CAP and USAFA

[The_Grizzly]

I have talked to CAP Cadets who are currently in USAFA, and I heard some of them say that CAP's encampment is just an extremely short version of BCT, is this true in any way?

 

[nj2025]

I have talked to CAP Cadets who are currently in USAFA, and I heard some of them say that CAP's encampment is just an extremely short version of BCT, is this true in any way?

DS was very thankful for his CAP encampment experience and said it helped give him a good taste of it before his BCT.

 

[AFrpaso]

I have talked to CAP Cadets who are currently in USAFA, and I heard some of them say that CAP's encampment is just an extremely short version of BCT, is this true in any way?

If you spoke with people who personally experienced both CAP encampment and USAFA BCT, then why not take their word for it?

 

[Herman_Snerd]

CAP in general is a student/ youth run organization, with adult mentors. It's great. But because of this structure, encampment experience can vary greatly even at the same event and the experience varies/ is largely is impacted by the youth leader running your squadron/ group - so I think it varies and for some may be similar to BCT. Overall though, the big difference I see is it's a lot easier to get through an encampment weekend vs a full basic course of training. Also, while in it, quitting in CAP encampment does not come with the ramifications of quitting basic for an enlisted or ROTC or USAFA cadet. My niece describes things she learned at USAFA that were much more severe in testing fortitude than those experienced and that she doled out eventually as a returning leader in CAP encampment- but there is a similarity for sure. I'd call CAP or JROTC a "great start" for those with a military bearing and interest, and also caution I've seen cadets from both scrub in officer training because they came in overconfident/ underprepared.

 

[shiner]

Any environment that will challenge you mentally and physically will benefit a future cadet. Humans tend to avoid stressful situations. If you think about it like a sport or other physical activity - the more you do it, the better you get at it. In the rearview, I appreciate the stressful situations I have been through to get me to where I am today because I believe my threshold for stress is generally higher than my peers. Your ability and capacity to consume information, filter out the noise, and think under pressure will rise with practice.

Compare a no-practice sports league with a club travel league. In general, one would expect there to be a significantly higher level of proficiency in the club travel league that eats-breathes-sleeps the sport versus a group that shows up once per week to play the game for an hour.

As @Herman_Snerd pointed out, the CAP encampment experience will be relative for each event site based on those running the event. If I had a choice to attend a CAP encampment with my personal goal of treating it like practice - HECK YEA! I would also consider attending an in-resident sports camp for at least one SA I was interested in to get a week in the dorms and have a better sense of the lifestyle of an upperclassman. Furthermore, I would also consider Summer Scientific Seminar and their optional mini "training" session to get even more exposure of potential life as a freshman.

I liken it to being present for a 21 gun salute. Many people in attendance will flinch at the first shot, but shots 2 and 3 are no big deal. Even though you know gunshots are coming, there is a level of expectation you cannot anticipate. When the real thing presents itself - that's it - expectation set and future occurrences are not near as bad mentally.

 

[USAFA10s]

Good answers already - but I'll echo it varies greatly by who is running it.

I did both a CAP "Basic Cadet School" and encampment in Oregon. The BCS was run by some former Army guy (never got details) and was actually a LOT harder than USAFA BCT (this was back in 2006, BCT was 2008 for me) even though it was only a weekend. Those 3 days were harder than any 3 days of BCT, and comparable to recognition at USAFA.

Encampment wasn't quite as tough, but it was definitely good practice. I was a little older and more mature than most of the other CAP cadets (a 2012 classmate was actually one of the senior cadets there when I went) so it was fairly easy for me to let things roll of my shoulders. If you have a chance, definitely go! But don't make the mistake of getting over confident. I went into basic assuming I still didn't know anything, and never talked about CAP. It basically just made it look like I learned things insanely fast and made life easier. I could focus on the things that were new and didn't have to worry about the simple stuff like how to wear my uniform, march, make a bed, or handle getting screamed at.

 

[2026]

DS was very thankful for his CAP encampment experience and said it helped give him a good taste of it before his BCT.

I would definitely echo the statement. My DS participated in our local CAP for 2+ years before becoming a USAFA cadet for the class of 2026. He achieved his Mitchell award and was very happy with his progress and also made amazing friends.

He attended CAP Encampment and said it did really prepare him and gave him a small taste of what BCT was like. He highly recommends CAP and all it has to offer! As an aside, he is thoroughly loving the Academy fits him like a glove!

 

[Mdm26]

I took my sons to a cap meeting 4 years ago strictly for the opportunity to fly and learn about aviation. While sitting through the first meeting I was sure it would be the last as I didn’t think they would take to the military aspect of it. Marching , yes sir / no sir …
Over the following 4 years I don’t think they ever missies a meeting or an opportunity to advance. It was (and still is ) an amazingly positive experience and I’m so grateful I happened upon it.

As far encampment being like BCT I complete agree with the comments above. However, When I think about the picture I came across on web guy of my son exiting the gas chamber… I have a hard time making the comparison.

I asked him for his opinion and he said there are similarities and felt the encampments he attended helped him adjust to BCT.

BTW, he is also very happy at the academy.

 

[ModernDayKnight]

I also thought my Basic Encampment was harder than BCT (although this may have changed due to CAP SER's new "no yelling policy", at least in SER) going back and staffing encampment was much worse than BCT (highly, highly, recommend), and Hawk was on the same level as the assault course (which was definitely the hardest 4 hours of my life) in my opinion. However, please don't be cocky about these experiences, its kinda funny watching what people do with authority for the first time when they are cocky about it. Go in with an attitude of quiet courage and inspire the people around you with your (hopefully developed) cool headedness. The biggest thing (besides hospital corners) I had the opportunity to take away from CAP Encampment is that (1) the people who yell at you are the ones who care, and (2) the people who guilt trip you should be processed, assessed, learned from, and ignored... don't let the cadre win the mental game! lots of great advice in the posts above! Hang tough!

 

[ZigZiggo]

Any environment that will challenge you mentally and physically will benefit a future cadet. Humans tend to avoid stressful situations. If you think about it like a sport or other physical activity - the more you do it, the better you get at it. In the rearview, I appreciate the stressful situations I have been through to get me to where I am today because I believe my threshold for stress is generally higher than my peers. Your ability and capacity to consume information, filter out the noise, and think under pressure will rise with practice.

Compare a no-practice sports league with a club travel league. In general, one would expect there to be a significantly higher level of proficiency in the club travel league that eats-breathes-sleeps the sport versus a group that shows up once per week to play the game for an hour.

As @Herman_Snerd pointed out, the CAP encampment experience will be relative for each event site based on those running the event. If I had a choice to attend a CAP encampment with my personal goal of treating it like practice - HECK YEA! I would also consider attending an in-resident sports camp for at least one SA I was interested in to get a week in the dorms and have a better sense of the lifestyle of an upperclassman. Furthermore, I would also consider Summer Scientific Seminar and their optional mini "training" session to get even more exposure of potential life as a freshman.

I liken it to being present for a 21 gun salute. Many people in attendance will flinch at the first shot, but shots 2 and 3 are no big deal. Even though you know gunshots are coming, there is a level of expectation you cannot anticipate. When the real thing presents itself - that's it - expectation set and future occurrences are not near as bad mentally.

"Your ability and capacity to consume information, filter out the noise, and think under pressure will rise with practice." Really great piece of life advice!