Early in the week, the Florida Wing’s Homestead Air Reserve Base Cadet Squadron group texts began lighting up: The regular weekly meeting Feb. 6 would be anything but.
“OK cadets – turns out the NATIONAL COMMANDER is coming to our meeting this week! I need you all to look great — shine your boots, measure out your ranks, and if possible, get haircuts. I won’t be the one inspecting you at this meeting — she will!”
The communication came from Cadet 1st Lt. Jonathan Oatmeyer, one of the squadron’s four cadet flight commanders. Oatmeyer had begun to spread the word: Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, Civil Air Patrol national commander/CEO, would make an appearance during her visit to Homestead for the Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee Conference.
Another flight commander, Cadet 1st Lt. Morten Kreb, provided similar encouragement to the cadets he leads: “Let’s make sure we are looking the best we can,” adding in a few tips for preparing.
As the time neared, excitement steadily built as the squadron’s 90 cadets and 20 adult members prepared for a CAP national commander’s first-ever visit to the unit.
Cadet Capt. Everett Crane, cadet commander, soon began working to ensure an exceptional experience. “The squadron command team quickly turned to adjusting the meeting plans and preparing our cadets and (adult) members to showcase the great things that take place in Civil Air Patrol cadet squadrons across the nation and at American military bases abroad every week,” Crane said.
Upon arriving, Aye first met with adult members. During the session Lt. Col. Brian Crane, squadron commander, briefed her on the squadron’s history, growth, challenges, and goals.
Then 1st Lt. Christine Klein, aerospace education officer, discussed the squadron’s emphasis on allowing cadets to explore aerospace-, science-, technology-, and engineering-related careers through such activities as model rocketry, cyber-security training, and CAP’s aerospace education curriculum activities.
“We want to provide these amazing resources for hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities to cadets even beyond the weekly squadron meetings,” Klein told Aye, who praised her innovation in creating a squadron STEM Kit lending library.
Then came the highlight of the evening: the national commander’s engagement with the cadets. Escorted by Crane, the cadet commander, she walked past each flight, its members turned out in formation.Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan Salazar, the squadron’s cadet first sergeant, praised his fellow cadets’ conduct.
“I am truly proud of these cadets — our nation’s future leaders — and excited to see what they will become one day,” Salazar said. “I thank the general for visiting us and seeing what we have been doing in the squadron the past few years.”
Following the formalities, Aye met indoors with the entire squadron and family members to deliver a short speech, touching on the importance of CAP’s core programs of aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet programs.
She thanked the parents for their involvement and the cadets for their commitment to the organization’s core values – integrity, volunteerism, excellence, and respect.
She also shared experiences from her own history of volunteer service, emphasizing the values of personal commitment, teamwork, and excellence.
Cadet Airman Mira Jones, one of the squadron’s newest members, expressed encouragement at Aye’s account of joining CAP at age 17, five years past the minimum membership age, and still managing to achieve the organization’s highest cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award.
“Maj. Gen. Aye’s visit made me realize that even though I joined CAP pretty late, I can still go very far with the program,” said Jones, who became a member three months ago, shortly after turning 17 herself. “I really enjoyed her positive attitude and how it allowed me to see a brighter future.”_____Lt. Col. Beth CranePublic Affairs OfficerCadet Chief Master Sgt. Raygan ParrisHomestead Air Reserve Base Cadet SquadronFlorida Wing
