field where volleyball nets, a dunk tank, barbecue and more were set up.
He announced that there was no run, just a party for the cadets to celebrate
their achievements. The encampment cadets and staff enjoyed their last evening
together with food, skits, song and plenty of fun.
There were miles of smiles on
the cadet faces on Sunday after a quick barracks cleanup. At graduation the
cadets and staff provided a pass and review parade for the NJ Wing commander,
Col. Robert McCabe, and Northeast Region commander, Col. Robert Diduch. Graduation followed inside the theater, with a
photo slideshow as a highlight. The public affairs staff reports that many
photos from the ceremony did not turn out well because of the highly reflective
screen at the rear of the stage. To watch the graduation music/slideshow, click
here.