C/2d Lt Josh Salvato
Southwest Iowa Composite Squadron
“Let’s go! Move with a sense of urgency!”
Two sentences and I knew I was back. Encampment. A year ago I had what I considered the best experience of my life attending a Basic Encampment through Civil Air Patrol. I now mark that experience as the second greatest in my life, the best being an Advanced Training Flight.
Some of you may have already attended an encampment, if so, you’re probably wondering, “Well, what do I do now?” If you have already attended a Basic Encampment, you have two good options to build upon that experience. You can choose to staff an encampment by becoming one of the trainers, like the individuals who trained you, or you can participate in an Advanced Training Flight.
At this point you may be wondering what an Advanced Training Flight is, and in the simplest definition, an Advanced Training Flight is an encampment which furthers your education and training in a specific field of study. Advanced Encampments are very similar to Basic Encampments, with some differences. For instance, the Advanced Flights we’re able to talk and sit at ease while eating, and we’re not made to memorize the SOPs which you are given at Basic Encampments.
I chose to attend the Honor Guard Flight offered by the 3rd Kansas Training Group Winter Encampment in Salina, Kansas. While being a part of this Flight I was able to receive training in the standards of the Air Force Honor Guard from individuals who specialized in this field. My Flight Sergeant had attended The Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard Academy for one instructional year (a two week period), and my Flight Commander had graduated from the same academy, requiring a total of three instructional years. It is important for the staff members who are directly involved in the training of the Advanced Flights to be experts in their respective areas of study because they will be required to train their subordinates.
My Flight was able to receive training in Color Guard, proper flag bearing procedures, Remembrance Table ceremonies, casket bearing and funeral services, Honor Guard Drill & Ceremonies, and Rifle Drill. My personal favorite of these was Rifle Drill, during which my Flight was trained in everything from rifle positions and spins, to tosses and throws. At the end of the week my Flight was scheduled to perform a rifle routine, which we were required to plan ourselves, using the movements our Flight Staff had taught us. I consider myself lucky to have attended an Advanced Encampment and would recommend it to every cadet whom had attended a Basic encampment. It was truly an outstanding experience!
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