Texas Wing Cadet Programs
Cadet Training & Education Program
CTEP Fall 2017
The Cadet Training & Education Program is designed to teach cadets as they progress through the program and give them both the knowledge and skills to lead cadets at their level of responsibility. The schools consist of Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Officer Training School, and the Cadet Command Staff College. The four schools are taught by cadets that have graduated the final school, the Cadet Command and Staff College.
TD - 1
06 Oct 2017
Today marked day one of the Cadet Training & Education Programs (CTEP) here at the Texas Wing Headquarters in Nacogdoches. About an hour after signing in, cadets began attending their first round of classes for the day and receive their first assignments! We are so excited to welcome these young cadets studying to become better leaders as the future face of the Civil Air Patrol cadet programs.
NCOA kicked off this fall CTEP with a class on professionalism followed by a class on teaching and training methods. For those of you reading who are non-CAP members, NCOA stands for Non-Commissioned Officer Academy. NCOA is the foundation of the CTEP program. It is the first of four schools designed to instill and grow leadership qualities and standards in CAP cadets. NCOA focuses on the junior NCO ranks from C/SSgt – C/MSgt. Primary teaching is structured around developing what it truly means to be an NCO based on Air Force traditions and the Learn to Lead books. Students will learn the necessary skills of leadership and the art of utilizing it effectively. With that knowledge, cadets will understand what the true NCO is and the fundamentals of teamwork.
SNCOA started with a class on writing and speaking effectively, a class discussing the role of a first sergeant, and concluded with a class on professionalism and discipline. SNCOA stands for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. Cadets with the ranks of C/MSgt – C/CMSgt are the primary focus group in this academy. The mission of the SNCOA is to prepare SNCO’s for leadership positions within Civil Air Patrol as well as in the community. SNCOA focuses on professional communication (i.e. public speaking, writing, and business communication) as well as the human elements of leadership, practical Senior NCO skills, critical thinking, and the transition to officership. The goal of SNCOA is to enhance cadet training to encourage them to function mentally and physically on a much higher level than expected of them. This is done through physical activity, rigorous homework assignments, teaching tools, leadership forums, and classroom presentations. Prior to attending SNCOA students are expected to have a firm understanding and knowledge of the CAP Cadet Program, as well as the basics of public speaking and formal writing.
OTS began with a class on creative leadership and concluded with a class about writing to be understood. OTS stands for Officer Training School. Cadets who have achieved the rank of C/2d Lt – C/Capt are the primary focus group. Officer Training School is the third school in the Cadet Training & Education Program as well as the first part of the Region Cadet Leadership School (RCLS). OTS is a Texas Wing leadership school that introduces new cadet officers to their new role both at their local squadron and at activities (such as encampment). Students Learn how to effectively manage a small group of people, serve as a staff officer, and gather tools to help them effectively plan and manage their squadron meeting. The instruction given in class is coupled with team leadership projects and planning activities that provide cadets a way to apply what they have learned during their training.
CCSC kicked off their rigorous curriculum with classes on establishing a vision and classes training them on how to be a CTEP Instructor. CCSC stands for Cadet Command Staff College. The primary focus group in this class are cadets who have achieved the rank of C/Capt-C/Col. The Cadet Command Staff College is the last school in the CTEP progression. It takes cadets at the strategic level and teaches them the skills to plan and execute a wing level event such as an encampment. They begin with creating their vision and mission statement for an encampment and then spend the weekend planning for an upcoming encampment. Many times, the ideas that they come up with are implemented into an actual encampment. This school is also a requirement if cadets want the teach at CTEP in the future.
I will be updating this page intermittently as the weekend goes on with more information on the progression of the fall 2017 CTEP! Check back soon! - C/1st Lt Amanda Ringo
TD - 2
07 OCT 2017
Day 2 of CTEP began bright and early at 0615 with physical training for the NCO academies. After working up an appetite, cadets ate breakfast in preparation for a full day of classes.
The cadets were in for a treat; the CCSC cadets had prepared presentations to give to each of the classes ranging in content from leadership styles, to schools of thought, to officers at encampment. The cadets who attend CCSC are the cadets who are typically on executive staff at encampments and other major wing events.
Today, the NCOA cadets learned about servant leadership and the warrior spirit. The Air Force defines servant leadership as the point when the leader sees him or herself primarily as a servant of the team, putting him or herself last and the team first. Being a servant leader is a key concept in developing relationships with people within CAP. They also learned that warriors defend something valuable such as their personal honor. Having a warrior spirit means that you make a promise to yourself that you will not lie, cheat, or steal, even if everyone else commits those wrongs. Being able to embody the warrior spirit directly ties into the CAP core value of integrity so instilling this in cadets from a young age is critical to their future success within the cadet programs. Cadets also devoted a portion of their day to drill practice. NCO’s being excellent in drill is extremely important because of the NCO’s role within a squadron as the ones who directly train cadets and new recruits. It’s crucial for them to become experts in drill before they can begin teach it correctly to others so that others may carry on the CAP legacy.
The SNCOA cadets performed impromptu speeches, meaning that they were given a random topic without allotted time to pre-prepare a speech. The speech they gave was all made up on the spot. They also learned about the legacy of SNCO’s and how they have a critical effect the cadets they interact with. They also spent time learning about time management and how essential it is to success inside and outside of CAP.
OTS cadets spent the day learning about what it takes to be an officer, starting with what officership truly means and enhancing their knowledge on squadron drill and ceremonies. They also took time to discuss how different personalities and viewpoints may affect inter squadron relationships and overall efficiency.
CCSC cadets spent most of their time yesterday presenting to the other 3 classes and working on their final assignment, a rigorous planning project in which they must pass in order to graduate CCSC. They also discussed important differences and similarities between line and support staff and why they are both essential to the training of cadets in any squadron and at any event.
At the end of the day, Lt Col Kost and Lt Col Smalley gave a briefing to all of the classes on cadet programs discussing the many opportunities they offer cadets of all ranks. The cadets were given the rest of the night to work on their final assignments which are due first thing after breakfast today.
Pictures from graduation tomorrow will be posted to Facebook, Cadet programs website, etc. within two days of the end of CTEP!
-C/1st Lt Amanda Ringo