SECTION ONE

ESCORT OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. It is mandatory that NSCC Officers attend the Officer 101, and preferably, the 201 courses before volunteering to serve as an Escort Officer or Staff Instructor. COTC volunteers should also attend and successfully complete the Officer 301 course. They must be physically and mentally prepared for an extended period of time with a large group of young people. Escort Officers are required to complete the front of the Escort Officer Questionaire form (Appendix C) and forward it to their COTC along with their NSCTNG 002 (Request for Training Authorization). Once the orders are approved by the COTC and issued by NHQ, the escort officer must complete the "Travel Itinerary" portion of the Escort Officer Questionaire form and forward it along with a copy of their NSC-24 (Training Authorization) to the COTC. Regardless of their personal backgrounds and experience, escorts must become familiar with the type of training in which they will be involved. For example, if an NSCC officer is planning to serve as an escort for an airman program, he or she should read the Airman manual and do the airman course, to become acquainted with naval aviation.

2. Approved escort officers should ensure that they have the required uniforms and that they wear them, as prescribed in the NSCC Uniform Regulations Manual, throughout the training evolution. Wearing shoulder flashes is mandatory on all NSCC officer uniforms and should be worn as prescribed in the NSCC Uniform Regulations, NSCC officers should always project a sharp military appearance.

3. The NSCC staff works together as a team and the way that team interacts directly reflects on the success of the training, Flexibility is of key importance since there will be occasions where everyone needs to pitch in to get a job done. An effective and harmonious chain of command must be established at the onset of training. Remember, LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

4. Escort Officers are assigned to training sites to provide care, guidance, and assistance to cadets undergoing training. In order for Escort Officers to carry out their duties more effectively, they must stay with the cadets at all times. Summer training is not a mini-vacation, Escort Officers should not preoccupy themselves with extra curricular activities/trips such as, shopping, beach/pool, city tours, personal business, etc.) nor spend too much time at the wardroom or watching television.

5. Escorts must maintain fair and impartial relations with cadets. Do not become overly familiar, and avoid favoritism or tendencies to discriminate. Escorts will not administer discipline (unless otherwise directed to do so), but must be ready to provide counseling to cadets as necessary. They should report violations of rules and regulations when counseling fails,

6. As guests of the host command, escorts must maintain excellent relations with command personnel. They must be neat in appearance, wear their NSCC uniforms per regulations, exercise military bearing, be friendly and observe military courtesies at all times.

7. Escort Officer expenses will vary from one training site to another. All summer training escorts are authorized to have their messing and berthing paid for from training funds collected from the cadets. Full payment of their messing and berthing is dependent on the total funds collected and expenses incurred. Once the cadet training, messing, and berthing expenses have been paid, the remaining funds shall be applied toward the escorts' messing and berthing costs.

8. COTCs and escort officers must arrive at the training site from 24 to 72 hours prior to the arrival of the first contingent of cadets. Staff cadets at recruit training sites should also arrive at least 24 hours prior to the recruits' arrival. This will provide ample time to get organized and make necessary arrangements before the cadets arrive.

9. COTCs and escort officers of NSCC Recruit Training and NLCC Orientation/Advanced Training sites will have the most challenging assignments. There responsibilities and requirements will be the most demanding of all escort assignments. In order to insure conformity at these training sites and insure standardization of procedures and training material at NSCC Recruit Training and NLCC Orientation/Advanced sites, Appendices A and B were developed and promulgated in February 1993. It provides the basis for the standardized NSCC Recruit Training (Appendix A) and NLCC Orientation/Advanced Training (Appendix B). COTCs and escort officers shall strictly adhere to the requirements set forth in Appendices A and B as well as the other requirements set forth in this handbook. If there is any conflict between Appendices A and B and other information in this handbook, the information contained in Appendices A and B should be followed with the exception of the seabag list which has been updated within this handbook.

10. Because recruit training escort duty is so demanding, and requires only our best, escorts applying for these positions need training. Accordingly, escorts should mail their NSCTNG 002 along with the Escort Officer Questionaire (Appendix C) to the NSCC Recruit Training or NLCC orientation/Advanced Training COTC for his or her approval prior to submission to NHQ. The COTC's endorsement will be required before NHQ issues orders.

Airlift Escort Officer

1. Airlift Escort Officers (AEOs) must be highly experienced mature and conscientious adults who will be responsible for maintaining order, discipline, and the safety and well being of cadets throughout each leg of their trip (from their point of embarkation to their point of debarkation). The AEO should ensure an accurate head count is conducted prior to boarding the aircraft. The AEO should utilize Appendix D to report disciplinary infractions. Airlifts containing female cadets no longer require a female escort officer, although every effort will be made by NHQ to assign one.

2. AEOs should anticipate delays in their return home due to aircraft mechanical problems and/or rerouting of the flight.

3. AEOs should also anticipate assisting or acting as the Airlift Coordinator when none is available (i.e., on return flight home from training site). Refer to Appendix D for required forms.

Airlift Coordinator

1. While not an escort officer in the sense of accompanying cadets to or on training, the Airlift Coordinator (AC) is an important part of the team that gets the cadet to and from the training site. The AC should be a highly experienced NSCC officer who will be assigned as the senior member of the transportation group regardless of the rank of other NSCC officers present and is responsible for the following:
 

a. The AC is authorized to deny any NSCC personnel access on board an aircraft if said personnel have not fully complied with the requirements outlined in the NSCC Regulations / NSCC Advancement and Training Manual.

b. The AC will check that each cadet has the following items. NSCC personnel reporting to an airfield/terminal without, or in possession of the following shall be denied access to board a NALO aircraft:

(1) Service record including pertinent documents, such as the NSCADM 020, NSCADM 021, NSCTNG 003 / NSCTNG 005 (Training Authorization Orders). The NSCTNG 013 (Sea Cadet Recruit Training Check List) and other forms should be complete and in the service record,

(2) In possession of prescribed medication (See Appendix S); and/or,

(3) Missing their seabags; and/or

(4) Lacking the required funds to cover their training fees; and/or

(5) A valid NSCC ID card.

c. The AC must be aware of arrival and departure times and date(s) and flight number(s). The AC must maintain constant contact with NHQ and be available on a 24 hour basis to pass information (airlift schedules/ changes) to the unit commanding officers and cadet parents. The AC must also keep NHQ informed as to changes to number of cadets scheduled to board the airlift.

d. Complete the Air Passenger Manifest (contained in Appendix D) well in advance of the airlift's scheduled departure. on military airlifts, only those passengers reflected on the manifest will be provided a seat on the aircraft. Also, develop a list of the number of NSCC personnel, by unit, who will require return airlift transportation (See Appendix D) after completion of training.

e. Keep in touch with unit commanding officers regarding proposed numbers (and changes to those numbers) of cadets who will be using the scheduled airlift. The ACs are the single point of contact responsible for all units in the area who will use the aircraft. NHQ depends on the AC to keep all informed of the airlift.

f. Inform NHQ the actual time of arrival and departure of the airlift and if airlift escorts were not available. Hake arrangements with the aircraft's crew to act as escort if needed.

g. Maintain good order and discipline of NSCC personnel in the air terminal or waiting area. Report infractions utilizing the Cadet Infraction Report Form (contained in Appendix D).

h. Make arrangements for meals for NSCC personnel on the scheduled flight, if the length of the flight warrants. Also, resolve any differences regarding seat assignments if necessary.

i. Coordinate with the aircraft crew chief to ensure that NSCC personnel are loaded safely with their baggage (seabags) per established Military Airlift loading instructions.

j. Complete the Airlift Coordinator's Summary Report (contained in Appendix D) and submit it to NHQ either by mail or transmit it via fax (703) 243-3985 if there is a need to plan for a return flight home.

Shipboard Escort Officer

1. In most cases, only one or two NSCC officers may escort large groups of cadets aboard ship. Shipboard COTCs normally do not have a staff, but they are still required to submit a training report to NHQ and ensure that the mess bill is paid at the end of the training evolution. DO NOT leave without paying this bill!

2. The COTC should report onboard no later than the day prior to commencement of training. This will enable the COTC to accomplish the following:

a. Introduce him or herself to the ship's commanding officer and other officers he or she will be interfacing with or receiving support from;

b. Review the NSCC Shipboard Orientation Guide (Appendix T) with the ship's CO, or designated representative, and discuss the type of training which will be conducted and by whom;

c. Discuss billet assignments and the ship's operating schedule;

d. Familiarize him or herself with the ship;

e. Make final training preparations; and,

f. Receive cadets as they report for training.

NOTE: While the overall responsibility for the training contingent remains the same, the COTC may be assigned to a department and perform additional duties similar to those of a division officer.

Foreign Exchange Escort Officer

1. NHQ will distribute the foreign exchange training schedule within the first quarter of the year. The schedule lists the participating host countries, cadet and escort officer quotas, eligibility requirements, start dates, costs, uniform requirements, etc. Selection of participants is determined by NHQ.

2. Selection of Foreign Exchange Escorts (FEOs) will be based on their:

a. Maturity;

b. Prior experience and performance as escorts;

c. Foreign travel experience;

d. Willingness to bear costs; and,

e. Their demonstrated coordination abilities.

3. Once selection is made, NHQ will provide the designated FEO with the following:

a. Commanding Officer Orders (NSC-27 form);

b. Escort Officer Handbook;

c. Forms required for the COTC Training Report (Appendices M, N, O, P, Q, and R);

d. The host country's point of contact (name, address, and telephone number); and,

e. List of participating cadets (as soon as the quotas are filled), showing their names, unit, names of next of kin, and home address/telephone numbers.

4. The key to a successfully foreign exchange escort assignment is "coordination" The FEO is responsible for the following coordination and actions:

a. Maintain contact with the host country's point of contact to discuss and obtain information concerning:
 

(1) Passport/Visa requirements;

(2) Seabag requirements and civilian attire;

(3) Expenses not mentioned in NHQ's schedule;

(4) Weather expectations;

(5) Tentative training schedule, activities, trips/tours;

(6) Flight itineraries and ground transportation needs and costs;

(7) Berthing and messing requirements;

(8) Current money exchange rates; etc.
 

b. The FEO shall try to obtain the lowest possible round trip airfares and make reservations for all participants from and to either Washington/Baltimore International Airport or Dulles International Airport (both are located within 40 minutes of NHQ) and, to and from the host country. Ensure that the return flight from the host country to Washington, DC is scheduled for an early return (preferably in the afternoon) in order to avoid a lay over which could be costly (i.e., hotel and ground transportation expenses). If a lay over is unavoidable, please ensure NHQ is informed.

c. The participating cadets are responsible for arranging their own transportation (air or ground) from and to their home and, to and from the Washington, DC airport. Once the cadets have confirmed their travel itineraries they must inform the FEO so that he or she can relay the information to NHQ. This does not apply to Canada Exchange FEOs and cadets.

d. The FEO must inform NHQ of their and each cadet's travel itinerary (arrival and departure times, dates, airline, flight numbers, and airport), in order for NHQ to provide ground transportation while the contingent is in the Washington, DC area.

e. Contact parents of participating cadets to ensure they fully understand costs involved, passport/visa requirements (some countries only require an official birth certificate with a raised seal), uniform and civilian attire requirements, travel itineraries, and that they complete and sign the Foreign Exchange Release Form, NSC-23C (contained in Appendix D). Also, provide the parents with an emergency phone number and point of contact at the host country.

f. NHQ will provide FEOs with emergency funding if needed which will have to be accounted for on the NSCTNG 010 Form (NSCC TWT Audit Report). Ensure to submit the COTC Training Report per instructions contained in Section SEVEN of this handbook within 30 days after completion of the training.