Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Blues
Courtesy of C/Anderson, posted with permission
-Make sure your gig line is aligned (buttons, fly, and shiny tip of the belt).
-Rank insignias:
-have wider side facing away from you -for GMC, form a V behind your neck (this is what you should see in the mirror: / \ or // \\).
-Name tag:
-For men- centered between right pocket, resting right above the pocket flap.
-For women- Centered on right side of the shirt. Height must be within 1.5 inches of the first button
-With long sleeve blues shirt, you must wear your tie/bow tie
-Tie is optional on short sleeve blues
-Service Dress:
-US pins centered on the border between the top and bottom of each lapel, and parallel to the ground.
You may have to readjust the pins after putting the jacket on.
-Wear all ribbons
Dining Out
Courtesy of C/Gryzb, posted with permission
Uniform for Dining Out is mess dress. For us, that simply means our service dress, but wearing a white button-up shirt with no buttons on the collar in place of our long-sleeved blue shirt.
During the meet and greet in the beginning, make an effort to meet as many of the guests as possible.
Once inside the mess, do not sit down until the head table has been seated.
As far as manners go beyond general decency, do not laugh unless the head table laughs, do not eat until the head table begins eating, do not go to the restroom one the mess is closed, and do not clap with your hands, simply bang your spoon against the table for applaud.
If you just so happen to be grogged, you will stand up and walk to the front of the room using facing movements, salute each of the Vices in turn, salute the grog bowl itself, fill your cup, perform an about-face, lift your cup toward the mess and say, “To the mess!”, drink the entirety of your glass, and then hold the glass upside down over your head as proof of completion.
However, if you are grogged, you are allowed a rebuttal or you can take a wingman with you up to the grog by first walking to that person and saluting them.
In order to grog somebody yourself, you must raise your hand and wait to be called on by the Vice. Once called on, you must stand up at attention and say “Mr. and Mrs. Vice, I C/ (your rank) (your full name) would like to make a point of order.”
If you are granted permission, you may then proceed to read your poem inviting your victim to take a drink from the grog bowl.
Most importantly, just follow the older cadets lead, don’t be scared, and HAVE FUN!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Shoe Shining
Courtesy of C/Gandy, posted with permission
The following is my personal method of shining shoes. There aremany variations but this is one of the safest, simplest, and most effective.
Materials: Kiwi shoe polish, fresh water and cotton balls.
Step 1: If your shoes are brand new with no polish you will need toremove the protective coating with rubbing alcohol. This requires noparticular skill. Your shoes will look pretty bad afterwards, butnever fear the polish is coming.
Step 2: Prepare your shoes for polishing by making sure they are cleanand taking out the shoe laces.
Step 3: Dip a cotton ball in water and rub a little polish onto it. Proceed to make small circles on your shoe with the cotton ball. Ensure that you do not apply too much pressure.
Step 4: You are starting to shine the shoe when the polish starts to look like a streaky window before you wipe the windex off. Continue to shine that area until the streaky parts become nice and shiny.
Step 5: Focus mainly on the toe and heel of the shoe, but do notneglect the sides and tongue. Once you start wearing your shoes theywill get creases and you have to take special care to get that part ofthe shoe shiny again.
Step 6: Relace your shoes with the first lace going DOWN into the holes. Every lace after that should also go down into the holes and remember when you wear your shoes to tuck the laces in.
Remember that practice makes perfect AND perfect shoes!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Self-Aid Buddy Care
SABC NOTES
Courtesy of C/Bartlett and C/Maclean, posted with permission
Casualty Care in a CBRN Contaminated Environment
- perform SABC measures
- inject antidote if nerve agent symptoms are present **be sure to use casualty’s auto-injectors, not yours!
- Report casualty to UCC to not transmit personal information over unsecure net
- Decontaminate casualty and their equipment with M295 or M291 kits
- Transport casualty to CCP unit
Basic Lifesaving Steps
Airway – establish an open airway
Breathing – ensure
Circulation - stop bleeding to support circulation
Disability – prevent further
- immobilize neck injuries
- place dressings over open wounds
- splint obvious limb deformities
Exposure – minimize further to adverse weather
Types of Ailments
Shock
Symptoms
- confusion
- sweaty but cool skin
- breathing is shallow, labored, and rapid
- weak and rapid pulse
Treatment
- keep airway open
- if unconscious place on side in recovery position and monitor airway
- keep the person calm, warm, and comfortable
- elevate lower extremities
- do not give food or drink
Abdominal Wounds
Treatment
- if organs are outside body gently pick them up and place them on top of the abdomen – Do not replace or push organs into the body cavity
- cover exposed organs with a moist clean dressing
- secure with bandages
- if legs are not fractured, bend knees to relieve pressure
Bleeding
Symptom – obvious external bleeding
Convential Treatment
- apply direct pressure with hand, use dressing if available
- elevate the extremity if no fractures are suspected
- use pressure points iwht elevation to control bleeding
- tourniquet as a last result to stop bleeding. – use to save life at possible loss of limb
- consider using QuikClot if available
Care Under Fire
- return fire as directed or required before providing medical treatment
- if the casualty can function, direct to return fire, move to cover, and administer self aid
- if casualty is unable to function and you cannot assist, tell casualty to play dead until enemy fire is suppressed
- if the casualty has life threatening bleeding from a limb, tourniquet first to the limb or amputation – if bleeding is in a location where a tourniquet cannot be applied (armpit or groin) consider QuikClot in conjunction with direct pressure
- Place one inch wide constricting band around arm or leg to stop severe bleeding
- DO NOT USE WIRE OR SHOE STRING
- Place band two to four inches above injury if possible
- Tighten band enough to stop bleeding and no more
- Once in place, do not loosen or remove
- Leave Tourniquet area exposed for quick visual reference
- Mark time and letter “T” on casualties forehead in ink or blood
- DO NOT REMOVE Tourniquet ONCE APPLIED
Eye Injury
Symptom – obvious pain or injury
Treatment
- do not remove any impaled objects
- dress around the object to secure it
- apply bandage lightly to both eyes
- DO NOT LEAVE CASUALTY UNATTENDED
COMMON INJURIES
Sucking Chest Wound
Symptoms
- sucking noise from chest
- frothy red blood
- difficulty breathing
Treatment
- look for an entry and exit wound
- cover holes with airtight seal (plastic, tin foil, id card)
- tape down all four side of seal
- allow casualty to assume position of easiest breathing, preferably on affected side
Fractures
Symptoms
- deformity, bruising
- tenderness over specific part of body
- swelling or discoloration
Treatment
- DO NOT STRAIGHTEN LIMB
- if in doubt, splint injury where they lie if possible
- splint joints above and below injury
- remove clothing from injured area
- remove rings from fingers if possible
- check pulse below injury away from heart to determine if blood flow is restricted by splint
Spinal/Neck/Head Injury
Symptoms - lack of feeling or control anywhere below neck, drainage of fluid or blood from ear, nose, or mouth
Treatment
- if conscious caution casualty not to move
- continuously monitor and check airway without turning head
- immobilize the head and neck
If casualty must be moved…
- use hard surface for stretcher (door, cut lumber, other)
- use as many people as needed to place casualty on stretcher
- one person must immobilize the head and neck
- be sure casualties limbs are secure at the chest and thigh regions
- turn whole body together as a unit
Combating Heat Illness and Cold Injury
Dehydration | Heat Exhaustion | Heat Stroke | |
Key Indicators | |||
Mental State | Conscious may be dizzy | Conscious may be dizzy | Sudden Collapse Unusual behavior Altered state of mind |
Body Temperature | Normal | Normal | Hot Elevated |
Action | Sit down in shade/cool area Provide water Observe | Sit down in shade/cool area Provide water Observe | Call 911 immediately SABC Cool victim |
Other Symptoms | Headache Dry mouth Loss of skin Turgor (remains elevated when pinched) | Weakness Headache Dry mouth Nausea Muscle cramps/spasms | Red Face/Skin Strong rapid pulse Wet or dry skin Most likely sweating in younger individuals |
Dehydration
Symptoms
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Loss of skin Turgor (remains elevated when pinched)
Treatment – provide water
Heat Exhaustion
Early Symptoms
- dizziness/weakness
- headache
- dry mouth
- nausea
- muscle cramps/spasms
- profuse sweating
- loss of salt in the body
- normal body temperature
Treatment
- remove from work or training
- allow casualty to rest in shade or cool area
- provide sips of water
- if symptoms to do not improve in 15 to 30 minutes, transfer to a medical facility
- if signs or symptoms worsen, call ambulance
Late Signs or Symptoms
- weak and or rapid pulse
- confusion, unresponsive, or coma
- loss of bowel or bladder control
- convulsions
- cramps in abdomen or limbs
- pale face
- dizziness/faintness/weakness
- nausea or vomiting
- profuse sweating or moist cool skin
- normal body temperature
Treatment
- treat for shock
- lay person down in cool area
- loosen/open clothing
- cool body by sprinkling with cool water or fanning (not to the point of shivering)
- give victim cool water to drink if conscious
- seek medical attention
Heat Stroke
Symptoms
- headache
- dizziness
- red face/skin
- strong, rapid pulse
- confusion and disorientation
- hot dry skin or sweating
- high body temperature (hot to touch)
Immediate Actions
- call 911/local emergency number or radio for ambulance immediately for transport to the medical treatment area
- during combat, transport victim to CCP via unit assets
- lay person down in shade or cool area with feet elevated until help arrives
- give sips of water if casualty is conscious
- if skin is hot and ry to touch, remove clothing – pour water over person and fan
- if casualty begins to shiver, stop fanning, if shivering stops, resume fanning
Treatment
- lay person in cool area
- loosen/open clothing
- cool body by sprinkling with cool water or fanning
- give cool water to drink if conscious, add two teaspoons of salt to one canteen if available
- seek immediate medical attention
- treat for shock
Burns
- burns may be from heat (thermal), electrical, chemical, or radiation. Treatment is based on depth, size, and severity (termed degree) of burn
- ALWAYS TREAT FOR SHOCK AND SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
Thermal / Partial Thickness (First and Second Degree)
Symptoms – skin reddens (sun burn like), painful, blisters
Treatment
- stop the burning process
- apply cool water to affected area
- do not break blisters
- apply clean dressing to affected area
Thermal/Full Thickness (Third Degree)
Symptoms
- charred or whitish looking skin
- may burn clear to the bone
- burn area not painful, but area around burn very painful
Treatment
- stop the burning process
- do not remove clothing adhered to burn area
- cover with or apply clean dressing to affected area
Electrical Burns
- ensure power is off
- look for entry and exit wound
- treat burned area
Chemical Burns
- flush with large amount of water
- flush eyes for at least 20 minutes
- brush off visible contaminants
- keep phosphorous burns covered with a wet dressing to keep air from activating phosphorous
- fingers have a tendency to swell, ensure that rings and jewelry are remove immediately
COLD INJURIES
Hypothermia
Symptoms
- body is cold under clothing
- may appear confused
- may appear dead
Treatment
- move to a warm place
- remove wet clothing
- put on warm clothes or wrap with dry towel
- do not rub body parts
- do not give or consume alcohol
Frostbite
Symptoms
- skin has a white or waxy appearance
- skin feels hard to touch
Treatment
- move to warm place
- re-warm affected area with warm water (104 to 108 degrees fareinheit) for fifteen to thirty minutes (not hot water)
- cover with several layers of clothing
- do not rub affected area
- seek medical attention immediately
Monday, November 2, 2009
Alpha Authority
(All together)
A! A little bit louder
L! Listen to us
P! Proud we are
H! Have respect for
A! AUTHORITAY!
Bravo Bombers
Courtesy of C/Nelson, posted with permission
Leader: We are Bravo Flight
Group: (repeats)
L: Born and raised ready to fight
G: (repeats)
L: We fly low, we fly high
G: (repeats)
L: We drop bombs from the sky
G: (repeats)
L: Bravo Bombers let me hear you
G: (repeats)
L: Say boom
G: BOOM
L: Bravo Bombers get it loud
G: (repeats)
L: Drown out that Alpha crowd
G: (repeats)
L: Say boom
G: Boom
L: One more time, boom
G: BOOM
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
PT Stretches and Verbiage
Command - response
"Flight, fall in!" - Flight falls in
"Open ranks, harch!" - First row takes two steps forward, second row takes one step forward, third row stays stationary. Everyone except cadets on the far left pop up their left arms. Everyone except the element leader turns their head 45 degrees to the right so you can see the cadet in front of you and the cadet to your right.
"Right up, hun!" - Everyone drops their left arm and comes to attention.
"At double intervals, dress right, hess!" - The flight puts up both arms and people go to double arm spacing. Note, if there's no one to your right or left, don't put up that arm. Everyone also bounces on the balls of their feet.
"Right up, hun!" - Everyone drops both their arms and comes to attention.
"Half right, hace!" - Everyone performs a half-right facing movement.
"The first exercise of the day will be toe-touches. This is a 10 count exercise, we will perform two repetitions. Position of the exercise - move" - Everyone crosses right foot over left and bends down to touch their toes.
"Ready - begin!" - Everyone continues to touch their toes. At this point, the flight leader counts 1 through 10. When they reach 10, the flight counts "1" in unison.
"Switch" - Everyone switches feet.
"Ready - begin!" - Same as before except count "2" after the flight leader reaches 10. Once the flight says "2", they say "Permission to recover." At this point, the flight leader comes to attention and says
"Recover!" - *This is said without emphasis on the RE of recover, it should be said in ONE syllable* The flight then comes to attention and responds loudly "Air power!"
"The next exercise of the day will be static knee bend. This is a 10 count exercise, we will perform two repetitions. Position of the exercise - move!" - Everyone grabs their right knee to stretch their quad.
"Ready - begin!" - The same procedure as for toe touches follows. This is the same for all the exercises except for one exception (listed later).
We perform the following stretches in the listed order: Toe touches, static knee bend, calves stretch, sit and reach, and toe-grab stretch.
After these basic stretches, there will usually be a 2-3 minute personal stretch. The verbiage is as follows:
With about 10-15 seconds left in the personal stretch, the flight leader will call:
"Standby" - Flight goes to standby.
"Recover" - Flight goes to attention and yells "Air power!"
The flight leader than brings the flight back into formation using the following commands:
"Half-left, hace!" - Everyone turns and faces front
"Close ranks, harch!" - (back row takes two steps forward, middle row takes 1 step, front row takes no step. Note, front row is closest to flight leader while back row is farthest.)
"Dress right, hess!" (Remember, take little baby steps even if you're far away from the person on your right.)
"Fall out."
Monday, October 12, 2009
Knowledge
LLABs 1-5
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Core Values are as follows: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in all we do."
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Honor Code is as follows: We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does."
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Vision 2020 (twenty twenty) is as follows: Lasting Heritage... Limitless Horizons: A Warfighter's Vision."
"Cadet Cadet Name, the vision of the 520th (pronounced five hundred and twentieth) Air Force Reserve Officer's Training Corps (pronounced core) cadet wing is as follows: Becoming the cadet wing by which all others are measured."
"Cadet Cadet Name, The mission of the 520th Air Force Reserve Officer's Training Corps cadet wing is as follows: To recruit, educate, and develop cadets in a high-quality training environment, and commission the best warrior leaders for the United States Air Force."
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps Mission is as follows: To develop quality leaders for the Air Force."
*Note: For the purpose of recitation we will use "Sir" in all cases, unless you are actually asked to recite it by a female cadet. In that case, you must use "Ma'am".
If you're asked the cadets of a particular flight, you should respond as follows (I'll give an example to make it clear):
"Cadet Mercier, the cadets in the Recruiting and Retention Flight are as follows: Cadet Captain Markello. Cadet Third Class Walker. Cadet Third Class Powers."
If you're asked to recite the order of the cadet ranks, you'll reply as follows:
"Cadet, Cadet Name, the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet ranks are as follows: Cadet 4th Class, Cadet 3rd Class, Cadet 2nd Lieutenant, Cadet 1st Lieutenant, Cadet Captain, Cadet Major, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, Cadet Colonel."
The order we should say them is as follows:
FALL 09 520th Cadet Wing Chain of Command
BRIGADE COMMANDER
C/Col. Olivia J. Lawson
WING COMMANDER (CW/CC)
C/Col. Jennifer L. Jayne
VICE WING COMMANDER (CW/VC)
C/Lt. Col. Kyle R. Finnegan
INSPECTOR GENERAL (CW/IG)
C/Maj. Benjamin T. Polins
WING GROUP COMMANDER (CW/GC)
C/Maj. Thomas W. Gill Jr.
ALPHA FLIGHT COMMANDER (AFlt/CC)
C/1Lt Ravi Surdhar
BRAVO FLIGHT COMMANDER (BFlt/CC
C/1Lt Nick R. Mercier
FUNCTIONAL FLIGHT COMMANDERS:
OPERATIONS FLIGHT COMMANDER (OPS/CC)
C/Capt. Joshua M. Peterson
RECRUITING/RETENTION FLIGHT COMMANDER (RR/CC)
C/Capt. Alexandra D. Markello
LLAB's 6-13
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Officer ranks are as follows: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General"
*Note: You may have to say "General of the Air Force" as the last officer rank, but not always.
And a helpful acronym for remembering General ranks: Be My Little General
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Enlisted ranks are as follows: Airman Basic, Airman, Airman First Class, Senior Airman, Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force"
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Lower (or Upper) Chain of Command is as follows: Commander AETC General Stephen R. Lorenz, Commander Air University Lieutenant General Allen G. Peck..."
Lower Chain of Command:
Commander, AETC
General Stephen R. Lorenz
Commander, Air University
Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck
Commander, Holm Center
Brig. Gen. Teresa A.H. Djuric
Commander, AFROTC
Colonel John M. McCain
Northeast Region Commander
Colonel Bruce T. Hellen
Commander, 520th Cadet Wing AFROTC Professor of Aerospace Studies (PAS)
Lt. Col. Michael D. Williamson
Commandant of Cadets
Captain C. Philip Ulmer
Upper Chain of Command:
Commander-In-Chief
President Barack H. Obama
Secretary of Defense
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Secretary of the Air Force
The Honorable Michael B. Donley
Air Force Chief of Staff
Gen. Norton A. Schwartz
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Core Competencies are as follows: Developing Airmen, Technology to Warfighting, Integrating Operations"
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Three Levels of Warfare are as follows:
Strategic, the level of war at which a nation or group of nations determines national or alliance security objectives and develops and uses national resources to accomplish those objectives,
Operational, the level of war at which campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted and sustained to accomplish strategic objectives within theaters or areas of operation, and
Tactical, the level at which battles and engagements are planned and executed to accomplish military objectives assigned to tactical units or task forces."
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Tenets of Aerospace Power are as follows: Centralized control/decentralized execution, Flexibility/Versatility, Priority, Synergy, Balance, Concentration, Persistence."
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Principles of War are as follows: Objective, Offensive, Mass, Economy of Force, Maneuver, Unity of Command, Security, Surprise, Simplicity."
"Cadet Cadet Name, the Air Force Phonetic Alphabet is as follows: A Alpha, B Bravo, C Charlie, D Delta, E Echo, F Foxtrot, G Golf, H Hotel, I India, J Juliet, K Kilo, L Lima, M Mike, N November, O Oscar, P Papa, Q Quebec, R Romeo, S Sierra, T Tango, U Uniform, V Victor, W Whiskey, X Xray, Y Yankee, Z Zulu."
Sunday, October 11, 2009
How to write informal emails
AS100's,
Alright, so an informal email has very few requirements. There is no need for the activity, suspsense, fyi, or policy subjects. Those are strictly for formal emails. That includes the //SIGNED// stuff. Now, for the most part you use this format when sending an email out to a very small amount of people and doesn't meet any of the suspsense or fyi etc. requirements. You start the email by stating who your writing too and end by " C/(Your name) " and that's it. Nothing special. If you are unsure on what format to use when sending an email, especially if it is going to any POC members, make sure it is in formal email format.
Usually for something like this I would make it a formal email because it would fit for an "FYI" but I figured it would be better to explain an informal email in itself while writing one. So I hope this helps and everyone has a great week!
v/r
C/Cox
How to write formal emails
WHO: AS100's
DATE: n/a
TIME: n/a
PLACE: n/a
DESCRIPTION:
1. Good evening cadets! As promised, this is going to be an email to basically teach you all on "How to write emails". As you probably already know, the main means of communication throughout the Wing is through email. And in reality, during Active Duty you can expect the amount of emails to double or triple depending on your job than compared to in ROTC. So to make it simpler and more organized, I will start explaining on how to write a formal email like this one. Next I will send out a less formal email which you would send to about 1-5 cadets for a quick reminder or message for something.
2. So first, I'll start with the Subject of the email. In a formal email like this, there are four different words that can be used before the colon. "SUSPSENSE" (For deadlines), "ACTIVITY" (Such as a Tri-Service event or a military ball.),"FYI"(for an informative email such as this one.), and "POLICY" (For example, if we had to knock on the door before coming into the NCO office or something to that nature.) Take note how these are all in caps and should be in the Subject line. After the colon you then put whatever it is your main topic of the email is going to be about.
3. Next comes the WHO,DATE,TIME, and PLACE. This is a great way to standardize emails so that a commander can look at something very quickly and know who the email is for, when and where it is, etc. Also take note that these are in caps also with a space before you actually type the date, time, and place.
4. Following that should be one space followed by "DESCRIPTION" which will lead into the body of the email. As you can already guess, this is where you actually explain what the email is about in detail. Sometimes if you don't have a set date for an activity, it is customary to put "See below" in the "DATE" section and explain the date in the body of the email. it is very good mannered and customary to begin with a good welcoming greeting. In the body of the email, you must number your paragraphs like I have done in this one and separate them by one space. When you are finished with what you have to say in the body of the email, make one extra paragraph stating "If you have any questions, contact me at (insert contact info here).
5. Now here comes the part where 70% of all mistakes come from when sending out emails, the signature block. Starting from the last paragraph in the body of your email, there should be 3 spaces until you start your signature. The format it should be in is like this://SIGNED//First Name, MI, Last Name, Rank, AFROTCThen you put your Wing position, or flight job. (Such as Flight Safety Officer or Standardization Officer etc.)
6. One thing I believe anyone cannot stress enough is to double check your email after you are ready to send it. Once you click the "send" button. You can't get it back. For example, I still make mistakes in emails sometimes. This might seem like a lot of things to remember but after a few emails it becomes second nature. Taking a look at how the POC send out their emails is what I always use as a guideline to make sure everything I have is correct. They've been doing it longer than us GMC, and VERY rarely make any mistakes. I hope you all enjoyed LLAB1 and are ready for even more exciting LLAB's in the future!
7. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at (#) or email.
//SIGNED//
NICHOLAS J.F. COX, C/3C, AFROTC
Joint Service Representative
Flight Standardization Officer
If you are assigned to be the Flight Stand-O for this upcoming LLAB, here are some basic tips:
- Be attentive to the turnout of your flight! Make sure all men and women have their uniforms and/or modified civilian wear neat and looking the same! Everyone must have their hair within standards, but pay close attention to the hair-do's of the ladies. When in uniform, hair must not fall below the collar line for women. To ensure their hair looks well presented, have everyone tie/pin up their hair in a tight, neat bun.
- Make sure everyone has a water bottle for LLAB, with duct tape around the middle of the bottle, labeled with last name as "C/NAME".
- Everyone must have knowledge books and pens on them at all times, so mandate that to your flight well before the commencement of LLAB. Also, have a few extra pens handy on you in case anyone forgets to bring their own.
- When cadets go to place their water bottles on the floor during LLAB or PT, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure they are tight in a row with names facing outwards.
- Standardization is not in your name for no reason! When in doubt, STANDARDIZE IT.
- Be sure to send an email to the flight addressing your responsibility as Flight Stand-O and what you expect of the flight in return.
- If you are unsure of what to write or how to format your email, use the Squadron Standardization Officer email template for reference. Make adjusments as necessary to make sure the email is applicable to your flight.
Guidon Bearer
If you’re assigned to be the Guidon Bearer for this upcoming LLAB, here are some basic tips:
- If you need or would like to, arrive early so you can practice handling the Guidon. You are responsible for your flight's Guidon throughout the entirety of LLAB. You will be carrying the Guidon through the doors, up and down stairs, and of course onto the Barton Hall floor.
- Before going through doors, lower the Guidon forwards in front of you and yell: "(Your Flight’s phonetic name) Flight, Guidon through the door!" You want to say this as loud and proud as you can, then proceed to move with haste through the doorway.
- Take extreme pride in handling the Guidon. It's a really simple yet crucial job for our flight. Remember that the spade should be situated parallel to the line (broad side in line with the flight); if it’s pointing forward (broad side facing sideways) it signals that we are at war.
- This website is a great reference to learn the correct procedures of how to carry the Guidon. http://www.drillpad.net/DPguidon(AF).htm. Please go through this site carefully to be sure you know where to position the guidon, and how to salute with the guidon in hand.
- You do not need to send an email to the flight as GB. However, be sure to send an email to the next GB with the information you learned from your time as GB, and anything else of importance that they may need to know.
Deputy Flight Commander
- Be sure that you are accurate with the verbiage while marching the flight or during opening formation. In opening formation, all that needs to be remembered are down the chain commands (“wing, group, squadron, (then you say) flight…[wing commander says] ten-hut!”), reporting (“Sir, [your flight designation] reports, all cadets present or accounted for”), and falling the flight out (“Flight, fall out”). Also, make sure you know where to face at what time, and who you salute in addition to who salutes first/drops first.
- TALK TO THE WEEK'S PREVIOUS DSC TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE VERBIAGE AND MOVEMENTS CORRECT
- Have your respective flight’s attendance sheet on you so that you can hand it over at either the Deputy Squadron Commander’s (DSC) or your flight commander’s request. On top of that, you must have a copy of the Ops Orders on you at all times throughout LLAB, having read through and understood them beforehand.
- Coordinate with the Standardization Officer to make sure everyone in your flight is standardized, from having pens, a water bottle, knowledge book, etc. to where and how they will be handled during LLAB.
- Think quickly on your feet; whether marching into problems that require on-the-spot decision-making or having downtime waiting in the classroom, and be sure to always have a solution at hand (quick flanking movements for marching, studying knowledge while waiting, etc.)
- One tenet a leader should never forget: take care of your people…it’s your people who complete the mission, so without them, the mission goes unaccomplished. Being that this is the case, watch over your flight at all times; if someone needs to hydrate, request permission that your flight is allowed to hydrate; if someone is falling behind or needs to break formation, make sure they are accompanied by a wingman.
- Be sure to send an email to address the flight prior to LLAB. Use the template below if you are unsure of how to format your email or what to include for information.
EMAIL TEMPLATE:
WHO:
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
DESCRIPTION:
1. Good (greeting of the day) Cadets! As your Deputy Flight Commander for the week, I would like to address the following.
2. Be sure to see me before the beginning of LLAB for attendance to ensure that all Cadets are either present or accounted for.
3. Please pay close attention to the guidelines given by the Squad Standardization Officer to ensure we look our best. In addition, if you are ever in need of hydrating or using the restroom, be sure to ask permission and then ALWAYS take a wingman with you.
4. Remember to render the proper greetings of the day, and salute when appropriate. ALWAYS whip it out when in doubt, and never forget that during LLAB, the floor of Barton Hall is "outdoors" and you must therefore SALUTE all POC and Officers. The only time you do not have to salute is in the cadet lounge or when you are not on Barton Floor. However, be sure you are ALWAYS using proper customs and courtesies, addressing all POC by "sir" or "ma'am".
5. Whenever a POC is addressing you or the whole group, STAND AT ATTENTION unless directed otherwise. This holds true for asking a POC a question as well. Cage your eyes 10 degrees above the horizon and remain locked on, unless directed to Uncage your eyes.
6. If you have any questions or concerns I can be reached by phone at (your #) or email (your address @).
//SIGNED//
YOUR FIRST NAME, MI., LAST NAME, C/4C, AFROTC
Squadron Standardization Officer
Squadron Standardization Officer (Squad Stand-O)
If you’re assigned to be the Squad Stand-O for this upcoming LLAB, here are some basic tips:
- Take note in the standardization of uniform wear, placement of belongings during LLAB, and where we will put our water bottles and covers in the classroom.
- Having any extra items such as pens, or tape for water bottles are helpful in case anyone in our flight forgets it.
- BE ATTENTIVE TO DETAIL. The little things are all too often overlooked, such as proper hair wear for the ladies, or proper tie wear for the men.
- Anytime you feel that the flight is not standardized, ask the DFC for “permission to standardize the flight."
- Send out an email to the flight reminding them about standardization during the LLAB. Use the email template below for reference if you are unsure of how to format your email or what to write (just copy, paste, and edit as necessary).
EMAIL TEMPLATE:
WHO:
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
DESCRIPTION:
1. Good (greeting of the day) Cadets! As your Squad Standardization Officer for the week I would like to address the following in regards to proper standardization.
2. Uniforms must all be worn appropriately. (Talk about the Uniform of the Day *UOD* and how it should be worn). Also, keep in mind that while walking to class, you must either carry a solid black, ABU pattern (ONLY when in ABU's) or dark blue bag on both shoulders. If you do not want to carry the bag on both shoulders, the bag should be carried in the left hand, so as to allow you to render a salute when appropriate.
3. In the classroom during LLAB, water bottles will be placed on the front edge of the desk on your left side, with names visible to the front of the room. Be sure to have your knowledge books, a pen/writing utensil, and the week's Ops Orders on you at ALL times. Remember that names must be standardized on all water bottles, so use duct tape and permanent marker to accomplish that task, with your name written as "C/YOUR LAST NAME".
4. Remember to keep up on proper turnout! Men must maintain hair standards, so get cuts as needed. Women, wear your hair according to AF standards as well. When in uniform, hair must not extend below the bottom edge of the collar of your shirt. To ensure this does not occur, pulling your hair into a tight, neat bun is best. Use only your hair colored bobby pins and ties to keep everything in place.
5. Always keep in mind that we are representing the Air Force 24/7, and we must therefore always look our best!
6. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached by phone at (your#) or email (your address@).
//SIGNED//
YOUR FIRST NAME, MI.,LAST NAME, C/4C, AFROTC
Safety Officer
If you’re assigned to be the Safety Officer for this upcoming LLAB, here are some basic tips:
- Safety is always paramount. Always be thinking about and looking ahead for potential risks that may jeopardize the health or well-being of your fellow airmen.
- Identify hazards ahead of time in order to prevent them from becoming future problems.
Keep in mind the obvious (hydration, handrails, being rested, weather), but don’t stop there. Cadets face safety hazards in everyday activity, so always consider the circumstances and maintain situational awareness. - Keep in mind cross-town cadets. For those commuting to Cornell the weather is a prominent safety concern. Make sure everyone driving takes precautions for impending storms or severe weather, and drives with caution.
- Make sure everyone dresses appropriately according to whether or not we will be outdoors and what the temperature may be. If it is going to be cold, remind people to wear hat/gloves/long underwear as needed. Make sure everyone is prepared before going outdoors.
- Anytime you feel that there is a safety concern, immediately inform the person in charge. Make sure that any safety concern you may have is addressed before it escalates to become an issue.
- Send out an email to the flight discussing safety concerns for the week prior to LLAB. Use the templates provided if you are unsure of how to format your email (just copy and paste them).
EMAIL TEMPLATE:
WHO:
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
DESCRIPTION:
1. Good (greeting of the day) Cadets! Safety is of utmost importance, and as your Safety Officer for the week, I would like to address the following concerns.
2. Be sure to rest well before LLAB in order to ensure you perform to the best of your ability. Hydration is also key, be sure to drink plenty of water well in advance of LLAB, and always have a water bottle on you.
3. Be aware of the impending weather and your mode of transportation for the week. (Describe any potential storms or weather of concern). For all cross-towners, be sure to drive safely. For all within walking or biking distance, use only designated crosswalks, and always maintain situational awareness (ignorant pedestrians causes angry drivers, and angry drivers cause accidents). Be sure to look both ways before crossing any street, and use appropriate hand signals when biking (always with a helmet, of course).
4. (If the weather is cold, describe appropriate cold-weather gear here)
5. To reiterate, always maintain situational awareness in order to ensure both your personal safety and the safety of others. If you have any questions I can be reached by phone at (your #) or email (your address@).
//SIGNED//
YOUR FIRST NAME, MI., LAST NAME, C/4C, AFROTC
Continuity of Position Rotations
1. As you may already know, each LLAB Cadets are responsible for filling the positions of Deputy Squadron Commander (DSC), Squadron Standardization Officer (Stand-O), Deputy Flight Commander (DFC), Guidon Bearer (GB), Flight Standardization Officer (Flight Stand-O), Safety Officer (Safety), Motivational Officer (Motiv-O), Uniform Officer (U-F-O) and Drill and Ceremonies Officer (when situationally appropriate).
2. The minimum required positions are DSC, DFC, Stand-O, GB, Flight Stand-O and Safety. Keep in mind that even if a position is not required, it still has importance.
3. The Cadet responsible for the duties of each position rotates weekly, and all the "thus-so-far" learned information involving that position needs to be forwarded to the next respective Cadet, hence the derivation of "CONTINUITY". It is imperative that we look out for our fellow airmen, so passing along information and pointers is vital for the success of each Cadet. Please use the following posts as reference for Continuity and Position Rotation.
4. Any questions or comments, please post on this page or send me an email at aks86@cornell.edu. For privacy concerns, I will not be posting my phone number on this blog, and I advise everyone the same.
//SIGNED//
AMANDA K. STERN, C/4C, AFROTC
Public Affairs Officer Assistant
Welcome!
DATE: n/a
TIME: n/a
PLACE: n/a
1. Greetings Cadets! Thank you for visiting this newly established blog site. This site will be updated consistently for everyone's personal reference. This site will contain informational postings in regards to continuity, customs/courtesies, knowledge, proper verbiage, and will answer any other questions that may be of concern to Cadets! In summary, anything and everything of ROTC relevance will be posted.
2. If there is anything you would like to see addressed or added to this site, please submit a comment or shoot me an email. Be sure to keep in mind that all questions should remain appropriate and respectful. Questions or comments will be frequently answered accordingly.
3. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send me an email or call me. I will not be posting my phone number on this site for privacy concerns, so please refer to the detachment roster for my personal information.
//SIGNED//
AMANDA K. STERN, C/4C, AFROTC
Public Affairs Officer Assistant