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Cadet Special Activities
National Activities
Note: No National Activity
is mandatory
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Pararescue Jumping Orientation
Course (PJOC)
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This is a two week course that
it operated by Air Force Pararescue Jumpers designed to orientate cadets
to the rigorous missions involved in Emergency Services. Cadets learn how
to repelle down cliffs, search methods, physical endurance, first aid,
and other ES skills. This training is reserved for C/SGT's and above only.
Cadets who attend this are expected to be in good physical shape before
attending.
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National Cadet Officer's
School (NCOS)
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National Cadet Officer's School
is a 10-day course held at Maxwell AFB, AL. The school is designed to teach
young CAP cadet officers leadership tactics, group dynamics, teamwork,
speaking, and writing skills. Classes are taught by both Air Force and
CAP officials. Cadets are separated into "clusters" with whom they work
through the week with. NCOS activities include a speech competition, volleyball
competition, use of the Air Force Squadron Leadership School's Project
X (a very challenging course), and many other unique and exciting events.
A cadet must have earned their Mitchell Award by December 31 of the year
prior to attending.
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National Cadet Competition
(NCC)
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National Cadet Competition is
an activity where some of the best and brightest drill teams from around
the country meet and compete. Each CAP Region holds its own Region Cadet
Competition and the winners of these competitions go on to NCC at Maxwell,
AFB, AL. Teams compete in seven events: Standard Drill, Innovative Drill,
Uniform Inspection, Written Examination, Quiz Bowl, Mile Run, and a Volleyball
Competition. Together these events are designed to measure the all-around
quality of the team in each area of the cadet program.
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Air Force Space Command Familiarization
Course (AFSCFC)
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This course is a week long aerospace
activity where cadets learn about the Space Command of the United States
Air Force. Space Command is the command that is tasked with maintain America's
military presence in space. Cadets experience microgravity simulations,
space preparations, and many other unique and exciting activities.
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Advanced Pararescue Jumping
Orientation Course (APJOC)
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More push-ups, more ES, more
running, more bivouacs, more repelling, basically lots more of what makes
PJOC such an attraction.
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Blue Beret Encampment
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This is a two week school that
is held at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Blue Beret is
an ES intensive training school where cadets learning many skills valuable
to Emergency Services. Blue Beret is coupled with intense physical training
and also with chance to work with and to see the Airshow. The encampment
has gone through some major reorganization in the past few years and has
only recently been restored to its former status as a physically strenuous
and challenging encampment. Cadets who attend this should be in good physical
shape before attending.
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International Air Cadet Exchange
(IACE)
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IACE is a foreign exchange program
that CAP has set up with aeroclubs and aviation organizations around the
world. CAP cadets are selected to visit countries around the world and
cadets from other nations visit the US as well. Cadets may only participate
once in the program. The cost to the cadet is extremely low at around $200
for the uniform and $200+ for gifts and souvenirs to take with you. Some
countries that cadets visit are: Japan, Philippines, Netherlands, Norway,
Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France,
Israel, and many others. Cadets must have earned their Earhart Award and
be 17 years old to attend this activity.
Wing Activities
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Wing Encampment
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Wing Encampment are usually
either a week or ten day activity where cadets learn the basics of CAP
drill, uniform wear, and knowledge. Encampment is often referred to as
"CAP's Basic Training." Cadets are often put in high stress environments
to help them learn how to recognize and handle their limits. Encampment
activities revolve around ensuring a wing-wide basic level of knowledge
for all cadets, but also included are some unique activities as well. Some
examples are military orientation flights, helicopter flights, tank rides,
static displays of aircraft, observing bombing runs, competitions, parade
marching, simulator time, and many other activities. No encampment is the
same as the next and each one has its own flavor and style. Each wing runs
its own encampment and each wing has different ways of running theirs.
However encampment is a crucial activity for any cadet as it often shores
up their skills and knowledge so that they may progress onwards. Attendance
at one encampment is mandatory to earn the Mitchell Award. Subsequent attendance
at encampments is often in a staff position where a cadet can learn to
command 10, 20, 40, or even up to 100 cadets (a true learning experience).
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Wing Solo Encampment
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Solo Encampment is an opportunity
for a select number of cadets to earn their solo wings in either a one
or two week school. Cadets must be 16 and have a FAA Flight Physical to
attend. Costs vary but are usually much less than going outside of CAP.
This encampment usually does not have nearly as much "starch" as the Wing
Encampment (above).
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Wing Conference
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Wing Conferences are a chance
for all of the members in the wing to meet and discuss CAP business. They
are annual affairs and well attended. Some wings have separate conferences
for cadets and seniors, others have combined conferences. Some wings also
include a Military Ball (formal dance) in with their conferences. Usually
conferences are the site of a formal banquet where wing awards and honors
are made.
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Other activities
Some other activities that
Wings hold are Color Guard Competitions, Volleyball competitions, SAR competitions,
Cadet Conference, Military Balls, and many others. Contact your local squadron
staff to find out more.
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