Transforming Youth Into Dynamic Aerospace Leaders

Students can get involved in the cadet program

photo submitted by Lil Clay

Freshman Lil Clay (center) stands at attention during a Civil Air Patrol meeting.

Jaxon Drezek, Reporter
December 5, 2019

Do you need a purpose in life? Are you trying to turn your life around for the better?

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force which has been up and running ever since 1941.

The Civil Air Patrol’s main purpose is to carry out and provide emergency service in the country when needed, whether it’s in the air or on the ground. They look for the lost, provide relief in the event of a disaster, and to make sure our country is safe, with an estimated amount of around 60,000 members that affect around 1,500 communities in the nation.

How does this relate to us? The Civil Air Patrol has a cadet program where kids from 12 to 18 are taught “Leadership, Aerospace, Fitness, and Character” as stated on their website. To start, you need to find a local squadron in your area, then you to visit them two times which is when you can apply for membership online. After your third visit to your local squadron, the squadron commander can approve your application to be a Civil Air Patrol cadet. The Civil Air Patrol’s goal for running this program is to “transform youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders”, according to the Civil Air Patrol’s website. So far there are 25,000 cadets.

If you join CAP as a cadet, each week you attend a two-hour squadron meeting at the Living Lord Lutheran Church, one Saturday event monthly and one-week long encampment during the summer. As always, your school work and family come first, so don’t worry if you have to miss a day or two.

Another thing about being in the cadet program is that there activities that you can participate in and can help out with certain careers. They have four kinds of activities: aviation, military, technology and leadership.

Several of our students here at Liberty attend the program. Freshman Elektra Lowe is a Cadet Senior Master Sergeant and said the program changed her life.

“It is the reason why I am the way I am today,” Lowe said.

Lowe encouraged others to join the cadet program.

“It will really affect your life in a positive way,” Lowe said.  Lowe is soon to advance her rank to Chief and is planning on going into the United States Air Force after her time in the Civil Air Patrol.

Lilly Clay, who is a freshman and Airman First Class, said the program helped her become a better person.

“This program helps with self-discipline and listening to leaders who are in charge and becoming a leader by followership,” Clay said.

If you are passionate about aviation, want to give yourself a purpose, or even prepare yourself for the Air Force, then join The Civil Air Patrol.