Lessons Learned...

british_dude_75.jpg (8234 bytes) Mid James Elliott
  1. Major Ninness snores a lot.
  2. US issue smock liners work very well.
  3. UK issue kit actually works quite well in a cold weather environment.
  4. Wearing walking trousers under your combats is a good idea.
  5. MRE's suck, but are easy to prepare.
  6. Capt Stanford is one of the loudest people I have ever met.
  7. Major Bowden is one of the funniest people I have ever met (for a Yank).
  8. If in doubt, get a brew on.
  9. Peanut butter filled crackers are one of the most addictive things on the planet and an excellent source of energy.
  10. CAP senior members shouldn't be let loose with a compass.
  11. Major Ninness is "King Sniv".
brodsky_head_75.JPG (2017 bytes) 1Lt Dan Brodsky
  1. Internal frame backpacks are cool.
  2. You cannot be around Stanford, Nin, UK and James without having a good time, it's just not possible.
  3. Getting CadetStuff.org swag for free is also cool.
  4. PA Wing isn't as bad as people think it is.
  5. Pennsylvania is, however, the filthiest state in the union.
  6. Yelling "Roger that!" and slamming a door should only be attempted by someone that is willing to sit through a repremand.
  7. Winter Hawk is a lot of fun when there's no snow.
  8. Kirt Bowden likes moms.
  9. If you bring a really "hooah" cadet along with you, make sure he gets into the special advanced flight where he belongs.
  10. As cool as you think your gear might be, there's always someone with cooler gear.
  11. Brits are just like you see in "Monty Python", they're not acting.
  12. Shawn Stanford is NOTHING like what you'd expect, but he's pretty awesome nonetheless.
  13. Sometimes, you shouldn't concern yourself with what's on the other side of the door.
  14. Snivel gear is only as good as your ability to gloat about it.
  15. Even if you're just a nobody from upstate NY, you can still have a great time and meet some great people in Civil Air Patrol!
Capt Shawn Stanford
  1. Gore-Tex pants are a necessity.
  2. Mid Elliot does the worst Cartman impression ever.
  3. When 1Lt Brodsky chooses Door #1, look out!
  4. A cheap fleece sleeping bag is an excellent way to increase the thermal rating of another bag.
  5. All the good looking women in PAWG are at Hawk.
  6. Rope Rescue is not rocket science. You can learn it.
  7. If you're going to get serious about SAR, you're going to spend a lot of money.
  8. The search for the perfect ruck continues.
  9. Yelling "Roger that!" and slamming a door is not a good way to win friends and influence people. However, it can be an interesting start to your weekend...
  10. Although you can lug 50+ pounds in a large ALICE, you don't want to.
  11. MRE's heat a lot faster on the back deck of an M1 Abrams.
  12. Alcohol stoves rock.
  13. Gore-Tex jackets have pit zippers.
  14. Army polypro turtlenecks rock.
  15. Always assume you'll be carrying everything: pack accordingly.
  16. If it's hanging or protruding, it will be snagged and removed by the flora.
  17. Glacial till sucks.
  18. Beware the Rope God.
UK_head_75.jpg (3325 bytes) Maj Kirt Bowden
  1. Don't let Stanford lead the caravan to Hawk Mountain. I mean, it's his freakin' State for crying out loud!
  2. Think about it, you're there for 1 1/2 days, I really didn't need 6 meals along with a week's worth of snacks.
  3. Camel Backs! Great in summer, spring, and fall, but not in the winter. Tube froze over night.
  4. Don't think you don't need your American flag in your rucksack like you carried since you were a cadet. Although there is no practical use for the flag, you look stupid when the only Brit flies his Union Jack at the camp site, and us "proud Americans" are sitting there without representation!
  5. Bring cadet to carry my rucksack for me.
  6. Be advised, CadetStuff.org staff remembers and records everything you say.
NIN_head_75.jpg (3266 bytes) Maj Darin Ninness
  1. There is such a thing as too much stuff in your gear.
  2. While you may think you have that lat/long ruler figured out, doing it flat on your desk at work versus hunched over on your map case after tabbing several hundred meters certainly does something to your ability.
  3. Contour lines close together = bad.  Far apart = good.  No contour lines = better.
  4. That the winter environment is a harsh mistress.  Failure to pay close attention to your surroundings can lead to serious problems.
  5. Do not allow the British guy to drive.
  6. If you're five and have a cute mommy, Kirt may be your daddy.