Cadet Maj. Grace Muresan of the California Wing’s Jon E. Kramer Composite Squadron 10 has chosen the U.S. Air Force Academy as her next destination after receiving appointments to the academy, the Military Academy at West Point, and the Naval Academy.
Muresan, who joined Civil Air Patrol in January 2020, said she first learned about the Air Force Academy “at my basic encampment in 2021 when an instructor described the typical cadet and their academics, sports, and leadership.”
“It just seemed like something I could do, and though I knew little about college then, USAFA quickly became my dream school. Later that year, as a freshman, I visited the campus and fell in love.”
In the summer of 2023, Muresan attended Rocky Mountain Region Cadet Leadership School at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, deepening her appreciation for the campus environment.
After that, she said, participating in encampment staffs, CAP’s Integrated Leadership Program, and National Cadet Special Activities “perfectly aligned with the leadership and character benchmarks essential for success as a USAFA candidate.”
“A good portion of my essays and interviews focused on my CAP experiences,” Muresan said, “from grappling with ethical dilemmas to overcoming challenges, celebrating successes, and learning from my own shortcomings.
“CAP has been instrumental in my journey, shaping my leadership and surrounding me with mentors and peers who push me to grow,” she said. “Without it, I’d be on a very different path.
“Most importantly, I’ve come to understand the value of camaraderie in this kind of learning environment, something I hope to continue experiencing throughout college.”
Muresan’s leadership roles as a cadet included serving as 162nd Cadet Training Squadron commander at the 2024 California Wing encampment and cadet commander of the wing’s 2024 Noncommissioned Officer School — North.
She also served as the Kramer squadron’s cadet deputy commander for operations and for support and as an element leader and flight commander.
Muresan chaired the San Francisco Bay Group 2 Cadet Advisory Council from November 2022-September 2023 after serving as the squadron’s representative on the council from October 2021-September 2022.
She was recognized as Best Essayist at the 2023 Region Cadet Leadership School and as Flight Honor Cadet at the 2024 Medical Orientation Training School.
She plans to major in biology or behavioral sciences and hopes to serve as a flight surgeon or combat medic in the Air Force.
