WOW! Where to begin!

The past two meetings alone have been unbelievable! The excitement from the competition was still very much alive when our newest Cadet Member, Cadet Tanner Smith sparked an explosion of recruitment. Recruited himself by C/Airman Kelley, Smith came in the very first night with ao much excitement I thought I have to tie a string to his leg to keep him from floating away!
This next week he brought another recruit, Cadet Gage Tressitt who joined as well. Last meeting we had 3 more visitors and at least 2 of these were hesitant at first but by the end of Drill with Cadet Airmen 1st Class, Blank, Delbasty and Berry, they were asking for applications before they left. We like to suggest they attend a few meetings before they decided but some of these guys are buying uniforms faster than NHq can process the applications. Ms. Covington mailed off 2 new applications last week and we look forward to sending more in next week!
As for our current cadets, we are very proud of the reputation you have built throughout the WING! I know you will continue to demonstrate that professionalism, teamwork and enthusiasm and your new fellow cadets will quickly come up to the same high standards you have set for yourselves. I feel confident you all will shine at Academy this weekend. Remember, we are all part of the same WING and there should be no "Them and Us." Regardless of others attitudes, we want to promote a spirit of Teamwork throughout the WING! Encourage Others!!!

So WHAT IS the definition of a Winner!

In these eyes, the four amazing young men in this picture (C/A1c C.Blank, C/A1c (CIC) J.Phillips, C/A N.Delbasty, and C/MSgt M. Pardue,) along with their two accompanying team mates (C/A1c C.Pike and C.Berry) defined the word "Winner" this past weekend!

On February 13th, after only 3 months of preparing themselves, these Ascension Composite Cadets stepped onto the competition floor at Barksdale AFB with only the knowledge they had obtained on there own. They stood 'toe to toe' with the squadron from Barksdale who had an abundance of color guard competition training and experience available to them. And no, according to the competition score sheets, Ascension did not win. They only walked away with one medal which was awarded to C/A Delbasty for the fastest one mile run. BUT, that is not to say they were not Winners!

I have watched as these cadets study manuals, practiced the drills, review online videos of other color elements and discuss among themselves how they understood it should be done and even called upon local JROTC instructors for input. Bottom line: They taught themselves. They have never seen a competition. They did not know what to expect. They did not know what information to ask for and therefore did not know what would be scored, but they practiced and drilled nonetheless. Even as the competition progressed they were constant "students," soaking up any advice, hints or instruction they could get from anyone knowledgeable.

So while Cadets Blank, Delbasty, Pardue and there CIC Cadet Phillips may not have followed the proper parade route or known all the answers to the questions, they did something that 5-6 other squadrons throughout the state did not do. They tried and they never gave up. And while initially, one experienced with the competition may have thought them less than competent, once the truth was told there was a paradigm shift from top to bottom. Jaws dropped and eyes popped! Not only did this element have it together, they had done so through challenges that would have made most men throw in the towel. Right up to the last minute, when travel to the competition was in question, these gentlemen stuck it out and just kept trying.

To recognize the "Above and Beyond" spirit of these cadets, Major Victor Santana, LAWING Deputy Commander of Cadet Programs announced that they would receive the coveted CAP Coin and that it would be awarded at the WING Conference in April. Now, being a newbie to the Civil Air Patrol myself, I had to do a little research to learn exactly what the "Coin" means. I found this link to an article from the Nov-Dec 2006 Civil Air Patrol Volunteer magazine, "True Challenge."

So there you have it friends, Ascension Composite shines again with our cadets who were and will again be recognized for their "Merit Deserved and Excellence Achieved."

MEETING CANCELED

The regular meeting of the Ascension Composite Squadron, for Monday 15 Feb 2010 had been canceled due to the Mardi Gras Holiday.
Lt.Pike will be at the airport during the regular meeting time and all cadets are invited to come for extra training and to assist with planning for the year.

Upcoming Leadership Academy - Lafayette

Don't forget to register for Academy! The next Academy is scheduled for the weekend of 27 Feb 2010. If you have lost the email, contact Capt Richmond for the information and course listing. This is a great opportunity to get valuable training. Don't be left out.