BCS/ATS

Actions Panel

BCS/ATS

By Inland Empire Group 3, CAWG

Date and time

April 10, 2015 · 5pm - April 12, 2015 · 5pm PDT

Location

March Air Reserve Base

1920 Graeber St, Building 441 March ARB, CA 92518-0351

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

The Basic Cadet School (BCS) provides new cadets with an entry-level understanding of the Civil Air Patrol program while developing their sense of pride, identity, and accomplishment through the Civil Air Patrol's Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Excellence, and Volunteer Service.

Training is delivered in an age-appropriate, military-style context reinforcing the responsibilities and discipline required of every California Wing cadet.

The event is held over two nights and is staffed by a highly trained group of cadets and senior members (adults) who ensure that every student is provided the foundation of knowledge necessary to be successful in the Civil Air Patrol.

Materials are presented first in lecture format, followed by a field activity or workbook completion to provide immediate reinforcement. In some cases the students will be allowed time in laboratories, such as the drill labs and the uniform labs to practice what they have just learned under the direct supervision of staff members.

Below are some common questions from parents and cadets:


1. What do cadets need to bring to the school?

Cadets will receive a confirmation email confirming their registration along with an official "Equipment List" of everything necessary to be successful at the Basic Cadet School. Most of those are common household items, such as toiletries, note taking supplies, etc. Required items that may not be as readily available include:

  1. Hydration Pack (ideally black or subdued in color)
  2. Small Flashlight (ideally black or subdued in color)
  3. Sleeping bag and pillow
  4. Shoe Shine Kit
  5. BDU Woodland Hat

For your convenience, each of these items above can be added to your BCS registration purchase. These items are required for the Basic Cadet School but they do not need to be purchased from us. If you have any questions, please email us at BCS@sq45.org


2. What should cadets not bring?

Short answer: Anything not on the official "Equipment List" mentioned above.

Longer Answer: While not inclusive, the following list of items should not be brought to the Basic Cadet School: Any Food (including snacks, candy, gum), pocket knives, scissors, multi-tools, electronic devices (including cell phones & music players) and generally anything not related to Civil Air Patrol (such as board games, playing cards, etc). Also anything of value, such as cash, jewelry, etc, should be left at home. The one exception are cell phones, which can be turned into the school staff during the check-in process and returned at the end of the school.


3. What is the refund policy?

Full refunds are normally only available if requested 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the event. Please note that once a refund request is made, the student's slot will be released to the waiting list and may not be available again at a later date.

4. What time on Friday do the cadets need to arrive?

Student Check-In will start at 1700 hours (5:00 PM) and continue until 1800 hours (6:00 PM). If a cadet is unable to arrive during the official Check-in times, please let us know in advance at BCS@sq45.org.

Cadet & Senior Member Staff Check-In will start at 1300 hours (1:00 PM) and continue until 1500 hours (3:00 PM). Cadet staff are expected to communicate through their chain of command for any exceptions to the above check-in times.

4. What time is the graduation on Sunday?

Here is a brief (overview of what will happen on Sunday and how you can be a part of it:

  • Pre-Graduation Reception for Family & Friends: 3:00 to 3:50 PM
    • This reception is optional, but highly recommended, as we will be sharing the highlights of your cadet's Basic Cadet School, including explaining in detail what your cadets accomplished over the last 2 days.
    • Your cadets will not be with us during this reception as they will be in the final stages preparing for their graduation formation, but we will answer any questions you have about the event and explain the different parts of the graduation ceremonies, including the best places to stand to get pictures of your cadet.
    • We will shared with you which cadets were selected as the Honor Cadet of each flight and explain how they were selected.
    • You will also be provided the opportunity to complete most of the check-out process in advance, reducing your waiting time after the graduation.

  • Graduation Formation: 4:00 to 4:30 PM:
    • This is the moment that your cadets have worked toward for the last 2 days.
    • The graduation formation is lead by the cadet staff, having spent the last 3 months preparing themselves to be successful in delivering the training necessary for your cadets to be standing in front of you and all of our distinguished guests.
    • To complete the graduation, the entire Basic Cadet School forms up in an Air Force "Squadron Mass Formation" to demonstrate their knowledge of Air Force Drill and Ceremonies as well as their ability to work together as one team.
    • It's during the graduation formation that the Honor Cadets of each flight are announced and the top Honor Cadet for the entire school, who is then presented a certificate by the Commandant.
    • At the end of the graduation the squadron is dismissed by the school's Cadet Commander into their individual flights. The cadet Flight Commanders will share a few final thoughts with cadet before dismissing the Flight. This is a very popular time for pictures, good-byes, and sharing of contact information.
    • It's at this point that your cadets will be able to meet up with family and friends to begin the Check-Out process.
    • Please Note: All cadets (students and staff) must complete the Check-Out process before leaving the event.

  • Out Processing: 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM:
    • This is the final stage before cadets are released to parents.
    • Please allow up to 30 minutes for your cadet to process any final paperwork.
    • Cadet with parents who attended the Pre-Graduation reception and completed the advance check-out process paperwork will be able to be released directly from the graduation formation.

  • Staff Debrief: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM:
    • STAFF ONLY, NOT FOR STUDENTS
    • Cadet staff will be released no later than 6:00 PM.
    • All cadet staff must be picked up no later than 6:30 PM.

Organized by

Sales Ended