LOTS Going on...Means LOTS of Pics!

Morale is very high on the National Cadet Training Center (NCTC) tonight. It's 2150 (9:50 pm) and just about time for "Taps," the bugle call which indicates the end of the day.

As I walked the grounds a few moments ago, Cadets and cadre were laughing, smiling and simply enjoying their time here at Forest Hill Station. That's good, as it shows that all the hard work to make this program happen, on the part of a LOT of people (see the roster on the right) has been worthwhile.

We've had an remarkable summer thus far. Incredibly, we've only had one young man leave, simply because he gave up on himself. We've had no major disciplinary problems, very little homesickness and no injuries resulting in a departure from training. That's pretty noteworthy, considering we have 200 young people on post!





The U.S. Army Cadet Corps is very unique in that we require that a recruit earn the title "Cadet." They aren't Cadets until they graduate from Basic Cadet Training. That means they must pass the academic exam, meet the standards for all inspections, and meet the physical fitness standards.





All of this equates to 1/2 of a High School credit, issued by Forest Hill Military Academy, in physical fitness and hygiene. We are the only Cadet program that can offer such a benefit.

As you look through the 300+ photos that are about to be posted, please know that your sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters are pretty special. When most young people are sitting on the couch all day, or sleeping in until noon, these young people are up at the "Zero-Dark 30" and hard at work. 

Granted, as you can see, the inspections are tough (thus, the "White Tornado" that went through the barracks when it wasn't just right), and the occasional "drop and give me 20" when they use "yeah," or fail to stand at Parade Rest for an NCO.  

It's been said that soldiers do more by 8 am than most people do all day. These Army Cadets and recruits hoping to become Army Cadets are living up to that standard!

Hooah!


J. M. LAND, SR.     "Cobra 8"
COL, GS, USAC
Chief of Staff
U.S. Army Cadet Corps

Cadet Portraits are Online!

As we approach our first of five Graduation Ceremonies this coming Saturday, the recruits are really starting to take shape. 

Taking a group of 150 young people, with long hair, individual attitudes and - in some cases - completely foreign cultures, and turning them into a team is an incredible feat.  Through the leadership of LTC Gorman, CPT Hammer, SSG Torres and the rest of the staff, we are close to having 150 new "Cadets" in our ranks. 

With that said, today was portrait day.  Each recruit posed for a formal portrait.  One serious, one saluting and one smiling. 

WO1 Steve Biggers, the country's foremost authority on Military School photography, and a member of our Public Affairs team, has posted the photos at the Steve Biggers Studios website.  Go to the upper right hand corner to GALLERY and then scroll down about half-way until you see the USAC seal.  The photos are broken down by BCT, Rangers and Patrolman.

I shouldn't have to say this...but I've learned that I must:  Please understand that this is the effort of a business and that the photos are meant to be purchased.   The online proofs are NOT authorized for publication and may NOT be posted on websites, Facebook, etc.  To do so is theft of intellectual property. 

Please place an order today for these high-quality photos!

Rangers Move Under Canvas...Training Continues for Recruits...Patrolmen Keeping Us Safe!

The Cadet Ranger Challenge (CRC) Cadets moved "into the field" in preparation for their upcoming field training.  The 14 young men of the CRC set-up a "GP Medium" and are under canvas for the rest of their time here.  They're thrilled, as this is more in line with Army life, rather than living in a garrison environment in the barracks.




Training continued for the recruits as they start to bond as a team.  They have gotten past the lost and confused look and are anxious for the week ahead when they will be on the marksmanship range, go through Combat Water Survival Training and overcome their fears as they rappel off the 60' tower.  There's still much more ahead!

Hooah!


J. M. LAND, SR.     "Cobra 8"
COL, GS, USAC
Chief of Staff
U.S. Army Cadet Corps

  

ACES - The Most Popular Place on Post!

Ask any Army Cadet where their favorite place is on post, and almost all with say "ACES, sir!"

Why?  Well, that's where the "goodies" are, the place is air-conditioned and the cadre doesn't make anyone do push-ups there!

ACES is basically our version of a Post Exchange, or "PX."  USAC personnel and friends can buy such items as uniforms, insignia, novelty items, Airsoft equipment and associated gear, and so much more.  They also have snacks and drinks for Cadets during "Canteen" time, held each evening.  

The storefront looks just like any Army Military Clothing Sales Store found throughout the country.  However, just over a year ago the current location for ACES (it was previously in the basement of the Dining Facility) was an indoor marksmanship range.  It was filled with junk and had to be completely gutted so the space could become a retail store.

ACES is the only commercial operation specifically designed to meet the needs of Army Cadets, our officers and non-commissioned officers and USAC units throughout the United States.

They also carry a line of Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and Multi-Cam field gear, as well as boots, Physical Training (PT) gear, knives, martial arts items, DVD’s, sundries (soap, razors, deodorant) and...well, did I mention Airsoft items.

This operation is unique in that most of the insignia, t-shirts and supporting items like patches, guidons and embroidered insignia are produced on-site.

The back room of ACES (also known as the “sweat shop”) is where much of the magic happens. Here embroidery machines produce name and branch tapes, embroidered rank insignia and other cloth uniform items. A machine stamps out dog tags. A hot press churns out PT shirts and specialty wear. This is also where the beautiful USAC guidons are hand produced.

ACES is also unique in that it uses a debit system for most Cadet transactions. When a USAC Cadet signs into an activity here at the National Cadet Training Center an account is created in ACES where they or their parents deposit monies and the Cadet can make purchases against monies in their account.

This creates an environment where our Cadets carry no cash and if they need something from ACES they can just swipe their Cadet ID Card for it, provided there is money in the account.  This will also be used by Forest Hill Military Academy, when we open in August.

The store is managed and operated by Mrs. Lillian Gorman, the wife of LTC Joe Gorman, Forest Hill Station's Garrison Commander.

For more information about ACES please visit their website.  Questions regarding orders, account balance, etc., can be answered by contacting ACES Customer Service.     

The above entry was originally written by the late Lt. Col. Al Pabon, CAP, a member of the NCTC cadre in 2011.  Rest easy Al!