NC Wing Encampment: Encampment Day 4: Dogs, Gas Masks, C-Course; Simulators, Martial Arts; Picnic

The cadets began the day with the usual PT exercises. The day then took an interesting twist when the Cadet Executive Staff, appeared at the opening formation to give the announcements and briefings wearing yarmulke instead of the usual staff covers. To the surprise of all the Basics, the announcements, except for the names of the Honor Flight - Zulu and Duty Flight - Yankee, were all made in Hebrew by C/LtCol Feinstein. This was a light hearted joke by the cadet staff.

The activities planned for the day were awesome. The first trip was to the Military Working Dogs demonstration put on by the Marines. The handlers showed off their dogs and made them perform several tricks for their CAP audience.

Next on agenda was a visit to the Nuclear Biological Chemical facility where the Marines taught the cadets all about gas masks.

The cadets really enjoyed the next stop: The Confidence Course. The trail at Camp Lejeune is approximately 3/4 mile long. Scattered along the course are walls, ditches, creeks, and tires. Each flight had to run the course and the objective was to get the cadets to work as a team to maneuver the obstacles, get themselves tired tearing through the woods and end up nice and dirty. Mission Accomplished!!

At noon it was time to get the hungry cadets to lunch after which the fun activities got even better. Next up on the agenda was a trip to the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT) where the cadets got an instructor led demonstration of the various rifles used by the Marines. The rifle range was actually a dark room with Virtual Reality (VR) screens on the front wall with a surround sound audio system on the back wall. The cadets got to handle various models of rifles and rocket launchers and knock out simulated targets on the VR screens. Each cadet got a chance to sit or lay behind a gun and try to shoot "bad guys" but not hurt themselves or each other (much to the relief of the cadet and senior staff). This was one of the best attractions of the encampment for the Basics.

While one squadron was enjoying blowing up 2-Dimensional tanks the other squadron was out at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program field learning self defense from the Marine Martial Arts instructor. He taught them ten different moves and various endurance exercises.

The cadets returned to the barracks long enough to get out of their BDUs and change into civilian attire. They were driven to a park on the sound for a mid-week cookout and picnic. Our friends from the US Air Force and the US Navy cooked up some of the best burgers and hot dogs which were complemented by a lot of treats and drinks. The activities included games, tossing of frisbees, good natured fights by the boys and of course staff impressions by the Basics.

The cadets then had to get their uniforms ready for early morning presenting of honors to the colors with a Major General officiating.

by C/CMSgt Micah Larson and C/CMSgt Tim Johnson with support from Capt. Paul Twiddy and Maj Conrad D'Cruz