NERPA505 Update

Greetings, 505, on a beautiful Sunday evening!  "Thanks!" to everyone who showed up to help at the Russell Jubilee parade last Saturday.  Everyone did a great job and represented the squadron well.  Thanks, too, to the Petersons for volunteering their vehicle to drive in the parade behind the Color Guard.

(1) Tuesday is Testing, PT, and Drill night.  There will be opportunities to everything needed to work towards the next achievement.  If you are not sure what you need to do for your next achievement, ask your cadet mentor.  If they cannot help you, they know where to go for an answer.  The uniform of the day is BDUs.  Bring appropriate clothing and shoes for PT.  If the track at Beaty is available, we will plan to use it.
(2) We have been able to secure the hotdog stand at BiLo for Saturday, 5 Jun.  It is also available for 12 and 19 Jun, if we have some senior members and cadets who have time to man the stand.  Please let me or Capt Hagberg know by Tuesday night if you will be available.
(3) For Senior Members and Cadets who are not going to the Basic Encampment: Re. Maj. Nick Melnick, the Clarion Squadron will be going to Hearts Content on 19-20 Jun (staying over the 18th and 19th) to practice compass navigation, GPS navigation, and orienteering.  Please inform Capt. Hagberg or me if you want to participate.  You should have a basic field pack, including canteens or camel pack, and safety gear.  You also need a CAPF 101 card to start a Ground Team training record.  If you have any questions, write them down and don't hesitate to ask!
(3) Just a reminder to be aware of when your membership is due to be renewed.  Membership can be renewed online via eServices until your anniversary date.  After that, it needs to be renewed by mail or phone.

  Semper Vigilans!    See you Tuesday, and don't forget to bring a friend!  Be proud of who you are and what you do in CAP!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

NERPA505 Update

Greetings, 505, on a beautiful Sunday!

(1) Tuesday is Aerospace Education emphasis.  The uniform of the day is BDUs.
(2) Upcoming events:  The Russell Jubilee Parade will line up at 1000 hrs, 29 May.
(3) Capt. Hagberg will provide details about the Memorial Day ceremony at the Russell Cemetery.

  Semper Vigilans!    See you Tuesday!  Be proud of who you are and what you do in CAP!

PS Don't forget to bring a friend!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Important Information Re. Cadet Basic Encampment

Applications, packing lists, and contraband lists have been posted on the PA Wing Encampment Web site at http://www.pawgcls.org/.  Bad links have been fixed.  Cadets who intend to attend the Basic Encampment, or Cadet Leadership School, should inform Captain Hagberg or Chaplain Matheny as soon as possible.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

NERPA505 Update

Greetings, 505!  I hope everyone had as great a week end as Cadets Daniel Hagberg, Evan and Collin Matheny, and I had (at least on Saturday at the FTX)!

Congratulations to Cadets Adrianna Young and Brendon Loney on becoming the newest members of the squadron.  Welcome to 505!  The squadron has grown by three members this month.  Great!

(1) Tuesday is special testing night, since our testing officer was out of the country on a mission trip on regular testing night.  Every cadet is eligible to test for leadership, aerospace, of both.  Testing opportunities are to help each of you to honor the part of your cadet pledge to "advance my training and education rapidly," but it is up to you to take the time to prepare and make the effort to test.
(2) Re. C/2 Lt. Matheny, Tuesday is also ES training night.  We will plan to cover material that will complete Ground Team Member 3 SQTRs for some of our ground team trainees, and get SQTRs started for other cadets who are interested in becoming Ground Team members.
(3) Also re. C/2 Lt. Matheny, we will try to work in some PT, especially for cadets who need to test for advancement.
(4) I will try to post some photos of the FTX attended by four members of the squadron sometime tomorrow.  Check the squadron blog.  Also, use the squadron blog to help with recruiting by giving out the address: http://nerpa505.blogspot.com.
(4) IMPORTANT!  Check your contact information in your eServices account for accuracy.  Be sure everything is correct, including your email address.  This is the primary method that CAP NHQ uses to communicate with members.  If you do not have an email address, I will give you one to use, and I will print the information for you.

  Semper Vigilans!    Be proud of who you are and what you do in CAP!

See you Tuesday, and don't forget to bring a friend!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

FTX Updated Information

One of the squadrons hosting the FTX is having a fundraiser on Friday night, 14 May, so sign-in for the FTX will be at 0800 hrs, Saturday morning, 15 May, at the Venango County Airport.  I plan to be a the FTX only on Saturday, and will return to Warren on Saturday night so I can continue preparation for my work on Sunday.

Members who plan to attend the FTX need to bring their CAPF 101 card, membership card, and a CAPF 60 for sign-in.  I will also have copies of the CAPF 60 for each cadet who tells me he/she is attending.

I need to have a list of cadets from 505 who plan to attend.  My current list includes: C/2 Lt. Matheny, C/TSgt. Hagberg, C/TSgt. Matheny, C/SrA Peterson, and C/Amn. Peterson.  Please let me know if this list needs to be corrected.

The uniform of the day is BDUs.  The weather for Saturday is supposed to be partly sunny and 61, but be prepared for anything.  Bring a field jacket or coat in case you become wet and chilled.  Cadets who have 24 hr. gear should bring it.  Minimum gear should include work gloves, safety vest, hard hat, and safety glasses.  If planning to bivouac overnight on Saturday, bring a tent and sufficient bedding to stay warm.  Cadets should also bring enough food for themselves.  A change of socks would be a good idea, and perhaps a pair of waterproof boots, if available.  I plan to provide a couple of cases of bottled water.

If your cadet does not have some of the needed gear, please inform me right away (8146886940) and I will try to round up what is needed.

Cadets who have incomplete SQTRs should be sure to bring them.  I will have blank SQTRs available, if needed.

Finally, parents, please be sure that I have current emergency contact information for your children, and please make a note of my cell phone number (above).  If you have a cellular device with texting capability, please provide me with the number, if I do not already have it.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Welcome to 505!

Congratulations to SM Tom Brown on becoming the newest member of 505!  SM Brown received his CAPID number today.  He retired from the United States Air Force as a Major, and has worked since his retirement in the public education system.  Let's be sure to make him feel welcome!  It's great to have him on board!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

NERPA 505 Update

Greetings, 505!  I hope all of you had a great weekend.

(1) Tuesday is Character Development emphasis.  The uniform of the day is the USAF style Class B uniform for cadets and Class Bs or a CAP Corporate uniform for senior members.  Cadets, don't forget to bring your "Flight Log."
(2) Re. C/2 Lt Matheny, cadets should plan for drill, including Color Guard practice, and uniform inspection.
(3) Anyone planning to attend the FTX (Field Training Exercise) at Franklin, 14-16 May, please inform Capt. Hagberg or Ch. Matheny.  Members who wish to attend should have completed the General Emergency Services rating (completed online), and have a current CAPF 101 card.  We will talk about this again during the meeting.  I try to keep the calendar on the squadron blog up to date, so check it occasionally for events and opportunities.
(4) Senior members, your time and talent are deeply appreciated and greatly valued!  Please do you best to complete Level I training as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.  If you have questions, or need help, please ask.
(5) We appreciate the number of visitors we have enjoyed at the last couple of meetings.  Let's do our best to set a good example and be encouraging!

  Semper Vigilans!    See you Tuesday!  Don't forget to bring a friend, and be proud of who you are and what you do in CAP!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

C/SSgt. Farrell earns Eagle Scout Award

Congratulations to C/SSgt. Dillon Farrell on earning his Eagle Scout Award on 25 April!  The newspaper article can be viewed by clicking here.  Cadet Farrell joins former cadet John Durnell as the second member of 505 to earn Eagle Scout.  Cadet Durnell is currently serving in the United States Navy.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Virus warning issued by Group Six IT Officer

Some of you are probably already aware of this, but the Group Six IT Officer, 1 Lt. Butts, issued a warning about the rampant "koobface" virus that is being spread via social networking sites.  Please take time to read the linked article from PC World magazine (click here) and pass the information on to your friends and contacts.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

NERPA505 Update

Greetings, 505!  Here's hoping everyone enjoyed a great weekend.  Congratulations are again in order for Cadets Daniel Hagberg and Collin Matheny, who completed all requirements for Cadet Technical Sergeant!

Thanks to SM Brad Peterson, C/TSgt. Collin Matheny, and C/Amn. Natalie Peterson for accompanying me to represent 505 at the Group Six Commander's Call.

(1) Tuesday is PT emphasis night.  Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for exercising.  The weather is supposed to be wet, so we will plan to use the gym.  Cadets who need to PT test for their next achievement should plan ahead.
(2) Re. C/2 Lt. Matheny: Cadet mentors should be prepared to spend some time with their cadets, helping them prepare for the next scheduled testing day.
(3) Re. Capt Hagberg, the squadron has opportunities to participated in the Memorial Day events at Russell, PA, including a ceremony at the cemetery, and the parade.  More information will be forthcoming.
(4) Maj. Shelly Fleming, Group Six Commander, emphasized proper uniforms and grooming for cadets and senior members.  Senior members are expected set an example for cadets in military bearing, customs and courtesies, and advancing training.  Re. the CAP Corporate Uniform for senior members, the blue double-breasted uniform will not be phased out as originally announced, but will be changed as follows: blue name plate used on the white shirt will be changed to a CAP gray name plate; the grade insignia on the white shirt and the blouse will be changed to the CAP gray epaulets.  Changes may be made now, but become mandatory by 30 Sep. 10.
(5) 1 Lt. Karnes had been appointed as Group 6 Assistant Recruiting and Retention Officer.  He will assist Maj. Chuck Wedge, Group Six Recruiting and Retention Officer.
(6) Anyone who wishes to read the squadron report presented at Commander's Call can read or print it by clicking here.

Upcoming opportunities:

• A Field Training Exercise is planned for 15-16 May at Franklin, PA.  All members who are available are encouraged to attend to work on completing their Ground Team SQTRs.  Most of our members need to be working on either Ground Team Member 3 or 2.
• Senior members who have not attended Squadron Leadership School still have time to register for 15-16 May.  The class will be held at the Greenville, PA, VFW facility.
• Legislative Day at the PA legislature is on 25 May.  PA Wing Vice Commander (West) Maj. Fleming, request that some of the Group's top cadets make the trip to talk with some members of the legislature about the importance and value of CAP.
• Three training opportunities for Cadets are scheduled for 19-26 Jun:  Basic Cadet Encampment and Cadet Leadership School, both at FTIG, and Powered Flight Encampment at Franklin.
• Squadrons are encouraged to plan to assist with parking at the Butler County Fair, 2-10 Jul.  Squadrons will share in funds provided by the Fair for parking based upon the number of attendants and the time served.
  

  Semper Vigilans!    Be proud of who you are and what you do in CAP!  See you Tuesday!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PA Wing, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom