Expectations

Background and "What to Expect"

The Illinois Wing Spring Encampment is a unique experience that not only fulfills a cadet's Mitchell Award requirement for participation in an encampment but more importantly affords cadets various real-world follower and leadership opportunities, while also providing a taste of life in the United States Navy's Recruit Training Command, which is currently the only location for Navy Basic Military Training (BMT).

The Great Lakes RTC is one of the Navy's premier training bases and the Department of Defense has spent more than $770 Million dollars since 2006 updating and rebuilding nearly every building, ship, and related infrastructure. It is essentially a "brand-new" base, with state-of-the-art amenities and capabilities throughout.

Not only is the venue unique in the world, but within Civil Air Patrol the ILWG Spring Encampment is one of very few Basic Encampments that can be completed in only two weekends. From its inception in 1991, one of the overall goals of the activity has been to provide cadets and senior members the encampment experience when they otherwise may not be able to participate because of other commitments.

Another unique aspect of the activity is the pace. Former participants will agree that you will be hard-pressed to find a more aggressive schedule in any other CAP activity. The time allotted for the required training, meals, and other activities comes very close to being the same amount as we spend on the RTC.

You may have heard the term "50/50", which is the staff's reference to the fact that CAPR 60-1's required curriculum for a basic encampment is more than 40 hours, while after meals and sleeping we have just about 47 hours left to accomplish the mission. In addition, we share most of the facilities with active Naval recruits on their normal BMT rotation. Just like Navy Recruit Divisions, our encampment is slotted into the training schedules of the various facilities we use (SAMT, Galley, Marlinspike, etc.), and we have to be in and out "on the bounce", otherwise we will be holding up recruits and other Navy personnel.

This requires a significant amount of advanced preparation, as well as precise schedule timing on the part of the encampment staff, Naval personnel, and cadet line staff. To put it succinctly, we have no downtime - if you are not in a class or activity, you are eating or sleeping. This pace may not afford as much social time as other encampments, but it will test your leadership and follower skills - directions need to be clear, concise, and well thought out, and then carried out as indicated without much room for discussion.

Most who have experienced an ILWG Spring have indicated that it is as close as you will get to BMT in CAP, at least as far as the pace and environment is concerned (and then we get to go home on Monday).

In many cases, our cadets are close to the same age of the Naval Recruits, which makes for some interesting glances across the galley, and a real hands-on feeling for military life. Customs and courtesies are rigorously enforced and exchanged between all parties, Navy and CAP. In addition to that, proper uniform wear is ALWAYS stressed. As ambassadors of a different service, it is important to present ourselves in a way that casts the best light possible on the USAF, because as “aliens” in a strange land, we wear different uniforms, different grades, and have different procedures than everyone around us, yet because this is a BMT base, our officers are the most brass that many of these recruits will see for quite a while, certainly in such close quarters. We are frequently asked by Navy NCOs about CAP and are routinely complimented on our bearing and appearance. We protect our relationship very closely because it is critical to our operations for the rest of the year.

The above-mentioned it is important to stress we also have a lot of FUN! While we have to take the training seriously, we also get to play with some of the Navy’s coolest 'toys', and this year we are hoping to change things around a bit and add some new experiences and activities.

CHECK IN

Upon arrival at the RTC gate (both Fridays), you will be greeted by several CAP personnel. As per USN dictates, your vehicle will be directed to the visitors center and you will then have a short walk to the reception area. The initial reception desk is where you will check in with the encampment, ensure you have brought with you all of the required equipment and any medications you will need, place your gear in a transport vehicle, and be assigned to an initial in-process flight for a march to our assigned ship. Whoever brought you WILL BE REQUIRED to stay until you are checked in to ensure you have everything you need.

Since we do not have any scheduled meals on Friday night(s), you will also be asked if you have eaten dinner, if not, you will be directed to leave check-in and eat dinner before starting the activity. There are a variety of restaurants in the area, however your best bet is to eat dinner before you arrive. 

At the Visitor's Center, a group of Standards & Evaluation cadets will put you through the encampment program's "Initial Cadet Assessment" which will evaluate your cadet skills and knowledge, and provide your Flight Staff with where you may need assistance. You will see this assessment several times during the activity as a gauge of not only your performance but also how well the Cadre is doing in helping you become a better cadet.

Assuming you have everything you need, and after the ICA and a visit with the Medical Officer, you are ready to report to the "ship". You will be directed to fall into an in-process flight while you wait for others to arrive. Once there are enough cadets in your in-process flight, you will march to our assigned ship with a Naval RDC and CAP supervision. Usually, this is a 10-15 minute march, depending on which ship we are assigned to, and the weather. Your gear, having been marked with your name, will be sent to the ship by the Logistics section and should be waiting for you on arrival. See the equipment list for the "one-cadet / one bag policy".

Upon arrival at the ship, you will pick up your gear and move to our compartment(s), 1-2 for males and 1 for females, clearly marked.

From here you will be greeted by an admin line where you will be more formerly checked in, assigned to your flight, have your gear checked for contraband, receive your t-shirts and other items, and then move to your rack to put away your gear. While in line you will be expected to wait quietly, and once you receive it, may be directed to stand in front of your rack and read your Encampment Handbook - this is a small booklet which contains everything you need to know for the encampment.

Depending on your arrival time, there may be a training class or other activity, but generally, Friday nights are referred to as “Flight Time” when you will meet the others in your flight, secure your gear, shine your boots, and otherwise get yourself ready for the rest of the weekend.

Cadets will shower in the evenings and seniors shower in the mornings, so at some point, your flight commander will direct you to hit the showers and get ready for bed. Lights out and other important times will always be clearly posted in the Orders of the Day.

MEALS

The US Navy serves some of the best chow in the US Military, and the RTC galleys are some of the best in the Navy. You will not go hungry! Your Flight Commander will provide you with any information on restricted items, but the main rule is “take all you want, but eat all you take”. The galleys are cafeteria-style mess halls with excellent menus and fresh products. You’ll be eating right next to active recruits, some with less time in the Navy than you have in CAP. Because of this, there will be protocols and procedures to follow to ensure that we get in and out smoothly - look to your Flight Commander for details.

QUARTERS / CLASSROOMS

The Navy “ships”, as the quarters are referred to, are open-bay style barracks. The building is a “ship” (named in honor of a real-world Navy ship), the rooms are called “compartments” and the bunks are referred to as “racks”. These facilities are all brand-new, bright, clean, beautiful facilities, with integrated galleys and state-of-the-art classrooms. The Navy has spent a lot of effort to maximize a recruit's time, and we reap the benefits. If we are lucky enough to be assigned to a galley in our ship, weather, and transit time become a matter of simply “going downstairs”.

Each cadet is assigned his own rack, and personal items are to be stored as directed underneath the rack in a “coffin locker”. Your rack will have a nametag on it, and this will be your “home” for the duration. Proper stowage of gear is an inspection item and your Flight Staff will show you how to do it correctly.

As to the classrooms, by “state-of-the-art” we mean sweet! Bright open rooms that can accommodate the entire encampment in one room, with dual 200-inch screen projection systems. We generally have access to several of these classrooms at once, and the compartments all have projection systems as well, and some training may take place in these areas.

ACTIVITIES

In addition to classes required by CAPR 60-1 for encampment credit, we request access to various naval facilities to learn and “play” with some of the Navy’s toys.

Our access to these facilities is always on a “Space-A” basis, but the Navy has traditionally been very accommodating in opening its doors to CAP.  As in years past, we will be requesting access to:

Atlantic Fleet Hall - A huge gymnasium with a sprung floor for running where we perform Team Leadership Problems. 

As new activities are added, details will be posted on this website and sent to the various email lists.

For classroom training, the emphasis is on interactive, group dynamic activities.

PASS & REVIEW

The culmination of ILWG Spring Encampment is the Pass & Review on the second Sunday. You will practice drill and ceremonies for this activity, and a color guard will be selected from your peers by the Cadet Commander and his staff. The P&R takes place in the U.S.S. Midway Ceremonial Hall, the same place where 1800+ Navy Recruits graduate every week. Your friends and family may attend and see the rewards of your hard work as they watch you parade past them in your service dress with your flight.

In addition to the P&R, awards will be presented in various “honor” categories, as well as major Achievements and promotions for cadets and seniors.