Show of Hands

Congrats, ma'am, I see it is?

?

From the pic. Aren't you part of the female minority in CAP?

Oh, got it - yes, I'm a ma'am, lol. Congrats on your NCO achievement.

Thank you! So how did you get involved in CAP?

I was volunteering in middle school and the volunteer coordinator knew I was interested in the Air Force Academy. So, when another volunteer told her about the program, she passed that information on to me.

Nice. Did you end up at the USAFA?

In the end I picked the USNA, though I had appointments to both - however, I blew out my knee while there, so I separated and ended up not in the military.

Aw... that's too bad. Were you going to try to get your wings?

I was intending to shoot for a pilot or medical slot. Barring a pilot assignment, I wanted to do bio-medical research.

Interesting. I'm probably going into Air Force ROTC, if I decide to go into the military. All I know for sure is I want to go into aviation.

Flight spots are hard to get - so make sure you keep your grades high in high school and college. Good luck :)

Thanks!

How long did it take to make SM Capt.? I know seniors have a longer time between promotions.

Not long, about a year, I started at 1st Lt and as credited time in grade. I was an Eaker cadet, already started specialty track training, and was on wing staff. Had I not canceled my Spaatz test to go on IACE, I would have started at Capt.

Interesting. How much different is it now that you're a senior member?

Everything is way different. But that's in large part because I'm in the program solely for cadets. I'm not a senior who does things for me - I am just there so cadets can have the experiences I had.

That is an excellent way of thinking about it. How many cadets are in your squadron?

I recently moved to Oregon, so I'm not active here yet. But in Montana, rather than being in a squadron, I was assigned to wing as I was the Director of Cadet Programs.

Oh wow... That's awesome! Now that you're in Oregon, are you going to get involved at squadron or wing level?

Eventually. I am teaching at a new school, and I want to take another year to adapt to the schools and the city. Then I will start looking into the local squadrons to find one which needs some extra senior support.

Excellent idea! What subjects do you teach?

High school math and history.

Interesting combination. Why those two?

I'm good at math and at teaching it, I was a math tutor before I switched. My major to it, and the history is because I love it. The combination is because I didn't just want to do one thing, I wanted variety and flexibility in the job search.

Interesting.

So what is your favorite part of CAP?

The professionalism, leadership, and self-confidence it teaches to young people. Without a doubt.

Where have you heard about us?

There's one in my city and I saw there stand at an air show :p

I heard about it at a local airshow, and I decided with all the flying I do, I should join. I'm have now risen to a Cadet Staff Sergeant.

*I'm now

Congrats! :)

Thanks!