NJROTC Central Texas Basic Leadership Training (CTBLT)

Camp Swift, Bastrop Texas

Letter of Instruction (LOI)

20 Mar 2013

1. PURPOSE: This LOI establishes the Concept of Operations and Guidelines for Training and Discipline for the Central Texas Basic Leadership Training (CTBLT) sponsored by CNET and the Area 10 Manager and operated by the Central Texas NJROTC SNSIs/NSIs. Every effort has been made to cover all areas of concern and as many circumstances as possible have been addressed. Situations will arise that are not covered by this document. In such instances, common sense and the overall objectives of the NJROTC Program shall serve as general guidelines for making decisions. The safety and welfare of cadets and staff shall always be the overriding consideration.

2. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS:

a. Location: Basic Leadership Training will be held aboard Camp Swift (Texas Army National Guard) in Bastrop, Texas. The date of CTBLT will be 17-22 June. Check in time will be at 1400-1600 on 17 June for all CTBLT Cadets and Graduate Assistants (GA’s). Training will be provided in the following areas:

(1) Military Drill

(2) Physical Fitness

(3) Platoon Drill and Skills competition

(4) First Aid

(5) Military Knowledge

(6) Obstacle/Confidence Course Execution

(7) Leadership

(8) Military Customs & Courtesies

(9) Watch Standing

(10) Orienteering

b. Instructor Support: Naval Science Instructors (SNSIs and NSIs) from participating schools will serve as academic instructors, safety observers, Company/Platoon Advisors, and will be in-residence with their cadets for the entire camp. A minimum of one Instructor from each school with cadets at camp must attend unless approved otherwise by the Camp Director. In the rare cases where an instructor is not present, the SNSI must arrange with a neighboring unit SNSI to act on behalf of the school’s cadets. Additionally, the SNSI of subject schools must identify a school instructor who will be on call and provide cell phone number of same.

c. Cadet Graduate Assistant (GA) Team. Cadets who have successfully graduated from a CNET sponsored Leadership Academy (Silver Cord Cadets) and who are recommended by their SNSls will be given an opportunity to be selected as a member of the Cadet Graduate Assistant Team as GAs.

d. Uniforms will be as follows:

(1) Cadet Campers: P.T. Gear, Black and Tan dress uniform (Bring name

tag & rank for graduation and Inspection), obstacle course

clothing (cammie or long pants (jeans))

(2) Cadet GA Team: P.T. Gear, Black and Tan dress uniform (Bring name

tag & rank for graduation), obstacle course clothing (cammie or

long pants (jeans))

(3) Cadet Admin. Staff: P.T. Gear, Black and Tan dress uniform (Bring name

tag & rank for graduation), obstacle course clothing (cammie or

long pants (jeans))

(4) SNSIs/NSIs (USN) Khaki/Cammies, P .T. Gear

(5) SNSIs/NSIs (USMC) Cammies, Utility Cover, Campaign Cover (if rated), Boots, PT Gear.

(6) SNSIs/NSIs(USCG) Tropical Blue Long, P.T.Gear

e. Transportation to and from Camp Swift will be coordinated by the SNSI/NSI at each school. CTBLT personnel/staff are not responsible for transportation. Ideally, each school should be able to transport all of their cadets in the event of an emergency. All participants are reminded that authorization to use Camp Swift may be rescinded at any time on short notice due to needs of the service or other mission requirements. For example, the facilities we use are also utilized to train troops for deployment.

f. The camp will be organized as a battalion with four companies (A, B, C & D). The number of platoons per company will depend upon the camp enrollment; each platoon will have three squads. Each Company will have a Company Advisor (Instructor: SNSI or NSI). The Company Advisor will also act as the Platoon Advisor, except for those Companies which have multiple platoons (A1, A2, etc.) Each Platoon will have two Platoon Assistants (GA’s). The duties and responsibilities of each of these positions will be addressed in this LOI. Assignment of campers to platoons will be the Camp Director’s decision.

3. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:

a. The cost of BLT camp is $135.00 for CTBLT training campers and GA’s. Payment covers room and board, two Leadership Training T-shirts, a water bottle and a ball cap. Registration Forms (Excel Spreadsheet) for Cadets/GA’s/Staff and Instructors attending the camp should be returned via E-Mail to CWO5 Hulse NLT 10 May 2013.

b. All cadet registration data should be on the CTBLT Registration Form (Excel Spreadsheet) provided via separate correspondence and must contain all required information. Last day to cancel reservations without loss of funds is 17 May 2013. Checks should be made out to Vista Ridge HS NJROTC Booster Club. Please provide one check for all participating students vice individual checks for each cadet. Checks must arrive at Vista Ridge High School NLT 10 May 2013.

Vista Ridge High School NJROTC

200 S. Vista Ridge Blvd

Cedar Park, TX 78613

c. Packing List: Each cadet will bring all required items listed in Appendix A of this LOI. Those items from the “Optional List” are recommended, but not required. Any cadet who brings prohibited items will be subject to immediate dismissal from camp. All cadets must arrive with proper military grooming. Uniform for check-in is PT gear. Instructors please bring an appropriate number of road guard vests for campers you are bringing. A good source for these is the Texas Adopt a Highway program.

d. Required Administrative Forms. Each cadet must have the following forms on file with the camp:

1. Standard Release Form (CNET Gen 5800/4 Series)

2. CNET Health Risk Screening Form (CNET Form 1533/106)

3. Cadet Statement of Agreement (Appendix E)

Cadets without the required forms will not be allowed to begin training. The most common discrepancies are failure to provide the Social Security Number on the Standard Release Form and failure to provide the date of the last physical exam on the Health Screening Form. (Physicals must be within one year of the end date of the camp) SNSIs/NSIs must provide a complete, alphabetized set of forms at registration.

e. Physical Requirements: Although passing the PFT is not a prerequisite for attending BLT camp, SNSIs should discourage attendance by cadets who are not in reasonably good physical condition. Due to the physically demanding nature of the camp, (daily PT/obstacle course/heavy drill) all cadets must have their parents fill out the Health Risk Questionnaire. Any yes questions will require that Cadet to be screened by a health care professional. Cadets with an Asthmatic condition (answer yes on #8 on the Health Risk Screening Form) are NOT eligible to attend BLT if they require medication to control their asthma or require an inhaler (if they have asthma that does not require medication or an inhaler, they may attend). Diabetic cadets that are insulin dependent are not eligible to attend camp.

f. Emergency medical support will be provided by calling Bastrop County EMS. Camp Navy Corpsman will provide initial care. The Camp Swift Training Center does not maintain a duty medical staff on board the facility. NSIs will ensure that all cadets are covered by medical insurance. A cadet must be covered by civilian medical insurance or be a military dependent to attend camp.

g. Personal electronics: All items not listed in Appendix A will be picked up Monday evening and held at Battalion HQ until graduation Saturday Morning. Cadets are strongly encouraged to leave these items at home. Each cadet may bring a cell phone and will be encouraged to make a phone call home to inform their parents that they have safely arrived at camp before turning the phone over to the Command Duty Office at the HQ Building. Cell phones will be held at the Command Duty Office until graduation. Cadets will not be allowed to retain their cell phones during camp.

h. Food Items: Do not bring food items to camp. All food items will be disposed of and not returned.

4. DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES OF CAMP STAFF

a. SNSIs/NSIs will serve as academic instructors, safety observers, and/or Company/Platoon Advisors, as assigned. SNSIs/NSIs not serving as Company/Platoon Advisors may be required to stand nighttime Command Duty Officer (CDO) duty. An Instructor from each school must be available at all times to transport his/her cadet(s) to the hospital, if necessary.

b. CAMP DIRECTOR (CWO5 Rocky Hulse, USN, Ret) is ultimately responsible for the safety and well being of the cadets attending CTBLT and for the proper conduct of the Cadet Staff. All SNSIs/ NSIs will assist him in his duties while in attendance at the camp.

c. CAMP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (CDR Vince Quidachay, USN, Ret) will assist the Camp Director in all facets of CTBLT and will act as Camp Director in the absence of CWO5 Rocky Hulse.

d. SENIOR DRILL INSTRUCTOR (MMCM David Farrar) will be responsible to the Camp Director for execution of the Plan of the Day and will oversee the Schedule of Events (SOE).

e. COMPANY/PLATOON ADVISORS (SNSIs/NSIs) will be responsible for the overall training, conduct, safety and welfare of their assigned Company/Platoon.

f. CADET PLATOON ASSISTANTS are accountable to their assigned Company/Platoon Advisors for the proper conduct and training of their platoons. He/she will defer to the Platoon Advisor in all matters concerning the safety and welfare of the platoon. They will act as the administrative liaison for their platoon. They will be responsible for the timely submission of all watch rosters, morning/evening reports, cadet evals, and other reports as may be required. Platoon Assistants will ensure that their Platoon is performing in an exemplary fashion and giving 100% to all assignments.

g. CADET ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (GA’s) are responsible to the Camp Director, Executive Director, and Senior Drill Instructor, for the planning, coordination, and administration of all camp activities. The Camp Director will designate staff. Staff duties will include, but not be limited to: administrative in-processing of all campers and staff, coordination of platoon berthing assignments, issue/receipt of all bedding, issue of cleaning gear and personal support items; manning of the Camp Duty Office, coordinating, tracking and recording all watches, maintaining the Camp Log, establishing and maintaining Public Affairs Officer coverage (video/still photography), maintaining personnel records/data cards and Platoon Records, collecting all award recommendations, processing graduation paper work, and assisting the Platoon Advisors and Platoon Assistants as necessary/required.

h. EXPECTATIONS OF CADETS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. All GA’s, including the administrative staff, are expected to set the example for proper military bearing, leadership, and self-discipline. Their conduct will be beyond reproach at all times (in front of cadets and off-duty). The GA Team will exercise proper teaching techniques and will keep the welfare and safety of all cadets as their primary concern while providing a challenging learning environment.

5. TRAINING AND DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES FOR CAMP STAFF. The CAMP SWIFT training environment is intended to be "high stress" but not harmful. The overall objective is to build self-confidence and self-discipline in all campers. Cadet staff members must keep these objectives in mind while creating a challenging yet healthy environment. Assignment to GA team positions will be based upon individual request and SNSI recommendation based on experience and proficiency in those areas mentioned. In addition to receiving a camp orientation and reviewing the Schedule of Events (SOE) for the week, the staff will be briefed on, and given guidelines concerning the limits of their authority. Any cadet who exceeds the limits of his/her authority or exhibits poor judgment in instructing campers will be relieved of duty and reassigned or sent home. A SNSI/NSI will be assigned to each Company as the Company Advisor (CA) and, as such, is ultimately responsible for the training, health, safety, and welfare of his/her Company.

a. Disagreements: GA Platoon Assistants shall defer to the judgment of their CA concerning training evolutions and adjust training methods per the CA's direction/guidance.

b. Training Time Out: All cadets will receive training on the first day of camp, June 17th, on the meaning and use of Training Time Out (TTO). If a cadet camper calls a TTO, the camper must be referred to the Platoon Assistant who will assess the problem/condition and take appropriate action and notify the Company Advisor.

c. Coordination Meetings: Staff meetings will be held each evening in the Admin HQ Building. The Camp Director, Executive Director, and Senior Drill Instructor, in concert with all CA/PAs will review the day's activities and preview the schedule for the next day. Any problems encountered will be discussed and all recommendations and/or changes to the schedule (past or future) will be entertained at that time. CA/PA’s and/or Safety Observers (SNSI/NSIs) will provide constructive critiques of the cadet staff’s performance and discuss the standardization and effectiveness of the day's training.

6. GRADUATION AND AWARD CRITERIA: BLT graduation ceremony will be held on the last day of camp at 1015 (Saturday, 23 June). The uniform will be Khakis for all participants. The following awards will be given at BLT graduation:

a. The Basic Leadership Camp Ribbon will be awarded to all cadets who successfully complete the camp. Cadets must remain in camp for a minimum of four days and must participate in all scheduled activities to be eligible for the ribbon. Each school attending is requested to bring enough ribbons to cover their Cadets.

b. The Most Improved Cadet Ribbon (Cadet Achievement Ribbon) will be awarded to the two most improved campers in each platoon (male and female). PA recommendations will be forwarded, via the CA, and approved by an Awards Board.

c. The Most Outstanding Camper Ribbon (Distinguished Cadet Ribbon) will be awarded to the two most outstanding cadet campers in each platoon, as recommended by the PA and CA and approved by the Awards Board.

d. The Camp Commander's Medal (Area 10 Manager Medal) will be awarded to the overall most outstanding cadet camper as recommended by the CA/PA’s and approved by the Awards Board.

e. Honor Platoon Ribbons will be awarded to the one platoon and GA team, respectively, that earn the most points on competitive events (those annotated on the daily training schedule with an " #, and a number).

f. GA Team may be awarded the Cadet Achievement Ribbon as approved by the Camp Director and Area 10 Manager.