Michigan Wing Cadet Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 1
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Michigan Wing Cadet Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 1
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"To cadets, from cadets!" Welcome one and all to the world of the informed! This newsletter was designed to get the information back in the field, and to get the communication train an extra push down the tracks to you, the cadets of Michigan Wing. The newsletter is a way for cadets not only to get information out to their peers who share the same interest in aviation and leadership, but also as a way to allow cadets a chance to put their writings and idea's out in the open. Both cadets and former cadets write the articles contained in this issue. Some articles offer advice, other offer updates on activities and squadrons, and other are just plain point of views of your fellow cadets. So keep those articles coming, and get your point of view, your past experiences, and your ideas out to others! |
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Cadet Leadership School- A Challenge Worth Taking ***** c/Cpt Rory Garnice, 1999 CLS graduate *****
The 1999 Great Lakes Region Cadet Leadership School was held in conjunction with the Michigan Wing Summer Encampment at the Alpena CRTC. The leadership school was one of the most complicated schools I have attended during my CAP career. This school, which spans the entire week, focuses on the leadership abilities of individuals, with a focus on attention to detail. The entire class must pull together and combine their talents in order to succeed, and graduate. At the beginning of the week, cadets are given 1000 merits. In order to graduate, cadets must retain 750 or more merits. During the course of the week, cadets are subject to rigorous uniform and barracks inspections, Project X's, and every cadet must be responsible for the flight in a drill and ceremonies evaluation. Every cadet must also teach a 30-minute class on his or her next achievement. Cadet Leadership School was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding activities I have ever attended. It taught me skills such as teamwork, self-confidence, and dedication. I would recommend any cadet attend leadership school if they plan on acting in leadership roles any time throughout their Civil Air Patrol career.
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From the Students… "As a CLS graduate, I'm able to look back at my week of training and say, "Wow, I did it! A few scrapes and bruises came out of the process, but I did it!" A week at CLS will teach anyone that teamwork is essential for success - especially during "Project X". At the beginning of the week it felt a lot like basic training for the first time. I didn't know what to expect, how things were going to work, what I was supposed to do, what my teammates were like, or anything of that nature. The first few days were spent paying attention to those things. By Tuesday, I was used to everything. Everyone in the team was as helpful as they could be but with as much as we had to do in one night (making beds, cleaning the latrine, vacuuming the carpet, cleaning the inside and outside of the barracks), it was sometimes hard. Wednesday we were in our BDU's for 'Project X'. That was some pretty rigorous teamwork and leadership training, and with Wednesday being my birthday, they got me a cake and a card that everyone signed. That night was the only one we spent at mail call with the basics. Thursday and Friday were probably the most nerve-wrecking days because this is when we had our evaluation and tests, but Friday night was a great, even for the non-graduates. I'm sure that accepting the certificate from the Wing Commander was a reward. At the dance, it was funny to talk to a big group of other people that went to basic encampment, either as staff or just as a basic. They were talking about things that happened to them at encampment and as a CLS student I had no clue what they were talking about. It's true being at CLS shelters you from everything else but we've got just as many inside jokes and even fewer people know what we're talking about."
-c/SrA Emily Saling, 1999 CLS graduate |
"CLS was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had, as a school. The early mornings, the constant class-work, and the great friends all made the school a success for me. I learned a lot of information, much of which will be used in and out of Civil Air Patrol. I think the thing that helped me get through CLS was the constant companionship and camaraderie of my classmates. When times got tough, everyone pulled together to work as a team. I feel that was one of the most important aspects of CLS: to see that people who were individuals at the beginning of the week, all meshed together into one brilliant team." -c/Cpt Rory Garnice 1999 CLS graduate ***** "After CLS, it was hard to believe that I could have done as many things as I had in my squadron and in wing without having the knowledge I learned at the school. At times all I wanted to do was give up and go home, but thanks to those who entered the school along with me, and those who taught at it, I somehow got through. I look back at that week as a challenge worth taking!" -c/Cpt Jen Gorman 1999 CLS graduate |
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Sixgate Composite Squadron Charter Number: GLR-MI-068
Recent Promotions: c/AB Dabkowski ŕ c/Amn c/Amn VanDeWiele ŕ c/A1C c/A1C Kazanis ŕ c/SrA c/1stLt Gorman ŕ c/Cpt
Latest Activities: Invitational Laser Tag Competition: The Squadron, every year within the Christmas Season, invites a few other squadrons to join them at a central Zap Zone, and compete for bragging rights and a trophy. There are two divisions in the activity, the competition teams, who actually compete, and the fun teams, to help promote the fun and enjoyable side of CAP to family and friends. Other squadrons that participated included Willow Run Composite Squadron (the 1999 winners) and South Oakland Composite Squadron.
Trip to Dayton: This year, the squadron took a trip down to the Wright-Pat Air Force Museum. While in Dayton, the squadron enjoyed the museum, and the Presidential hanger.
Upcoming Events: A recruiting drive, followed by an open house in late January.
Other Important News: Congratulations to our newly appointed Flight Staff: c/Amn Hubbard (Alpha Flight), c/SrA Kazanis (Bravo Flight), and c/Amn Garipy (Charlie Flight). |
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South Oakland Cadet Squadron Charter Number: GLR-MI-073
Recent Promotions: c/1stLt Garnice ŕ c/Cpt
Current Programs: A basic training program for quite a while, and are getting ready to graduate the first group of basics.
Basic Training Program Brief ***** c/TSgt Colin Samul ***** The South Oakland Cadet Squadron has begun its Basic Training Program, and is currently preparing to graduate its first flight of cadets. The Program is based off of what has been learned in passed Basic Training Programs, and from other squadrons Basic Training Programs. The Basic Training staff consists of the squadrons Leadership Officer, a Senior Training Instructor, and one to three Junior Training Instructors. The Leadership Officer just advises the cadet T.I.s and oversees that thing are running as they should. The Senior T.I. is the cadet in charge of Basic Training. He/she reports to the Cadet Commander and the Leadership officer about progress of the basics. He/she also decides to promote or hold back cadets from Phase I to Phase II of basic training. The Senior T.I. is also on the promotion board for the basics to get promoted to C/Amn. The Junior T.I. assists the Senior T.I. in all aspects of Basic Training. They mostly work directly with the basics on Drill and Ceremonies, Customs and Courtesies, Proper Uniform Wear, Reporting, and all other aspects of basic training. Usually there are two Junior T.I.s for each Phase of Basic Training. There are Phases of Basic Training. Phase I has more to do with the basics of Drill, Customs and Courtesies, Uniform Wear, General Knowledge, and Physical Fitness. Phase I is mentally and physically challenging on basics. Phase II has the classes and instruction as Phase I, but is more advanced and has more to do with perfecting them to prepare recruits for testing. The Basic training uniform is the BDU uniform, it is worn all of the 7 weeks. On the 8th week the Recruits wear Blues for the graduation ceremony, after having a class on how to wear them the week before. The Current Senior T.I. for SOCS is C/Tsgt Colin Samul. Due to staff changes there are no Junior T.I.s but there soon will be a selection board for them. If you have any question on Cadet Basic Training E-mail C/Tsgt Colin Samul at, [email protected]. |
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SKILL, WILL, AND TEAMWORK ***** Captain Richard Griffith, CAP ***** When discussing leadership, it is often difficult to select one area of importance to discuss. Within Civil Air Patrol, the range of activities for leaders to participate in varies from element leader in a flight or cadet advisory council representative to cadet commander of a National Encampment or team commander at the National Cadet Competition. However, regardless of what level of leadership that an individual cadet may participate in, all cadets begin their CAP experience at the local squadron. Because of this, I will choose to discuss some basic leadership skills need for Small Unit Leadership – Skill, Will, and Teamwork. All officers, whether commissioned or non-commissioned, cadet or senior, have the obligation to prepare their unit to meet the mission. What is the mission of the local unit? To meet the three missions of Civil Air Patrol, emergency services (ground team, communications, air operations), cadet programs (leadership training, uniform wear, physical fitness), and aerospace education (solo training, classroom instruction, orientation flights). How do you meet the needs of your cadets relative to the missions – by building Skill, Will, and Teamwork.
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The first step is building Skill. Outline what it is that your unit must accomplish; what are its needs. Build an outline of all the skills that you believe that your cadets need to learn. Do not outline it in your head, put it down on paper – everything that your cadets need to know. You will need this paper, because your next step is to go to the subordinate leaders that work for you (or go directly to your troops if you are an element leader) and explain what you think needs to happen, why you think it needs to happen, and how it is going to happen. Ensure that those subordinate leaders have the tools: do they have textbooks, do they know how to teach, did you allow them time in the schedule to train, and were you specific in your expectations? Once you feel like training is getting under control, begin to look at the Will of the personnel in your unit. Do cadets like coming to the meetings? They know how to wear their uniforms now (assuming you did your job right); do they wear them right? If the answers to these are no, then get your subordinate leaders back together and talk about building morale. Develop incentive programs for outstanding performance, review your meeting schedules to make sure they are both informative and fun (do not do the same thing every week!), and provide your troops with opportunities to use initiative, like ground team on the weekend, model rocketry school, color guard team development, or travel to a special activity. Train them, then provide them with opportunities to excel, and make it enjoyable! |
Lastly, your cadets are trained and they are excited about doing CAP stuff; how well do they work together? Building Teamwork in a local squadron, getting everyone involved and working toward a common goal, is an essential part of leadership in CAP. Without teamwork, you will work and work and never go anywhere. Again, get your subordinate leaders together and tell them, "Now we work on teamwork." This will involve actually building teams: organizing elements and flights and helping those leaders build teamwork and then providing them with opportunities to ACT as teams. Make time at the meeting for team activities (such as Drill competition, ELT searches, etc). If you put cadets in a situation where they have to act as a team to succeed, they will. Make the cadets learn the interdependence and success that teamwork requires and that it will produce. In conclusion, this process of building Skill, Will, and Teamwork is ongoing and not a one time event. You should be constantly reviewing yourself as a leader to make sure you are doing your job. To help you do this, read Small Unit Leadership (D. Malone; Presidio Press, 1983) and "Comprehensive Cadet Training" (R. Griffith; http://www.dartmouth.edu/~janl/journal/archives/griffith.html). Good luck in your local unit; success at the squadron is what makes CAP successful! |
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Emergency Services From the Viewpoint of a Struggling Cadet Squadron, Cadet Commander ***** C/MSgt Nick Wabeke ***** As everyone probably reading this is in either a cadet of composite squadron, I feel that an important point needs to be made. Emergency Services training in a cadet squadron is quite hard to accomplish. Let's be honest we have a lot of requirements in our program: Safety, Aerospace, Moral Leadership and Testing. No where in the CAPM 52-16 does it say that we are required to have an ES class. Having said all of this, one leads to believe that the main mission of a cadet squadron / cadet portion of composite squadron is Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education. Focusing on Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education is only logical though. To serve well as an Emergency Services member, be it ground team, radio or otherwise we as cadets must have a working knowledge of leadership and how to practice it in the field. In order to create a synergistic effect between the mission and those trying to save lives it is essential that a working dynamics of leadership be understood. SAR / DR practices are not an excuse to have a field trip and lose all military bearing but they shouldn't be so rigid that we would put saluting an officer in front of a discovered body. Leadership is essential! Likewise, Aerospace Education can lend a great knowledge of the habits of pilots and clues as to why a certain pilot did a certain thing. In summation, a squadron that practices ES over Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education could in the end be more detrimental to the mission than the squadron that does emphasize CP and AE. Not to say that in time the squadron wouldn't be an effective "ES" Squadron, but time, and possibly lives, could be saved by proper training. An important side note, some cadets lose interest in the program because they want more Aerospace Education! I implore squadrons in the situation like my squadron to implement a strong solid foundation of Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education before ES. If we can't take care of our cadets how can we save lives? |
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