NEWS: Joint summer encampment graduates 150 cadets

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — National Capital Wing members joined the North Carolina Wing for a summer encampment June 19-27. Graduating a basic encampment is required for Civil Air Patrol cadets to earn the Billy Mitchell Award and become a cadet officer.

That Saturday, cadet basics were dropped off at the main gate of Camp Lejeune where they boarded buses to transport them to the barracks. After in-processing, the cadets assembled on the training ground for their first formation. It was the first experience for many of the basics as they settled in for the week-long series of activities, which included having meals in a military mess hall along with Marines and Navy personnel.

After training sessions for emergency services and safety briefings, the highlight of the first day was a trip Marine Corps Air Station New River for a tour of an Air Force T-6 turboprop training aircraft that was flown in from Columbus, Miss., by two former North Carolina Wing cadets who are now serving in the Air Force.

	National Capital Wing members attend the encampment graduation banquet at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
	The entire joint NatCap and N.C. Wings encampment poses for a group picture in front of the majestic C-46 Sea Knight display at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. Photos by Maj. Conrad D’Cruz

The next day included a visit to the New River memorial to fallen aviators, which also serves as a static display of helicopters. The majestic CH-46 Sea Knight display served as the backdrop for the group encampment photographs. This was followed by a visit to the Marine Aviation Training System Site where staff provided an overview of site operations and the variety of simulators for flight readiness training. The cadets also got some hands-on experience with simulators for the CH-46, UH-1N Huey and MV-22 Osprey.

Cadets then received a tour of the New River Crash Fire Rescue facility, which consisted of several demonstrations of the tools and techniques used for various emergencies including structural firefighting, hazmat, first aid, vehicle extraction, decontamination and first responder procedures. The grand finale was a live demonstration of a simulated vehicle crash extraction procedure.

The third day of encampment included a visit to the 2nd Maintenance Battalion facility where Marines had two operational M1A1 Abram tanks open for tours. The cadets were allowed to climb onto the tanks, sit inside and get a feel for the controls while the Marines provided details on the capability and specification of the equipment.

Next was classroom training for land navigation. Cadets learned the skills needed to read maps and locate targets using a coordinate system. After lunch the cadets were taken out to the woods and practiced the skills they learned by finding targets hidden by the Marine instructors.

During the week cadets were also spending time on other activities such as reading their operating instruction manuals, preparing their uniforms, physical training and parade practice.

The fourth day included a visit to the working dog training facility where the Marines enthralled the group with the skills and dexterity of their dogs, which are trained to assist them on the battlefield. Next was a visit to the nuclear, biological and chemical training facility where cadets got to see a demonstration about the use of gas masks and other equipment.

Cadets then split up into two groups. While one group was trained by the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program staff, the other group got an introduction to the light weapons used by the Marine at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer and got to fire some of the weapons in the simulator.

A family picnic then allowed the cadets, officers and guests to mingle, have some fun and get a much needed rest from the hectic activities of the previous few days.

The next morning the entire group assembled at the parade ground to participate in the presentation of the colors at. After the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commander of Marine Corps Installations East, presented the prestigious Spaatz Award certificate to Cadet Col. Barry Feinstein. Jensen then gave a short motivational speech to the cadets and, at the end of his speech, presented Feinstein with his challenge coin.

Training at the Marines obstacle course was a real treat as the cadets got to tumble, swing, climb bars, barricades, walls and ropes. And an unscheduled stop at the II MEF Simulation Center, which is the deployed virtual training environment, gave the cadets a feel for conditions on the battlefield.

At the Explosive Ordnance Disposal facility Marines displayed a bomb disposal truck and let the cadets play with two of their robots used in the field for bomb detection and removal.

The last full day of encampment began with a visit to the light armored vehicle static display where Marines demonstrated the capabilities of their vehicles. The rest of the morning was spent getting uniforms ready for graduation and the parade. Cadets then attended a Drug Demand Reduction class as the final activity of encampment.

At the banquet, Charles Broda, Camp Lejeune liaison for the encampment, was recognized and honored by for his tireless efforts to make the encampment a success. Other honored guests included Air Force Maj. Jeff Moore; Air Force Capt. Brinkley Church; CAP Lt. Col. Jannon Ellis, NatCap Wing director of cadet programs; and CAP Col. Roy Douglass, N.C. Wing commander.

The final day of encampment was hectic as the staff prepared for the arrival of the parents and guardians. Cadets assembled at the parade ground in preparation for the pass-in-review. More than 150 basic cadets successfully graduated from the encampment.


By Maj. Conrad F. D’Cruz
North Carolina Wing deputy director of public affairs