News - Civil Air Patrol

1. Fla. cadets turn attention to public speaking via Toastmasters course

   Hugh Stewart makes a point during the public speaking course for Opa Locka cadets.
   
   Photo by Lt. Col. Trevor H. Stewart
   
   
   Lt. Col. Trevor H. Stewart
   Cadet Programs Officer
   Group 7
   Florida Wing
   
   FLORIDA — Twenty-two cadets from the Opa Locka Cadet Squadron topped off their scheduled unit meeting Saturday at Florida Memorial University by participating in the first of an eight-part  public speaking course sponsored by a local branch of Toastmasters International.
   
   Course coordinator Hugh Stewart, assisted by Tara Crawford, took the cadets through the first session by introducing and assigning them to the roles of Toastmaster Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, President, Quote Master, Grammarian, Ah Counter, Body Language Monitor, Timer, Toastmaster and Evaluator. Selecting speakers as random, Stewart then asked each participant to speak extemporaneously for one to two minutes on a desktop topic assigned on the spot.
   
   The cadets appeared to enjoy the 1 ½-hour class. Each was assigned a task to be completed during the next session, scheduled for the following Saturday.
   
   At the end of the eight-part program, the successful cadets will receive certificates from Toastmasters International. 
   
   On completion, plans call for the program to be offered to other cadet units within the Florida Wing’s Group 7 this year.
   
   Stewart is a former cadet who had earned his Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award in 1997 while in the Miami Springs Optimist Cadet Squadron.
   
   
   
   
    

2. Minn. members focus on emergency services, homeland security

   (1)
   (Left) Lt. Col Stan Kegel, Minnesota Wing emergency services director, welcomes those attending the conference, during which (right) Lt. Col. Dave Odette, the wing's vice commander, presents a program on homeland security.
   
   (2)
   Some of the 42 members from across the Minnesota Wing attending the 2012 Emergency Services Conference.
   
   Photos by Maj. Richard J. Sprouse
   
   
   Maj. Richard J. Sprouse
   Public Affairs Officer
   St. Cloud Composite Squadron
   Minnesota Wing
   
   MINNESOTA – Emergency services and homeland security were the topics on the table when 42 Minnesota Wing emergency services leaders from all levels – wing, group and squadron – convened Jan. 21 at the Army National Guard Aviation Facility near St. Cloud Regional Airport.
   
   “As I was preparing for this I was impressed with how many moving parts the CAP-ES program has, how many people it takes to make it happen, not just the wing staff, but extend that to all the different people leading in the field. That’s the important element you all represent here today,” Lt. Col. Stan Kegel, on his second tour as the wing’s emergency services director, told the participants, who included group and squadron emergency service officers, unit commanders, wing duty officers, incident commanders and others.
   
   The seminar and meeting format included material suitable for beginning and advanced emergency services officers. Major topics included a 2011 mission and training recap, training plans for 2012, new computer tools for emergency services and an open forum to solicit concerns, ideas, suggestions, questions, feedback and requests.
   
   In 2011, the wing participated in 18 missions totaling 1,737 personnel hours, as well as 50 training missions totaling 17,656 personnel hours.
   
   Those attending also received a report on homeland security missions. They were told 42 wing members representing 14 squadrons have participated in 35 missions since 2005, with a peak of 12 missions last year.
   
   Kegel closed his remarks by praising the professionalism and dedication of those attending.
   
   “The fact of such a great turnout is testament to the strength of leadership we have at all levels in this program,” he said.
   
   “I’m very grateful for that, and it helps to get the strong encouragement that we’ve got some good things to do together.”
   
    

3. Texas cadets' good deed pays off with Osprey visit

   (1)
   Cadet Master Sgts. Rachel Bogue and Benjamin Miller in the Osprey cockpit.
   
   (2)
   Cadet Master Sgt. Andrew Staufer tries out a jump seat.
   
   (3)
   The cadets with the Osprey commander in the aircraft’s cargo area.
   
   (4)
   The Lackland Cadet Squadron members with the Osprey flight crews.
   
   Photos by Capt. Jacob Stauffer
   
   
   
   
   Capt Jacob Stauffer
   Squadron Leadership Officer
   Lackland Cadet Squadron
   Texas Wing
   
   TEXAS – When three Lackland Cadet Squadron cadets spent Jan. 21-22 sprucing up the squadron building by applying a fresh coat of paint and clearing up clutter, their second day on the job offered more than just hard work and paint on their faces.
   
   Cadet Masters Sgts. Rachel Bogue, Benjamin Miller and Andrew Staufer got a rare glimpse at two of the U.S .Marine Corps’ MV-22B Osprey aircraft.
   
   The two helicopter-plane hybrids and their crews were on training maneuvers from San Diego and taking liberty in San Antonio. While waiting for clearer skies, the crew members were able to show off their aircraft and give the cadets a taste of being on a Marine Corps flight crew.
   
   The cadets were also given the opportunity to ask the commander about his experiences in and out of the Marines as well as in-depth questions regarding the Osprey.
    

4. Charleston Cadet Squadron Color Guard takes W.Va. Wing competition

   (1-2)
   The Charleston Cadet Squadron’s color guard – (from left) Cadet Airman Joseph Lipscomb. Cadet Master Sgts. Patrick Shinn and Corinne Vincent and Cadet Staff Sgt. Jacob Turner.
   
      
   1st Lt. Amy E. Higgs
   Public Affairs Officer
   Charleston Cadet Squadron
   Public Affairs Officer
      
   WEST VIRGINIA – The Charleston Cadet Squadron will represent the West Virginia Wing in the Middle East Region Competition’s color guard division after placing first in a five-team field Saturday.
   
   Cadets from the Martinsburg Composite Squadron finished second, while teams from the Morgantown and Potomac Highlands composite squadrons tied for third. : The teams competed in In-Ranks Uniform Inspection, Indoor Practical Drill, Written Exam, Outdoor Practical, Indoor Posting and Quiz Bowl. 
   
   The Charleston team, which paced the field despite having begun practicing together for the event a mere four weeks beforehand, consists of:

   • Cadet Master Sgt. Patrick Shinn, team commander and flag bearer.
      
   • Cadet Master Sgt. Corinne Vincent, flag bearer.
      
   • Cadet Staff Sgt. Jacob Turner, guard.
      
   • Cadet Airman Joseph Lipscomb, guard.

   In addition, three other members of the Charleston squadron – Cadet Staff Sgts. Cal Colangelo, commander and flag bearer, and Austin Jones, flag bearer, and Cadet Airman 1st Class Ashton Moore, guard – made up most of the team representing the Mid-Valley Composite Squadron.
   
   The region competition is set for April 13-15 at Fort Pickett, Va.