NCSA: Can I apply even if I am not sure I can go?

YES! If you have completed an encampment, apply! (applications are accepted until Jan 15 so Winter Encampment will count. Start your application now and complete it after encampment.)

The number of green light slots Louisiana is allowed is determined by the number of cadets who apply. All cadets will be ranked using the points matrix (refer to ncsas.com .)  All green lighted cadets will be slotted first. Points will determine if they get their first choice or another choice. Once all Green light cadets are slotted, NHQ will start on the list of "approved" cadets based on points.  If you chose an activity that is not in high demand, there is a good chance it was not filled by the green lights and you may get it. However, if there are no openings for your desired activities, you will be placed as an alternate. Don't give up hope if you are an alternate, there is a fair chance that cadets who were slotted will not be able to attend due to schedule conflicts or some other obstacle that popped up since they initially applied.

If you do get slotted and are not sure you can go, speak to your DCC to see if he/she can help you overcome whatever obstacles stand in your way. If not, then you are not obligated to attend. But at least you tried and your trying may have helped open more opportunities for others as well. 

INFORMATION BELOW COPIED DIRECTLY FROM ncsas.com

Role of Wing Headquarters
NHQ will tabulate cadets’ NCSA Scores, but wings will assign cadet applicants to one of three categories:

a. Green Light: Each wing may “green light” 10% of its applicants, rounded off to the nearest whole number, with a minimum of 1 green light per wing. Green light cadets will be placed ahead of all other cadets in the slotting system. Some examples of how the math works:

Wing	Applicants	10%	Total Green Lights
A	11	1.1	1
B	15	1.5	2
C	4	0.4	1

While there’s no guarantee that a green light cadet will receive their first choice activity – what if all 300 green light cadets want to go to the same activity? – it’s very likely they will be slotted for one of their favorite programs.

b. Approved: To be slotted for an activity, all cadet applicants must be approved by their wing. The vast majority of cadet applicants will be grouped into this category.

c. Red Light: Wings will “red light” cadets whose personal conduct or attitude is deemed unsatisfactory.

d. Wing Selection Boards
Some wings choose to hold NCSA selection boards. That remains their option. If a wing holds a board, the board’s function becomes determining which cadets to green light, which to approve, and which to red light. Unlike years past, wings no longer rank order cadets – the objective point system takes care of that.

WAA: Honoring those who serve

Original Photo of Arlington adorned with wreaths

Over 50 families were honored with a formal escort and wreath laying on the final resting place for veterans at Port Hudson National Cemetery following the official ceremony on Saturday December 15, 2013.

The event, part of Wreaths Across America, takes place simultaneously at Arlington National Cemetery and over 800 other location across the country, around the world and at sea. Wreaths Across America is a Non-profit program that has its roots in 1992 when wreath maker Morrill Worcester of Maine found himself with a surplus of fresh wreaths at the holidays and with the assistance of local Civil Air Patrol, arranged to lay them on grave sites at Arlington. The now famous picture of the beautiful green wreaths on the backdrop of the snow covered markers was so awe inspiring that Worcester was urged to repeat the following years. As the event grew and more National Cemeteries came on board, WalMart and other trucking companies joined to help transport the wreaths nationwide.

Civil Air Patrol, Young Marines and Navy Sea
Cadets stand ready to present wreaths.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY: C/Major Mary Palisi

This year, much through the efforts of Lt Col Phil Collins, CAP (USAF Retired), Louisiana Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, Port Hudson received just shy of 2300 wreaths, "Not quiet what I had hoped," commented Collins in a report to his squadron Monday night, "but still very good and better than last year."  Collins attributed the success to individuals and to corporations who place support of Wreaths Across America in their annual budget. 

"Dow was our largest contributor of wreaths this year." Collins reported. He also explained that Dow had provided van loads of retirees on Friday to assist with laying the majority of the wreaths then another van load of employees attended the ceremony on Saturday and they have assured him that they will continue to help grow the program. 

The mission of Wreath Across America is simple: To remember those who served, To Honor them and their families and the teach our youth the value of their freedoms, and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms.  Having been involved since it's the beginning, Civil Air Patrol encourages it's members and particularly cadets to take part in these missions. 

For the past couple of years, the Civil Air Patrol cadets have teamed up with the Navy Sea Cadets to provide honorary escorts to families at Port Hudson. This year they were joined by the local Young Marines. "We hope to continue to increase participation by youth. It means a lot to veterans and their families to know that the next generation will continue to remember," commented Lydia Pike, Capt. CAP and Asst. Director for Cadet Programs, Louisiana Wing. 

Nearly 40 cadets plus their Adult leaders gather after the wreath laying ceremony.