Top 5 Mistakes JD Cadets Make in NCC Camps (And How to Avoid Them)

For a school-going NCC JD cadet, camp is the first taste of real adventure and independence. No mobile phones, no parents, and no school bells—just uniforms, drill grounds, tents, and cadets from all over the region.

Most JD cadets only get 1–2 hours of NCC training per week in school. So when they finally attend their first ATC or CATC camp, the experience can feel overwhelming—and truly life-changing, if approached with the right mindset.

But many new cadets make common mistakes in camps that reduce their confidence or prevent them from growing. In this blog, we’ll cover the top 5 mistakes JD cadets make during NCC camps, and how you can avoid them to truly shine.

1️⃣ Arriving Unprepared—Like It’s a Picnic

Mistake: Many school cadets pack casually or treat the camp like a school trip. This backfires on Day 1 itself.

Avoid it: Don’t pack unnecessary snacks or casual clothes. Focus on essentials: ironed uniform, sports shoes, bathing soap, Dettol, water bottle, socks, etc.

Read the joining instructions if shared. If not, ask seniors what to carry.

🎒 Pro Tip: A stitched name tag on your kit bag saves confusion in shared tents!

2️⃣ Being Shy or Introverted with Other Cadets

Mistake: Many JD cadets feel nervous talking to cadets from other schools or districts. They miss the chance to build bonds.

Avoid it: Everyone is nervous on Day 1. Start with a “Hi, which unit are you from?”

Camps are where lifelong friendships are made.

Group work, tent sharing, and duties force you to communicate confidently.

💬 Pro Tip: Try to remember the names of your tent-mates on Day 1. They become your camp family.

3️⃣ Getting Too Homesick or Emotional

Mistake:

Staying away from home for 6–10 days (without phones!) makes some cadets emotional or withdrawn.

Avoid it:

Keep yourself busy with activities. Don’t sit alone.

Every NCC camp teaches independence and emotional strength.

Write a small diary each night—it helps you express without needing a phone.

🧠 Pro Tip: Remind yourself: “I’m here to grow. My parents are proud of me.” That mindset changes everything.

4️⃣ Disrespecting the Routine

Mistake:

Many cadets come late to fall-in, don’t iron their uniforms, or talk during parade. Instructors notice this—and it affects your camp marks.

Avoid it:

Wake up before the whistle. Polish your shoes at night.

Line up in proper formation. Greet seniors with Sir/Ma’am.

Listen when others speak. Discipline earns respect.

🫡 Pro Tip: Help your tent-mates too. NCC is about teamwork, not just personal growth.

5️⃣ Staying “Invisible” in Activities

Mistake:

JD cadets often avoid taking part in cultural, sports, or camp competitions thinking “I’m just a school kid” or “Let seniors do it.”

Avoid it:

Speak up. Join the dance team. Try anchoring. Volunteer in the mess.

These small activities build your confidence in ways no classroom can.

The camp is a mirror—you’ll see the leader inside you.

🔥 Pro Tip: Do one thing outside your comfort zone each day of camp. That’s how leaders are born.

Final Thought: Camps Are a Classroom Without Walls

NCC Camps are not just about drill and discipline. They’re about discovering how strong, smart, and capable you already are.

For a JD cadet, it’s a chance to:

Become independent

Learn responsibility

Communicate with strangers

Build discipline

Become confident beyond school walls

If you enter with the right attitude, NCC camp can be your first real step into adulthood.