DailyDrum Issue 1

Our Cadet Commander:
The story of a leader

Cadet Colonel Justin Couts welcomes all cadets and staff to the 2001 New York Wing Leadership Encampment at Fort Drum. "This will be one of the most interesting and rewarding events in your cadet career," said Couts. This is his fourth encampment at Fort Drum. He joined the Civil Air Patrol in May 1996 and attended his first encampment in 1997. There he was selected as honor graduate from Alpha Flight. He also attended the National Blue Beret activity in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that year.

C/Col Justin Couts

At the 2000 wing conference he received his Spaatz award (#1417), and was honored as squadron, group and wing cadet of the year. In his home unit he has served as deputy cadet commander and cadet commander. He has served on Cadet Advisory Council as group and wing chairperson. C/Col Couts is currently a student at Siena College in Albany, NY, where he is a contracted cadet in Army ROTC. C/Col Couts recently graduated from the United States Army Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He wishes you the best of luck in this year’s encampment, and says "just remember, what you put into it is what you will get out of it." (

Welcome from the Encampment Commander

Lt Col Anita Martin has commanded the New York Wing Leadership Encampment for the past four years. “The encampment is one of the most challenging things that you are going to be doing in your early Civil Air Patrol career,” she says. “As you progress through the Civil Air Patrol program, the things that you can do at encampment become more and more exciting. You’re actually going to run the encampment!” (

What You Will Learn This Week

When you go home at the end of this week, you will have learned the following things:

· Precise drill

· How to make a bed in a military manner

· How to prepare for barracks inspection

· How to work together

· How to keep your uniform in proper order

· And more. (

Training Staff Daily Factoid

“More people die each year by falling off donkeys than die in plane crashes.” (

Trivia Question of the Day

What major command (MAJCOM) of the U.S. Air Force contains Civil Air Patrol? (

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, it’s too late!

· Do not drink any soda, coffee, or tea.

· Do not lock your knees

· Use plenty of sunscreen. Reapply it frequently.

Arrival of In-Flight Cadets

In-processing started today at 1230. Cadets started to arrive shortly after noon. The last cadets arrived on the bus from Long Island around 1540. Cadets lined up outside the med building, then entered and reported to the admin staff. While in the med building, the cadets found out what flight they had been assigned to. They paid any fees due and reported any medications to the med staff. They got their encampment T-shirts, and their flight staff showed them their barracks and their bunks. Cadets changed into BDUs and set up their bunks and lockers. Each cadet’s luggage was inspected by a Tac Officer for any contraband.

Cadets waiting in line to be in-processed

Cadet Poll of the Day

During in-processing, the PAO staff polled 91 in-flight cadets to learn their response to this question: Are you nervous about this encampment?

YES – 41% NO – 59%

Pic of the Day

On Friday afternoon, the 800 block of Fort Drum – empty save
for a few staffers – lies waiting for the arrival of 128 cadets.

Encampment Mail Service

Have a friend in another flight? Want to submit comments to staff? Want to send a submission to the DailyDrum?

Well now you can - via the Encampment Mail Service, brought to you by the Admin staff. All you have to do is hand the mail to your flight sergeant or OIC. He or she will then hand it in to Admin (no later than 1940). The next day after PT the cadet (or senior) who you mailed will get your letter. Just make sure to clearly indicate the full name and grade of the person you are writing to, and their flight (or staff department), on the outside of the letter.

Aero Ed Topic: The Switchblade Fighter/Bomber

The USAF is in the progress of designing a new aircraft. This aircraft is made by the Northrop Grumman Corp. The wings can be moved to different positions to provide different characteristics and handling. For example, when the wings are fully forward, they form a delta wing and the aircraft can go at speeds up to 1600 mph. When its wings are all the way back, the plane can travel slower so that it can drop bombs on its targets. When the wings are swept forward halfway, the plane becomes a highly maneuverable fighter. Because of this, the plane is known as the Switchblade. (

Picture from Popular Science, November 2000

The Daily Drum is brought to you by your Public Affairs Office:

C/2d Lt Jacob Uriel, OIC
C/MSgt Jennifer Frye, Reporter
C/SSgt Daniel Cocozzelli, Reporter
C/SSgt Daniella Ayala, Reporter/Photographer
Maj Malcolm Dickinson, Mentor

All cadets are encouraged to win honor and acclaim for their flight by submitting articles for publication in the DailyDrum in accordance with these article submission guidelines:

· Submissions must contain the writer’s full name, grade, and flight/staff position clearly written on the top.

· Submissions must be clearly legible and must be written in black ink.

· Submissions should be addressed to: PAO / DailyDrum

· Submissions should be given to your flight staff or OIC.

· Submissions that are submitted before 1940 will be considered for the next day’s issue.

· Submissions may be edited for space and clarity.

· Submit long or short; serious or amusing; true or tall tales!