Basic Encampment

Before a cadet is eligible to apply to any of the CAP National Cadet Special Activities, he or she must first attend a basic encampment.  An encampment is usually held at a military installation, and typically consists of 7-10 days of cadet basic training, or “boot camp.” 

According to the Tri-Wing Encampment site (Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C.):

“Encampment is the most significant, worthwhile training experience in a CAP cadet's career. It is a weeklong basic training-like program and is required for the General Billy Mitchell Award (Promotion to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant). Encampment is designed to develop a greater understanding of CAP and Air Force missions and capabilities, personal and team leadership, and teamwork.”

What are the requirements?

You must have earned your Curry Achievement (Cadet Airman) prior to the start date of the encampment.

How do I apply?

For Tri-Wing Encampment, you must register by submitting a CAP Form 31 to Maryland Wing Headquarters.  You can find a link to the Tri-Wing Encampment website by visiting Mt. Airy Squadron’s Home Page.  Once at the Tri-Wing site, you can click on “Registration” in the top toolbar, and then “Cadet Basic Registration” in the left margin, for details. 

A CAP Form 31 can be found on the National Headquarters website.  From Mt. Airy Squadron’s Home Page, click on the National HQ emblem (to the left of our patch), log in, and click on “CAP Pubs and Forms” in the left margin.  Again, in the left margin, you can click on “Forms (Word)” or “Forms (PDF).” 

Word will allow you to populate the form from your keyboard, so you can complete it prior to printing.

PDF will give you a blank form you can print out and fill in by hand. 

Once in the forms area, scroll down to find “ **F31 ” and click on this to open the form.  When you have completed the form (which includes acquiring a signature from our squadron commander and group commander), refer to the Tri-Wing website for mailing instructions to Maryland Wing Headquarters.

A deadline will be set by Wing each year for the postmark of the Tri-Wing Encampment application.  Leave yourself enough time to obtain all required signatures and mail your application to Wing Headquarters.

What if I can’t attend Tri-Wing Encampment due to schedule conflicts?

Other Wings around the country hold encampments at different times during the year.  Some cadets prefer to attend an earlier encampment, so they will be eligible to attend more NCSA’s during the summer.  Some simply cannot attend Tri-Wing due to vacation conflicts.  Below are links to other wings which offer encampments.  If you intend to apply to an encampment outside of Maryland Wing, it is important that you read registration requirements carefully, and pay close attention to deadlines.  It is also possible that other cadets from Maryland will be attending out-of-state encampments [as well as some NCSA’s such as National Emergency Services Academy (NESA)]. Be sure to let a senior member know if you are considering these, so they can inquire about car / van pools.

Information about Encampment dates can be found on the National Headquarters website:     http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=5342

For specific details about Encampments being held in or near the Middle East Region:

Virginia Wing                            http://www.vawg.cap.gov/

West Virginia Wing                       http://www.wvwg.cap.gov/

North Carolina Wing                      http://www.cadetprograms.com/

Pennsylvania Wing                        http://www.pawgenc.org/

At the above sites, check under “Cadet Programs” for encampment information.

If you have any questions, make sure you ASK them at a squadron meeting.    

The bottom line is, if you graduate from an encampment, a lot of doors will open up for you in the CAP cadet program. 

Is there anything else I should know about Encampment?

Encampment doesn’t have to end with your Basic year.  Once you have graduated from an encampment, you are eligible to apply for staff each year thereafter.  Encampment staff application involves a more selective process, whereby cadets are chosen through application, resume, and a Staff Selection Board held at Maryland Wing Headquarters in early spring.  Keep your eye out for notices about this on our squadron e-mail list.

You will receive an encampment ribbon upon graduation your first year.  Further attendance will be indicated by bronze or silver stars placed on your ribbon.

Any comments and/or suggestions: webmaster@mtairy-cap.org.