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Group Commander
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Respect
The Merriam-Webster
Dictionary defines respect as, "to consider worthy of high regard."
We'll get back to this in
a moment.
Last month I talked a
little about "square one." If you recall what I meant by that, then
please read on. If not, please go back, read last month's "Feedback and
Trust," then come back. In April I had the misfortune of being copied on
an e-mail between two CAP members, where the sender of the e-mail showed
an unconscionable level of disrespect towards a fellow CAP volunteer.
You would be correct in assuming that my addressing this issue publicly,
in this editorial, means that I take it very seriously.
In the e-mail that so
greatly disturbed me, the sender not only failed to treat a fellow
member with courtesy, but in fact made some very personal acrimonious
statements that were
offensive to me, even though they were
directed at someone else. But that wasn't enough. The member ended the
e-mail with a list of very caustic remarks that the sender believed
described the recipient
–
almost
like a top-ten list.
When I read it, I felt as
if I were in the twilight zone. My first inclination was to step in and
suspend the member immediately, then thought about it. Instead, I
discussed it in some detail with the sender's unit commander. The only
reason I did not suspend this person's CAP membership
immediately
is the faith and confidence I have in that
unit commander to deal with this problem. However, the offending member
is on notice now that I will *not* tolerate this behavior
in Group III.
Period.
Under any circumstances.
Now let's talk about
respect, what it is, and why it's so important to us as an organization.
Respect is, essentially, considering someone
or something to be worthy of high regard.
What do I respect,
personally? I thought I might give you a
partial
list:
-
I respect the basic dignity of all human
beings, even if I disagree with them.
-
I respect the service of those who have
served or still serve in the military.
-
I respect those people who have chosen
public service as their profession in spite of risks that their
service may carry: police officers, firefighters, and those who
daily put their life on the line in the service of others...
-
I respect my nation's flag and all it
stands for.
-
I respect the volunteer members of Civil
Air Patrol, and what is often the thankless service they give to
their communities, states and nation.
-
I respect CAP members who demonstrate
excellence in their CAP work. Cadets who earn milestone awards,
senior members who advance in the senior program, members who become
qualified in ES positions, and all those who prepare themselves to
better serve others…
-
I respect the time and energy that CAP
members entrust to me and to my staff.
-
I respect the trust that the taxpayers
of the United States of America have placed in us by funding our
assets, training, and missions.
-
I respect my uniform because wearing it
is a privilege
–
my
uniform really belongs to the millions of men and women who have
come before me, some of whom have died while wearing it, and I owe
it to them to wear it properly.
-
I respect the chain of command because
it preserves order. Without it, we become ineffective.
Next question.
For me, how does respect manifest itself?
First, I strive to treat all CAP members with basic courtesy, and that's
only a starting point. You'll notice
that I always call my Wing Commander "Sir"
or "Col. Smith". Second, I work very hard to
respect the time and commitment that CAP members give to CAP by being
the best custodian of that commitment
that I can be. I start and end meetings on time, I work very hard to
complete take-aways and action items, and I try very hard to be timely
in my review of administrative, personnel, and other command items that
make their way to me. I have the same
expectations of my staff.
Final question. Why is
respect important to us as an organization? Why choose this as one of
our core values? That answer is easy. We are an organization of
volunteers that is based very loosely on a military hierarchy. CAP
attracts an extremely diverse set of individuals, with very different
interests, who have come together to meet the needs of our missions. In
any group of human beings there will be conflict, and only through deep
and mutual respect will we ever be able to overcome differences of
opinion and personality, empowering us to accomplish goals that far
outstrip anything we could ever do as individuals.
And that's the bottom
line.
The month of May brings
us an opportunity, with Memorial Day, to reflect on a deeper meaning of
respect, a meaning not always made manifest to us by our daily lives. On
Memorial Day, I ask that you take a moment to reflect on what respect
means to you. Internalize that. Then live it.
Lt. Col.
Owen Younger, Commander
Tertia semper primoris |
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Wing Commander
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Message to the Texas Wing, 10 April
Everyone has to be signed into a mission before they participate. It
doesn't matter if it is practice, like this weekend, or the real deal.
One of the things that dramatically slows down check-in with IMU is the
absence of emergency contact information for a member in the IMU
database. To solve this problem:
Log into WMU at https://wmu.nat.cap.gov/
using the member button on the main menu.
If you are unfamiliar with the use of the database, click on the
"Instructions" button at the bottom left.
If you are a first-time user, you need to create a new account. To do
this, read the instructions on how to use WMU, and how to create a new
account. Once the system verifies that you are a CAP member, you'll be
allowed to create your new account.
NOTE: The User Name and Password for this application are not the
same as those you use for e-Services.
Select the Emergency Contact Info button and ensure your emergency
contact information is up to date.
Hit the Update buttons for both contact and medical information if you
entered new data in either area. The data you enter into WMU will
migrate to IMU overnight.
Go to the bottom of the page and hit the Print Form 60 button to get a
new Form 60.
Col. Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander |
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Wing Commander
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Message to the Texas Wing,
11 April
Please share Gen Courter's
important
NIMS training letter with your staff and ES qualified
members. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John A. Salvador, Director
of Missions, HQ CAP |
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Wing Commander
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Message to the Texas Wing,
14 April
From
the SW Region Commander.
Col. Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander
From:
email@swr.cap.gov [mailto:email@swr.cap.gov]
On Behalf Of Jensen Joseph
Col CAP SWR/CC
Sent: Sunday, April 13,
2008 11:09 PM
To: wing-command@swr.cap.gov;
staff@swr.cap.gov; Donald.Hensley@carswell.af.mil;
timothy.taylor@carswell.af.mil
Cc: 'BGen Amy Courter';
'Col. Reggie Chitwood (CAP/CS)'; arwingcap@sbcglobal.net;
'Arthur Woodgate';
j.l.gilbert@sbcglobal.net; 'Salvador, John'; 'Desmarais,
John W.'; 'Colonel John J. Varljen'; 'Andre Davis'
Subject: [SWR Staff] [:swr:}
Message from SWR Commander - FOR RELEASE THROUGHOUT SWR
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO
ALL PERSONNEL, SOUTHWEST REGION, CAP
As most are
aware, we just completed the second annual SWR Region Exercise. In
summary, the exercise went exceptionally well throughout the region and
I appreciate very much everyone’s efforts to make the exercise work.
The 2007
SWR Region Exercise was essentially six independent wing exercises held
separately, coordinated from the SWR C-4 in Little Rock. The
2008 SWR Region Exercise was very different in that our scenario
required the SWR team to address a region-wide incident, with diverse
taskings requiring the establishment of joint (multi-wing) incident
command posts, and coordination between the C-4 in
Little Rock and another region coordination center at Falcon Field in
Mesa, AZ. In addition to functioning as a region operations
coordination center, other tasks given to the C-4 were true C-4 taskings,
including the identification, acquisition and tracking of assets into
and out of the operations areas.
Also,
several “curve-balls” (lost communications, tasking changes requiring
major changes in operational plans, etc) were thrown into the scenario,
and actual risk management decisions were required due to high winds in
portions of the operational area. The region-wide training objectives
were accomplished in an exceptional manner, and without accident,
incident or injury.
My thanks go out to all officers, members and cadets of SWR. Special
recognition is due to the Arizona Wing for standing up a regional
coordination center in Mesa, Capt. Shirley Kay of NM Wing for
serving as an IC on short notice due to family illness of other
personnel, Capt. Arthur Woodgate of Texas Wing for service as the SWR
information Officer, Lt. Col. Jim Gilbert (SWR C-4 Coordinator), and the
Arkansas Wing for outstanding support in Little Rock and
Texarkana.
In the next
several days we will have an after-action “lessons learned” report,
which I will distribute through the Wing Commanders. I am very proud of
every member of our team, and again I thank you for your continued
outstanding service.
Col. Joseph Jensen,
Southwest Region Commander |
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Wing Commander
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Message to the Texas Wing, 28 April
Attached is a
letter from the SWR announcing the SWR award winners for 2008.
Please join me in again congratulating the Texas award winners.
| Cadet of the Year: |
C/Lt Col Thomas J Wright, TX 802 |
| John V Jack Sorenson
Award: |
Capt Raymond L Hicks, III, TX 802 |
| Communications Officer
of the Year: |
1st Lt Toby Buckalew, TX 214 |
| Logistician of the Year:
|
1st Lt Dennis Schulin, TX 179 |
| Moral Leadership Officer
of the Year: |
Capt Ronald Chastain, TX 448 |
| Senior Member of the
Year: |
Lt Col Donald Fisher, TX 298 |
Col. Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander |
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Wing Commander
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Message to the Texas Wing, 30 April
A very
informative update from NHQ.
Col. Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander
From:
Rowland, Donnie [mailto:DROWLAND@capnhq.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 7:33 AM
To:
Subject: Executive Director's Open Cockpit April 2008
National
Board Members and Advisors,
The
April 2008 Open Cockpit is attached in Adobe PDF format for your
review. I trust that you will find this information timely and useful.
Very
respectfully,
Don Rowland, Executive Director |
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Group Commander
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In
Welcoming Our New Chaplain
Born in the Bronx, NY, Ch. (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir had
an uncertain start in life. He dropped out of high school as a
sophomore, joined the Navy, transferred to the Army Reserve, and served
in Viet-Nam. Upon discharge, traveled Europe on a motorcycle for 9
months and ended up in Israel, where he served in the Israeli Army as a
paratrooper (Tzanchan) and fought in the Yom Kippur war, being taken
prisoner. After his liberation, he studied for the rabbinate in Israel,
returned to the U.S., was ordained, and rejoined the U.S. military as a
chaplain. This is where he embarked on an academic career, gathering an
A.A., B.A., M.A. (cum laude), and Ph.D. in Psychology. Eventually, he
owned the Springhaven Addictions Clinic in Ft. Worth.
Chaplain Marc (as he would like to be called), is "a
rolled-up sleeves guy" (his self-description) who enjoys historical
re-enacting (Civil War medicine) as a hobby, has been a member of CAP for
20 years, is a CAP Lt. Col., and is a recipient of the CAP Silver Medal
of Valor. He is the father of five sons, two of whom are serving on
active duty. In his CAP career, he has
been a DCFC, DCFS,
Squadron Commander, Deputy Group Commander, Group CAPMAP Officer, Deputy
Wing Chaplain, and TX Wing CISM Officer. He has three grandchildren and
one is on the way.
In his own words, "My
vision as a chaplain? That's easy. I don't see myself as a priest,
rabbi, minister, imam, or pastor. As a chaplain, I serve you and your
spiritual needs regardless of your faith or belief system. I will never
try to convert you to my belief system or preach a narrow perspective. I
am available to speak with you or those close to you regarding those
issues that affect you and your happiness as a person and CAP member."
It is with great pleasure that I welcome Chaplain Marc to
the Group III family, and wish him every success. We are truly grateful
for having him want to come to us.
Lt. Col.
Owen Younger, Commander
Tertia semper primoris |
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Aerospace Education
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NASA's New
Contests for K-12 Students
NASA Quest LIMA Challenge. Students in grades 4-8
will get to pick a research question based on the Landsat Image
Mosaic of Antarctica. They must defend their choice and
demonstrate why it would be useful to study it. For more
information, visit
http://quest.nasa.gov/challenges/lima.
Spring 2008 Cassini Scientist for a Day Contest.
Open to all students in the US in grades 5-12, working alone or
in groups. Participants are challenged to study three image of
Saturn taken by Cassini, and pick the one they think would
produce the best scientific results. Deadline May 8, 2008. For
more information, visit
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientist/.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate
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Cadet Programs
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Cadet Protection Program Training
I'd like to remind everyone of how important Cadet Protection
Program Training (CPPT) is. This training is mandatory
for
-
All senior members (it is an element of the senior
member’s Level One professional development);
-
Cadet Sponsor Members (it is an element of the
senior member’s Level One professional development);
and
-
Cadets age 18 and older. “Completion of the Cadet
Protection Program Training (CPPT) is required of
all cadets within 6 months following their 18th
birthday, or if a promotion is due during that
6-month period, prior to the promotion. Cadets will
not participate in CPPT if they are under 18 years
of age.” (CAPR 52-16 1-3d) –
This means that cadets who turns 18 must take CPPT before
they are eligible to promote.
To complete CPPT go to
http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=6476
and simply follow the instructions. Your Squadron
Commander will then go over your paperwork and make sure
that you get the proper credit.
OPSEC Training
While doing a spot check of cadets across Group III, I noticed
that quite a few have not yet completed OPSEC training. It is
very important that cadets do this as soon as possible, and make
sure that they understand and agree to the Non-Disclosure
agreement. All members must complete OPSEC training and agree to
the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) by 1 April 2008, or they will
not be allowed access to e-Services, the Web Mission Information
Reporting System (WMIRS), or any other CAP system that requires
a unique login and password.
Any member who has not completed this training can do so online
at: https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec
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Welcoming Maj Richard Hunt
It is a pleasure to welcome Maj Richard Hunt to the Group III
Cadet Programs Staff. He has had experience with cadets as the
Deputy Commander for Cadets at Addison Eagles Composite
Squadron, and prior experience on Group III Cadet Programs
staff. He has also assisted the cadet programs at Mesquite and
Dallas Composite squadrons.
Cadet Promotions Online, 15 March
National has created a new system to upload cadet promotion
information, as an aid to unit commanders and cadets alike. As
an added bonus, National will be able to track a cadet's
progression through the cadet program. Here's is the
Memo from National.
Plan Your Summer Flying Now
Now is the time to plan your summer activities. The Texas Wing
Flight Academies are a couple of great opportunities.
The Texas Wing Powered Flight Academy will take
place on 7-14 June 2008 at Brazoria County Airport (SW of
Houston). Cadet students must be current members, at least age
16 by 13 June 2008, must have attended at least one cadet
encampment, and have their unit commander's recommendation. The
Flight Academies will be limited to 20 cadet students and 12
staff members, so be sure and get your applications in early.
The Texas Wing Glider Academy will be held at the
Bishop Airport 76T (Decatur, TX) 8-16 August 2008.
Ops Plans for both events will be posted on the Texas Wing
Website shortly.
Group III CP Staffing Needs
Group III Cadet Programs needs a few good people with managerial
skill to be project officers for group-wide events over the next
year. Applicants need not be cadet programs officers to apply. If
you or anyone you know would like to help make Group III Cadet
Programs the best in Texas, please
e-mail me.
1st. Lt. Opal McKinney, CPO
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| Chaplain
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Cast thy bread upon the waters
Ecclesiastes 11:1 tells us, “Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou
shalt find it after many days.” Aside from the antique English, what
does this mean? What does it mean to you?
Of the many lessons I have learned in
life, the one gleaned from this reading was one of the most
important. What you do today will come back to you tomorrow. The lie you
tell today will come back to haunt you tomorrow. The good deed you did,
the bill you remembered to pay, the integrity you maintained will
bolster your name for years to come. The happiness you gave to others
will also come back to nurture you.
This lesson was brought home recently to my youngest son,
Jonathan, who serves our country in the Air Force. Jonathan went to
purchase a newer car. Since he is about to become a father, he needed a
larger vehicle. He had always paid his bills, and thought his credit was
good. Wrong! He was denied.
When he called to find out why, he learned that two years
before he had co-signed on a loan for a friend, and his “friend” had
defaulted on the loan. His friend had left the Air Force and there was
no way to contact him. Not only was his friend’s credit ruined, so was
my son’s. Fortunately, I was able to co-sign for him, so he got his car
- but no satisfaction. Because of his former friend’s record of not
paying his bills and “sticking” his friends, the JAG office at my son's
base has addressed a letter to the credit bureau.
Whether you are a cadet about to graduate from high
school, or a senior member at any stage in your life, the lesson here is
simply this: Take with you into the world what you have learned in your
life. CAP’s system of honor and integrity will serve you well in
whatever choice you make for your future - as a student, serving your
country, or in civilian employment. Remember the words of Ecclesiastes
and, indeed, remember that what you do today will come back to you
tomorrow.
After having retired from the Civil Air Patrol, and
changed my mind about it, I am happy to be back as a member and as your
chaplain. I am here for you! Regardless of your faith, or even if you do
not profess a faith. If you need me, my home number is 817-831-9512. My
purpose is not to take the place of your minister, pastor, priest, imam,
rabbi, or any other faith leader. But as your CAP chaplain, I am here
for you as a person, should you need me.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir
"Chaplain Marc"
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|
Chaplain
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Old Eddie
It
happens every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun
resembles a giant orange and is starting to dip into the blue ocean. Old
Ed comes strolling along the beach to his favorite pier. Clutched in his
bony hand is a bucket of shrimp. Ed walks out to the end of the pier,
where it seems he almost has the world to himself. The glow of the sun
is a golden bronze now.
Everybody's gone, except
for a few joggers on the beach. Standing out on the end of the pier, Ed
is alone with his thoughts... and his bucket of shrimp.
Before long, however, he
is no longer alone. Up in the sky a thousand white dots come screeching
and squawking, winging their way toward that lanky frame standing there
on the end of the pier. Before long, dozens of seagulls have enveloped
him, their wings fluttering and flapping wildly. Ed stands there tossing
shrimp to the hungry birds. As he does, if you listen closely, you can
hear him say with a smile, "Thank you. Thank you."
In a few short minutes
the bucket is empty. But Ed doesn't leave. He stands there lost in
thought, as though transported to another time and place. Invariably,
one of the gulls lands on his sea-bleached, weather-beaten hat - an old
military hat he's been wearing for years.
When he finally turns
around and begins to walk back toward the beach, a few of the birds hop
along the pier with him until he gets to the stairs, and then they, too,
fly away. And old Ed quietly makes his way down to the end of the beach
and on home.
If you were sitting
there on the pier with your fishing line in the water, Ed might seem
like "a funny old duck," as my dad used to say. Or, "a guy that's a
sandwich shy of a picnic," as my kids might say. To onlookers, he's just
another old codger, lost in his own weird world, feeding the seagulls
with a bucket full of shrimp.
To the onlooker, rituals
can look either very strange or very empty. They can seem altogether
unimportant... maybe even a lot of nonsense. Old folks often do strange
things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters. Most of them would
probably write Old Ed off, down there in Florida. That's too bad. They'd
do well to know him better.
His full name: Eddie
Rickenbacker. He was a famous hero back in World War II. On one of his
flying missions across the Pacific, he and his seven-member crew went
down. Miraculously, all of the men survived, crawled out of their plane,
and climbed into a life raft.
Captain Rickenbacker and
his crew floated for days on the rough waters of the Pacific. They
fought the sun. They fought sharks. Most of all, they fought hunger. By
the eighth day their rations ran out. No food. No water.
They were hundreds of
miles from land and no one knew where they were. They needed a miracle.
That afternoon they had a simple devotional service and prayed for a
miracle. They tried to nap. Eddie leaned back and pulled his military
cap over his nose. Time dragged. All he could hear was the slap of the
waves against the raft.
Suddenly, Eddie felt
something land on the top of his cap. It was a seagull!
Old Ed would later
describe how he sat perfectly still, planning his next move. With a
flash of his hand and a squawk from the gull, he managed to grab it and
wring its neck. He tore the feathers off, and he and his starving crew
made a meal - a very slight meal for eight men - of it. Then they used
the intestines for bait. With it, they caught fish, which gave them food
and more bait......and the cycle continued. With that simple survival
technique, they were able to endure the rigors of the sea until they
were found and rescued. (After 24 days at sea...)
Eddie Rickenbacker lived
many years beyond that ordeal, but he never forgot the sacrifice of that
first lifesaving seagull. And he never stopped saying, "Thank you."
That's why almost every Friday night he would walk to the end of the
pier with a bucket full of shrimp and a heart full of gratitude.
[Eddie was an Ace in WW
I, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, and started Eastern
Airlines. He went through his ordeal in the Pacific in October, 1942.
Born in 1890, he died in 1973.
–
Editor]
Max Lucado, " The Eye of the Storm," pp.221, 225-226
[Sent in by my friend Chaplain (Lt. Col.) George Kelly - Editor]
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Emergency Services - Wing Announcement 1
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Mark your calendar!
–
21-28 June 2008 -
Important Update
The
Lone Star Emergency Services Academy will be held
June 21-28 in Big Sandy, Texas, at the
ALERT Academy. We've made a great arrangement with a
facility designed for indoor-outdoor training, offering us suitable
billeting, small and large classrooms, conference hall, and generous
grounds. It will definitely be more comfortable than the National
Guard facility we've been using up to now. To obtain the great rate
we've negotiated, students must bring their own sheets, blankets,
and towels. Also, participants will be expected to clean their own
space and classroom.
The curriculum for each LESA School will be geared to senior member
career track requirements. Cadet participation will be allowed,
provided they can keep up with senior members.
We
know Big Sandy is a long trip for many of you. However, an inbound or
outbound sortie to cover the cost of fuel should help make the drive
easier.
This new facility is a great place, and at a very reasonable
cost. Each school fee will be priced according to the cost of
classroom and field training aids required, but they will all be
bargains. The course fee will cover three meals a day, lodging,
classrooms, and wireless Internet access. It even has its own
air field.
We're trying to develop a long-term relationship with the ALERT
Academy, and you can help: be neat, watch your manners, and behave
as you would in the best of company.
Mission Air Crew flight and fuel costs are funded for Texas Wing
members. CAP members from other wings, unless they are supported by
their home wing's AF budget, will be charged the standard CAP flight
fee.
We'll be offering a host of exciting schools
–
some that you know already, plus new ones.
-
GSARSS A and B
will be back offering great training
–
-
Comm School
–
Love radios?
-
Mission Staff School
– Have you always wanted to
work at the ICP? Be at the heart of the event?
Then...
-
Mission Aircrew School
–
Forget the ground below. Think of it:
-
Flight Line Management School
–
Keep those planes moving, without mishaps.
-
PAO/IO School
– Tell the complete story, and
make the reader experience it!
-
Mission Chaplain School
– A 4-day course for chaplains,
taught by chaplains.
-
Comfort family and survivors,
-
Help the rescuers deal with their
feelings,
-
Work through real-life situations as
others have experienced them.
-
CISM
– A 4-day course on Critical
Incident Stress Management
-
Fundamental techniques, principles, and
practice,
-
Counseling and acceptance,
-
Work with the experts and learn coping
strategies.
Although by now we have selected many of the key senior instructors
who will put together these schools, we still need additional staff.
Please contact me if you're interested in managing
the following –
-
Admin/Finance
-
Kitchen Support
-
Chaplain Services
-
Cadet Support Staff
-
Computer/IT services.
If
you're interested in taking on any of these positions (openings for
cadets and seniors) or if you would like to be an instructor (for a
block of instruction, a couple of days, or for the week) in one of
the schools, please e-mail me.
We're working on a website that will let us do electronic
enrollment. By the end of February, we should be ready to announce
this site's URL and release both the Ops Plans and packing lists.
Mark you
calendars and watch your e-mail InBox for more information
–
slots will fill up fast!
Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, DOS |
|
Emergency Services - Wing Announcement 2
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PAO/IO
Training
As
announced by the Interim National Commander, Brig Gen Amy S. Courter,
"The newly revised CAPR 190-1 requires a trained and certified MIO, in
accordance with CAPR 60-3, to handle media relations for every mission
and training exercise."
This impacts deeply into the life of every unit. There
used to be a time when anyone could take on the job of the Public
Affairs Officer, with little or no formal training, provided the
commander certified that person for the job. This worked reasonably well
in a small unit at a time when communications were slow and only the
most noteworthy events were reported beyond the immediate community.
Today, what happens in your own back yard can quickly become known
across the globe. In a case like this, the non-IO qualified PAO dealing
with media relations may well suffer a very rude awakening.
That awakening, unfortunately, can have repercussions all
the way up the chain of command. Therefore, it is imperative that PAOs
take their formal training seriously. In short, every PAO needs to get
qualified as an Information Officer (or Mission Information Officer).
Gen Courter specifically singles out "every mission and training
exercise" as requiring an MIO. Think of it. What else do we do that
doesn't involve "missions and training exercises"?
Bottom line, a PAO that is not an IO/MIO is not up to the
job. The trouble is that there might not be an IO around, and the PAO
might have to "wing it." The lucky PAO might manage to survive the
experience, but not knowing what's involved and how to do it can produce
highly negative results.
Please read the item above this one, and notice that PAO/IO
training will be offered this summer. I encourage every PAO in Texas
Wing to take advantage of this opportunity. In one information-packed
week, you can get the training that you need. If you're serious about
being a PAO, and you are not IO/MIO qualified, I hope to see you there.
Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, DOS |
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Finance
 |
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Group III Patch Available
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Are you on Group III Staff? Wear the Group III Staff patch
proudly. At $5.00 each, they are a bargain and show your
commitment to Group III and the CAP program. (Click on the image
for a larger view.) |
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|
Group III Coins Available
 
Our mint
has delivered a batch of new
Group III Commemorative Coins, and you may own as many as you wish,
for $10.00 each. They make wonderful gifts for your loved
ones ... or even yourself. (Click on the images for larger
views of the obverse and reverse.)
To purchase either
Group III Patches or Group III Coins, please contact Maj Laurie
Lancaster -
laurielancaster@yahoo.com |
Maj. Laurie Lancaster, FO |
|
Honor Guard
 |
Presenting the Colors at the AFA Luncheon,
19 April
DALLAS, TX
–
It was mid-day, but the stars were out in downtown
Dallas as the Seidel Chapter of the Air Force
Association (AFA) hosted General T. Michael Moseley,
USAF Chief of Staff to a luncheon at the Fairmont
Hotel.
General Moseley was joined on
Saturday 19 April by Lt. Gen. David Deptula, Deputy Chief of
Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance; Lt.
Gen. John Bradley, Commander, Air Force Reserve; Lt. Gen.
Craig McKinley, Director, Air National Guard; Maj. Gen.
Loren Reno, Commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center,
Tinker Air Force Base; Brig. Gen. Howard Thompson,
Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 8th Air
Force, Air Combat Command and Lt. Gen. Mike Dunn
(Ret.), President of AFA.
The Honor Guard routinely
practices for several hours at the selected venue prior to
the event, to ensure a perfect performance with no
unexpected obstacles. While the practice was wrapping up,
General Moseley arrived early and made it a point to
introduce himself to each of the cadets, thanking one and
all.
As the luncheon began Kay Kamm,
of the AFA, introduced the Group III Honor Guard, who posted
the colors. C/TSgt Tim Kleinmeier (US Flag), C/SMSgt Matthew
Garcia (Texas Flag), C/CMSgt Sarah Heitzmann and C/MSgt
James Gulliksen (rifles) flawlessly performed their
ceremonial placement of the flags and stood at attention as
Ms. Kamm led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Each Honor Guard cadet was then
seated at a table with one of the generals for
lunch. Important contacts can be made at these events, such
as Cadet Garcia experienced when an invitation was extended
for the Honor Guard to tour a Lockheed facility.
After the meal, General Moseley
spoke about his vision for the Air Force. The General
mentioned how good it was to be home in Texas, since he was
born in Grand Prairie and graduated from Texas
A&M. Following General Moseley’s remarks, the colors were
retrieved and an opportunity for photos was provided. The
Honor Guard cadets were thrilled to have met Gen Moseley in
person.
Later that evening, General
Moseley attended the Dallas Military Ball, while some of the
Honor Guard members went paint-balling. They were back at
the Addison Composite Squadron for a scheduled Honor Guard practice on
Sunday afternoon.
National
Honor Guard Academy acceptance
The Group
III Honor Guard has a strong history of cadets attending the
National Honor Guard Academy. We’re proud to announce that
C/MSgt Matthew Garcia has been accepted to the Honor Guard
Academy this summer. Cadets Kleinmeier, Cohen and Heitzmann
have attended in the past.
Practice Schedule
| Date |
Time |
Place |
| 4 May |
1300-1700 |
Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron |
| 18 May |
1300-1700 |
Addison
Composite Squadron |
| 1 June |
1300-1700 |
Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron |
Join the Honor Guard
For more information on joining the Group III Honor Guard please contact
TFO McKinney or
1st Lt Don Gulliksen.
1st.
Lt. Don Gulliksen, HGO |
|
Inspector
General
 |
Inspection Status
Due to Capt Manley's slow recovery,
there are no inspections scheduled at this time. He
is expected to be back among the movers and shakers
soon, and he'll put together a new schedule at that
time.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
Inspection Schedule
| Charter # |
Unit Name |
Date |
Comment |
| TX-352 |
Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron |
21 April, 2007 |
|
| TX-030 |
Group III |
5 May, 2007 |
|
| TX-376 |
Waxahachie Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-390 |
Addison Composite Squadron & TCA Flight |
9-10 June, 2007 |
|
| TX-148 |
Waco Composite Squadron |
14 July, 2007 |
|
| TX-391 |
Dallas Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-351 |
Pegasus Composite Squadron
|
Date TBD |
|
| TX-133 |
Irving Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-803 |
Red Oak Oaks Cadet Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-076 |
Crusader Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
Capt. Steve Manley, IG
Civil Air Patrol Ethics Policy
On 25 August 2005, the National
Commander issued this
policy letter
as a guide for all CAP members. Please make sure that you understand
it, implement it, and remain vigilant concerning any violations.
Inspection Schedules
Unit inspection schedules are
now posted on the Group III
website's Squadron Support / Inspector General page.
Capt. Steve Manley, IG
|
|
Information Technology
 |
Most
Common Mistakes that Beginning Webmaster Make - The Banner
Creating a website takes more than organizing the
information and making it easy to find. The ease of use, in fact, can be
overwhelmed by poor choices in the overall "look and feel" as well as
faults in the art of space usage and arrangement.
The banner is that wonderful strip at the top of the page
that identifies your site. If you take the time to look at what the pros
have created for some of the major players (US
Air Force,
U.S. Navy,
Ford Motor Co.,
General Motors,
The White House,
IBM,
Seiko Watches,
General Electric,
Infiniti,
Nikon Corp.,
Smithsonian Institution,
3M,
Xerox, and so on),
you'll see that all of them share some basic features:
o The logo is unique,
o The page does not overwhelm the logo, and
o The banner itself is fairly thin and
unobtrusive, yet catches the eye.
The Beginning Webmaster (BW) is seldom able to resist the
temptation of creating a generous and "deep" banner (or masthead, as it
is called in the magazine world), sometimes allowing it to reach relatively
gigantic proportions. The more things the BW wants to cram into that
banner, the deeper it will be, and if the BW creates a 300-pixel deep
masthead in that fancy new PC that has a resolution of 1600x1200 pixels,
it won't look all that big. Now, wait a minute. Reality check. Along comes
the impoverished visitor using a small-screen laptop with a skimpy resolution of
800x600 pixels. What happens then? The BW's creation has turned into a
monster that hogs half the screen with that enormous, feature-full
masthead, a constant presence that just sits there, doing nothing
useful - and getting in the way.
The purpose of the masthead (or banner) is to brand the
website and each page within it. If this part of the screen is too deep, it will
force the visitor to keep scrolling for every page. Furthermore, once
the visitor has seen the BW's banner once, a perennial replication of
the same enormous banner
–
page, after page, after boring page
–
can become a source of great
irritation.
Rule No. 1 is easy to remember. The computer screen is a
very expensive and finite piece of visual real estate. The banner should
be a discrete reminder of ownership, because the rest of the screen
rightfully belongs to the information. If instead of a reminder the
banner becomes a visual hammer blow on the visitor's retina, that site
will bleed visitors away in no time. The same as with a case of food
poisoning at the local bistro, visitors to an unpleasant website are
not likely to return.
To summarize, a website is the living proof of what the
Bauhaus architects and artists in 1920's Germany proclaimed, "Less is
more." In Japan, where physical space is at a premium, rooms are
generally quite small, have practically no furniture, and usually have
only one silk painting hanging on one wall. The wealthy home owner may have
several such paintings, each neatly rolled around a wooden dowel, and
these may be displayed one at a time, to fit the occasion.
Only one. Think of it. There is only one sun. There is
only one moon. At your seashore, there is only one ocean. On this earth,
you get only one life...
Capt. Arthur E.
Woodgate, ITO
|
|
Professional Development
 |
Promotion
Requirements
I'd like to
highlight the new area of the Texas Wing
website, found at
Civil Air Patrol Promotion Requirements as
found in
CAPR 35-5 (E). The three main topics
discussed are:
This new addition to
the website was the main topic presented at the
Admin / Personnel / PDO Seminar taught at the
Wing Conference by Lt Col George Grodin and Lt
Col Bill Williams.
Senior Member
Training Opportunities this Month
1st.
Lt. Vanessa Smith, PDO
tx438pdo@yahoo.com
|
|
Public Affairs
– Cadet PAO
 |
From
Pegasus Composite Squadron, a new
Cadet PAO
C/TSgt Aaron Harold has an easy smile, runs like the wind, and
displays a talent for detail. Endowed with a keen eye that
captures the action, and a caring approach to life, he is not
afraid to sense the world around him, observe the people in it,
and feel their emotions. In the process, he finds his own.
A good story teller leads the listener or reader to experience an
event from the inside, as it were. The ability to share that
lived moment with others, who were not there, does not come
easily. It takes audacity and strength. Because truth in telling
is not the same as glibness. It requires candor and honesty,
which are present in this cadet in abundant measure.
He likes sports, people, hard work, people, overcoming
obstacles, people, and... oh, yes. People. That's what makes him
a great asset to the Group III Newsletter. So I welcome him with
pleasure and respect. May he write often, all his life, as he
develops in mind and spirit.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Group III PAO |
|
Public Affairs – Group III O-Flights - I 
|
TYLER, TX – Group III, Texas Wing invited cadets from Louisiana
Wing to participate in a weekend of Cadet Orientation flights at
Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. On Saturday, 5 April, five cadets
and three senior members from Barksdale Composite Squadron,
SWR-LA-005, arrived at the Tyler Composite Squadron eager to
fly. They were not disappointed.
The event was part of a Group III-wide
"O-Flights Marathon" involving Staging Areas at the Tyler Composite
Squadron, Waxahachie Composite Squadron and Kittinger Phantom Senior
Squadron in Austin, with the participation of other Texas Wing
squadrons that provided flightcrews, aircraft, and cadets. Unique
among them was Tyler, that received the Louisiana participants.
The weather, which had been cloudy
and foggy, lifted, and the day became perfect for flying. As
soon as they could complete in-processing, the cadets were given
a Safety and Orientation In-brief, and assigned sorties. C/Amn
Carter and C/Amn Patton made their first orientation flight,
Cadet Medley made his second flight, and all three of them plus
Cadets Rowan and King received back-seat rides. In all, the
Louisiana cadets made 8 orientation flights on Saturday.
Only two planes had been available for the day, since
the planned Louisiana aircraft had been grounded by poor weather
there.
In Monroe, LA, after waiting all day for the weather to improve,
Maj John Haddad and Capt Glen Deas were able to bring their
plane from the Monroe Senior Squadron over to Tyler, to fly
orientation flights on Sunday. Barksdale Composite Squadron is
also expecting an additional cadet to join them for orientation
flights on Sunday, bringing their total number of participating
cadets to 6.
When asked for their thoughts on this event, the Barksdale
cadets said it was “awesome” and “interesting.” C/CMSgt King
said, “I enjoyed the opportunity to meet new cadets and learn
how their squadrons did things.” Capt. Victor Santana, Deputy
Commander for Cadets for Barksdale Composite Squadron, said,
“This is a great opportunity to pool resources so that everyone
can accomplish more.”
The Barksdale cadets were also impressed upon learning that
Texas Wing has a CUL-qualified cadet who had been the
communications officer during the recent REDCAP mission that
searched for Mark Ritter. Capt Judy LaValley, the Barksdale
Squadron Commander, said, “That’s great! Hopefully this will
encourage our cadets to advance beyond MRO, and see how far they
can go in communications.”
The participating cadets were very much at home with each other.
Louisiana Cdt King said, “Texas is interesting, and
has big skies.” She had participated in a REDCAP mission last
September, searching for a missing rotor blade needed to
reconstruct a downed helicopter that had resulted in fatalities.
“It took a while, but we found it,” she said. "I was a little
uncomfortable at first being at the site, knowing people had
died, but I know I was helping with the investigation that would
help make sure this kind of accident wouldn't happen again."
1.
2.
3.
[1] Texas Cadets Gandy and
Saucedo visit with C/CMSgt King of Louisiana, as they wait
for their O-Flight. Cadet King has been in CAP
for 3 years and is taking her 5th O'Flight. [2] C/MSgt Winn of Tyler Composite Squadron TX085, waits for
his 4th O-Flight in the front seat. He has taken the
controls in previous flights, and has been in CAP two and a
half years. [3]
Sortie #1 is ready. Louisiana Cadets Rowan, Medley and
Carter, with Pilot Lt Col Richard Martin, from Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron.
(Photos: Lt. Col. H. M. Ragland)
Cadet Airman Issac Cedillo, a member
of Tyler Composite Squadron, remarked, "The Louisiana cadets are
a great bunch to work with. Even though they are from out of
town, they acted like brothers and sisters." Cadet Cedillo
joined CAP because he needed a hobby, then liked the experience
and decided to stay. He wants to go into law enforcement,
either as a civilian or in Military Police.
Cadet Senior Airman Evan Rowan, from
Barksdale Composite squadron, joined CAP for the educational
opportunities and aviation experience. "I liked the CAP
scholarship opportunities along with National Cadet sSpecial
Activities like the powered flight academy," he said. Cadet
Rowan likes best the camaraderie with other cadets and the
adventure of flying.
Another member of the Tyler
Composite Squadron, Cadet Basic Shawn Bounds, said, "I liked the
Louisiana cadets' willingness to join in and participate." Cdt
Bounds joined CAP to help him pursue a military career. He plans
to attend Tyler Jr. College in August and study meteorology.
After completing Tyler Jr. College, Cdt Bounds will join the Air
Force and enter the pilot program.
Gregg County Composite Squadron
C/SMSgt Kayla Cassel, age 16, got her private pilot's
license in July 2007. Cadet Cassel has been in CAP for 18
months and is now working on her Ground Team Member
qualifications. She is a junior at Hallsville High School.
"After graduating from high school," she said, "I want to
attend the U.S. Air Force Academy."
Cdt Medley, a Barksdake cadet,
said, “The best way to describe it is – enjoyable.”
When asked what she thought about the joint-Wing Orientation
Flight Weekend, Capt LaValley said, “There need to be more
activities like this. This is a wonderful opportunity to
build good relationships and create a stronger region.”
All agreed the food was very
good, and Tyler Composite Squadron definitely lived up to
Texas’ reputation for excellent hospitality.
Lt. Col. H. M. Ragland, Capt.
Judith LaValley, and Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate
|
|
Public Affairs – Group III O-Flights - II
|
Group III hosts O-Ride weekend, 5-6 April - Day 1
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INT'L AIRPORT, TX – Beautiful, clear skies with a light breeze created ideal conditions for
flying at the Group III Orientation Ride weekend.
Nearly 30
cadets rest outside, soaking up the sun, as they eagerly wait for their
chance to fly, but the most eager cadets were those who had never
done an O-Flight before. Because there were only two CAP airplanes,
there was a limit to how many cadets could fly. Fortunately for those
anxious first-timers, the pilots agreed to give them the opportunity to fly
first. Cadet Airman Darr shares his feelings about his first O-flight,
“I was nervous at first, but I had a lot of fun.” Another first-time
flyer, Cadet Airman Shannon, was asked how he liked his first O-Flight
and he replied with a smiling,” Great! I can’t wait for my next one.”
1.
2.
3.
[1] The safety briefing. [2] The "grounded" cadets enjoyed
alternate activities. Rocket launching was wonderful, and the hovercraft
got many takers. [3] In one of the two CAP planes available, Capt.
Don Hart is about to take a first-timer on an O'Flight.
The
cadets were not the only ones having fun. The participating senior members really enjoyed working with the cadets. Capt. Don Hart,
one of the pilots, stated that today had been “a successful day” and that
this weekend had presented “great opportunities for both the senior and
cadets”.
Because
of the limited number of cadets in the air, there were many cadets on the ground
who had a lot of free time on their hands. Thankfully, the Apollo
Composite Squadron
had brought along a few great activities. Some cadets enjoyed
sliding around on the hovercraft, while others did some target practice with a
compressed air rocket launcher. At one point, the Pegasus Composite Squadron and Apollo
Composite Squadron cadets
faced-off in an epic game of “Dodge Goddard,” using Goddard model
rockets they launched at each other. Nobody won.
Overall,
today was considered a success. And the best part is that the event
repeats on Sunday. Most of the cadets can’t wait for Sunday to come
around.
Group III hosts O-Ride weekend, 5-6 April - Day 2
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INT'L AIRPORT, TX –
With fewer cadets than the day before, the O-Ride weekend continued with
everyone eager to take to the sky. Although everyone's spirits were high,
the day started off with low cloud levels, keeping the planes on the
tarmac. Thankfully, the day gained some momentum as soon as Captain
Arthur Woodgate walked in with a surprise. News Channel 8 Austin had
agreed to take some footage and interview one or two participants about
the O-Ride Weekend. The lucky ones were Cadet Senior Master Sergeant
Aaron Harold and Cadet Second Lieutenant Raphael Erie, who answered
questions about the event and CAP in general.
Then the photographer said, "I'd like some notes, please." That meant
that he wanted someone to speak into the camera so they would have
background information to go with the cadets' interviews, and Capt.
Woodgate volunteered to do that.
4.
5.
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