The Newsletter

POLK COUNTY COMPOSITE SQUADRON

Volume 1, Issue 1 June 2010

Inside This Issue: Where Am I?

I am close to the geographical center of the state of Florida. My terminal building is only 18 months old. CAP is coming!! Dress right, DRESS ESP Character Matters June Birthdays Blinks (Web links) Squadron Calendar Cool History Promotions Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 3 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 4

By: 1st Lt. James K. Peto, Commander

Whats on Jims mind?

Welcome to the first issue of the Polk County Composite Newsletter! It will detail some of the goings on within the squadron and some upcoming events as well. In case you havent heard, we will be moving in the very near future. The lease with the City of Winter Haven is signed and we are waiting on keys and coordinating everyone to move the squadron from Bartow to Winter Haven. Our squadron is growing, which is a very good thing. Id like to welcome our three new senior members (Trisha King, name two, and name three) and three new cadets (David Brown, name five, and name six). All eyes continue to be on the Gulf oil disaster and what, if any, affects it will have on Floridas coastline. So far, our services have not been required, but that can change at any time. I am excited to see our members getting the necessary training to be able to assist in missions. We have Mission Scanners, Mission Observers, UDF-ers, Flight-Line Marshallers, Mission Radio Operators, Ground Team members, and many more. If you would like to take part in a mission, you need specialty training. Ask our Emergency Services Officer, TFO John Ford, about getting involved. I wish to thank the contributors to this publication, both current members and members yet to be discovered. This wouldnt happen without you! Until next month remember The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen endeavor. (Vince Lombardi)

By: Lt. Col. Roy L. Hall, Professional Development Officer

This column is going to cover the proper wear of all the various uniforms that Civil Air Patrol has. From time to time it will also include the proper military protocol required of members in uniform. With more and more "nonmilitary" members joining our ranks, it is necessary to cover these subjects so we are all "in the know". As we are the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, it is important that we present a professional, well groomed appearance which will reflect credit upon ourselves, Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Air Force. Civil Air Patrol Manual 39-1 is the bible for the wear of all authorized uniforms. The answer to all your questions about the proper wear of uniforms can be found in this manual. It also covers the weight/heights and grooming standards. The Squadron Commander has command responsibility to see that his/her members are in proper uniform. However, all members should look out for each other and correct any uniform violations if noted. Please do not be offended if someone makes a suggested correction to your uniform. There are two styles of uniforms authorized for CAP members. The first style consists of US Air Force uniform(s). In order to wear the US Air Force style uniforms a member MUST meet the weight/height/grooming standards. These standards are found in attachment 1 of CAPM 391. IF YOU DO NOT MEET THESE STANDARDS, YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THIS STYLE UNIFORM. Please check out this chart before you wear or purchase US Air Force uniforms. The Air Force is very touchy about seeing overweight members with long hair and a beard wearing their uniform. This is a privilege extended to Civil Air Patrol and we should not abuse it. The second style of uniform consists of the CAP distinctive corporate uniforms that are designed for members who do not meet the weight/height/grooming standards required for the wear of the Air Force uniform. With most corporate uniforms you can wear a beard, have long hair and be well-nourished.

The most common basic uniform worn by members of the Polk County Composite Squadron is the blue golf shirt/gray slack CAP distinctive corporate combination. I would like to focus on the proper wear of this uniform.

Mens & Womens golf shirt/summer uniform

Slacks/Trousers: Commercial slacks/trousers in medium gray color, full cut, straight hanging, with or without pleats, with or without cuffs. Cotton/twill weave trousers are authorized, but no jeans. Shirt: Three golf shirts are approved. A dark blue knit shirt with embroidered CAP seal on the right breast and embroidered name and aeronautical rating or specialty badge on the left breast; a dark blue knit shirt with embroidered seal on the right breast, without the name or rating on left breast; and a dark blue knit shirt with the CAP seal screen printed in white lettering on left breast. Shirt must be worn tucked in by men unless heat conditions on the flight line require additional air circulation. Women may wear the shirt out of slacks but shirt length must not fall below mid-hips. Belt: Must be worn with skirt or trousers/slacks with belt loops. Plain civilian black belt with conservative non-decorative type gold or silver buckle, not to exceed 2 inches will be worn. Footwear: Men: Black shoes or dress boots (plain, black, commercial design without ornamentation such as buckles or straps) with black or dark blue socks. Women: Either black tailored pumps, plain black oxfords or black leather loafers with off-black hose, neutral nylon hose, dark blue or black socks, as appropriate. Dress boots (plain, black, commercial design without ornamentation such as buckles, bows, or straps) with heels of a height suitable to the individual but not higher than 2 1/2 inches (measured from inside sole of the boot to the end of heel life).
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Accessories: Men: Articles such as wallets, pencils, pens, watch chains, fobs, pins, jewelry, handkerchiefs, combs, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and sunglass cases will not be worn or carried exposed on the uniform. Women: Same as above. Also, one small spherical (ball) conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver pierced, or clip earring per earlobe and the earring worn in each earlobe must match. Earring should fit tightly without extending below the earlobe. EXCEPTION: Connecting band on clip earrings. Other visible ornaments around the neck or on the head, ornamentation on eyeglass lenses and ankle bracelets are prohibited. Handbags should be plain, conservative black or navy blue with or without shoulder strap. Should not exceed 13x9x4 inches deep. Undergarments: Appropriate undergarments will be worn. Outergarments: Appropriate civilian outerwear is authorized including the light blue windbreaker with the CAP seal on the right breast. Headgear is not required but the CAP baseball cap may be worn. See you next month when we will cover another one of the many uniforms we as members of CAP are authorized to wear.

By: TFO John E. Ford, Emergency Services Officer

Emergency Services is one of the three giant missions that the Civil Air Patrol has to offer. As a CAP member you can participate in Search and Rescue, Disaster Relief, and Homeland Security assistance missions. You can acquire many different specialties such as: Urban Directive Finding team member, Ground Team member, Flight Line Marshaller, Mission Pilot, Mission Observer, and Mission Scanner to name a few. These are fulfilling and fun jobs within the Emergency Services department. To start, all you need to do is obtain your General Emergency Services qualification, Operation Security Awareness training, and FEMA course IS-100. To obtain these and find out more about the Emergency Services department please see your ES Officer, TFO John Ford. Upcoming Events June 26th, 2010: Group 3 ES evaluations at Winter Haven Airport Special Announcements I would like to congratulate the following cadets on obtaining their Urban Direction Finding Team qualifications: Tech Sgt Peto Staff Sgt King Senior Amn Dunlap

Captain Debra Seoane 26 June Cadet/Airman James Tanner 22 June

By: 1st Lt. Jay H. Wingo, Character Development Instructor

A person of character is defined as someone who displays qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity.1 This is hardly how people whose lives are in the spotlight have been conducting themselves as of late. Sports heroes, politicians, teachers, celebrities, executives, and, yes, even clergy have been experiencing catastrophic moral failures. Failures such as unfaithfulness, perversion, fraud, and criminal activity have so permeated these high profiletype people, it has become common place on the news to find out that someone else has done something wrong. The thing that seems to stand out now is the public apology. Reading a prepared speech and admitting to something that has already become common knowledge seems to be more about image damage control rather than a truly repentant heart. In other words, many seem to only be sorry they got caught rather than being truly sorry for their behavior. The issue here is not a matter of public image, but rather one of character. If these people who are having their dirty laundry aired all over national television had been people of character, they wouldnt be in the situations they are in now. They wouldnt have to worry about their public image because it would be intact. Its interesting to note the first of the CAP Core Values, integrity, is the synonym presented in the definition for the word character. As we all strive to be the best officers, cadets, and people we can be, lets not forget about our Core Values, especially integrity. Is it really worth it in the long run to get to where you aspire to go in life if you have to sacrifice your moral integrity? Is it really worth it if you have to lie, cheat, and put others down just to make yourself look better? Just ask yourself, Do I really want to end up on the 6 oclock news for a moral failure? Or, even worse, Do I really want to end up in prison for a lack of integrity? The point is this: Do the right thing all the time and you wont ever have to worry about whether or not youll get caught for doing the wrong thing. The right thing may not be the easiest choice, but its ALWAYS the better one.
1

"character." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/character>.

House,

Inc.

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May.

2010.

June 2010 Cadet Promotions:

Congratulations Jeremy A. King! Promoted to Cadet/Staff Sergeant.

Squadron website: www.polkcountycomposite.webs.com Group 3 Website: group3.flwg.cap.gov Florida Wing website: flwg.us CAP Website: www.gocivilairpatrol.com CAP eServices: www.capnhq.gov

1 June Squadron meeting (Achievement Testing & Aerospace Education) 5 June Polk County Hurricane Expo (Orange Dome, Winter Haven) 8 June Squadron meeting (Leadership Class & Cadet Class) 14 June Flag Day 15 June Squadron meeting (CPFT & Drill) 19 June Moving Day (from Bartow to Winter Haven) 19 June Group 3 Cadet Orientation Flights (Clearwater) 20 June Fathers Day 26 June Squadron Open House 26 June Group 3 ES Evaluation Day (Winter Haven) 30 June Squadron meeting (Emergency Services & Character Development)

This Month In History

1913 Football coach Vince Lombardi is born in Brooklyn, New York 1944 Allied forces invade Normandy, France 1983 Dr. Sally Ride is the first American woman in space 2003 Mars explorer Spirit is launched
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