NERPA505 Update

Greetings 505!  Everyone is appreciated for supporting squadron meetings so well recently.  It's great to see so much interest from our cadets!

Thanks to SM Ed Atwood for working with four of our cadets on Color Guard drill last Tuesday.  SM Atwood is a former drill instructor for the Army National Guard.

Congratulations to Daniel Hagberg and Collin Matheny for their promotions to C/Amn.  Cadet Hagberg was actually promoted about 2 weeks ago, on the evening we couldn't get into our meeting facility.

(1) Tuesday is Emergency Services emphasis night.  Lt Orris and Lt Hagberg will be in charge of the class.  Uniform of the day is BDUs.
(2) Ch (Capt) Matheny, C/SMSgt Matheny and C/Amn Matheny will not be at this coming meeting.  Collin has a band performance at Eisenhower MHS that we plan to attend.
(3) Just a reminder to be studying ahead for upcoming testing night, 7 Apr 09.  All of our cadets need to be planning to test on either Leadersip, Aerospace, or both if needed, in order to keep on track if their goal is promotion every 60 days.  It is not necessary to be promoted every 60 days, but it certainly is exciting and helps cadets to advance quickly through the lower ranks so they can take a little more time with the more challenging requirements for the upper, officer ranks.
(4) Please keep your parents informed of squadron activities.  Occasionally check out the calendar at the bottom of nerpa505.blogspot.com.
(5) Stay in "recruiting mode" so we can add a few members before school dismisses for the summer.  Never be without some recruiting literature in your pocket.  Let your excitement about CAP show!
(6) If you have any questons about anything pertaining to CAP, don't hesitated to ask any Senior Member anytime.  We're here to help you!

Semper Vigilans!  Have a great meeting Tuesday nignt! See you on 7 April!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
Group 6
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kb3mom

505 Ball Caps are in

Just to let you know that we received our order of squadron "505" ball caps today.  Members who do not have a cap can purchase one at cost for $7.00.  They are the only caps that are authorized to be worn with the USAF BDU uniforms and particularly on search and rescue missions.  If you need a cap, check with Lt Hagberg or me.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
Group 6
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kb3mom

NERPA505 Update

Greetings 505! I Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm thankful Spring is here, how about you?

For those of you who were at last week's meeting, thanks for you patience in traveling with me to an alternate location. It turns out that the lock on the building that we meet at was not malfunctioning as I thought -- they had changed the code and forgot to inform us. We'll do our best to keep the situation from occurring again.

(1) Thanks to Lt Orris for arranging to have Sgt Steve Appleby, a retired US Army Green Beret, teach an excellent session on ground navigation. Sgt Appleby has stated that he would like to work with us again. He was highly complimentary of our squadron, and especially of our cadets.
(2) Tuesday night is Aerospace Education emphasis night. The uniform of the day is BDUs. Since four of our new cadets need to test on Aerospace Module One on the next testing night, we will plan to study and review that module and take a practice quiz. Please read the module in advance if you have not already done so.
(3) There are less than three months of school left before summer vacation. Now is the time to work on recruiting some of your friends! Remember that Lt Hagberg announced that there will be an award for the cadet who brings the most guests to meeting. I do not recollect the time frame that he mentioned. We'll get his clarification on that during our next meeting.
(4) It is vital that all of our new cadets get up and running on eServices. It is also important that each cadet who wishes to participate in Emergency Services complete online Course 116 for the GES (General Emergency Services) rating. This will get you started on your Emergency Services qualifications and authorize you to participate in training and actual missions under supervision. Navigate to https://tests.cap.af.mil/newtests/test.cfm?grp=dos, select CAPT 116 Part 1 - General Emergency Services - June 2004. We will instruct you on what to read to prepare for and take the course.

Semper Vigilans! See you Tuesday!
--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
Group 6
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kb3mom

NERPA505 Update

Greetings 505! I hope everyone had a safe and fun weekend - I know at least three cadets from 505 who did!

(1) Thanks to SM Dave Lynn who piloted an aircraft to Corry Airport to provide O-rides to C/Amn Danial Hagberg, C/AB Collin Matheny, and C/SMSgt Evan Matheny on Saturday, 14 Mar. SM Lynn did a great job teaching the cadets about flightline safety, pre-flight checkout of an aircraft, and flight safety, giving each cadet near a full hour each in the right front seat. The consensus was that the rides were a great part of the CAP learning experience! Check out some of the new pics later tonight on nerpa505.blogspot.com. O-rides do not come to our squadron as often as we would like them, but, because of pilot and aircraft availability, when they do they will most often be on just a few days notice. Now that better flying weather is coming, please keep me and Lt. hagberg informed of your availability if you want to take an O-ride. We will do our best to contact everyone when we are made aware of opportunities. Cadets who take O-rides need a membership card, complete uniform, and a Flight Syllabus. They also need to be signed off on the Monthly Safety Briefing.
(2) Tuesday night is Emergency Services emphasis night. The uniform of the day is BDUs. We will be working mainly on ES training, primarily Land Navigation. Bring your compasses if you have them. We'll also have examples of 24 hour and 72 hour packs to look at. Testing, drill and PT may be made available on a limited basis for those who need it.
(3) Cadets who want to attend the Cadet Wing Conference on 25 Apr at Fort Indian Town Gap, PA, need to have their applications and fee sent in no later than 11 Apr. Transportation and lodging are the responsibility of cadet families. Check with Chaplain Matheny or Lt Hagberg for information.

Semper Vigilans! See you Tuesday night!
--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
Group 6
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kb3mom

Cadet Update

Cadets,

Integrity, the first of the CAP Core Values that we will look at, means "Strict adherence to a code of conduct," "a very personal standard or philosophy," "the keystone of military service." All of these definitions apply to integrity. Nothing in CAP could function properly without this much needed Core Value. Integrity is also critical to relationships with others. It is the fundamental that underlies the other Core Values of Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect.
--
Evan F. Matheny, C/SMSgt
First Sergeant
NERPA505

NERPA505 Update

Greetings 505!

(1) Tuesday night is Character Development night. The uniform of the day is USAF blues if you have them, BDUs if not. All of our cadets need at least one Character Development class per achievement. Be sure to read and sign the Monthly Safety Briefing posted on the bulletin board.
(2) New members, cadets and senior members, need to do the following, if you have not already done so, in order to proceed further in CAP: log onto https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec and follow the instructions to complete the mandatory Operations Security Training.
(3) After completing OPSEC, log onto https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.eServices.Web/Default.aspx , look for the "First time eServices users click here to activate your account!" link. Follow the prompts to creat your CAP eServices account.
(4) All cadets, and all senior members who wish to take part in Emergency Services operations, need to do the following: after creating your eServices account, log on, then select "CAP Online Exams" from the left hand column (you can also reach this page from gocivilairpatrol.com/members). Scroll down the page to the "Operations" block, then complete the following emergency services tests: CAPT 116 pt 2 (ICS 100), CAPT 117 pt 1,2 & 3 (Continuing Education), and Skills Evaluator Training . All of the tests are open book. You can download the necessary regulations or pamphlets from http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/forms_publications__regulations/forms_pdf.cfm, then open them in Adobe Reader. The tests can be retaken if failed and do not have to be all completed on the same day.
(5) If you have any trouble with either of the above, I will be happy to help you. I can meet you at the Warren Library, come to your home, or you may come to my house.
(6) New senior members need to complete Level I CAP Foundations Course and the CAP Cadet Protection Program Material. Both are simple, and neither are time consuming. Level I materials can be downloaded from http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/cap_university/professional_development/afiadl__cap_student_page/level_one.cfm. Cadet Protection materials can be accessed from your eServices page by selecting "Cadet Protection" from the left hand column. If you need any help, please let Lt Hagberg or me know.
(7) Lt Hagberg, C/SMSgt Matheny, C/AB Hagberg, and I attended the Group 6 Commander's Call on 7 Mar. We will brief the squadron on details at the Squadron Meeting.

Semper Vigilans! See you Tuesday!
--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.), CAP
NERPA505
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kb3mom

Cadet Update

Cadets, think about this definition:  "Learning, the process by which changes in behavior result from experience or practice." Worldbook Encyclopedia.  So, if your behavior does not change, have you learned anything?  The CAP Cadet Pledge states in part, "to advance my training and education rapidly."  The CAP Cadet Program is designed bring about positive changes in behavior to correspond with the CAP Core Values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect.  Starting next week we will look at each Core Value in detail.

--
Evan F. Matheny, C/SMSgt
First Sergeant
NERPA505

NERPA505 Update

Greetings!  I hope everyone is having a great, thought chilly, but beautifully sunshiny Sunday.  Winter is fading (but not gone) the muddy season is coming, and Spring is on the way!

Congratulations are again in order!  Evan Matheny was promoted to C/SMSgt and Cadet First Sergeant.  Jon Durnell was promoted to C/TSgt Last Tuesday.  Great job, gentlemen!  Keep up the good work!  Ed Atwood and Collin Matheny have submitted membership applications to HQ CAP.  Welcome to 505 Ed & Collin!

(1) Tuesday night is Safety Briefing and Testing Night.  Remember that you have to have completed OPSEC, ORM, and the Monthly Safety Briefing in order to participate in activities other than classroom. 
(2) I believe every cadet is eligible to take either a Leadership or Aerospace module, so everyone should be ready to take the next step.  The uniform of the day is BDUs.  We will plan to test for drill this Tuesday as well for those who need it.  We will plan to do Physical Fitness testing on the first Tuesday in April.  Hopefully, we will be able to use the track at Beaty Middle School.  This schedule will help keep everyone on track for reaching their next achievement in 60 days minimum.
(3) As of this writing, Lt. Orris' friend, a former US Army Spec. Forces member, still plans to teach a class on Land Navigation on Tuesday night.  The class was rescheduled from last week.  This will help us all get ready for the outdoor training exercise at Heart's Content on 15-17 May. I will attach a page to this message containing a list of starter items for a field emergency pack.  There will be more information on equipment distributed on Tuesday night.
(4) Remember that Group 6 Commander's Call is scheduled for 7 Mar, 0900, Hermitage, PA.  Commanders, Group Staff members, and Cadet Advisory Council members are expected to attend.  Other squadron members are also encouraged to attend.  Let me know Tuesday night if you would like to go and need transportation.  We plan to leave Warren at 0600.
(5) I have been in contact with Captain Hardinger and he has informed me that as soon as some modifications are finished on the aircraft that he pilots, he will contact us and arrange some cadet Orientation Rides, weather permitting.  I announced last week that Wing budget constraints had limited O Rides to first time flights only.  Since then, that restriction has been rescended and O Rides are again available to all cadets. Remember that you need to have a complete uniform and an CAP membership card in order to participate in O Ride flights.  The flights will likely be from the Corry Airport.  Lt. Hagberg or I will arrange transportation and supervision.
(6) There will be a separate message for senior members regarding the 2009 Group 6 Squadron Leadership School schedule.

Semper Vigilans!  See you Tuesday!
--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.), CAP
NERPA505
--
kb3mom