The Newsletter

POLK COUNTY COMPOSITE SQUADRON

Volume 1, Issue 2 July 2010

Inside This Issue: Faster Than...

This is a Navy F/A-18 Hornet as it approaches and ultimately breaks the sound barrier. 768 miles per hour! Dress right, DRESS ESP Member Spotlight July Birthdays Chaplains Corner Promotions A Little R & R Blinks (Web Links) Squadron Calendar Cool History
By: 1st Lt. James K. Peto, Commander

Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 Page 3 Page 4 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 Page 6

Whats on Jims mind?

Welcome to Winter Haven! Its been a long time coming. Many thanks go out to several of our members, but Id like to give a couple of particular shout outs. First, to Major Sharkey Baz. His tireless work and continued support have helped make this location a reality. Second, to Major Jon Petersen, without whom, I would be lost. Men, thank you for your efforts and commitment to this squadron. I would also like to take a moment to thank those of you that were so instrumental in getting our new home in tip-top shape for us. Particularly, 2d Lt. Al Torres, TFO John Ford and 1st Lt. Jay Wingo. The move was smooth (as moving goes), and the Open House was fantastic! My thanks to Mayor Jeff Potter, Mayor Pro Tem JP Powell, Airport Manager Debbie Murphy, Commissioner Dale Smith and Commissioner Jamie Beckett for coming and showing their support to Civil Air Patrol here in Polk County. During the Open House, the squadron color guard debuted. They were fabulous. Thanks to Lt. Colbert for making them look sharp.
1

Thanks to everyone that came to our fun night on the 29th. We were able to gather at the new location, watch The Rocketeer and eat a lot of pizza. The next 5th Tuesday occurs in August, with one more this year in November. All eyes continue to be on the Gulf of Mexico and the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Right now, Florida Wing is heavily involved, as well as Group 3. Aircraft are being shuffled everywhere, and the missions are getting done. Thats the bottom line; we are accomplishing our missions as tasked. Looking ahead, its summertime. Encampment is fastapproaching and several of our cadets will be attending. Lets hope that they come back with a lot of great stories. I would like to welcome our newest members Cadet Dakota Branch, Cadet Emily Bragg, Cadet Maria Cuervo, Cadet Pedro Cuervo, Cadet Adam Evans, Cadet Jonathan Evans, Cadet Josiah Small, Cadet Teddy Tanner,
(Continued on page 2)

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

Last month I focused on the CAP Distinctive summer uniform combination of blue golf shirt and gray slack/skirt. This month let's take a look at another CAP distinctive uniform; the men's and women's white aviator shirt/gray slack/skirt combination. With this corporate uniform, the gray slack/skirt wear instructions are exactly the same as with the blue golf shirt combo. Belt instructions are also the same as are the shoe requirements. Therefore, we only need to concentrate on the aviator shirt itself. WHITE AVIATOR SHIRT WITH EPAULETS. This shirt is purchased through CAP sources and can be either short or long sleeve. If a long sleeve shirt is worn, a blue USAF tie (male) or CAP blue floppy bow (female) must be worn. Tie or floppy bow is optional with the short sleeve shirt. Patches of any kind are not authorized with this uniform. 1. Name Plate: Gray, 3 line CAP name plate is worn immediately above the right breast pocket. 2. Grade Insignia: Gray CAP epaulet sleeves displaying rank insignia are worn on the epaulet of the shirt. 3. CAP Aviation and Specialty Insignia: worn 1/2 inch above left breast pocket or 1/2 inch above CAP ribbons. 4. CAP Specialty Badge: worn centered on left breast pocket. 5. CAP Command Badge: worn centered on right breast, 1/2 inch above name plate.

6. CAP Ribbons: may be worn centered above left breast pocket. NOTE; NO MILITARY RIBBONS, BADGES, DEVICES OR WINGS MAY BE WORN ON THIS UNIFORM. 7. The USAF blue cardigan sweater with CAP gray epaulet sleeves with rank insignia may be worn with this combination only. USAF pullover sweater is not authorized. 8. Any civilian outergarment may be worn, including the CAP blue embroidered jacket. Headgear is not required but a CAP baseball cap may be worn. CAP DISTINCTIVE UNIFORMS: All senior members may wear the CAP distinctive uniforms. Uniforms must be clean, neat and correct in design and specification, fitted properly, pressed and in good condition (not frayed, worn out, torn, faded, patched, etc.). Uniforms items are to be kept zipped, snapped or buttoned as appropriate. APPEARANCE AND GROOMING STANDARDS; While members wearing CAP distinctive uniforms do not need to meet the strict USAF height, weight and grooming standards required to wear the USAF style uniform, wearing the CAP uniforms still requires members to be well groomed and neat in appearance. While in uniform, USAF style or CAP distinctive, your appearance at all times, must reflect credit upon yourself, CAP and the U.S. Air Force.

(Continued from page 1)

Until next month, remember

Senior Member Joy Cuervo and Senior Member Herminio Cuervo. There is a new feature this month. Its a senior staff member highlight. Check it out.
2

The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one's appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship. (Amelia Earhart)

By: TFO John E. Ford, Emergency Services Officer

This months spotlight shines on Second Lieutenant Alberto Torres. Al joined CAP in March 2009. He currently works for the Air Force at the U.S. Special Operation Command. Al is the squadrons Logistics and Supply Officer. If you need something, Al is the man to acquire it. He lives in Lakeland with his wife Mavelie and his two children son Christopher (18, heading to the Marine Corps) and daughter Natalie (16, a high school junior). He is most proud of his Mission Scanner and Observer ratings, because he is looking to get his Air Crew Wings. Al says that the best part of CAP for him is that he is able to fly non-combat missions for his country. Al, we can only say Thank You. We appreciate your service to our country and to our squadron.

From the office of the Emergency Services department, I would like to welcome any and all new members to the 274th Polk County Composite Squadron. I am Technical Flight Officer John Ford and I am 274ths Emergency Services Officer. Emergency Services is one of Civil Air Patrols three major missions, accounting for more than 95% of all inland Search and Rescue Missions along with Disaster Relief and Counter Drug missions. As a member of the Civil Air Patrol the possibilities are endless; we have opportunities for any who wish to serve their country in jobs such as Pilots, Mission Observers, Mission Scanners, Ground Search and Rescue members, and Flight Line members to name a few. I would personally like to thank you for joining our squadron and if you have any questions at all involving Emergency Services or you would like to get started in one of the many ES jobs the Civil Air Patrol has to offer please feel free to ask me. Attention current Cadets and Senior Members: I will be starting a list for all those who are currently interested in becoming Urban Direction Finding, Ground Team Member level 3, or Flight Line qualified, and will be working towards getting you qualified.

9 July 2d Lt. Donald Haygood 11 July Cadet Airman Basic Jonathan Evans 22 July Captain Michael Staples (Chaplain)

By: Captain Michael J. Staples, Squadron Chaplain

Chaplains: A Connection to the Person It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as our squadron's chaplain since 2002. I have seen several cadet commanders and cadets graduate through our program and develop character, leadership and a high sense of service. We have had, as a squadron, scores of activities, meetings and opportunities to participate in events like parades, fundraisers, church services and funerals where color guard was needed. I have enjoyed seeing the development of our cadets. Let me take a few minutes to tell you about myself. Naturally as a chaplain, I am an ordained clergy and spent 5 years serving in pastoral ministry in South Carolina in the 1980's. From 1991 2006 I served as a foreign missionary living in South Africa until 1997 and living in India until 2001. From 2001 - 2006 I travelled extensively across the globe involved in several projects. At one point in India I directed a community development project among families at risk. Another assignment involved the development of educational training for 250,000 students across India through Global University. The past few years I have been directing a home for boys that have come from challenging home circumstances. I also teach some classes at Southeastern University. In all the

years that I have been associated with the ministry, with teaching students and working with boys I have found that the role of the chaplain is a very important role for one very important reason. People need to have a safe place to go and talk with someone. The role of the chaplain is to be a place where a cadet or senior member can feel that they can safely share any concern or difficulty they are having and to know that the chaplain will keep it confidential. Chaplains will offer themselves as a sounding board to young people and others. We can also help bring moral and ethical clarity as needed when one is facing a dilemma that feels complicated. Chaplains assist in the character development of cadets and we also offer encouragement to families as seek to strengthen and support their young person. As squadron chaplain, please feel free to call upon me or pull me aside when you feel like talking or getting some advice. If you just want to bounce things off of me, please call. Know this, that what you share with me will remain confidential and will not leave my office. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you over the months and years ahead. Chaplain Capt. Michael J. Staples

July 2010 Cadet Promotions:

Congratulations to the following cadets: David C. Brown promoted to Cadet Airman, awarded the Curry ribbon Zachary J. Dunlap promoted to Cadet Staff Sergeant, awarded the Wright Bros. ribbon Alexander J. Peto promoted to Cadet Master Sergeant, awarded the Lindbergh ribbon Devin S. Turner promoted to Cadet Technical Sergeant, awarded the Rickenbacker ribbon
4

By: 1st Lt. Jay H. Wingo, Recruiting & Retention Officer

One Person at a Time Lately, there have been several very successful events in which we have participated to help get the word out about Civil Air Patrol, and specifically, our squadron. These events included the Home School Convention in Orlando, the Polk County Hurricane Expo in Winter Haven, and the Open House at the new squadron building. These events, and others like them in the future, are extremely important to the face of CAP and especially to our squadron as we endeavor to engage the community locally. There is always one aspect that makes these types of events better than any form of advertisement we could come up with: your faces. A friendly smile, a pleasant conversation, and enthusiasm do more to impress people about our organization than any poster, news article, or commercial ever could. So, do we do away with all these other forms of advertisement? NO! They enhance the community outreach, but should not be the sole source of getting the word out. You may be saying to yourself, Well, I cant talk to people, its embarrassing, or, Isnt that what we have a Recruiting and Retention Officer for?

It is the entire squadron that has interaction with the community each and every day from the grocery store, to the neighborhood, to our workplaces, to our schools (when theyre in session), to the mall, etc. Wherever you find yourself you represent our squadron and CAP, whether in uniform or out of uniform, and it is those interactions that will leave either a positive or negative impression with people about CAP. Much like the Public Affairs Officer, the Recruiting and Retention Officer can be a single point of contact and these positions are certainly more intentional about seeking out venues in which to engage the community. However, many people I have spoken with have never heard of CAP; and up until a few years ago, neither had I. I have come to think of CAP as the worlds best kept secret. Well, its time that changes. CAP can only become better at serving our communities by increasing our numbers of highly trained and highly motivated individuals. One day, Id like to see CAP become so widely known that it becomes a household name like Boy Scouts of America or ROTC. How do we do that? One person at a time.

Random Ribbon
Counterdrug

Awarded to senior members for participating in 10 counterdrug sorties.

5

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

4 July Independence Day 6 July Squadron Meeting (Aerospace Education & Achievement Testing) 10 July Group 3 ES Evaluation Day (Brooksville, Hernando County) 13 July Squadron Meeting (Leadership Class & Cadet Class) 13 July New cadet orientation class begins 17 July Group 3 Cadet Orientation Flights (Location TBA) 20 July Squadron Meeting (CPFT & Drill) 24 July Group 3 Cadet Glider Flights (Zephyrhills) 25 July Summer Encampment Begins (Camp Blanding, Starke, FL) 27 July Squadron Meeting (Emergency Services & Character Development) 31 July Summer Encampment Ends

This Month In History

1775 George Washington takes control of the Continental Army (7/3) 1776 The Declaration of Independence is approved by the Continental Congress (7/4) 1810 Showman P.T. Barnum is born in Connecticut (7/5) 1898 Aviatrix Amelia Earhart is born in Kansas (7/24) 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon (7/20) 1975 Union leader Jimmy Hoffa is last seen outside Detroit (7/30)
6