A Year in CAP, 2022
As the festive season is growing near and the best year of my life comes to an exciting end, myself and Cadets everywhere can't help but look back on what a great year it's been.
My cadet career started in December of 2021, and since joining I’ve experienced so many life changing opportunities and have met many lifelong friends!
Since my first meeting almost a year ago, I’ve experienced enough memories to last a lifetime. At my very first meeting I had the opportunity to learn drill from the color guard NCOIC at the time as a member of BCT flight.
In January, I received not only my first O-flight in a C172, but also my first ever flight; in which I had the privilege to fly and even find my house from the air! At the end of January, after officially being in for a month I received my first promotion and became a member of the Bravo flight.
In February, I became overrun with ideas and joined the cadet support staff as public affairs where I now write articles like these. Towards the end of February, I attended the first NRA marksman event the wing has had since the summer of 2015. Through this event myself and many other Cadets earned the NRA pro marksman badge.
Now in March, I received my second promotion to Airman First Class earning my second stripe and making my reporting statement a bit of a mouthful!
June brought myself, along with other Cadets and Senior Members from both Lafayette and Leesville, to an Urban Direction Finding course hosted by Lafayette and taught by our very own Lieutenant Colonel Jude Poirrier, Captain Kale LeBlanc, and Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Evan Norman.
In July, as a C/A1C, I attended my basic Encampment, where I became third element leader, PT guidon bearer, flew with the US Air Force Hurricane Hunters. Additionally, I learned more about a career in the Air Force, all while helping my flight to earn Honor Flight of Encampment!
In August, I attended my first SAREX, where I reconnected with Cadets from other parts of the Wing while completing my UDF training at the same time. A week later, I attended my first Color Guard practice and learned even more about Drill and Ceremonies, including how to present the colors. The color guard ended up presenting the colors at two schools in the surrounding area over six times total.
In the beginning of September, myself, and many other Cadets from all over the state of Louisiana attended the LAWG 2022 Fall Academy, the first in person Academy due to Covid-19. This event was truly an amazing experience, since it offered a more traditional classroom environment. As a Ground Team student, I learned more about search and rescue than ever before!
Days later, I attended my first Civil Air Patrol open house, where I taught prospective Cadets about Emergency Services, which is one of the three CAP missions.
At the end of September, I was promoted to the Senior Airman grade, putting me one step closer to Staff Sergeant, and earned the Community Service ribbon!
On October 24th, I was named as 1st AEL making me not only a member of support but also line staff.
Later in November, I toured Barksdale AFB, in Northwest Louisiana along with other Cadets from Lafayette and Barksdale Composite Squadrons. There we learned more about a career in the Air Force.
Looking forward to December, I will be applying for my first National Cadet Special Activity. As Christmas break grows closer and school midterms are in full swing, a part of me can’t wait to be back in ABU’s ready for yet another great year in 2023!
It was a year full of flights, traveling, learning, promoting, exploring, early mornings, and long days surrounded by a truly amazing group of people!
