SUNDAY, 19 June 2011, Camp Normandy
Equipment issue at JCLC-Europe.
Students from 12 Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Europe begin arriving at Camp Normandy, Grafenwoehr, Germany this morning as early as 0900. These students are Army, Air Force and Navy JROTC cadets attending the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadet Leadership Challenge, aka "Summer Camp". The camp is hosted by DoDDS-Europe and the United States Army Cadet Command (Fort Knox, KY).
The first order of business for cadets is to unload the bus. The camp commandant barks instructions and cadets hustle with uniforms, suitcases and miscellanous items brought to camp. Once the personal property is grounded the cadets fall in and are directed to the camp adjutant for their platoon assignment. Cadets from Vilseck High School have arrived early (camp is in their back yard) and are already in uniform . . . they provide leadership and assist the new arrivals. Everything is done at a double pace . . . and in spite of the intermittent rain.
Unpack. Put on ACUs. Organize the locker . . . IAW the skematic . . . exactly. Run for this. Run for that. Camp T-Shirt issue. Bathroom. "We have showers in the barracks!" Cadets are surprised to learn the billeting is a bit nicer than previous years. Unlike Camps Aachen and Algier, the barracks we use at Camp Normandy are the home of the 7th Warrior Training Brigade. Reservists from all over Europe stay here during training cycles; DoDDS cadets are able to use the facilites thanks to arrangements made by the DoDDS Director of Army Instruction and the commander of the USAR unit.
The TACs are noncommissioned officers . . . either DoDDS JROTC cadre or Reservists. After the cadets have set up their lockers, these NCOs will appoint the company and platoon leadership for the next 24 hours and begin what will be many hours of training in drill and ceremony. Most of the cadets have a basic knowledge of drill procedures, but there are weaknesses to identify and corrections to be made. The senior TACs have Drill Instructor experience and are sharing a wealth of knowledge.
Tonight, after our first meal at the Grafenwoehr Dining Facility, the Director of Army Instruction (in his role representing DoDDS) and the Camp Commander address the cadets. They introduce the cadre and talk to the cadets about safety and what is . . . and is not . . . expected of them during camp.
Tomorrow there will be an early wakeup . . . the cadets will enjoy their first Meal-Ready-To-Eat (MRE) as they prepare to head for the Grafenwoehr Schwimmbad to learn water survival techniques.
The first order of business for cadets is to unload the bus. The camp commandant barks instructions and cadets hustle with uniforms, suitcases and miscellanous items brought to camp. Once the personal property is grounded the cadets fall in and are directed to the camp adjutant for their platoon assignment. Cadets from Vilseck High School have arrived early (camp is in their back yard) and are already in uniform . . . they provide leadership and assist the new arrivals. Everything is done at a double pace . . . and in spite of the intermittent rain.
Unpack. Put on ACUs. Organize the locker . . . IAW the skematic . . . exactly. Run for this. Run for that. Camp T-Shirt issue. Bathroom. "We have showers in the barracks!" Cadets are surprised to learn the billeting is a bit nicer than previous years. Unlike Camps Aachen and Algier, the barracks we use at Camp Normandy are the home of the 7th Warrior Training Brigade. Reservists from all over Europe stay here during training cycles; DoDDS cadets are able to use the facilites thanks to arrangements made by the DoDDS Director of Army Instruction and the commander of the USAR unit.
The TACs are noncommissioned officers . . . either DoDDS JROTC cadre or Reservists. After the cadets have set up their lockers, these NCOs will appoint the company and platoon leadership for the next 24 hours and begin what will be many hours of training in drill and ceremony. Most of the cadets have a basic knowledge of drill procedures, but there are weaknesses to identify and corrections to be made. The senior TACs have Drill Instructor experience and are sharing a wealth of knowledge.
Tonight, after our first meal at the Grafenwoehr Dining Facility, the Director of Army Instruction (in his role representing DoDDS) and the Camp Commander address the cadets. They introduce the cadre and talk to the cadets about safety and what is . . . and is not . . . expected of them during camp.
Tomorrow there will be an early wakeup . . . the cadets will enjoy their first Meal-Ready-To-Eat (MRE) as they prepare to head for the Grafenwoehr Schwimmbad to learn water survival techniques.