In the Civil Air Patrol, we have gathered in volunteer service. That's simple enough. We all know what that means, because we do it. But what does volunteer service really mean? Where do these words come from?

In the English language, the word service was first used around 1100, taken from the Old French servise, from the Classical Latin servitium (slavery, servitude) in turn derived from servus (slave). This original use meant "celebration of public worship." By 1590, the word had evolved into "duty of a military man," hence military service. By 1706, service had also come to mean "the military as an occupation." Clear enough.

Volunteer, also, has military origins. First used around 1600, it meant "one who offers himself for military service," from the Middle French voluntaire, the noun use of the adjective that means voluntary, from the Classical Latin voluntarius (voluntary, of one's free will). The use of volunteer as a non-military term was first recorded in 1638 (a very quick adaptation, as languages go).

If I looked up service first, and then volunteer, it's because that's how English is constructed. If we take volunteer to be an adjective, the word that calls the shots is service, the noun. And if we take volunteer to be a noun, by coming first it is a noun in an adjectival role, modifying the noun that follows it. Therefore, it all hinges on service, with volunteer as an added dollop of good meaning, if you wish.

I know some CAP members who are deeply religious, and the idea of service having started its lexical life in the sense of  "religious observance" is sure to please them. I also know some who are non-believers – agnostics, or even self-proclaimed atheists. Oddly enough, I don't believe they would object to the use of the word service, though. By their actions, their commitment to help others in time of need, their willingness to give of their time, talent and effort towards the welfare of others, they affirm a morality that is at the very heart of every religion.

If we look at our core values and truly apply them, we'll see that they also share the qualities that religious teachings point us to. Compassion, generosity, help, love, duty, hope, charity, respect, deliverance, comfort, rising above our personal wishes – these speak eloquently to the stricken, the bereaved, the victims of events totally outside their control. And we do these things for no pay. That's the volunteer part. In the comfort of his home, the cynic might wonder, "So what's the payoff?" But that same cynic, when the roof of his house has been blown right off, and five feet of water have invaded every room, will be first in line clamoring for help.

And when help arrives, even the cynic will be thankful.

And that is a payoff that is truly lasting. Anyone who has extended a helping hand and seen the gratitude in the eyes of others knows what the payoff is. Religious people call it "building yourself treasures in heaven."

"Chaplain Marc"

The Lessons Learned Information Sharing site, published and maintained by the Department of Homeland Security, is a rich source of planning, hands-on, and practical information. Do check out their Hurricane Preparedness page, recently updated.

To access the site, at https://www.llis.dhs.gov , you must create a user account first. If you have trouble doing so, they publish a Help e-mail address, and they also have a toll-free phone number to assist you. Refreshingly, if you phone, you'll get an American standard accent belonging to a patient and clear helper.

At the very least, read the State of Texas Hurricane Evacuation and Mass Care Plan https://www.llis.dhs.gov/docdetails/details.do?contentID=23405

This site is free, useful, and clear. You can't go wrong.

Crisis Management Newsletter

To receive this e-newsletter, send a message to join-crisismanager@laser.sparklist.com -- No subject or message is required. You'll receive a message that you must answer in order to confirm your subscription. (Tip sent in by my friend Lt. Col. Tom Traver, ORWG PAO.)

Day One, 26 July

COCOA BEACH, Florida - What a great day to start the Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course! Upon arrival, anyone could have noticed the steel-blue sky, penetrated by the bright Florida sun. It was a brilliant view that promised wonderful things. With cadets arriving from many states, both near and far, and using different modes of transportation, gathering all of them in one place was no easy task. To be sure, it took a lot of coordination and a great deal of patience on the part of the senior staff.

Gradually, as the cadets arrived at the Cocoa Beach Resort, they familiarized themselves with the facilities. Although there was a delay in room assignments, it was not as inconvenient as it might seem. The delay gave the cadets time to relax and socialize, getting to know each other.

As they interacted and exchanged impressions, the Cadet PAO team had the chance to ask the cadets how they felt about the upcoming events. Were they looking forward to the AFSPC-FC experience? The cadets didn't give many enthusiastic answers, probably due to fatigue and hunger from their travels. We definitely hope that their answers will change after a nice warm dinner and a good night’s rest.

After the gleefully welcome dinner on Patrick Air Force Base, the cadets moved on to the 45th Space Wing Command Conference room to attend the Welcome Briefing. This was a formal introduction to the activity that laid down the rules and expectations as they applied to all participants. Cadet Master Sergeant Tim Fisher (Georgia Wing) said, "I expect to gain a better understanding of the Air Force Space Command.”

Directly after the Welcome Briefing, the cadets headed back to their rooms for lights out. There, in the comfort of their rooms, they were free to dream about the exciting things they will encounter in the very near future.

COCOA BEACH, Florida - The sky is wide, the sun is up, we're well rested and ready to go… and we’re off! As it turned out, the first full day of the Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course was definitely an exciting one!

After a satisfying breakfast at 0700, the cadets attended a class taught by Major Dickinson. Space 101, an introductory lecture, covered the basic principles of Space as well as the Air Force’s and NASA’s involvement with Space. Directly after the class, the cadets took a comprehensive quiz that consists of 25 questions about the material covered in the presentation. When asked if she had learned a lot from the Space 101 class, Cadet Second Lieutenant Laura Boehk said, “I already knew some of the material, but I still learned a lot.”

After the pop quiz, we marched down to the Riverside Dining Facility and enjoyed a nice hot lunch. It was such a beautiful day, that some of the cadets chose to eat their meal on the outside porch.

The highlight of the day was a visit to the John F. Kennedy Space Center, where the cadets visited many different exhibits. The most popular were the LC-39 Observation Gantry, the Apollo/Saturn V center (which contained the real Saturn V rocket), and the International Space Station Center.

Right after touring the displays, the cadets had a treat. They met former astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss, USAF Ret. He talked to us about the best way to get started in a profession in Space Aeronautics, then signed autographs for all of us. Afterwards, we got a chance to visit the rest of the exhibit. Cadet Second lieutenant Eashan Samak said, "My favorite exhibit at the Space Center was probably the Apollo 1, and also seeing the launch control center.”

The cadets then headed back to the 45th Space Wing Command Conference Room, where they had delicious Subway sandwiches for dinner. Directly after that, Captain Gary Dahlke held a class explaining the Seven Wonders of the Universe. Inspired by the topics that Captain Dahlke had thrown at them, the cadets proceeded to overwhelm their instructor with an apparently endless stream of questions.

This was definitely a wonderful and successful start to what is sure to become one of the greatest experiences the cadets have ever had. Participants' expectations from this activity are high, and they are all looking forward to being surprised by getting more than they'd expected.

Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis & Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAOs

Day Three, 28 July

COCOA BEACH, Florida – Monday was certainly the most eventful day so far. It was also the very first day that the cadets wore their "class B" Blues uniform, prompting everyone to take extra care in dressing for the day.

At 0550 the cadets, half-asleep, slowly made their way to the vans for transportation to breakfast on base. With a quick but satisfying breakfast, the cadets revived and attended three consecutive briefings. The first one, "The 45th Space Wing Mission Brief," guided by Captain Page, USAF, was a basic overview of the functions of the 45th Space Wing.

The next briefing offered the cadets the opportunity to meet former astronaut and current 45th Space Wing Commander, Brigadier General Susan Helms, USAF. General Helms described for the cadets her experiences as an astronaut, then answered their many questions.

Following General Helms was a briefing regarding the Human Space Flight Mission, guided by Mr. Chris Malbon. Out of the three briefings, Cadet Master Sergeant Charles Walker preferred Brigadier General Helms’, saying, "Although I have met two astronauts before, I had never met an Air Force General who had been an astronaut."

Directly after these presentations, the cadets had lunch at the Riverside Dining Facility and then performed an In-Ranks Inspection. It was extremely important that the cadets met the highest standard of appearance and behavior, especially when upholding the image of the Civil Air Patrol.

Afterwards, the cadets proceeded to the DOMS Telemetry Tracking Facility. This is where the Air Force observes rocket launches using planetarium-like telescopes. The cadets were introduced to the technologies that allowed the Air Force to view a rocket launch from every angle possible.

The next event was a tour of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s fantastic facilities (where a lot the action takes place). The first facility we visited was the Atlas Space Flight Operations Center. Our wonderful tour guide, Mr. Mike Woolly of United Launch Alliance, explained everything about the Atlas rockets as he led us through the Atlas Command Control Center.

Next we went to Complex 34, the site of the Apollo 1 tragedy. We felt honored and privileged to have been allowed to visit this site. It was such a beautiful sight to see, and there was so much emotion attached to it that words cannot completely describe it. The scenery consisted of a massive, peaceful landscape of lush vegetation and a large body of water. The familiar facilities of NASA and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station have been built within this striking landscape.

Subsequently, the cadets visited the Space and Missile Museum’s captivating historical exhibits. Thanks to the tour guide, our own Captain Gary Dalhke, everyone left the Museum with a vast amount of historical knowledge.

After dinner back at Air Force Diner, the cadets went straight to the 45th Space Wing Conference Room to take the test covering the day’s events. That done, they attended a presentation from the night’s guest speaker, Mr. Norman Beck of the LRO/LCROSS Mission, who spoke about the future of the Moon landing programs.

What a day! It seems that the AFSPC-FC is gaining momentum as the week rolls on. Today was more jam-packed with events than either one of the previous two days, and now we anticipate even more in the days to come. (Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and C/1st Lt. Raphael Erie)

Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO

Day Four, 29 July

COCOA BEACH, Florida – The day was long but filled with rewards. Running a little behind schedule, we quickly ate our breakfast and loaded onto the Air Force bus. To pass the time, some cadets cracked jokes as we drove to the 1st Range Operations Squadron. There, we toured the facilities and learned about the cooperation needed from all mission members in order to have a successful launch. These members work hard and smart in making sure the launch runs smoothly, as the countdown timer ticks away.

The 45th Weather Squadron introduced us to their mission and showed us a short film about what they do. We watched with great interest as the video played across the screens. Mr. William Roeder brought laughter to the room as he briefed us on the proper safety procedures one must follow in order to prevent being struck by lightning. When asked what was her favorite part of the day, C/MSgt Hanley, commented "The speech about the lightning. The speaker was really funny."

When the lightning show was over, we wished our tour guides farewell and boarded "our" bus. We discussed amongst ourselves what we had seen and heard, as we used the time profitably on our way to the Balloon Release Facility. There, Mr. Dave Chapman briefed us on the balloons and their purpose. After the briefing, we were told to pick a number between 1 and 100 for a mystery drawing. The lucky winner, C/1st Lt. Benjamin Frazier, was the one chosen to release one of the spherical balloons into the vast Florida sky. We were led back to the small work room, where we watched the rising balloon's progress.

Our next stop was the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF). With Mr. Mike Woolley as our tour guide, we learned many interesting things. One great bit of trivia was that the floor of the Processing Bay broke the world record for being "the most level floor" in the world. Creating a temporary home in the Processing Bay were two Delta Four rockets in the assembly stage of their useful life. Yes. They were big. When the cadets first walked into the Processing Bay, their breath was taken away by the sight, and a look of awe and wonder came over them.

Back to more mundane needs, when Mr. Woolley’s exciting tour was over, we rode to Burger King, ate a nice tasty meal and discussed many topics.

After all of us had boarded the bus, the command was given, "Count off!" We had to make sure that everyone was present and accounted for. Upon arriving shortly at Complex 14, just inside the double doors was a special treat. Ten Air Force lieutenants sat in a neat row, waiting to answer our questions about a career in the Air Force. Cadet First Sergeant Dendrinos commented, "It’s pretty cool to major in something in college, then be assigned to something completely different that what you intended to do -- and still be great at it." With assigned duties varying from Medical to Engineering, these wonderful Ladies and Gentlemen were definitely one of the highlights of the evening.

The International Space Station Director, Russell Romanella, ended the evening with a nice Power Point slideshow of the International Space Station and the Universe. Meeting and speaking with this amazing person was a real pleasure.

The events of the day were busy, very rewarding, and did not disappoint us. We look forward more exciting and wonderful activities in the days to come. (Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and C/1st Lt. Raphael Erie)

Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis, C/PAO

Day Five, 30 July

COCOA BEACH, Florida – Another outstanding day has gone by, faster than the  blink of an eye. It's hard to believe that we've been here for five days, and we're over the half-way mark already. The many events we’ve experienced are soon to be just memories. There is a feeling of urgency all about, as we concentrate on cherishing every opportunity given to us in these few days.

The bright and sunny day started at 0615, with a pleasant breakfast that would surely keep us fueled until lunch. From there, we went straight to the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Upon arrival, we met our tour guide, NASA engineer Mr. Glenn Perez, who gave us a wonderful overview of the NASA facilities and processing areas.

This was a long day, full of NASA wonders. After touring the Kennedy Space Center, we went back to Patrick Air Force Base and had dinner at the Riverside Dining Facility. Excited about the day, and happy about our good meal, we went to the 45th Space Wing Conference room to take the daily quiz covering the day’s events.

When asked what he planned to do with the knowledge he had gained today, Cadet First Lieutenant Brian Urbancic said, "The stuff that I found out here is phenomenal. Now I have an idea of what to do when I’m older."

The final event was a briefing from the day's guest speaker, Mr. Jack Fox. He gave a wonderful presentation about NASA’s upcoming Constellation Program.

Some of us are wondering how we might make our stay here last longer. The activity is going by too quickly, and we wish there were a way to slow it down some. We know that very soon we'll be back home, left with the memories of our new-found friends and awesome experiences. (Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and C/1st Lt. Raphael Erie)

Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO

Day Six, 31 July

COCOA BEACH, Florida – The last day before graduation was a fulfilling one. It certainly proved to be more relaxed, as we were able to wear our white AFSPC T-shirts with casual dress. But it was just as exciting as the previous days – both staff and students learned a great deal, to be sure.

Despite being tired from the previous day’s events, we all got into the CAP Vans at 0550 to make our way to the Riverside Dining Facility. After an enjoyable breakfast, we went back to the John F. Kennedy Space Center to finish taking our tour from yesterday. Unexpectedly, Col. Christian Moersch, the Florida Wing Commander, accompanied us on our tour. The retrieval of NASA’s equipment was undoubtedly an intriguing subject. We were also fortunate to attend a classroom session with Mr. Lesgold at the NASA Education and Training Center. He captivated everyone with his fascinating footage from the Apollo Landings, plus numerous attention-grabbing activities that explained the fundamentals of Space Exploration.

After the theory, we got a taste of the practical side, when we experienced the thrilling ride of the Shuttle Simulation. This is a mock-up of the Space Shuttle that recreates the illusion of a launch from the perspective of an astronaut.

The following event was the highlight of the day. We were all honored to have lunch with former astronaut Col. John Blaha, USAF Ret. During the meal, Col. Blaha spoke to us about his experiences as a Space Shuttle astronaut. It was really cool when he complimented our efforts as Civil Air Patrol members.

Following lunch, we left the Space Center and went to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. This was a great opportunity to get a really good understanding of the Space Program's history. There we saw many interesting exhibits, as well as an activity area that offered us many fun experiences, such as a G-Force simulator and a Shuttle Landing simulator. Cadet Technical Sergeant Chad Nowak of the Wisconsin Wing said, "It was interesting to learn about the background of all the astronauts, and see what they did to achieve such a prestigious career."

Dinner soon came around, but this one was different. We were given the chance of talking with Command Chief Dennis Vannorsdall, of the 45th Space Wing, and eight senior Non-Commissioned Officers. They gave us much good advice and were very supportive of us. Soon after, we went to the 45th Space Wing Conference Room to take the very last test of the activity! When all tests were complete, our guest speaker, Captain Theo Spanos (who happens to be a former CAP cadet), gave us a very interesting talk about the Space Shuttle program.

Our reward has been very rich. We received a vast amount of knowledge that we'll treasure for a lifetime, and we're grateful for the rare opportunity of being able to glimpse space operations up-close. (Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and C/1st Lt. Raphael Erie)

Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO

Day 7, 1 August

COCOA BEACH, Florida – The sky was blue and clear, with the radiant sunshine pouring down from the heavens. This was a perfect day that would serve as a perfect setting for the day’s planned events. The official conclusion of the AFSPC-FC activity ended with an awesome graduation.

After enjoying a great breakfast, we went to the Space Tec Facilities where Captain Gary Dahlke presented an introductory class to Model Rocketry. He also showed us one of his own impressive model rockets, that was actually twice the size of Captain Dahlke himself. We then built our own pressurized air rockets using basic office supplies such as construction paper and tape. It was fun to see the deep look of concentration on the cadets' faces as they labored to assemble their rockets. The cadets would be competing to see whose rocket would go the farthest. In the end, Cadet Captain Benjamin Josse took 1st place, while Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Pannier won second place.

After enjoying our boxed lunches, we discussed the essay that is a mandatory assignment for this activity. We then went back to the 45th Space Wing's Conference Room, where Senior Master Sergeant Rene Rubiella, USAF, our guest speaker of the day, made an inspiring presentation on teen driving. You could have heard a pin drop as everyone actively listened to Sergeant Rubiella’s every word.

Afterwards, we all went back to the hotels and were given a few hours to prepare for graduation. With everyone’s uniform looking sharp, we went to the Patrick AFB Officers' Club to attend a graduation we were all looking forward to. 

(Photos: C/1st Lt Raphael Erie)

This was certainly the best part of the day. The evening started with time allotted for socializing with our guests and peers. All the cadets were really surprised to see some distinguished guests, including Colonel Butler, USAF and his wife, as well as Colonel Moarsh. Then we watched the end-of-course slide show that had been prepared by one of the Cadet PAOs, Cadet First Lieutenant BrandiiRe'Anne Davis. Following a short speech from Colonel Butler, we had a surprise visit from current astronaut Lieutenant Colonel Boe. The latter talked to us about his adventures as an astronaut and answered questions from the audience.

(Photos: C/1st Lt BrandiiRe'Ann Davis)

After getting our certificates, three distinguished awards (Professionalism, Essay, and Academics Awards) were presented to the winners, one of whom won two of them. They were:

• Professionalism award – Cadet Technical Sergeant Micah Humphrey

• Essay Award – Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Pannier

• Academics Award – Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Pannier

Congratulations to these cadets!

With graduation over, we were all allowed to stay up later than the previous nights. This grand finale will be followed by a fun day that will offer new friends the opportunity to hang out together for one last time before departing on Sunday.

Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO

Day 8, 2 August

COCOA BEACH, Florida – The extra hours of sleep and the memory of having graduated the night before were the perfect setting to start the final activity day of the AFSPC-FC. We woke up, grabbed our beachwear, and headed for the van. The first stop was the Riverside Dining Facility for a hot breakfast.

After the morning meal, we loaded back into the van and drove a few blocks to the Banana River. Here we collected oars, life jackets and kayaks for a lot of fun. Within 30 minutes, we were on the river, paddling away. Some of us chose to race, while others preferred to enjoy the little time we would spend on the river before we would have to leave for home. We had been told that we would have two hours on the river, and that didn't seem like much, so we tried to have an adventurous time. Some of us played bumper kayaks, and splashed each other until we were soaking wet. Then, before we realized it, the two hours were over, so we returned our borrowed gear and hopped back into the vans.

Shortly afterwards, we stopped to vacuum out the, leaving them in even better condition than we had found them. Our chore finished, we traveled back to the hotel. We would have free time until 1315, at which time we could play any activity on the hotel complex. When we reported in for the beach party, we were greeted warmly and asked to stand in line for food. By 1345, quite hungry by then, all of us had a plateful of food and a soft drink in our hands.

After lunch, most of us headed to the beach, while others went to the pool, racket ball or tennis courts. We rode the waves, dug our feet in the sand, and found multiple sand dollars along the way. We partied with each other until 1700, when we left for the Star Gazing Observatory. One last opportunity to take yet more knowledge away with us. Here we learned about the stars and their locations.

After stargazing, we loaded up and went back to the hotel for dinner... and much needed rest. We would need it for the trip home. (On day eight, the cadet photographers had been allowed to go on strike - Editor)

Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis, C/PAO

Day 9, 3 August

COCOA BEACH, Florida – The excitement from the previous week’s events, testing, inspection, briefings, studies, tours and travel, the wonder of America's Space Program, and the many wonderful people that make it work came to a grand finale. The adrenaline that once flowed through our veins now went down to a trickle, as we scrambled to get our luggage together and into the Civil Air Patrol vans.

Everyone scurried around, trying to make sure everything was organized and ready for departure. Some of us left as early as 0600, while others caught a few extra Z’s. The cadets parted company with fond farewells, and some exchanged contact information to stay in touch. We had arrived as strangers, but now were scattering as members of a close family, with many shared memories we would cherish for years to come.

The lucky participating students would like to thank everyone for the support, encouraging us as we advanced through this outstanding and rewarding program. Our expectations were exceeded as many surprises unfolded along the way. On behalf of the Class of 2008, "Thank you for giving us the opportunity of a lifetime. It shall never be forgotten."

COCOA BEACH, Florida – This was the first time that the AFSPC-FC (FL) Activity was to be recorded and reported by cadets. Both age 16, and both cadet officers, they had prepared themselves for nearly a year to carry out this mission. More than their perfect spelling and impeccable grammar, what I had looked for was their ability to relate to others, to experience consciously all that happened around them, and the courage to tell it all – candidly and from the heart.

Both Cadet PAOs have been published before. They were part of a team of 5 cadets who reported the 2007 Texas Wing Winter Encampment that I was privileged to mentor. Above all, they were eager to do the right thing. And they had a grand time doing it, which showed in their writing. The Texas press had embraced their daily articles and published them as a serial. CAP National News Online published them as well. In so doing, a new standard of excellence was created.

It seemed easy to them at the time, since I was never far from them. Questions abounded, and I encouraged them to follow their instincts. They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. Then the AFSPC-FC (FL) opportunity presented itself.

It would be different in Florida, half a country away, where they would have to keep a rigorous schedule, take their photos, write their articles, have them approved and sent to me in Austin for final editing and posting to the website. Before going to the Activity, I'd warned them, "If you fall behind just one day, it'll wreck your schedule." The late-night graduation ceremony did that. Relaxing on the beach nailed it shut. And the departure preparations didn't help either. But "duty before self" prevailed, and they wrote their missing articles on their way home, the tender days 7 through 9 presented here.

I am so very proud of them. I am also thankful to the Activity for having made it possible. It's been a real pleasure.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – On this second year of the PAO Academy, the emphasis was on training and planning. As a result of the comments and evaluations gathered in 2007 and in post-evaluation queries, some of the hands-on training sessions were divided into "basic" and "advanced" streams, with excellent results. Many wings were represented by members at the squadron level, who profited from the basic presentations. Some Wing PAOs, too, attended the basic courses as a means to update their own knowledge in an effort to better support their subordinate units.

As in 2007, the Interim National Commander, Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter, was very much involved in the proceedings and presided the presentation of awards at the Wednesday Awards Ceremony. This year, CNN correspondent Miles O'Brien delivered the keynote address. Southwest Region award winners were  Capt. Jerry Porter, Arizona Wing (2 awards); 2d Lt. Norman D. Reames, New Mexico Wing; and Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, SWR DPA (2 awards).

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

The breakout sessions had something for everyone. The presentation on PA Planning was thorough, stressing the 4-step planning process, that is a recognized business standard. CAP, as a business (even though not-for-profit), and the official auxiliary of the USAF, first required that all units prepare a Public Affairs Plan and a Crisis Communications Plan when the new CAPR 190-1 was published on 4 June 2007. Although the regulation doesn't specify how the PA Plan is to be structured, National requires each to include a way in which success can be measured. These will be considered living documents, that must be reviewed at least semi-annually (preferably quarterly) and updated, added to, or revised as often as necessary.

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

[9] Louisiana Wing Commander Col. Mike DuBois and his guest Cathy. [10] Texas Wing Commander Col. Joe R. Smith with his wife SWR Director of Administration/Personnel Maj. Harriet Smith and daughter 1st Lt. Sandra Smith. [11] SWR Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Larry Mattiello and his guest Letitia. [12] New Mexico Wing Commander Col. Ric Himebrook and his wife Roberta. [13] SWR Director of Public Affairs Capt. Arthur Woodgate. [14] SWR Deputy Commander East Col. André Davis and his guest Carol Anne.

The posting of a new Public Affairs Officer Toolkit was also announced, emphasizing the PA Planning Guidelines: Writing Your Crisis Communications Plan and Writing your PA Plan. The PAO Toolkit can be downloaded in its entirety at the CAP Channel site. Approximately 100 PAOs attended the PAO Academy, considered a great success.

Other Public Affairs sessions presented a variety of subjects designed to sharpen the skills of all attendees, including commanders and other interested persons. In fact, commanders at all levels chose to attend many PA presentations, which speaks eloquently about how important Public Affairs is now considered at the command level. PAOs have Maj. Gen. Courter to thank for on this count, since with her professional background she possesses a deep understanding of the value of PA for corporate health and growth. It is a fact that those units that have an active and vigorous PA program do best at recruiting and retention, as well as reaching out to the community.

Opportunities to network with old friends and meet new ones abounded, and some very productive high-level planning took place as well. All Region DPAs attended the Conference, and there were many Wing PAOs as well. National's top-tier PA staff was there as well. The result was a series of highly productive talks and pre-planning, establishing the parameters for optimal corporate growth and development.

15. 16. 17.

[15] SWR DCS Cadet Programs/DDR Lt. Col. Steven Trupp, SWR Deputy Commander East Col. André Davis and his guest Carol Anne, SWR Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Larry Mattiello and his guest Letitia, and Louisiana Wing Commander Col. Mike DuBois and his guest Cathy. [16]-[17] SWR DCS Cadet Programs/DDR Lt. Col. Steven Trupp, SWR Director of Public Affars Capt. Arthur Woodgate, SWR Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Larry Mattiello and his guest Letitia, and Louisiana Wing Commander Col. Mike DuBois and his guest Cathy.

Starting this year, the PAO Academy will be held every two years (2010's will take place in San Diego, in conjunction with the National Boards Conference). Since some potential attendees couldn't do so because of distance and/or cost considerations, it was proposed that Regions hold local PAO Academies in the off-year.

As always, the banquet was an perfect occasion for networking, as well as rewarding those most deserving.

The chosen location, though expensive, was excellent. And attendees were lucky in that no hurricane decided to strike during that week.