THE GREMLIN

9th MN CTG Encampment Issue # 1: Saturday, June 23, 2007 Civil Air Patrol program, the things that you can do at encampment become more and more exciting. Youre actually going to run the encampment!

Welcome to Camp Ripley! Our Cadet Commander:

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Brian Anderson welcomes all cadets and staff to the 2007 Minnesota Wing Cadet Encampment at Camp Ripley. "This will be one of the most interesting and rewarding events in your cadet career," said Anderson. He joined the Civil Air Patrol in December 2001 and attended his first encampment at Grand Forks Air Force Base in 2002. At the 6th CTG in 2004 he was a flight commander and received the Command Staff Award. At his home unit, the 130th Composite Squadron in Lakeville, he has served as flight sergeant, flight commander, first sergeant, as well as cadet commander. He has also served on the Cadet Advisory Council at the wing, regional and national levels. C/Lt Col Anderson is currently a student at the University of North Dakota, where he is a contracted cadet in Army ROTC - Helicopter Flight Training Program. He wishes you the best of luck in this years encampment, and had this to say to basics, Work as a team, and listen to your staff, which is there to help you. Also, try your best at every event. If you dont put forth your best effort you let yourself and your team down. There have been many people that have passed encampment before you, stick with it and youll make it too!"

What You Will Learn This Week

Precise drill The importance of teamwork Self-discipline Time management skills Interpersonal relation skills And more.

Arrival of In-Flight Cadets

In-processing started today at 1100 and ran until 1300. Cadets lined up outside building 7-1 where they found out what flight they had been assigned to. They reported any medications they take to the medical staff before the Standards/Evaluation Team inspected each cadets luggage for any contraband. The Stand/Eval Team is responsible for supervising and executing the inspections during encampment. They set measurable standards for the cadets uniforms, bunks, and barracks area. They ensure that the basics work as a true team with their staff members and with each other. Following room inspection, the cadets were turned over to a Tactical Officer (TAC), a senior

Welcome from the Encampment Commander

Major Conrad Peterson is this years Encampment Commander. The encampment is one of the most challenging things that you are going to be doing in your early Civil Air Patrol career, he said. As you progress through the

9th MN Wing Encampment, June 23, 2007 member that assists each cadet in balancing and integrating the requirements of the physical, military, academic, and moral-ethical programs and aspects of encampment.

Well try to let you know the actual date of publication as soon as we can. Tomorrows menu is: Breakfast: Hard Cooked Eggs Sausage links Waffles Fruit Cereal Lunch: Macaroni & Cheese Green Beans Lettuce Salad Jello Supper: Baked Chicken Rice Mixed vegetables Lettuce Salad
MILK, JUICE, & WATER ARE SERVED WITH EVERY MEAL

Encampment facts
The Minnesota Wing has been running cadet encampments since the 1950s. Over the years they have been modified and adapted to meet the needs of our wing and its cadets. Nearly 1,000 cadets have participated since 1999.

Forecast for Sunday, June 24

Sunny with a high of 90 degrees. Winds S/SE at 5 to 15 miles per hour.

MED Tips
Drink a lot of water. You must drink at least two canteens worth each day. Yellow urine indicates that you are dehydrated; urine should be clear. If you are thirsty, its too late! Do not drink any soda, coffee, or tea. Do not lock your knees Use plenty of sunscreen. Reapply it frequently.
The Daily Gremlin is the official daily newsletter of the Ninth Cadet Training Group and the 2007 Minnesota Wing Encampment. The Internet version of the publication is an official Internet operation in accordance with CAPR 110-1. It is published daily from 23 June to 30 June 2007 from the offices at Camp Ripley Military Reservation.
Major Conrad Peterson: Encampment Commander Capt Richard Sprouse: Encampment Public Affairs Officer C/Lt Col Brian Anderson, 9th CTG Commander C/MSgt David Blessman: 9th CTG Public Affairs Officer

Minneapolis Star Tribune visits encampment

Jeff Thompson a photo/journalist with the Star Tribune spent Saturday, June 23 at Camp Ripley learning about encampment as part of a story hes working on. Ive never had more people call me sir in my life! Thompson said. His plan is to visit the encampment again during the week, and he hopes to publish the story in a few weeks.

THE GREMLIN
9th MN CTG Encampment Issue # 2: Sunday, June 24, 2007 sheets and measuring t-shirts making sure they meet the specifications set by the Standards and Evaluation Team who are responsible for supervising and executing the inspections during encampment.

Welcome to Day 2:
Day 2 of encampment started with physical training (PT) consisting of various stretching and resistance exercises followed by a light jog before showering up and changing to Blues in preparation of breakfast and an ecumenical service held at the Camp Ripley Chapel. Encampment chaplains Major Chris Priest and Major Robert McLawhorn provided those attending the service some words of advice and encouragement for the week. Chaplain Priest told the cadets that it would be a week of stress and frustration at times, and to draw on their faith. The Bible is a great resource with all sorts of coping tools. Chaplain McLawhorn called the cadets heroes because of the volunteer service they provide their community, state and nation by being members of the Civil Air Patrol. Calling encampment an important step in each cadets life, McLawhorn went on the say, The skills youll learn at encampment youll carry for the rest of your life. A section of the morning was also spent squaring away uniforms, bunks, footlockers and rooms for a series of formal inspections that will occur throughout the rest of the week.

The cadets were kept busy most of the rest of the afternoon with sessions on Morale Leadership, CAPs Emergency Services Mission and more drill and ceremony.

Just when the cadets thought they had spent enough time with inspection preparation, it was another round of folding and refolding blankets,

Tomorrows menu is: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs French toast Bacon Fruit Cereal Lunch: Tacos Green Beans Lettuce Salad Jello Supper: BBQ pork ribs Mashed potatoes Peas Lettuce Salad
MILK, JUICE, & WATER ARE SERVED WITH EVERY MEAL

Guidon Bearer Training

Guidon bearers have been around since the Romans. During the US Civil War the bravest man in the company would carry the guidon, a flag or pennant, which signified a military unit. During Civil Air Patrol encampment a guidon is used to signify a particular flight.

Forecast for Monday, June 25

Sunny and very warm with a high of 91 degrees. A cool front will drop temperatures into the low 80s the latter part of the week.

MED Tips
Apply sunscreen before leaving the barracks and reapply frequently. Pre-hydrate (drink water) before leaving the barracks. Throughout the day, DRINK WATER!

Encampment profiles: Encampment Commander

Name: Maj. Conrad Peterson Age: 25 Education: High school graduate with some college experience. Was home schooled until I graduated in 2000. Current occupation: Assistant Produce Manager at Cub Foods store in Shorewood. Current residence: Burnsville, Minnesota (Makes for a long drive to work) Years affiliated with CAP: A little over 7 years. Duty assignment when not with encampment: My normal CAP occupation is the Wing Director of Aerospace Education. I have also recently been appointed as the editor of WingTips, the official MN Wing newsletter. I also am willing to help out wherever needed. My leadership style: I have a strict leadership style and expect others to get the job done that they sign on for. I do not necessarily ask for perfection but competent completion. I like to think that I lead by example. I will never ask anyone to do anything I myself will not be willing to or have not done. I will never give a person an order and not give them

SDS Report:
For SDS the first day was stressful. They had two classes, which dealt with drill and encampment. Several of them had a brief opportunity to be their Flight Commander of the day. Their 2nd day started with PT. They then marched to their barracks and changed into their Blues for the day. Today they had several classes including: Instructing a Flight, Safety Briefing, Goal Setting, and Moral Leadership.
SDS report contributed by: C/SrAmn Ryan Conrad C/A1C William Donkers

the tools to be able to successfully complete the mission. In short, I do not provide people the means to fail, only to succeed. Favorite part of encampment: It is always a joy when you see the basic cadets come together and work with each other. They use teamwork, give advice to each other and stand up for each other. Each individual comes to encampment as a scared individual and by the end of the week they have become a large confident group of one. You see the camaraderie years later between them when they talk about their year as a basic. I enjoy seeing cadets build friendships and working relationships with fellow cadets that they may have never met or worked with if they had not gone to encampment. Least favorite part of encampment: The hot weather! Something I look forward to doing at encampment: I have had the privilege to work with many different people and work in many different jobs. I enjoyed being a tactical officer the most but would like to try a support staff role someday. Something I look forward to doing later in life: I would like to try for IACE in a few years. My next big activity after my tour as encampment commander will be Region Staff College. In my spare time: Civil Air Patrol of course! I also enjoy checking out the eBay pages and buying and selling as a hobby. I also collect vintage ship photographs and Civil Air Patrol unit patches. Something you would not know from just looking at me: I enjoy listening to classical and swing music. I also have an interest in fine arts. Most important to me in life: Definitely my family, my son and my girlfriend. Biggest fear: Not being successful. What am I most proud of: Being given the opportunity to command this encampment. Extra information: It has been a great opportunity and an excellent learning experience being here with such a fine group of individuals. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you and I hope you have a great encampment experience.

The Daily Gremlin is the official daily newsletter of the Ninth Cadet Training Group and the 2007 Minnesota Wing Encampment. The Internet version of the publication is an official Internet operation in accordance with CAPR 110-1. It is published daily from 23 June to 30 June 2007 from the offices at Camp Ripley Military Reservation.
Major Conrad Peterson: Encampment Commander Capt Richard Sprouse: Encampment Public Affairs Officer C/Lt Col Brian Anderson, 9th CTG Commander C/MSgt David Blessman: 9th CTG Public Affairs Officer

THE GREMLIN
9th Minnesota Cadet Training Group If cadets at the 9th Minnesota Cadet Training Group (CTG) return to their home squadrons with stories to tell about Tangle Foot Island Hopper and The Tarzan dont think theyre telling you about the latest dance step. Those were just some of the names of the different stations they tackled Monday on Camp Ripleys formidable obstacle course. A convoy of CAP vans transported the cadets to the site located in the recesses of Camp Ripley. The course, located among the cover of trees, brought a welcomed respite from the heat, as well as a great way to get outside and burn off some energy. Maybe the best way to explain the obstacle course is through some pictures and some quotes from the cadets (in no particular order): Cadet Andrew Bauch, Red Wing Composite Squadron: I want to do it again! Issue # 3: Monday, June 25, 2007

Cadet Charlie Ramler, St. Cloud Composite Squadron: Organized chaos, but it was great!

Cadet Kristin Young, Duluth Composite Squadron: Awkward and hard at the same time, but I liked it. Cadet Carlos Abarca, St. Croix Composite Squadron: Getting to help others on the obstacle course is what encampment is all about: teamwork.

Quote of the day

The significance of attending encampment:

I would have been disappointed and jealous if I couldnt have done this. - Cadet Sean Higgins, St. Croix Composite Sqdn

Cadet Skinner, Viking Composite Squadron: Stressful and very helpful.

too. So when encampment came around in June 2006, confidence was no longer a problem. Gremlin: What other staff positions have you held at past encampments? Waddell: None. Gremlin: What is your favorite part of CAP? Waddell: Leadership training. I enjoy learning how to better my leadership skills, increase my character, confidence, and accountability, while raising my standards. I strive to be a leader of excellence so that I, in turn, can train others to be great leaders. Gremlin: What advice do you have for the basics? Waddell: Attitude is everything. Encampment is just a phase. It will come and it will go. Don't loose sight of the end goal graduation. Remember, encampment is the 'chief cornerstone' of your CAP career and the start of your process of becoming a better leader. Be focused. Don't fight what's coming, just dive into it because what you put into CAP is what you will get out of it. That's a given.

Cadet Derek Fox, St. Paul Composite Squadron, probably summed it up best: It was fun!

Tomorrows menu is: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs Hash browns Sausage Fruit Cereal Lunch: Grilled cheese Tomato soup Corn Lettuce salad Supper: Salisbury steak Steak fries Peas and carrots Lettuce Salad
MILK, JUICE, & WATER ARE SERVED WITH EVERY MEAL

Getting to know you

---Your staff is just like you! The following is an interview with Cadet Command Chief Master Sergeant Rebecca Waddell. Gremlin: How long have you been in Civil Air Patrol? Waddell: A little over two years. Gremlin: What was your basic year and which CTG was it? Waddell: Last year 8th CTG. Gremlin: What was the hardest thing for you that year? Waddell: When I first joined CAP, confidence was my biggest roadblock. With hard work it slowly began to improve and as my confidence improved, everything else did

Forecast for Tuesday, June 26

A mix of sun and clouds. Breezy with a high of 90 degrees before a thundery cool front arrives late in the day.

Last survivor of Iwo Jima flag raising dies in Edina

Charles W. Lindberg, the last survivor of the six U.S. Marines who raised the first American flag over Iwo Jima during World War II, died in Edina yesterday at the age of 86.

Lindberg spent decades explaining that it was his patrol, not the one captured in the famous photograph by Joe Rosenthal, that raised the first flag over the island. In the late morning of Feb. 23, 1945, Lindberg fired his flame-thrower into enemy pillboxes at the base of Mount Suribachi and then joined five other Marines fighting their way to the top to raise the flag. He was awarded the Silver Star for bravery. The Minnesota Legislature passed a resolution in Lindberg's honor in 1995. His face appears on a huge mural in Long Prairie of the battle for Iwo Jima, and his likeness is etched into the black granite walls of Soldiers Field in Rochester.

More fun at the obstacle course

Staff Development Squadron Report

On training day three we started off with physical training (PT) that was slightly more rigorous than yesterdays PT. We returned to the barracks and changed into BDUs. We went to opening formation and fell into flight. We then left for chow and for class. By midday we had gotten our act together and the flight commander was making his calls more professionally. We then spent some time on the decision making process. C/SMSgt Andrew Fowler On training day three I started off not quite sure what to do because my schedule said pending so I asked my flight if we had a class scheduled. After that I always asked what SDS had planned for the day. C/TSgt Cody McComber

The Gremlin is the official daily newsletter of the Ninth Cadet Training Group and the 2007 Minnesota Wing Encampment. The Internet version of the publication is an official Internet operation in accordance with CAPR 110-1. It is published daily from 23 June to 30 June 2007 from the offices at Camp Ripley Military Reservation.
Major Conrad Peterson: Encampment Commander Capt Richard Sprouse: Encampment Public Affairs Officer C/Lt Col Brian Anderson, 9th CTG Commander C/MSgt David Blessman: 9th CTG Public Affairs Officer

THE GREMLIN
9th Minnesota Cadet Training Group Issue # 4: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 land navigation skills to locate some of the six potential checkpoints located along the course. We jumped off at 9:45 a.m., but before long there was some disagreement among the cadets about what direction we were heading. Thoughts of being lost at Camp Ripley quickly entered my mind, but just as quickly the cadets resolved their issues and we entered the woods. At 10:05 we found the first checkpoint!

Cadets find their way during land navigation course

by Captain Richard Sprouse, Encampment Public Affairs Officer

Cadets spent a considerable amount of time Tuesday on land navigation activities. As someone who always liked to get into the field during his military days I loaded into a van filled with cadets as we made our way along the dusty roads leading to Camp Ripleys Land Navigation Course. Once at the site Chief Master Sergeant Don Vance, Bravo Flight Tactical Officer, gave a safety briefing. The cadets were then formed into teams of five or six members. Vans containing water and immediate transportation back to cantonment shadowed each team. We also had a medical team readily available to assist if needed. First Lieutenant Karen Anderson and I tagged along with a group of Alpha Flight members including C/A1C Jack Dillow (Red Wing Squadron), C/SrA Derek Fox (St. Paul Squadron), C/A1C Peter Mayhew (Anoka), C/A1C Joshua Mandrell (Northland Squadron), C/Amn Russ Nelson (Wesota Squadron) and C/Amn Blake Widing (Northwest Squadron). Alpha Flight Commander Cadet/Second Lieutenant Jason Anderson was not to assist the group. It would be their responsibility to apply their map reading and

It wasnt a pleasant journey as we continued to tramp through the woods, the cadets, now working like a team, leading the way through a dense thicket made more miserable by the heat and humidity.

At 10:42 the cadets located the second checkpoint. We took a break, checked each other

for ticks and hydrated ourselves. At 11:00 one of the trace vans rolled up and we refilled our canteens. With the exercise scheduled to end at noon we were told to stand fast, but the group of Alpha Flight cadets felt there was still time to find one more checkpoint. Back into the woods we went again, cadet confidence sky-high. You bet they found a third checkpoint! When the heat and humidity got the best of one of the team members, cadets quickly volunteered their canteens, as well as words of encouragement. They had no plans to leave their team member to the care of the senior officers. Using their hats as fans they provided a cool breeze, which revitalized the team member. During this time some of the cadets applied their land navigation skills again and scouted out a direct route back to the starting point. The trail was an overgrown access road so the walking was easy. When we appeared out of the woods we were greeted with Were you guys lost? I proudly pointed out that this group from Alpha Flight had found three checkpoints and a quick route back to the jump-off point. During the debriefing Chief Master Sergeant Vance told the entire group of cadets that land navigation is a hard course. Its a perishable skill that you need to practice or you forget your technique, Vance said. He encouraged all of the cadets to ask their home squadrons to make land navigation and ground team training a priority. I think some squadrons have some ready-made trainers in their midst. And, if youre ever planning a camping excursion in this great state Id suggest you contact some CAP cadets named Dillow, Fox, Mandrell, Mayhew, Nelson and Widing for directions.
The Gremlin is the official daily newsletter of the Ninth Cadet Training Group and the 2007 Minnesota Wing Encampment. The Internet version of the publication is an official Internet operation in accordance with CAPR 110-1. It is published daily from 23 June to 30 June 2007 from the offices at Camp Ripley Military Reservation.
Major Conrad Peterson: Encampment Commander Capt Richard Sprouse: Encampment Public Affairs Officer C/Lt Col Brian Anderson, 9 th CTG Commander C/MSgt David Blessman: 9th CTG Public Affairs Officer

Getting to know you

---Your staff is just like you! The following is an interview with Cadet First Lieutenant Emily Vinge, 17th CTS Commander Gremlin: How long have you been in Civil Air Patrol? Vinge: I have been in Civil Air Patrol for about 5 years Gremlin: What was your basic year and which CTG was it? Vinge: My basic year was 2003 and it was 5th CTG. Gremlin: What was the hardest thing for you that year? Vinge: Being away from home for so long. The week before we went to encampment my colorguard team was at nationals in Ohio. So being at encampment it was two weeks where I hadn't been home or seen any of my friends. I was extremely home sick, but I made it through and ended up not wanting to go home at the end of the week because I made so many good friends. Gremlin: What other staff positions have you held in past encampments? Vinge: I have been Foxtrot Flight Sergeant at 6th CTG, I was 14th CTS 1st Sergeant at 7th CTG, and last year at 8th CTG I was Alpha Flight Commander and we received Honor Flight of the encampment. Gremlin: What is your favorite part of CAP? Vinge: I have two favorite parts of CAP. First is all of the leadership lessons I have been taught throughout my years in CAP. Every time I'm at a CAP activity I learn something new about leadership. My other favorite part is all the people I have met. I have met two of my best friends through CAP and we will be friends forever. Gremlin: What advice do you have for the basics? Vinge: Keep pushing. If you set your mind to it you can do it!

Wednesdays menu is: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs Waffles Bacon Fruit Cereal Lunch: Hotdogs w/buns Tater Tots Cole slaw California blend Supper: Chicken stew w/rice Lettuce salad
MILK, JUICE, & WATER ARE SERVED WITH EVERY MEAL

THE GREMLIN
9th Minnesota Cadet Training Group Issue # 5: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 The tank simulator contained several modules replicating the actual crew space of an M1 Abrams, including toggle switches, headsets to communicate, firing systems and computer generated targets visible through vision ports. While one module housed the driver, a separate computer link connected the compartment that contained the tank commander/loader and gunner. The cadets operated as a team to maneuver and shoot the tank in a virtual training environment.

Simulation almost real

Driver, C/SrA Matthew Blair (Crow Wing Squadron), positioned the 70-ton, M1 Abrams tank into firing position. Gunner, Fire when ready! said tank commander, C/SSgt Dane Bjorkman (Anoka Squadron) who had loaded the main gun. Gunner C/A1C Paul Estes (Valley Squadron) unlimbered the 120mm main gun slamming a round into the target down range. You got it! shouted Bjorkman. If it sounds a little too real for a Minnesota Wing encampment, youre right. Cadets spent most of Tuesday morning using tank and M16 simulators.

Gunner Estes

Cadet Blair takes simulated control of an M1 Abrams tank

While Bjorkman, Blair and Estes manned the tank, another group of cadets were using a computerized M-16 rifle range that exposed them to several virtual tactical scenarios.

The $3-million simulator system is state of the art training equipment that was made available to the cadets thanks to the assistance of the Minnesota Army National Guard.

C/2 nd Lt Julie Crevier (Viking) and C/SrA Lydia Stone (St. Cloud) share a real smile during a virtual activity.

Tank commander Bjorkman

The rest of the day was spent in classes such as moral leadership, CAP Cadet Aerospace Program and USAF commissioning routes. Following dinner the cadets returned to their respective barracks to prepare for an inspection before personal time and lights out.

Puckett: I was a Flight Sergeant at 7th CTG and a Flight Commander at 8th CTG. Gremlin: What is your favorite part of CAP? Puckett: I would say the Cadet Program, but more specifically, I love wing activities such as encampment, NCOS/BCOS, and EPS. I love all of those things and attended them as much as possible. I'm also very involved in emergency programs. I have been on numerous practice and actual missions and I'm as qualified as I can be at this time. I've also attained my solo rating in a Cessna 172 at Flight Academy. That's an awesome activity by the way that I'd recommend to every cadet. Gremlin: What advice do you have for the basics? Puckett: Remember you're not going to get through this without the person to your right and left. This is a team effort! Treat them with respect and watch their backs; they'll do the same for you. Also, trust and listen to your flight staff. They are here to help you! Even if it seems that they are just out to get you, they really are looking out for your best interest.

SDS Report
SDS started the day off early with PT. After showering and breakfast we had a leadership class taught by C/Lt Col Dunlevy. We also performed job shadowing of staff members to learn more about their jobs and how they do them.
C/SrA Peter Hibma

C/SSgt Lupe Diaz of Davenport, Iowa, is among a handful of Iowa CAP cadets attending the Minnesota encampment. When asked why he said, Because we always hear its the best.

Getting to know you

---Your staff is just like you! The following is an interview with Cadet First Lieutenant Andrew Puckett, 18th CTS Commander. Gremlin: How long have you been in Civil Air Patrol? Puckett: About 3 1/2 great years. Gremlin: What was your basic year and which CTG was it? Puckett: It was the 2004 Encampment, 6th CTG. I was in Alpha Flight, which was honor flight that year. Gremlin: What was the hardest thing for you that year? Puckett: I would have to say inspections. We were all trying to do things ourselves and failing. It wasn't until we all came together as a team that we began to pass. Gremlin: What other staff positions have you held in past encampments?

Thursdays menu is: Breakfast: Pancakes Scrambled eggs Bacon Fruit Cereal Lunch: Chicken strips Buttered noodles w/parsley Peas Lettuce salad Supper: Spaghetti w/meat sauce Green beans Garlic toast Lettuce salad MILK, JUICE, & WATER ARE SERVED WITH EVERY MEAL

The Gremlin is the official daily newsletter of the Ninth Cadet Training Group and the 2007 Minnesota Wing Encampment. The Internet version of the publication is an official Internet operation in accordance with CAPR 110-1. It is published daily from 23 June to 30 June 2007 from the offices at Camp Ripley Military Reservation.
Major Conrad Peterson: Encampment Commander Capt Richard Sprouse: Encampment Public Affairs Officer C/Lt Col Brian Anderson, 9 th CTG Commander C/MSgt David Blessman: 9th CTG Public Affairs Officer

THE GREMLIN
9th Minnesota Cadet Training Group Issue # 7: Friday, June 29, 2007(Last one!)

9th CTG draws to a close

Waking up at 5:30 a.m. each morning is not what many young people do over the summer. But for the past six days, 69 basic cadets have worked their way through the 9th Minnesota Cadet Training Group encampment at Camp Ripley. Twenty-nine cadets in various staff positions, 11 Staff Development Squadron members and 24 senior officers participated as well, getting up at 5:00 a.m.! The general consensus among the basic cadets was, "The first thing I'm going to do when I get home is eat then sleep. When asked about the overall experience the vast majority said, "This was a great experience. I'm so glad I did it." The majority of the cadets said their biggest shock was how structured and disciplined the camp was. "Everything had to be perfect," said C/SSgt Steven Athas who was among a small group of Iowans to attend the encampment. "Your uniform, your room, and moving in formation. You learned a lot about responsibility and discipline." C/Lt Col Brian Anderson, 9 CTG Commander, said the initial shock of being in camp wears off in roughly two days. "Wednesday is 'Hump Day,' for many cadets" Anderson said. "Once you make it to Wednesday, you begin to get over the hump for the rest of the week." In addition to working under a military-style regimen with morning physical training sessions, room inspections and scheduled wake-up and sleep times, cadets came away with lessons learned on teamwork, time management and attention to detail, skills theyll apply the rest of their lives. "By graduating from this encampment, they have demonstrated that they're a leader and not a follower," said Major JOsh Puhl, Cadet Commandant.
th

Major Conrad Peterson, Encampment Commander, reiterated Puhls sentiment in saying that the cadets made great strides during their week at encampment. "You gave us great young people, and we are giving you back great young adults." Anderson said he believes there's little reason for anyone not to want to come to encampment. "You do and see so much in only one week," Anderson said. "Even if you have any doubts, just apply next year and experience it. I know you wouldn't regret it."

Important Announcements:
Its hard to believe that the cadets will graduate tomorrow from the 9th CTG Encampment. PLEASE NOTE that the Pass in Review location has changed to the post chapel, which is located approximately one mile straight ahead from the main entrance at Camp Ripley. We will have members direct parking. Start time remains 11:00 a.m.

Editors note:
With graduation looming tomorrow this will be the last edition of The Gremlin. We hope that we have provided a snapshot of the many activities that occurred during encampment.

Drill Competition

Drill Competition winners - Alpha Flight, 17th CTS

Present arms Dress and Cover To the rear march were just a few of the commands made during todays Drill Competition between all 9th CTG flights. When the scores were added up it was Alpha Flight, 17th CTS, that was the winner.

One more test

9th CTG Volleyball final results

Alpha Flight, 17th CTS, was a winner again when it took first place honors in 9th CTG Volleyball competition, defeating Delta Flight, 18th CTS.

Friday afternoon the cadets took a multiple choice, T&F, matching test on CAP history, uniform wear, etc., based on the Standard Operating Procedures booklet that they had been studying all week.
Volleyball - 1st Place - Alpha Flight, 17th CTS.

Blues on parade
In preparation for Saturdays graduation cadets put on their Blues for a dress rehearsal Friday evening.

The Cadet Staff vs. Senior Officer Staff volleyball game was officially called a draw by senior staff. Youre free to read between the lines! The Senior Officer ringer was none other than Minnesota Wing Commander, Colonel Steve Miller, but even he wasnt enough to change the outcome.

Cadet physical fitness evaluation

During the early afternoon, the cadets measured their level of physical fitness when they were evaluated on: The shuttle ups, sit and mile run, run, pushsit-ups, and reach.

A note from the senior officers to all parents and guardians of the cadets.
It has truly been an honor to have had the opportunity to spend the past week with your cadet. They truly are above the best.
The Gremlin is the official daily newsletter of the Ninth Cadet Training Group and the 2007 Minnesota Wing Encampment. The Internet version of the publication is an official Internet operation in accordance with CAPR 110-1.
Major Conrad Peterson: Encampment Commander Capt Richard Sprouse: Encampment Public Affairs Officer C/Lt Col Brian Anderson, 9th CTG Commander C/MSgt David Blessman: 9th CTG Public Affairs Officer

The Minneapolis Star Tribune is scheduled to run a story on the encampment in the Wednesday, July 4, 2007 edition.