WCA Candidate Preparation Training

All WCA Candidates must complete the following requirements prior to arrival at WCA. Questions may be directed to Lt Col Todd Mandel at todd.mandel@wicap.us.

1. Upon reviewing this list, send an email to Lt Col Mandel at todd.mandel@wicap.us confirming that you have reviewed this material. This will be considered your intake into the Academy.
2. Review the Memorandum training presentation to prepare yourself to be able to draft properly formatted memorandums during encampment. Memorandums assignments are a frequent tool used to reinforce lessons or confirm understanding.
3. Watch the Effective WCA Meetings presentation and take notes. During WCA you will be placed into staff positions. This will require you to lead and/or participate in these meetings in an effective and efficient manner.
4. Watch Advanced Drill Concepts and take notes. WCA will move most places as a squadron and you will be expected to execute squadron level drill as of Day 1.
5. OPTIONAL. This video is optional but recommended as it will set you up for success: Succeeding at WCA – Part 1
6. OPTIONAL: This video is also optional but also recommended to help you set up for success: Succeeding at WCA – Part 2
7. View the Simon Sinek “Leaders Eat Last” video. In the video, Sinek says that leaders are created, not born. What does he mean by this? Have you experienced this or seen this and if so, what were the results? In your opinion, is Sinek correct and why or why not? Write a two-page essay, using MLA format (Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1″ margins, MLA compliant title) answering these prompts. The essay must not exceed TWO pages.
8. Read The Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership. Have you experienced any of these sins from leaders above you? If so, how did it impact you and how did it impact your feelings about the leader? The author states that humility, which is a function of reverence, is an antidote for these sins. Are you humble? If so, how to do you maintain your humility? If you are not humble, is that a problem and if so, how can you change? Write a two page essay using MLA format. The essay must not exceed TWO pages.
9. Complete the Myers-Briggs Inventory Tool located at https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test. Print off your results as a pdf and include them in your email to Lt Col Mandel.
10. Draft a CAP memorandum (a memorandum template can be downloaded below) to the WCA Director (WCA/CC) that answers the following prompts:
    1. Why did you choose to attend the WCA this year?
    2. What are three goals you have for yourself in attending WCA?
    3. At the end of the week there are three positive potential outcomes and one neutral potential outcome. WCA Candidates can graduate as the Overall Honor Cadet (one per class), as an Honor Graduate (meaning the staff believes you could function next year as an encampment flight commander), as a Graduate (meaning the staff believes you could function next year as an encampment staff member of some type), or as an RCLS participant (meaning you only receive RCLS credit). Which of these four outcomes are you hoping to achieve and why?
    4. This memo cannot exceed two pages.
11. Email all three writing assignments and your Myers-Briggs results as attachments to a single email to Lt Col Todd Mandel at todd.mandel@wicap.us no later than 2200 hours on Thursday, 22 June 2022.
12. Note that you will send Lt Col Mandel two emails. One you will send now, confirming that you have reviewed the above assignments. The other you will send later once you have completed the assignments.