Ellsworth hosts South Dakota Civil Air Patrol Leadership Academy

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Wright
  • 28 Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  More than 55 Civil Air Patrol cadets visited here Jan. 19 through 21 for a state-wide leadership academy. The quarterly function brought CAP cadets from across South Dakota to further their leadership training and exposure to military culture.

Ellsworth supported the weekend event by opening lodging facilities, classrooms, dining facility and fitness center to attendees.

"It's been a base-wide effort," said Capt. David Marten, 28th Operations Support Squadron chief of air operations, who organized the weekend and serves as the CAP South Dakota director of cadet programs.

Non-commissioned officers and company grade officers also participated. Ellsworth NCOs discussed their unique responsibilities and the relationship they have with officers and the junior Airmen they supervise. CGOs from across career fields talked about their job and why they joined the military.

"I came out to serve our country; it's a noble profession," said 2nd Lt. Overton Spence, 28th Contracting Squadron contract manager.

"Basically, my job is helping people, and that's what I like to do," said Capt. Chennel McClung, 28th Mission Support Group consolidated group orderly room officer in charge.
Company grade officers in the 34th Bomb Squadron, public affairs and the office of special investigations also contributed to the panel discussion.

As a U.S. Air Force auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol volunteers conduct air and ground search missions for the U.S. Air Force, and promote aerospace education. CAP was founded in 1941 to protect homeland security, its oldest on-going mission.

Members of South Dakota Wing across the state volunteer countless hours in regular weekly meetings, state-wide training exercises like the one at Ellsworth, and other special activities serving their communities and state. Other quarterly exercises include aerospace education, which focuses on flying and aircraft, and ground team training, which assists with the search-and-rescue aspect of the CAP mission.

Cadets are divided for training by rank. CAP Airmen learn uniform care, rank structure, bearing and history in a style inspired by Airman Leadership School. Approximately 30 Airmen CAP cadets visited Ellsworth. The rest of the cadets were CAP NCOs, who learned about what it means to serve and develop relationships with supervisors and subordinates. NCO training is modeled after Air Force NCO Academy.

Nearly 25 CAP adult members also came to Ellsworth for professional development. Some attended squadron leadership school, which is similar to Air Force Squadron Officer School or a corporate learning course, which are based on Air Force Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College, respectfully.

"Civil Air Patrol gave me a taste of military life," said Captain Marten. "It started me off on an Air Force career."

The captain said he enjoys helping cadets through the CAP program.

"It's personally rewarding to see the cadets progress," he said.

For more information about Civil Air Patrol or to learn about becoming a member, visit http://www.sdcap.us/