FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

26 May 2000

The Northern California Non-Commissioned Officer school was held recently at a new location, Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield California. The base served as a wonderful backdrop for the Civil Air Patrol Cadet non-commissioned officers that arrived from all over Northern and Central California to learn the skills to be effective and positive examples of NCOs.

The cadet commander of the event, c/1st Lt Christopher Wiesenger, led the group with the help of seminar leaders c/2d Lt Joseph Schmidt and c/CMSgt Jayson DiGiantomasso. c/SSgt Andrea DiGiantomasso served as Administrative Officer of the event.

The student NCOs took part in drill labs and classes such as Ethics, guidon procedures, inspection and instructional methods. Participants had the chance to practice their new teaching skills by preparing 2 presentations, one 3-minute and a second one of 5 minutes in length. The members of each seminar voted on the best presentations from their members and those chosen presentations were presented to the entire class and judged.

When the results where tallied there was a tie between two presentations. c/CMSgt David S. Cordell of Santa Rosa Squadron 157 and c/MSgt Erin Warddrip of Auburn Composite Squadron 92 shared the honor of best presentations.

The NCOs also practiced drill techniques and how to lead PT. For many of the students, this was their first experience in command of a flight. They used each other as guinea pigs as they all took part in Physical Training sessions and as each was given an opportunity to concentrate on their drill as well as trying out new techniques for training cadets in drill maneuvers. It was an excellent chance for each member to take the time and really practice these skills - something they rarely get to do at their home Squadrons. Back at their home units, NCOs are often under time pressures and can't take the time to really work out the best way to teach the inexperienced cadets under their leadership.

At the conclusion of the weekend, Honor Cadets were chosen for their outstanding participation in the all aspects of the activity. The overall honor cadet was c/CMSgt David S. Cordell of Santa Rosa's Squadron 157. The A Flight honor cadet was c/TSgt Sarah Custer of Bakersfield Composite Squadron 121, while c/SSgt Bryan Clifton of Santa Rosa's Squadron 157 was named honor cadet of B Flight.

The Senior staff at this Academy included 1st Lt John DiGiantomasso, Commandant, 2d Lt Malise Scholefield, 1st Lt Shanna Williams and FO Raymond Williams who helped support the program. An invaluable asset to the event was SSgt Brock Woodward of the California National Guard. A big thank you goes out to all the Senior Members who took part, without their dedication and their talents this event could not take place.

The cadets left the weekend with new leadership skills and new friends. Look for these NCOs to make use of their new skills as leaders in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.

Founded in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, with local squadrons in all fifty states, the national capital, and Puerto Rico. As a benevolent, non-profit federal corporation, the Civil Air Patrol has been charted by congress with three missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and the Cadet Program. Boys and girls age 12 and up are eligible for membership in the cadet program, which consists of leadership training, aerospace education, moral leadership, physical training, and special activities. For more information on Civil Air Patrol, visit the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters website at www.capnhq.gov.

Photos by 1st Lt. Audrey DiGiantomasso and 1st Lt John DiGiantomasso	For a larger version of each photo, click on the image below.
Cadet Commander for the NCOS was c/1st Lt Chris Wiesinger.   Here he presents a Drill Terms Class.
Each cadet had an opportunity to drill the flight; for many of them this was their first experience in that role.  In the photo at right, the acting flight sergeant drills his flight past the speed limit sign at no faster than 5mph.
The western end of the runway at Travis AFB served as a backdrop for the drill area.  Here another cadet is given the opportunity to act as flight sergeant, under the watchful eye of the event staff.
In addition to drill, each cadet also had an opportunity to lead his or her flight in PT, including forming up and performing the exercises.
Inspection was also covered, with each cadet learning all the duties required from each position in the inspection process.
Here the acting flight commander checks the alignment of the first element prior to inspection.
c/1st Lt Chris Wiesinger "directs traffic" helping the students assume the proper position in the formation during the inspection process.
Meals were provided by the Travis AFB dining facility.   In the photo at right, NCOS students form up after lunch.
The two seminar leaders who assisted the students in learning to be flight sergeants were c/CMSgt Jayson DiGiantomasso (left) and c/2d Lt Joseph Schmidt (right.)  NCOS provided an opportunity for these two cadets to work together again; they previously served as Cadet Commander and First Sergeant of a squadron before both transferring to other units.
There was a tie in the scoring for best presentation; the other winner was c/CMSgt David Cordell, who discussed how working at air shows allows cadets to fulfill all three of CAP's missions.
Closing Ceremonies for NCOS was led by the Honor Cadet of the event acting as first sergeant - c/CMSgt David Cordell.