CAP Membership On the Upswing |
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Civil Air Patrol's membership rolls are growing again as more and more units are remobilizing. Just take a look at the membership numbers from the past two months, which reveal an upward trend.
As of June 1,
- National Cadet Count: 21,873
- National Senior Count: 33,322
As of May 1,
- National Cadet Count: 21,270
- National Senior Count: 33,091
That's up 834 in one month, twice the increase of around 400 the previous month after several straight months of decline because of the restrictions imposed nationwide by COVID-19.
“This is the second consecutive month we’ve seen positive growth since the pandemic began," said John Salvador, CAP's chief operating officer. “We are expecting to see a gradual, steady increase in the number of new members as more people are vaccinated and more parts of the country open up."
CAP is also remobilizing its National Headquarters' staff, with plans to expand the number of employees in the office starting on July 6.
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Ariz. Couple Honored for Lifesaving Valor |
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The Arizona Wing pair that responded in May 2020 to an active shooter incident in Glendale marked the event’s 12-month anniversary with not only prestigious medals presented by CAP’s national commander but also a reunion with one of the two shooting victims they assisted.
Maj. Randy Hammit and 1st Lt. Kelli Hammit, members of the Glendale-based 388th Composite Squadron, each received the Silver Medal of Honor from Maj. Gen. Mark Smith. The Silver Medal of Valor, awarded fewer than 150 times since it was established in 1960, recognizes “distinguished and conspicuous heroic action, at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of normal duty.”
Guest of honor at the award ceremony at Gila River Arena was Destiny Bain, whom the Hammits cared for after she was wounded.
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Training, Plane Ride Impress Rep. Tenney
U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., spent June 6 exploring how the New York Wing conducts disaster relief missions and provides cadets with their first flights, then rode in a CAP plane herself.
The wing “plays such an important role in supporting emergency operations in our community and across the nation,” said Tenney, seen here enjoying her CAP flight with Col. John Jones (in back) and Lt. Col. Hans Poole of the Mohawk Griffiss Senior Squadron, the pilot. “They stand ready to respond and offer their support at a moment’s notice.”
And CAP’s “cadet program gives young people such a unique opportunity to learn about emergency response and aeronautics, which many build on to pursue outstanding careers in the military and aerospace,” she added.
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Sweet 16 Solo: N.C. Cadet Gains Wings on Birthday |
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Obtaining a driver’s license upon turning 16 is a long-awaited rite of passage for teens across the country … but not for Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Rylee Emaus.
“Who wants to drive a car when you can fly a plane?” quipped Emaus, a member of the North Carolina Wing’s Hickory Composite Squadron.
Instead of heading to the Department of Motor Vehicles, she marked her 16th birthday June 1 by earning her wings through the Asheville Composite Squadron's flight academy by completing her first solo flight after instruction by Lt. Col. Ray Davis of the Asheville squadron.
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Region Reps Prep for Hurricane, Wildfire Seasons |
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This past weekend, 13 members from seven of CAP's eight regions came together at the invitation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Management Institute to participate in the second K2300 Emergency Operations Center Intermediate Functions course delivery dedicated to CAP members.
This offering was part of National Headquarters' 2021 Hurricane and Wildfire Seasons Preparedness Initiative. The participants were handpicked by their region commanders.
The instructors were all CAP National Emergency Services Academy-Mobile Training Team instructors, certified to teach for FEMA. Over the last 12 months they have taught for FEMA 39 times with more than 800 students, representing over 30% of the classes taught by FEMA in the last year.
If you are interested in hosting this course in your region, contact DOSI@capnhq.gov,
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National Commander Provides Retention Tips
National Headquarters' Marketing and Strategic Communications team is reprising National Commander/CEO Maj. Gen. Mark Smith’s Recruiting and Retention Series from 2018.
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Time to Register for CAP's 'Summer of Cyber' |
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It isn't too late to register for a cyber activity this summer.
“Summer 2021 is really ‘The Summer of Cyber,’ with more cyber education available than ever before,” said Lt. Col. Paul Creed III, National Cyber Mission Team deputy for education and awareness. "Whether an in-person or virtual training opportunity, our members have a number of engaging and rewarding training opportunities to learn about cybersecurity and to help secure the homeland.”
CAP units can host an Air Force Association CyberCamp, or cadets can join a camp with open student slots. The camp is designed around a four-hour day with lecture material, hands-on lab learning and a week-ending mini-competition. There are two camp options — Standard and Advanced.
In addition, the CAP National Cyber Academy campuses are still accepting registrations for their Cyber Operations Fundamentals or Cyberspace Networking courses. The Great Lakes Region Cybersecurity Academy is also accepting registration for their networking, systems or operational technology and the internet of things courses.
And Cisco Networking Academy courses remain available for all members —cadets and senior members alike.
Details on all these cyber activities can be found here. |
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Make Your Plans Now for CAP's 80th Anniversary |
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The 80th Anniversary Working Group chaired by Lt. Col. Steven Solomon has developed a comprehensive How-To Guide for creative ways to commemorate CAP's anniversary.
Public affairs officers will find unique suggestions in the guide that can be combined with previously planned events, celebrations and recruiting events to draw even more publicity.
“From small squadrons to the largest ones — and brand new PAOs to the most experienced — there are ideas in this guide to effectively reach out to your community during this special year of celebration,” Solomon said.
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Time to Brush Up on CAP's Cadet Protection Policy |
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America is bouncing back from COVID-19, and as CAP ramps up for summer activities, take a moment to refresh your memory on the high points of the Cadet Protection Policy.
“It's been quite a while since we have needed to refer to our Cadet Protection Policy standards,” said Elizabeth Hornbach, Cadet Programs manager for youth development training. “We are all eager to return to the field for some awesome activities this summer, but before you do please take a few moments to review this tutorial to ensure you are meeting the requirements of this policy.”
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Entrepreneurs Innovation Competition Announced |
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Calling all CAP entrepreneurs! Have you created a physical device or a toolkit or developed an IT tool that helps your unit accomplish its missions? Submit it to HUBCAP for a chance to virtually present your invention and be recognized for your creative contributions at the National Conference. Visit Entrepreneurs Innovation Competition for more information .
For more on CAP’s Innovation Program, visit the new Innovation Program website and join other members using their ingenuity to support each other, improving the way CAP executes its mission and finding inspiration in learning, failing forward and experimentation.
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“This Week in CAP History” gives a shout-out to the Utah Wing in this 2012 article highlighting its search and rescue and aerial photography efforts.
Members of the wing were featured in the St. George Daily Spectrum while playing a crucial role in the search for a downed aircraft, supporting law enforcement, government and military groups.
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This Week's Top Headlines |
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“Teens Soar, Earn Aviation Wings in Nacogdoches”
(Tyler, Texas)
“Air Force F-35A Demo Pilot Motivates Civil Air Patrol Cadets”
(Atlanta, Georgia)
“Local Rocket Team Among National Finalists”
(Cumberland, Maryland)
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CAP Marketing & Strategic Communications
877-227-9142
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