Seventeen of Civil Air Patrol’s newest commanders are at CAP National Headquarters this week, honing their leadership skills in the 2023 Region and Wing Commanders College.
“This college is designed to provide new region and wing commanders the tools and resources needed for a successful command,” said Col. Rose Hunt, Great Lakes Region commander, who is overseeing the leadership training with Col. Joe Winter, deputy director.
Participants in the graduate-level course, set for Nov. 5-10 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, were selected by their region commanders and approved by Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP national commander/CEO.
Using presentations, case studies, and practicums, the college helps new commanders focus on three main blocks of study: leading the organization, wing commander responsibilities, and focus lessons. The curriculum includes seminars, lectures, and hands-on sessions on such topics as leadership, accountability, expectations of commanders, legislative affairs, safety, ethics, legal matters, finances, and communications.
“Our curriculum leverages education, training, and subject matter expertise to produce adaptable, creative, and knowledgeable commanders,” Hunt said.
Course highlights include presentations from Phelka and Brig. Gen. Regena Aye, national vice commander. Both were on hand for a Monday session on “Anatomy of a Successful CAP Leader.”
Also scheduled are presentations by U.S. Air Force Col. Aaron D. Reid, CAP-USAF commander; John Desmarais, CAP chief operating officer; and numerous directors, assistant directors, and subject-matter experts at National Headquarters.
“Participants will return home at the end of this week with a better understanding of how to select and develop subordinate unit commanders and how to manage Civil Air Patrol’s emergency services, aerospace education, cadet, information technology, membership development, and logistics programs,” Hunt said.
The participants are:
Southeast RegionCol. Jeffrey Garrett
Alabama WingCol. Brian Williams
Alaska WingCol. Derk MacPherson
Arkansas WingCol. Richard Smith
Arizona WingLt. Col. Linda Yaeger
California WingCol. Craig Newton
Colorado WingCol. Michael Fay
Georgia WingCol, Michael Willis
Indiana WingCol. Aaron Angelini
Missouri WingCol. Jennifer Smith
Nebraska WingCol. Dale Wuster
Nevada WingCol. Brian Howard
New Mexico WingCol. Andrew Selph
North Carolina WingCol. Dennis Bissell
Pennsylvania WingCol. William Schlosser
Utah WingCol. John Wagner
West Virginia WingCol. Deborah Butler-Case
