Now is the time to get in shape for encampment

Put away the potato chips, and get off the couch, physical training is not difficult if you are prepared. Begin by running 1 mile 2-3 times per week for at least a month in advance. If you really want to improve your mile, then increase your distance by ¼ mile every other week. Also, once a week run a mile on a standard running track, but sprint on the ends of the track and jog the straight-aways.

To increase your push-ups and sit-ups, every few hours during the day do a set of ten sit-ups and push-ups. The more effort you put in now the easier it gets for encampment, increase the amount of repetitions you do then you will be ready for any PT test thrown at you. Within a month, you will be able to pass the Spaatz test standards.

If you follow these tips the burn in your legs will spell success at encampment and you will have a six-pack in time for July 4th weekend.

Brush up on your CAP knowledge

While you are still in school and "Senioritus/Summer Vacation" hasn't set in start your memory work now! Brush up your memory by memorizing your CAP Oath and Motto and practice reciting it. Look up your chain of command (specifically the Wing Commander, Region Commander, National Commander, Chief of Staff USAF, Secretary of USAF, Secretary of Defense, and the Commander-in-Chief). If you have these names memorized prior to encampment, then you can focus on the other memory work and have a head start on the rest of the crowd since you put in a little work in ahead of time that paid off later on. Plus you will gain great research experience of figuring out the chain of command.

Prepare your uniforms!

So you don't have to figure out you lost your insignia or cover the night before encampment. Get your BDU’s and Short Sleeve Blues ready now and perform an inspection on them yourself and at your squadron to "be all you can be." That way you can figure out if anything is missing. This will give you enough time to get anything ordered well before encampment. Also, make sure you purchase your next set of rank now in case you promote right before encampment. If you are a first sergeant at your home squadron, then “lose the diamond” you will have to be "a diamond in the rough for the week." Get a set of rank that does not have the diamond on them. We will have our own first sergeants there and they may take it personally. Remember, having a complete and proper uniform for encampment will save you embarrassment and stress. See you and your spiffy uniforms at encampment, it will be the place to be!

Get you application in quickly!

We have limited space for basics and we don’t want you to miss out. Getting your application and payment in now will ensure that you aren’t left out. This is the experience of a life time and it is with in your reach.

An open mind gets you farther

Minds work better if they are open, go there to improve you skills and learn new ones. Leave your ego at the door! This may sound harsh but it will make you life and everyone else's a lot easier. Regardless of your position at your home squadron, you are a basic trainee at encampment. The staff at encampment has training and experience that you don’t, even if you outrank them. Listen to them and you will be a better cadet for it. Remember, if you go to learn, you WILL have fun!

Bring a Uniform Manual!

Having a CAPM 39-1 around could make you a hero in your flight. Everyone will be coming to you for uniform advice and you will always be able to get them the answers! Go to the cadet programs page on the national HQ website and look up the document on Myths and Legends. Having your uniform manual and the document on Myths and Legends will save time and money, well not so much money but will clarify some of those pesky little points cadets get all bent out of shape over. These documents have lots of useful information that will save time, stress and embarrassment for you flight and yourself at encampment.

Get outside more!

Encampment is going to be hot, so the more time you spend outside doing physical activity now, the better you will perform. Get used to drinking water because those that fall out from dehydration run a good chance of being sent home. There are no carbonated beverages allowed at encampment, so water is what you will be drinking there anyway. Stop drinking sugared drinks before hand to ease your body into such a change to prevent any effects while at encampment. Look forward to seeing everyone there.

Know your Drill & Ceremonies!

You have to have your first stripe before attending encampment. That means you’ve passed a drill test. Go back and review the drill moves you were tested on for your first stripe and practice, practice, practice. After that go to the more advanced movements and become proficient at those. He/She who knows drill and ceremonies, does well at encampment!

Read your packing list carefully!

Don’t bring anything that is not on your packing list (unless it is an extra canteen or uniform). Bringing candy bars and drinks will not help you. We do a gear shakedown on day 1 and candy and drinks will only feed the staff and cause you heartburn. Just show up with a positive mental attitude and what is on your packing list and you will have a good time.

Balance your diet!

While at encampment, you will be expected to eat fruits and vegetables along with your normal foods. Begin eating them before encampment (if you don’t normally) so your body is used to them. Nobody wants the runs at encampment.

Get up early!

We will be waking up very early every morning at encampment. Getting you body adjusted to early wake-ups now will make you more productive at encampment and WILL reduce the stress you will feel. Start by waking up at 6am and every three days set your alarm to get you up 15 minutes earlier. If you get used to waking up at 5am, then you will have no problems with the mornings at encampment.

Deadline is 01 Jun!

I hope everyone has sent in there applications the deadline is JUN 1. This is a hard deadline no exception will or can be made. If you are having an issue with your application IMMEDIATELY contact Wing HQ or myself to have your matter resolved. We have many great activities planned. Here are some activities from previous encampment that you could be missing out on if you do not attend...Marine Corps Martial Arts, Rides in helicopters, Flight Simulator, Shooting Simulator, Drilling with Marines, and Comradeship with fellow cadets to name a few!

-- JoeMorris - 30 May 2007