MEMORANDUM FOR: Group CC's
                Group CP's

FROM: NYWG/CPDN

SUBJECT: 2003 National Cadet Special Activities (NCSA) Application 
Procedure  **UPDATES IN RED**

1.  Once again, CAP National HQ is able to provide cadets and 
seniors with a plethora of national activities this summer.  
The CAP News will have a pull out section in November or 
December detailing each activity and their dates and costs.  
NY Wing looks forward to representing its cadet program 
positively to the nation again this year.  Unlike last year, 
application packages will go to National HQ instead of the CP 
assistants.  Groups will forward application packages to NHQ.  
All cadets must attend a group review board and receive a score
in order to be rank-ordered in the wing.

2.  Applications must include two (2) copies of CAPF 31 with 
photo in uniform (passport size OK).  National HQ has certain 
restrictions outlined in the November CAP News pullout and the CAP
NHQ CP webpage http://www.capnhq.gov/nhq/cp/cps/ncsa03/index.html.  
Note Cadet Officer School is for cadet officers only- they
must appear on the MML with the Mitchell Award (C/2Lt) by 31 
DEC 02.  Many activities also have age minimums.

3.  NY Wing has additional requirements above and beyond what 
National HQ specifies (a new NYWG policy forthcoming).  First and 
foremost, cadets must have the grade of C/SSgt AND have attended 
at least one encampment when applying.  Insufficient grade or 
no encampment appearing in the CAPWATCH NHQ database are an 
automatic disqualification.  Second, Hawk Mountain has a minimum 
age of 16, per orders of NYWG CC.  Lets not set a bad example 
for the cadets by lying and putting C/SSgt on the application 
when they are a C/SrA and "just about to promote".

4.  Due to a large volume of applications, gross technical errors 
in the package and cadets not meeting the minimums prescribed 
above will be the criteria used in eliminating applicants. Senior 
members may apply to most NCSA's- guidelines and participation 
levels will be outlined in the CAP News NCSA pullout.  Cadet 
staff positions are available at several activities; again, see 
the CAP News pullout. Hawk Mt and several other activities must 
have their own separate CAPF 31's from the other NCSA's.  
Example: If a cadet applies for Hawk Mt, PJOC and AETCFC, they 
must have 2 sets CAPF 31's – the first set is for Hawk Mt and 
the second for PJOC and AETCFC; again, follow the guidelines of 
the CAP News pullout.

5.  Groups will conduct their own NCSA review boards.  A complete 
package has been developed, and examines the cadet's uniform, 
general CAP and current events knowledge, knowledge of the 
activity applied for, as well as some open ended questions.  ALL 
GROUPS WILL USE WING'S QUESTIONS.  All groups will use the 
scoring criteria provided, questions provided and will return 
the score per the scoring system included in the package.  These 
scores are used to weigh all applicants across the wing evenly- 
this can only be done if all applicants are scored equally.  
Groups will then write their scores on the applicant's CAPF 31, 
and include on a separate sheet a list of the board member's 
names and ranks.  Upon completion of the board, all groups will 
forward a single batch to CAP NHQ.  Cadets who do not attend a 
review board will score zero, and likely will be ranked last in
the wing, regardless of qualifications.  Review board packages 
have been emailed out to all groups.

6.  Senior member applicants are not required to appear before 
a group review board, however, all seniors are required to 
forward their application to the group review board chair so 
that their application can considered for approval by the 
group commander. A section for senior member applicants will 
be included with the review board package.

7.  Groups are expected to conduct their review boards between 
November and mid-December, with applications mailed to the 
CAP NHQ, postmarked by 31 DEC 02.  If you have any 
questions or concerns, contact the Director of Cadet Programs 
via e-mail at bcbiddle@aol.com or via phone at (518) 563-6836 (H) 
or (518) 563-3740 (W).


                             FOR THE COMMANDER,

                             //signed//
                             Andrew J. Welsh, Capt., CAP
                             NYWG Deputy Director of Cadet Programs, North


Attachments:
1-Cadet Program Staff Directory
2-CAPF 31 deductions