Welcome

As we announced earlier, the NJ Wing 2009 Basic Encampment and NCO Leadership Academy will be held at Fort Dix, NJ. Once again, we expect to have any outstanding Encampment experience for Basic Cadets, Staff and CAP Officers. Registration will be held at Building 5651 (Off of Texas Avenue, last row of barracks buildings before the USAF Expeditionary Center) from 1300 to 1600 on Saturday, 15 August 2009 and graduation will be held at the Timmerman Center (8th Street on Fort Dix, between Philadelphia and Delaware Avenues) at 1400 on Saturday, 22 August 2009.
 

We will be billeted at the USAF Expeditionary Center (formerly the Air Mobility Warfare Center) at Fort Dix, NJ. Those of you who were with us the past two years or at the 2002 and 2003 NJ encampments will remember this location, which continues to be improved and updated. We are planning a challenging and enjoyable activity -- one that truly exemplifies the spirit of the Cadet Program Encampment as the most important single event in a CAP Cadet's career. For every cadet in New Jersey and surrounding wings that need Basic Encampment for their Mitchell Award, eligibility for NCSAs, or simply to progress in the Cadet Program, this will be the "must attend" encampment in 2009.

For Cadets who have previously attended a Basic Encampment, but have not yet received their Mitchell award, we offer our NCO Academy. In its second year, this will combine academic instruction with challenging practical work outside of the classroom, all while preserving the "fun" activities of the Encampment experience. Cadets in the Grade of C/Senior Airman to C/Chief Master Sergeant are welcome to apply, and we intend to return these students to their units as advanced Cadet leaders in their local unit's program. Prior completion of a Basic Encampment is required for this activity. Cadets who attend the NCOA will receive credit for an Encampment. This activity is strictly limited to a total of 40 students, so register early.

The price will be $125 this year for Basic Cadets and NCOA students. We will be using the EventBrite online registration and payment again this year. Once you have completed this online registration process, you will receive an e-mail with the entire packet of forms, which you will HAND CARRY with you to in-processing on Saturday, 15 August. We will conduct in-processing at the Building 5651 Barracks, and will return to 5651 following graduation with decentralized signing out by your Flight Staff. These administrative and logistical changes promise to make everyone's lives easier throughout the process.

I look forward to seeing another year of cadets progress through the Basic Encampment as the gateway to the rest of their individual CAP Cadet career.

Most of the staff is in place, and has worked hard for several months to ensure this will be another great Encampment, but there are still selected support staff and CAP Officer positions we need to fill. If you are a cadet interested in serving on staff, contact the Cadet Commander, C/Capt Robert "Jake" Mitchell (njwg.encampment@njwg.cap.gov). If you are a CAP Officer and can volunteer your time (for all of the week, or just a few days, please contact me (robert.jennings@njwg.cap.gov) personally.

I look forward to seeing many old friends and CAP colleagues there, and meeting many new ones!

Best Regards,

Lt Col Robert E. Jennings, CAP
Commander, NJ Wing 2008 Basic Encampment