The Newsletter

POLK COUNTY COMPOSITE SQUADRON

Volume 1, Issue 3 August 2010

Inside This Issue:

Dress right, DRESS Member Spotlight ESP August Birthdays Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 Page 4 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 Page 6

Who Blinks First?

A CAP Cessna 182 and an Air Force F-16.

Character Matters Promotions Cadet Happenings Blinks (Web Links) Squadron Calendar Cool History

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

Whats on Jims mind?

The dog days of summer have officially moved in and unpacked! Its also the peak of hurricane season 2010. If you havent already, be sure you and your family has an emergency pack ready to go in case a storm blows through. Thats enough non-perishable food and water for three days, a can opener, a battery-operated radio, prescription medications, and maybe a deck of cards or some board games to keep busy. Florida Wing has, as of the end of July, stopped flying missions in support of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Many thanks go out to those of you that were able to help out. We are in the midst of our first-aid kit fundraiser. So far its going, but its going slow. If you have kits, sell them ($10 each) and bring the money to the next squadron meeting. If you need kits, let me know and I can set you up.

Summer encampment was the last week of July and we had two cadets participate. C/SSgt Jeremy King and C/SSgt Zachary Dunlap had a great time and are looking forward to sharing their experiences with everyone. Welcome back! Weve done some rearranging at headquarters and have moved some people into different office spaces. Things may change again, but lets hope not for a while. Until next month, remember

Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand. (Neil Armstrong)

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

Since we as Civil Air Patrol members are authorized to wear some of the U.S. Air Force style uniforms (if we meet the weight and grooming standards), I thought I would bring you up to date on a recent change. The Air Force has introduced a new style V-neck pullover sweater. It is a 50% acrylic and 50% wool material which is lighter weight with a more relaxed fit than the 100% wool sweater now in use. This new sweater is now available in AF military clothing stores. The initial distribution of the 50/50 sweater included a velcro aircrew-style name patch. The name patch is not authorized so if you purchase a sweater that has this patch on it, take it to the AAFES MCSS alteration shop and they will re-

move it at no charge. The nearest military clothing sales store is located on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. If you currently own the 100% wool Vneck pullover sweater as I do (hey, remember I transferred from Michigan.....and I have had occasion to wear it down here in the sunny south on some of those 30 degree evenings), be advised it will be phased out on October 1, 2010. Concerning the proper wear of the pullover sweater, it is to be worn with a shirt and tie. No name tag is now authorized. The sleeves are not to be pushed or rolled up but the bottom can be turned under at the waist. No badges, ribbons or patches are authorized. It can be worn as an outer garment.

This months spotlight shines on a former member of the Polk County Composite Squadron. Chris Catello, son of our Aerospace Officer Major Ken Catello, will be graduating from army helicopter school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Chris is a former Cadet Commander. His new job will have him as a pilot of a medivac unit. He will be deployed to Afghanistan next fall. Chris is a graduate of Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach. Chris, we can only say Thank You. We appreciate your service to our country and to our squadron. Keep safe in your travels and come visit anytime to share your experiences.
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By: TFO John E. Ford, Emergency Services Officer

This month in Emergency Services, the ES department office has moved from office 3 (next to the conference room) to office 7 (across from the old cadet class room). I personally would like to thank 1st Lt. Colbert, Tech. Sgt. Turner, Airmen Brown, and Airmen Tanner for their help with the move. As 1st Lt. Peto announced at the July 27th meeting, Group 3 will be holding an overnight bivouac on Labor day weekend (September 3rd and 4th). All those that are interested or have questions about the event please see me. Thank you for your interest in the Civil Air Patrol and I look forward in serving our community with you.

Random Ribbon
Spaatz

Awarded to cadets who successfully complete all phases of the cadet program.

3 August Cadet Airman Basic Pedro Cuervo 3 August 2d Lt. Carlos Melson 7 August 1st Lt. Alvin Ruppel 9 August 1st Lt. James Peto 21 August Cadet Airman Theodore Tanner 25 August Cadet Airman Basic Maria Cuervo

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

The Core Values: Respect The idea of respect carries with it both action and attitude. Respect as defined in the dictionary means proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgement, but it also means to hold in esteem and honor. Respect is more than just a core value that the Civil Air Patrol says we must strive to abide by; it is a lifestyle. You cannot show respect to officers while at a squadron meeting and then be disrespectful to your family. When we choose to live a life of respect to other people, it should carry over into everything we do. Thus, its a lifestyle. I recently attended a 65th birthday party for a friend of mine. Now Ive known this family for years and have always known that his daughters respected him. What I didnt know was how deep that respect was. They spoke of their memories growing up of their dad and the example he has set before them for all these years. They used words like rock, strength, faithfulness,

and role model. These are words that demonstrate someone who is loved and respected by his family and friends. Love and respect are not mutually exclusive. In fact, it is completely evident that when you love someone you respect them. The Bible says that we are to love one another. When we love each other, respect will just be a natural extension. CAP says genuine respect involves viewing another person as an individual of fundamental worth. That means that we value everyone; we love everyone; we respect each everyone. What about earning respect? Respect is not earned; it is given. I think this can all be best summed up with the words of Jesus found in Matthew 7:12: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. In others words, treat others like you want to be treated and you wont have any problem living a lifestyle of respect.

August 2010 Cadet Promotions:

Congratulations to the following cadets: Jonathan A. Evans promoted to Cadet Airman, awarded the Curry ribbon Theodore J. Tanner promoted to Cadet Airman, awarded the Curry ribbon Jeremy A. King promoted to Cadet Technical Sergeant, awarded the Rickenbacker ribbon

By: 1st Lt. Christine M. Colbert, Deputy Commander for Cadets

Within the Civil Air Patrol, we have three main missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs. We, as members of this organization, merge these three missions together to serve our community by performing life-saving humanitarian missions, educating Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and developing its cadets. The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program provides the youth of our nation with a quality program that enhances their Leadership Skills by using the other two missions together, and simultaneously providing service to the United States Air Force and the local community. The CAP Cadet Program is open to those who are 12 to 18 years old. Once a cadet reaches their 18th birthday, they may choose to transfer to a Senior Membership, or remain as a Cadet Member until their 21st birthday. Senior Members who specialize in the Cadet Program are mentors to the Cadets, and guide them through the program to become the best they can be. There is a Deputy Commander for Cadets to oversee the Cadet Program at each echelon level, and often a Leadership Officer to provide assistance in the management and planning of the program. When the Cadet Program was first created on October 1st, 1942, the major push was to train future pilots to join the CAP Volunteer Aviators to aid the Military of WWII. Yet, after the war ended, CAP continued to serve the youth of America with a program to help them excel though Leadership, Aerospace, Moral Character classes, Emergency Services training, and even Physical Instruction. There is also a Drug Demand Reduction program that CAP is involved in to help keep drugs out of the picture. We like to provide Cadets with a sense of accomplishment by offering achievements to earn along their way through the program. By passing Leadership, Aerospace Education, and Physical Fitness tests, and participating in the meetings and activities, Cadets may earn their way
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through the four stages of the Program. The Learning Phase is designed to introduce the new cadets into the program; The Leadership Phase teaches the cadets how to use the important aspects of Leadership; The Command Phase places the Cadets in charge of other Cadets; and The Executive Phase shows Cadets how to operate an organization. As Cadets advance though these phases, they gain rank and are given more responsibility. Throughout the whole program, all cadets are expected to demonstrate the entirety of the Cadet Oath that is recited at the beginning of each meeting. CAP also involves the Cadets in activities to instill a love of the values CAP holds. The main activity we promote is the Cadet Encampment. This week-long event, offered twice a year in Florida, is similar to a Basic Training the USAF sends their enlisted personnel to. There is also RCLS (Regional Cadet Leadership School), O-Flights (Orientation Flights), and even IACE (International Air Cadet Exchange), to encourage Cadets to get involved in the Program. At our Squadrons weekly meetings, there is an emphasis item derived from the Core Values and Main Missions, and we use them to help the Cadets learn. We also tailor each class scheduled to the Cadets learning phase. This past month, we started a New Members Orientation Course designed to help the new recruits gain a better understanding of our Cadet Program, and to join our veteran cadets in the journey through the program with ease. As a former cadet myself, my mission in CAP is to create the best Cadet Program these Cadets can have. The goal of the CAP Cadet Program is to give the Cadets what they need to excel in life by keeping them on the right track. We should all strive to give the youth of our area something to look forward to every week, and to expand the program.

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

3 Aug Squadron Meeting (Aerospace Education & Achievement Testing) 10 Aug Squadron Meeting (Leadership Class & Cadet Class) 17 Aug Squadron Meeting (Safety, CPFT & Drill) 21 July Group 3 Cadet Orientation Flights (Location TBA) 24 Aug Squadron Meeting (Emergency Services & Character Development) 28 Aug Group 3 Cadet Glider Flights (Zephyrhills) 31 Aug Tour of Polk County Emergency Operations Center 3 Sep E.S. Bivouac (Location TBA) 4 Sep Group 3 E.S. Evaluation Day (Albert Whitted Airport, St. Petersburg) 6 Sep Labor Day

This Month In History

1899 Film director Alfred Hitchcock is born (8/1) 1908 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson is born (8/27) 1930 Astronaut Neil Armstrong is born (8/5) 1932 Amelia Earhart is the first woman to fly across the United States (8/24) 1934 General H. Norman Schwarzkopf is born (8/22) 1945 The United States drops an Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan (8/6) 1959 Hawaii is admitted to the Union as the 50th state (8/21) 1990 The Persian Gulf War begins (8/1)
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