Wing encampments are a cornerstone of the Civil Air Patrol experience, offering cadets and adult members alike opportunities to learn, grow, and form lifelong memories. And for Lt. Col. James Card, a U.S. Air Force veteran and CAP member for more than 6½ decades, those experiences are more than just memorable—they’re a passion.
The recent Georgia Wing summer encampment puts Card on the brink of breaking an unofficial record for most encampments attended by a single CAP member.
“I’ve got to go to encampment,” said Card, the Georgia Wing’s communications licensing officer and assistant director of communications.
“I’ve gone to 64 of them already, so I must like encampments “Every one that I could make, I’ve made and I’ve gone to.”
Next year’s activity will carry even more significance, as Col. Michael L. Willis, Georgia Wing commander, announced this month that the 2025 summer gathering will be officially named the Lt. Col. Jim Card Georgia Wing Summer Encampment.
Since joining the Maine Wing’s Auburn Composite Squadron on Dec. 28, 1958, Card has witnessed significant changes in how encampments are conducted. Reflecting on his early experiences, he fondly recalled his second encampment, held in 1962, at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, which featured a program known as Project OJT (On the Job Training) that helped shape his course in life.
“Now when cadets go second-term [as cadet staff], they usually end up being logistics, communications or PAO [public affairs officers],” Card said,
“But back then, everybody wasn’t put on staff.”
In those days, second-term cadets were immersed in real-world Air Force jobs, working alongside security forces (military police), fire department personnel, motor pool crews, aircraft mechanics, and more.
Those hands-on experiences provided a unique glimpse into Air Force life — a revelation Card cherishes to this day.
“This was one of the greatest things they did,” he said, adding that the Loring encampment was one of the most productive he ever attended.
Card’s CAP journey is marked by a strong commitment to excellence, both in the air and on the ground. He excelled academically and earned the highest award available to cadets at the time — the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award.
“At the time, Civil Air Patrol didn’t have anything above Mitchell. You couldn’t get Spaatz, you couldn’t get anything in between,” he recalled
Once a cadet earned their Michell, they would receive a Letter of Proficiency, which documented they had completed all achievements and had earned the highest cadet rank/
Before transitioning to CAP adult member, Card joined the Air Force at 19, eventually serving 20 years and two months as an aircraft mechanic.
“The reason I joined the military was because of Vietnam,” he said. “I did not want to be drafted to begin with, and I felt it was my duty if my country went to war that I should try to help.”
Over his two decades of service Card held numerous positions in rising through the ranks.
“I started out as just being a crew chief and worked my way all the way up to being an aircraft maintenance flight sergeant,” he said.
His job as an aircraft maintenance flight sergeant gave him more responsibility. The position entailed making sure everyone followed the checklists and the technical orders and correctly executed aircraft preflight inspections.
Card recalls many memories and stories from his time in the Air Force. He refers to one experience in particular from his time in Thailand during the Vietnam War. While stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base and working in aero repair, an incident occurred with the rigging of an aircraft’s flight controls.
“I was standing on top of the plane rigging it, somebody did something they weren’t supposed to and when I moved, they moved, and I lost my balance and fell off the top of an F-4C aircraft, landing in the middle of a concrete floor in a hanger,” he remembered.
Miraculously, he got right back up on his feet and walked away without any severe injuries.
“I got a lot of good things out of the military back then,” Card reflected. “Even though two years of it was spent in Vietnam, I learned lots and lots of things from being in it.”
When asked if his time in the military was worth it, Card didn’t hesitate. “A blunt answer is yes! It was certainly worth it.”
Card’s commitment to service extends far beyond his military career. He has belonged to CAP squadrons in California, Florida, New York, South Carolina, and Great Britain, and in addition to the Maine Wing’s Loring AFB encampment and multiple Georgia Wing encampments he’s participated in annual CAP wing gatherings at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and Plattsburgh AFB, New York.
His past travels aside, the 80-year-old said, “I’m happy where I am,” Card said. “I really just enjoy being part of the program.”
As he looks forward to his 65th encampment and breaking records, his journey serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Civil Air Patrol on its member s— a journey marked by dedication, resilience, and a deep-seated love for the program that has shaped his life for over six decades._____Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Hannah ShiryForsyth County Cadet SquadronGeorgia Wing
