Summer Vacation?

By: Maj Marilee Taylor
Director of Cadet Programs, Arizona Wing

Ahhhhhh! Summer at last! School is out now it is time for relaxation. Sleeping in, going to the movies, sleep over with friends, trips, swimming, barbeques – time to be lazy.

All the above may be true, unless you were one of the 124 Cadets and 17 Senior
Members of Arizona Wing who recently attended the 2010 Encampment. Ask any one of the 94 cadets who arrived on June 12 what their first thoughts were. For some, it might have been turn around and head back home!

Roaming the grounds of the Evergreen Aviation Facility in Marana, AZ were the 30 cadet staff members who had already been there for two days getting prepared for the basics to arrive. Well, not all were roaming. Some were standing outside hollering for cadets to “get moving” and “get off my grass”! Inside other cadet staff members were checking cadets in and assigning flights. Our Medical Officer took a medical history from each cadet. Meanwhile, some of the Senior Members were outside reassuring parents that they would indeed see their cadets again, after graduation, and others were inside checking for contraband.


That was just the beginning of seven busy days. It was terribly boring – you know, with classes, PT, drill, inspections, firing weapons, participating in DDR activities and games, taking a tour of the Predator site, aircraft “Bone Yard”, and Pima Air Museum. Oh, and we don’t want to forget the CCC (CPR) training and water safety or the tour of the Evergreen Maintenance Facility. Stressful at times? Yes. Boring? Not in the least. So, ask the same cadets who might have been ready to turn around and go home if it was worth staying. I am guessing that you will get a resounding YES!

Putting 94 basic cadets, 30 cadet staff, and 17 senior members together for a week can have its challenges, but all of it is part of the learning and teaching experience. Whether it meant overcoming obstacles to become successful, or developing new leadership skills, everyone came away with an experience they are not likely to forget any time soon.


As the 2010 Arizona Wing Encampment Commander, I congratulate all the cadets who attended encampment as a basic, and thank all the cadet staff and senior members who helped encampment be the success it was. Thank you for the honor of being your Encampment Commander.