JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Fifty-nine Civil Air Patrol cadets from over 15 squadrons across the commonwealth participated in Virginia Wing’s NCO Academy and Advanced Drill and Ceremonies School held Oct. 14 through Oct., 16, 2016, here.
The Drill and Ceremonies School has been offered by the wing twice a year for the last several years. The program helps strengthen cadets in their knowledge of drill and ceremonies as well as standardize how drill is taught throughout the wing.
The school is now evolving from a simple understanding of drill and ceremonies to focus specifically on enabling cadets to be comfortable with drill instruction and training so that they may utilize and apply their skills and knowledge at their individual squadrons.
At the conclusion of this fall’s school, cadet Master Sgt. Gheorghe Ciobanu shared, “I’ve never thought that I would have the capabilities to drill cadets on my own before, but now I feel more confident and prepared than ever before. The cadre did an outstanding job teaching us everything we need to know according to the new manual and giving us the confidence we all needed.”
Additionally, Civil Air Patrol Capt. Jacob Bixler, activity’s director, commented, “With the addition of new national curriculum for drill, we are enabled now more than ever to follow the same sheet of music. I thoroughly enjoy being able to offer this activity at the wing level so that cadets from across the state can share and collaborate their successes and strengthen their leadership and mentorship qualities that are reinforced through drill and ceremonies.”
The NCOA was offered at the wing level for the first time in many years. The goal for the program was to offer new cadet noncommissioned officers the basic skills to lead new CAP cadets under their guidance.
The cadre of staff teaching the school were selected for their experience and ability to teach their skills to others. Basic skills on how to prepare and teach were supplemented with discussions on leadership ethics and responsibilities.
The most well received part of the course by far was the ‘NCO Round Table’ session.
Active duty NCOs from JBLE volunteered their time to come and talk about their real-world experience being in charge of others. The discussion could have gone on twice as long as time allowed – both the NCO’s and cadets were enjoying every moment.
In addition to the cadre, students, and staff, the weekend activity was made successful through the support of the U.S. Air Force. The weekend activity made use of the base’s Raptor Town buildings, providing an area for members to sleep and eat comfortably.
Members of the 633rd Force Support Squadron gave their personal time to prepare breakfast and dinner for the schools. The directors of both schools personally thanked the Airmen and their commanders, who visited on Saturday evening, for their efforts.