Encampment Commander

The Encampment Commander is appointed by the Wing Commander per the guidance of
CAPR 52-16.  Once appointed he effectively reports to the State Director in his role as approving
authority for the encampment curriculum and CAPF 20.

Once appointed, the Encampment Commander is ultimately responsible for the execution of the
activity, safety of all participants, and fulfillment of the required curriculum.

These duties generally include:

    Appointing or approving all subordinate staff
    Securing the venue, meals, transportation, and related resources.
    Liaison with military and facility personnel, as well as local media.

    Financial accounting for funds related to the activity.

    Presentation of Required Staff Training to encampment staff.
    Completion of all related paperwork and follow-up reporting.
    Mitigation of complaints or grievances during or related to the activity.

A good commander will delegate most of the hands-on tasks to subordinate staff, however
he is ultimately responsible for the entirety of the activity.

While there are no hard-fast rules for who may serve as an Encampment Commander,
basic requirements include experience and knowledge of the cadet program, command experience
at either the squadron or large-scale activity level, and prior encampment experience, preferably
in positions of increasing responsibility within the respective activity itself.

Encampment Commanders generally serve for several years or more to insure continuity and
stability in the activity, and to work to build effective replacements in the other staff positions.

The desire to provide others with command opportunities, versus the need to keep things
running and maintain relationships and programs is the constant compromise.

While the "heavy-lifting" of planning occurs in the 4-6 months prior to the encampment, preparations,
required financial reporting, and fine-tuning of curriculum are an almost continuous process.
In areas which host larger, or multi-wing encampments, commanders may be assigned to that
position exclusive of any other CAP duties, and regardless it is generally difficult for Encampment
Commanders to provide attention to much else in CAP during the month of the actual activity.