Improving leadership skills, flying planes, and making friends who are passionate about the same things you are-that is what Civil Air Patrol is all about, and all of this wrapped into a military setting.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is an auxiliary of the Air Force, with a mission to transform youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders. CAP meets on a weekly basis at an armory or designated meeting place to train cadets in character development, fitness, leadership, and aerospace education. Also, the uniform, military customs and courtesies, and drill and ceremonies are important features of cadet life that contribute to individual self-discipline, and are practiced at all CAP meetings and events. However, cadets are never obligated to join the military, nor does CAP attempt to recruit cadets for the armed forces.
Aside from local squadron meetings, Civil Air Patrol participates in a wide variety of events at the wing (state), regional, and even national level as well. Cadets have the opportunity to experience a variety of events that they possibly never would outside of the program. These activities include encampments, airshows, cadet competitions, and national cadet special activities. Some examples of major events that the Waukesha Composite Squadron attended this past year include: The Memorial Day parade in Waukesha, WI, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wing level Color Guard and Drill competition, the Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol Annual Military Ball (dance) at the War Memorial Center in Milwaukee, aerospace education weekend, and the Wisconsin Wing Summer Encampment.
Questions or concerns? One can contact the squadron directly or take an option closer to home. Talk to one of the five students from Brookfield Central who participate in CAP at Waukesha Squadron! These cadets are Geet Pandya (’17), Cassi Jehly (’16), Olga Boukhvalova (’17), Michael Elwing (’17), and Blake Py (’18) who are already enjoying the benefits with which CAP has provided them.
Overall, the Civil Air Patrol opens up a window to students from ages 12 to 18 to be part of something great. Everyday students can transform themselves and be rewarded with benefits such as leadership skills, the thrill of flying, exploring potential careers, earning rank and awards, and qualifying for college scholarships, CAP can improve the youth and school community by strengthening students’ discipline, offering an alternative to drugs and violence, improving student participation in community service, and providing a meaningful and highly beneficial after-school activity.
“CAP has given me many valuable leadership skills that will help me not only in the military, but also in whatever profession I might decide to go into,” said Cassandra Jehly (‘16).
Sound interesting to you? Everyone is welcome to join and be a part of this wonderful organization, and it is right within reach. Students are not required to pursue a career in the military to join. The Waukesha Composite Squadron meets every Thursday night from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Waukesha Armory; the address is 311 Walton Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186-5905. Come down and see what the Civil Air Patrol program has to offer.