DCS - Drill and Ceremonies School (North)

Good evening,

I am pleased to announce that California Wing will host two Drill and Ceremonies Schools on the weekend of August 22-24, 2025.  The Southern California event will take place at the 147^th Combat Communications Squadron, Air National Guard, facilities in San Diego (DCS South) and the Northern California event will take place at Beale Air Force Base, just north of Sacramento (DCS North).  It will be the same outstanding curriculum, offered at two different locations on the same weekend.

In the cadet program, drill and ceremonies are used as one of the primary leadership laboratories.  Participating in drill and ceremonies provides many benefits to the follower.  As stated in our drill and ceremonies manual:  "On the drill field, the individual learns to participate as a member of a team and to appreciate the need for discipline.  That is, to respond to authority, to follow orders promptly and precisely, and to recognize the effects of their actions on the group as a whole.  Learning to follow is the beginning of leadership."  CAPP 60-33, para. 1.2.1.1.  And for the leader, drill provides immense learning opportunities.  Leaders learn how to speak in front of a group, how to teach, how to give feedback, and how to take responsibility for subordinates.

California Wing's Drill and Ceremonies School curriculum is a fantastic opportunity for those cadets who have already been introduced to the world of drill and ceremonies at a BCS, ATS, ADS or encampment to build on those skills and to prepare themselves to be leaders at NCOS, SNCOS, at their home squadron, or at next year's encampment.

We are now accepting applications for the following cadet cadre positions from Phase III and IV cadets:

• Cadet Commander

• Deputy Commander for Operations

• Deputy Commander for Support

• Director of Food Services

• Director of Public Affairs

• Director of General Support

• Chief Instructor

• Instructor (x3)

To apply for these positions, please send me (James.Hockel@cawgcap.org) a resume and cover letter.  Cover letters must comply with the NHQ template for business style letters without letterheads.  In your application email, you must state whether the application is for DCS North, DCS South, or both.  Please indicate your preferred position(s) in your cover letter, but note that we may end up offering you a different role.  Applications for the positions listed above are due by 2359 on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Applications for the remaining cadet cadre positions will open soon.

Senior members, we are also requesting your support in making these two schools successful.  Vacancies:  Safety Officer (x1), Health Services Officer (x1), Administrative Officer (x1), Finance Officer (x1), Food Services Officer (x2-3), Public Affairs Officer (x2-3), General Support Officer (x1-2), Training Officer (x4-6).  For the Northern California School, please contact Austin.McCoy@cawgcap.org.  For the Southern California School, please contact Isiah.Gonzalez@cawgcap.org.

Student applications will open soon.  Please monitor your cawgcap.org email.