Wing Hosts First Wing-wide Basic Cadet School

While maintaining required COVID-19 public health emergency restrictions, Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing held a multiday basic cadet school Oct. 15-17 at Davison Army Airfield in Virginia. The training environment was designed to provide new and junior-ranking cadets with an intensive academic experience covering all of the fundamentals and basics of CAP’s cadet program. 

The 25 Civil Air Patrol cadets that graduated from the school represented every squadron within the National Capital Wing. The wing oversees seven squadrons throughout the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s County in Maryland.

“Our biggest success was that cadets from across the wing came together,” explained 1st Lt. James Chan, basic cadet school commandant and member of the wing’s Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron. “Many cadets had not had an opportunity to attend a CAP event in-person since the pandemic, and this gave them the opportunity to not only learn but participate with other cadets they had never met.”

The young cadets learned about customs and courtesies, CAP history, character development, and refined their skills in standard drill and physical fitness. A general knowledge test was administered at the start and end of the school in order to analyze effectiveness and quantify the success of the training.

“We broke down the test scores in a number of ways to allow us multiple methods to evaluate our training methods,” said 1st Lt. Brian Fu, assistant school commandant and member of the wing’s Arlington Composite Squadron. “The data shows that the school made a significant difference in the cadets’ knowledge and skills.”

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Lt. Col. Christian Hayes of the National Capital Wing’s Andrews Composite Squadron talks with basic cadets Oct. 16 as the school’s cadet commander.  (Civil Air Patrol photo by Cadet Capt. Olin Peterson)

Basic cadets from Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing practice standard drill Oct. 16 during a basic cadet training school. (Civil Air Patrol photo by Cadet Capt. Olin Peterson)

Cadets set up tents indoors at Davison Army Airfield Oct. 15 as students of Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing basic cadet school. (Civil Air Patrol photo by Cadet Capt. Olin Peterson)

Basic cadets from Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing practice using guidons Oct. 16 during a basic cadet training school. (Civil Air Patrol photo by Cadet Capt. Olin Peterson)

 

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by Lt. Col. Paul Cianciolo, National Capital Wing Chief of Public Affairs and Marketing