Day Two - July 27, 2008

(Today’s Blog starts with an apology from Encampment Commander, Lt Col O’Neill, for the lateness of these postings. Initial internet access problems have now been solved.)

By mid-morning the combined encampment staff were prepared for the arrival of the first “Basics” (basic attendees here at the encampment for the first time) for in-processing. Fortified with a great lunch, and after morning Protestant services by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) JoAnne Durham for those who wished to attend (cadets wishing Catholic Mass were transported to a local parish in Neosho the night before by Major Julie Oldham), all were in place for the first to arrive.

Basics began to arrive promptly at 1 p.m. After a quick goodbye, they were separated from their parents and immediately immersed into the “encampment experience”. “No talking”, “eyes forward”, and “move quickly” were the new words for the day. Cadets stood quietly at attention in the hallway before being called into the main room for their “shake down” inspection. Each cadet’s carefully packed bags were thoroughly inspected for any contraband (such as large knives, portable electronic devices, lighters or matches, cell phones, food or drink including candy, alarm clocks, etc.) to be held until the end of encampment. Cadets driving themselves were required to turn in their car keys and not have access to their vehicles during the week.

Next was signing in and verification of contact information, required forms, and payment with the encampment administration officer. Basics were also given their very important standard operating procedure (SOP) pamphlets, to be read whenever they had a free moment (such as whenever they weren’t sleeping) and memorized before the end of encampment.

At the next table, Basics were issued their black encampment t-shirt and ballcap color coded for each individual Flight. The final in-processing step was a visit with the encampment medical officer to review medications, allergies, and each cadet’s health history. All medications, except emergency medications such as inhalers for asthma, were turned in to his care for distribution throughout the week.

After completing the in-processing steps, each Basic reported to a group of First Sergeants for assignment to their Flights. The introduction to military customs and courtesies, as well as uniformity, continued as each Basic learned the correct way to greet senior cadet non-commissioned officers, and how to stand in formation reading their SOP with their arm at the proper angle of 90 degrees.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on “Flight Familiarization” where each Basic was teamed with a battle buddy, met their Flight Commander and Flight Sergeant (who will oversee their training for the week), met their Flight’s TAC Officer, and assigned a bunk and locker. Military customs and courtesies were reviewed such as how and when to salute, how to address senior officers, and even how to request to go to the bathroom. An introduction to drill (marching) was next. Drill is a very important part of every day at encampment that teaches teamwork and self discipline. Flights need to know how to form up and move as a unit, how to march to class and to the dining facility, and how to function as smaller units (elements) within the Flight. The afternoon of instruction ended with the first of many inspections. This first inspection usually identifies many areas that need improvement, both individually and for the entire Flight. However, by the end of encampment, the cadets really shine!

After dinner, all cadets were welcomed by the Encampment Commander (Lieutenant Colonel O’Neill), Commandant of Cadets (Major Oldham), and Cadet Commander (Cadet Colonel Scalia), and received an introductory safety briefing by Major Eric Jensen which included a fire drill. After returning to their barracks, lights out for the first day was at 9:30 pm. Basics often find it hard to get a good night’s sleep this first night due to the excitement of encampment and the newness of their bunk and barracks. However, as cadets are challenged more and more over the next several days, falling asleep is often not a problem!

This year’s summer encampment senior staff includes:

Encampment Commander: Lieutenant Colonel John O’Neill
Executive Officer: Major Troy Greenbank
Commandant of Cadets: Major Julie Oldham
Safety and Communications Officer: Major Eric Jensen
Medical Officer: Senior Member Robert Myers
Logistics Officer: First Lieutenant Art Sturgeon
Public Affairs Officer and Assistant Medical Officer: Major David Miller
Administration Officer: First Lieutenant Stacy Workman
Transportation Officer: Second Lieutenant Vince Sieber
Assistant Communications/Assistant Safety Officer: Second Lieutenant Mark Crombie
Commander’s Assistant: Master Sergeant Michael Mudry
Mess Sergeant: Technical Sergeant Charline O’Neill

First Squadron Tactical Officer: First Lieutenant Timothy Carr
Second Squadron Tactical Officer: First Lieutenant Jennifer Carr
Alpha Flight Tactical Officer: Second Lieutenant Don Cochran
Alpha Flight Assistant Tactical Officer: First Lieutenant Sarah Stuckstede
Bravo Flight Tactical Officer: Second Lieutenant Mike Adkins
Charlie Flight Tactical Officer: First Lieutenant Sara Bohnert
Charlie Flight Assistant Tactical Officer: Senior Member Samantha Tobin
Delta Flight Tactical Officer: First Lieutenant Marcus Thornton
Delta Flight Assistant Tactical Officer: Second Lieutenant Gayle Reifschnieder
Echo Flight Tactical Officer: First Lieutenant Timothy Mohr
Foxtrot Flight Tactical Officer: Captain Greg Medsker

Interesting Camp Crowder Facts: Camp Crowder is named for Major General Enoch H. Crowder, a native Missourian who was the author of the Selective Service Act of World War I (the draft), while serving as Provost Marshal General.

The weather today continued hot with highs in the low 90’s with significant humidity and scattered light clouds. The encampment safety officer, Major Jensen, keeps a close eye on the heat index (a measure of temperature and humidity resulting in a value closer to what the actual temperature feels like), checking several times each day, with outdoor cadet activity limited as the heat index rises.

Encampment Commander, Lieutenant Colonel John O’Neill, who recently retired from the U.S. Army as a Drill Sergeant with the rank of Sergeant First Class, brings a wealth of experience to his position. As a youth, he completed the Civil Air Patrol cadet program attaining the prestigious General Carl A. Spaatz Award and rank of Cadet Colonel. Less than one half of one percent of all CAP cadets attain the Spaatz Award, with less than 1,800 being awarded since it was established in the early 1960’s. He has also completed the CAP senior member professional development program attaining the Gill Robb Wilson Award. He has served in five CAP Wings: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, and Rhode Island. While in Colorado, he served as the first cadet commander of the Air Academy Cadet Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Past commander of the Ft. Leonard Wood Composite Squadron, he now serves as the Missouri Wing Director of Cadet Programs. Married to U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Charline O’Neill, they enjoy their three grandchildren and their Pomeranian dog “Benjamin”.

Tomorrow: A day in the life of a Basic, plus spotlight on the Commandant of Cadets, Major Julie Oldham.

Today’s photographs can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/mocappix/MOWGEncampmentSecondDay72708?authkey=71BRyEFNh-o