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Cadets learn the ropes during Civil Air Patrol Encampment at Great Lakes

Posted May 21, 2019 11:00 pm

By Alan Nunn Recruit Training Command Public Affairs Navy Office of Community Outreach submission

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Ryan Nicholas reviews the grip and stance of a cadet from the Civil Air Patrol Illinois Wing during the CAP Spring Encampment at Recruit Training Command. Courtesy of Petty Officer 1st Class Spencer Fling

Recruit Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes hosted the Civil Air Patrol Illinois Wing Spring Encampment the weekends of April 26-28 and May 3-5, with 115 cadets and 36 staff visiting the Navy's only boot camp.

The Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally supported nonprofit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The cadet program has nearly 25,000 members.

Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol Illinois Wing fire a simulated M9 Beretta 9 mm pistol in the USS Missouri Small Arms Marksmanship Training facility during the CAP Spring Encampment at Recruit Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes. The event gives CAP members the opportunity to participate in RTC training events like water survival, firearms and marlinspike training. Courtesy of Petty Officer 1st Class Spencer Fling

The Command staff provided logistical support and led cadets from five Midwestern states through training evolutions at the USS Indianapolis combat pool and the USS Missouri Small Arms Marksmanship Training, or "SAMT," as part of cadets' encampment curriculum.

Cadets also utilized recruit ships (barracks) for housing and meals and participated in drill instruction and physical training at Pacific Fleet Drill Hall. The encampment culminated with a graduation ceremony for the cadets May 5, at Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall.

"We have encampments all over the country, but this is a very unique facility and a unique schedule," CAP Illinois Wing Encampment Commander Lt. Col. Bob Williams said. "We have access to a number of facilities and activities here that they wouldn't have access to at any other place. The pool, the SAMT, Marlinspike (Naval rope work), not to mention the excellent guidance of the Recruit Division Commanders and the training officers here that provide the example. They also get to see, literally, their peers in some of the divisions as they go by. Some of our cadets are the same age or older than some of the recruits."

Sailors assigned to Recruit Training Command combat training pool train Civil Air Patrol Illinois Wing cadets on basic water survival during the CAP Spring Encampment at the Command. Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally charted, federally supported nonprofit with nearly 25,000 members that serves as an official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Courtesy of Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique Lasco

Chief Builder Michael Bettencourt, Recruit Training Command coordinator for the event, said the 71 staff volunteers, who donated more than 400 man-hours, provide an invaluable example for cadets.

"I think, more than anything, just seeing the presence, the leadership and the confidence and just looking sharp in the uniform is what they take away," Bettencourt said. "We're not directly tasked to lead them and train them on their specific evolutions, but I just think the standard that we set and the presence that we have is pretty noticeable."

Lt. Col. Williams noted that the Command volunteers embody the value of service before self.

"We make a point of the fact that the (Recruit Division Commanders) and petty officers are volunteers at the encampment, helping us," Williams said. "Their bearing is outstanding. They're interested in our cadets and happy to provide any sort of advice. The example they set, by their presence alone, and their friendly nature and how interested they are in helping our cadets is outstanding."

During their initial weekend, CAP cadets received SAMT training, including briefings on firearm safety, weapon familiarization and use of a 9MM simulated weapon on a laser-enabled range.

Sailors assigned to Recruit Training Command combat training pool train Civil Air Patrol Illinois Wing cadets on basic water survival. More than 35,000 recruits train annually at Naval Station Great Lakes, the Navy's only boot camp. Courtesy of Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique Lasco

They also participated in training at the combat pool. Following a safety briefing, cadets in life jackets lined up to step off a 10-foot platform. Each swam to life raft, which they were shown the proper method of climbing in and out.

Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Amanda Beaverson, an instructor at the USS Indianapolis combat pool, who has volunteered during the last two CAP spring encampments, said she enjoys working with the cadets, who ranged in age from 12-18.

"It's cool to see them interacting and seeing how they have fun," Beaverson said. "It was absolutely rewarding. They are at an age where they're able to overcome their fears. They not only were able to see people who are in the Navy, but they were able to see we're still human, that we know how to enjoy our job at the same (time) we're being professional, being safe and making sure things run the right way."

Cadet Commander Major Roi Norber said the interaction between cadets and RTC staff volunteers was the most enjoyable part of the experience.

"Just seeing how the student cadets, and the cadets serving on my staff, they see the amount of professionalism and respect they have for RTC and the Navy personnel here," Norber said. "They start to emulate that and really look up to that and develop as a team under the constant presence of the incredible folks from the U.S. Navy here."

Gunner's Mate 1st Class Justin Carl instructs cadets from the Civil Air Patrol Illinois Wing on how to find their dominant shooting eye during the CAP Spring Encampment at Recruit Training Command. Courtesy of Petty Officer 1st Class Spencer Fling

Bettencourt noted the importance of the RTC volunteers, who also served as escorts, stood watch and provided logistical support for the event.

"Obviously, we couldn't have done it without all the help we've had from RTC," Bettencourt said. "Specifically, the amount of support we received from SAMT and the combat pool was astounding. They bought in their entire staff. At SAMT, we had an instructor for every two to three cadets, so they definitely got into the principals of marksmanship. They really were involved; they were really taking care to train them. I was really impressed."

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. More than 35,000 recruits are training annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.

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