Fredericksburg Squadron - Jan 2012

7/30/2019 Fredericksburg Squadron - Jan 2012

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Capt Julius Garrett, Commander MER-VA-108 Winter 2012 Editio

FROM THE COMMANDERS DESKGreetings members:

The past two years and three months have been a good time for the

Fredericksburg Composite Squadron. The unit grew in both cadets andactively participating senior members. I have seen many cadets grow in

knowledge, ability, and self-confidence. I have seen many of them be-

come good young leaders. Of course, this is part of the goal of cadet

programs. They have learned to make good judgments, decisions, andresponsibilities for cadet activities. The cadets have participated in

many activities that have been educational, fun, and rewarding.

We have had many new senior members who have joined and become

active participating members. They have taken on duties that supported

both cadet programs and senior activities. They all have been dedicatedto the cadets and the unit. Their goal has always been to see each and

every cadet succeed and excel, as well as the unit.

Part of making the decision to accept a command or staff position in-

volves knowing it is the right time for both the individual and the unit.

Just as important, knowing when the time is right for the individual andthe unit to step down from that position. For me, this is the right time tostep down as the unit commander. I feel quite confident that Captain

Richard Leonard, as the new commander, is more than capable of com-

manding the unit. He has held several positions within the unit, most all of them simultaneously. He has the wis-dom needed to be a unit commander and leader.

I personally thank all of the senior staff members for all of the work, time, and commitment that you have given

unselfishly to make the Fredericksburg Composite Squadron what it is today. It is you, collectively, that havegrown it, not me.

It has been quite the learning experience for me. There have been goodtimes and not so good times. I will dwell on the good times that I haveenjoyed during my tenure. I ask each of you to continue to support the

new command and staff. Under their leadership, I am confident that the

unit will continue to grow and become even better.

Farewell,

Capt Garrett

L to R: Capt Julius Garrett, Squadron Commander; Lt Linda Tabb, Deputy Com-

mander for Cadets; Capt Richard Leonard, Deputy Commander for Seniors, at WAA

Ceremony Quantico. Capt Leonard takes command of VA-108 on January, 14, 2012.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, January 14Squadron Dining-out Awards Ball

Fredericksburg Country Club

Saturday, February 4

NCSA Applicant InterviewsVA Wing HeadquartersRichmond VA

Saturday, February 25Encampment Staff Selection Interviews

VA Wing HeadquartersRichmond VA

Fri-Sun, March 9-11VA Wing GSAR College Part I

Thur or Fri, March 22-23AFA CyberPatriot Championships

Gaylord National Hotel, D.C.

Fri-Sun, April 13-15VA Wing GSAR College Part II


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ONE OF OUR OWN ANSWERS THE CALL...

Full Virginia Wing Call-out for Search and Rescue MissionBy C/CMSgt Daniel Sylvia, Certified Ground Team Member 1

Late Thursday night, October 27, I received an e-mail from Virginia Wing headquarters re-questing a full Virginia Wing call-out for anybody certified as a ground team member. They

wanted certified and available members to report to the CAP command center at 7:30 am

sharp Friday morning to look for a lost autistic child who had been missing in the woods forfive days. The search had just become a Civil Air Patrol mission on Thursday, so they could

finally officially start calling members for the search.

I arrived at the CAP command center Friday

morning 15 minutes early to make sure I had

plenty of time to have my gear ready. I signed in

and started getting briefed on the situation andthe details of the child missing. After getting theinformation we organized a ground team and got a grid assignment

(search area), then headed out. The temperature was somewhere

below 40 degrees and our grid was full of thorns, mud, and othernot very welcoming conditions. But we pushed on for 4 hours be-

fore taking a breather. After the breather we kept pushing for another two hours before we got the call that the

child had been found about a mile from our location, which was amazing news to the team. We went back tobase, signed out, and left with a feeling in us that honestly, was one feeling you can't forget.

Being a part of finding 8 year old Robert Wood, Jr. was an honor and I will gladly sacrifice my time again to

find any others in need. I encourage all cadets and senior members to utilize the emergency services trainingoffered through CAP so we can be a squadron known for our readiness to serve our community.

FREDERICKSBURG FLIGHT REPORT PAGE 2

ROBBIEIS

FOUND

ALIVE!

JAYCEES

CHRISTMAS

LIGHTS

PARADEFredericksburg, VA

Saturday, December 3rd

Cadet Commander

C/2dLt Rachel Boelsche

and First SergeantC/2dLt Jairus Tabb lead

the march down Caro-

line Street for the annualnighttime parade. It was

a Hollywood Christmas

theme and our cadetsperformed Lights,

Cameras, Action!


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WREATH COVERAGE AT QUANTICO INCREASESBy 2dLt Lisa Sylvia, PAO

The Fredericksburg Composite Squadron participated in its sixth ceremony supporting Wreaths Across

America (WAA)at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia. At the ceremony, which takes place at noon

the second Saturday of December each year, Squadron members stood in formation as their former cadet

commander Trevor Leon Guerrero served as master of ceremonies. Leon Guerrero explained the symbolictradition of first placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of each service and an additional wreath for Prison-

ers of War and soldiers Missing In Action.

The ceremonial circle was completely surrounded with hundreds of spectators which included boy scout

troops, girl scout troops and members of military veteran motorcycle clubs. They watched as C/1stLt Na-

than Leon Guerrero, a 2011 Honor Guard Academy staff member and another former cadet commander forthe Fredericksburg squadron, escorted each service representative for wreath placement and salute in front

of a Marine Corps Color Guard. High on the hill above the event, a marine played taps on his bugle to

close out the sentimental ceremony. After the color guard marched out, all the spectators proceeded up the

road to where the cadets opened the boxes and passed out 2700 wreaths.

Wreaths Across America is gaining in support each year and Quantico is no exception. Each year the pub-

lic participation and wreath sponsorships have grown. 1st Lt. Maria Leon Guerrero, the Quantico WAALocation Leader, has assisted at each one since the beginning and says, "I am so grateful to be able to serve

such an important mission to 'remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach our

children the value of freedom.'"

This year Lt. Leon

Guerrero, a squadron

member since 2004,also served as the Vir-

ginia Wing WAA Pro-ject Officer. "The

Fredericksburg cadetsare doing a great job

spreading the word to

family, neighbors andbusinesses and gaining

more and more wreath

sponsorships each yearto ensure that those

who gave all are not

forgotten," says Lt.Leon Guerrero.

Left to Right: Lt Col Liz Sydow-Professional Development Officer, Capt Julius Garrett-Squadron Commander, C/SSgt Lydia Eley, C/CMSgt Jairus Tabb, C/A1C Conor Roberson, C/2dLt Matthew Papandrea, C/CMSgt Gabriela

Duncan, C/SrA Isaiah Padgett, C/TSgt Rebecca Montanaro, C/SMSgt Rachel Sydow, C/SMSgt Daniel Montanaro,C/Amn Jeremiah Browne, C/A1C Nikyla Wardrop, C/TSgt Nicholas Leake, C/CMSgt Daniel Sylvia, Cadet Katherine

Andrews, C/CMSgt John Boelsche, Cadet Shawna Mumma, C/SSgt Allison Eley, C/A1C Nicholas Swann, C/SrA Mi-

chael Vandevander, Capt Richard Leonard-Deputy Commander for Seniors, C/Amn Elise Ivory, Cadet Paul Eley,Cadet Maria Barber, 1st Lt Linda Tabb-Deputy Commander for Cadets.


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CADET STAFF SELECTIONSBy Lt Col Liz Sydow, Deputy Commander for Cadets

Congratulations to our January to June

Cadet Staff!

Cadet Command Staff:Cadet Commander: C/2dLt Rachel Boelsche

Cadet Executive Officer: C/2dLt Matthew PapandreaCadet First Sergeant: C/CMSgt John Boelsche

Cadet Line Staff:Eagle Flight

Cadet Flight Commander: C/CMSgt Duncan

Cadet Flight Sergeant: C/MSgt HoangCadet Element Leader, Alpha: C/SSgt A. EleyCadet Element Leader, Bravo: C/SrA Horne

Cadet Element Leader, Charlie: C/SrA Roberson

Falcon Flight

Cadet Flight Commander: C/CMSgt Sylvia

Cadet Flight Sergeant: C/SMSgt Sydow

Cadet Element Leader, Alpha: C/TSgt L. EleyCadet Element Leader, Bravo: C/MSgt Leake

Cadet Element Leader, Charlie: C/SSgt Vandevander

Phoenix Flight (New Cadets/Cadre)

Cadet Flight Commander: C/2dLt Tabb

Cadet Flight Sergeant: C/TSgt Barber

Recruiting Cadet: C/SMSgt D. Montanaro;

Assistant: C/Amn Browne

Aerospace Education Cadet: C/SSgt Thompson;Assistant: C/Amn Browne

Drug Demand Reduction Cadet: C/MSgt Leake;

Assistant: C/TSgt Thompson

Safety Cadet: C/TSgt R. Montanaro;Assistant: C/TSgt L. Eley

Personnel/Admin Cadet: C/CMSgt Duncan;

Assistant: C/MSgt John Strickland

Logistics Cadet: C/TSgt A. EleyPublic Affairs Cadets: C/MSgt Leake (IT),

C/TSgt R. Montanaro, C/SrA Woods

CyberPatriot Cadet: C/2dLt Clark

MEMBERS STAFF BOOTH

AT WINGS AND WHEELSAir Show at Stafford Regional Airport, Oct.15th

Above: C/A1C Luke Strickland shares WAA information.

Above: 2d Lt Lawrence Watson discusses cadet program.

RECRUITINGWREATH SALES

DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION


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CADET COMMANDERS CORNERBy C/2d Lt Rachel Boelsche

Whats Your Resolution?

The holidays are a chance to relax and celebrate all that we have to be thankful for. With the coming of

New Years, however, it is also a time to look towards the future. Now that weve welcomed the year 2012,I hope that you all take the opportunity to consider your personal goals and plans. While you are making

your annual resolutions, do not forget Civil Air Patrol!

I can personally guarantee that CAP has a great deal to offer its cadets. However, we cadets must be will-

ing to go out and experience it! Take this new beginning as a chance to evaluate your CAP to-do list.

Where do you see the Cadet Program taking you? What grade would you like to attain? Is there a leader-

ship position at the squadron you want to hold? Do you want to get involved in Emergency Services?Whatever goal you have, make sure you plan a way to achieve it!

There are a great number of opportunities outside of the squadron as well. From encampments to nationalactivities, there are many aspects of the Cadet Program that go well beyond weekly meetings. Do some re-

search and find what interests you. Ask veteran cadets about their experiences, and take advantage of

online resources to read about the many Cadet Activities. There are a ton of CAP opportunities out there, Ipromise. So go find one for you!

I hope that you make the most of your chance to plan. Every cadet has the potential to achieve great things

during their time in Civil Air Patrol, but it is up to each individual to decide what those things will be. Youdont want to miss out on amazing and one-of-a-kind experiences just because you did not think ahead.

Consider where you see yourself next New Years, and find your way there!


APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER

NCSAS DUE JANUARY 15

NCSA applications may be submitted in e-services

from 1 December to 15 January.

Go to www.ncsas.com for information on all of the

National Cadet Special Activities that are available to

cadets who have completed an Encampment.

Each NCSA has different age and qualification re-

quirements. Read about all the different programs

available and talk to cadets in the squadron who have

been to some.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

OUR SQUADRON NCSA

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!

This year the squadron was able to assist cadets

with costs associated to attending National Cadet

Special Activities. After applications wereturned in, the committee awarded NCSA schol-

arships to C/SMSgt Rachel Sydow for Powered

Flight Academy, C/CMSgt Daniel Sylvia for Na-

tional Blue Beret, and C/2d Lt Jairus Tabb forCivil Engineering Familiarization Course. So if

you would like to attend an NCSA but are unsure

about finances, talk to one of our senior mem-

bers about NCSA scholarship opportunities.


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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:

1st Lt Linda Tabb, Flying High By 2d Lt Sylvia, PAO

1st Lt Tabb never thought she would be hiking in the woods or wearing BDUs.

Her interests were always administrative and involved dressing up and having

creature comforts. There are many examples of parents who will do anythingfor their kids. Lt Tabb is no exception. When her daughter, C/2d Lt Jairus

Tabb, told her she wanted to be a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, she not only sup-ported her but she joined-up with her. She quickly went from being a girlie

girl mother of one to a combat boot-wearing mother of sixty.

Lt Tabb began assisting the squadron as our Logistics Officer. She organizedthe cadets to assist with dissemination of storage items and the acquisition of

uniforms. She monitored the maintenance of the CAP van and worked as a liai-

son for several squadron activities.

Throughout 2011, Lt Tabb served the squadron as Deputy Commander for Cadets. She began the year with anexciting and aggressive schedule of squadron activities that has created an unforgettable year for cadets and

senior members. Under her enthusiastic charge, the cadets successfully completed their first nationally tele-vised parade in Washington, D.C. and we had more cadets attend encampment than ever before.

Lt Tabb is no stranger to hard work. Prior to volunteering for our squadron shewas the Director of Public Relations for the Heart for Homeschool Radio Pro-

gram. She also worked as a management analyst for the Department of State. Lt

Tabb, a communications and

speech pathology graduate fromGeorge Washington University,

also served as an administrativeofficer during Desert Storm.

It was a whirlwind year for the

Tabb family. Many may not real-

ize it, but Lt Tabb easily put in 20-30 hours a week volunteering for

the squadron. On many occa-

sions, I personally observed asshe continued volunteering while

battling illnesses and medical is-

sues.

So when you get the chance to

thank her for all her efforts, dont

forget to thank her husband anddaughter too. There were many

times that the work as DCC took

away personal time with theirwife and mother. So this spot-

light goes out to the entire Tabb

family!


SENIOR MEMBER

ACHIEVEMENTSBy Lt Col Liz Sydow,

Professional Development Officer

Promotions:

2d Lt Lawrence Watson

Corporate Learning Course:

Capt. Richard Leonard

Officer Basic Course2d Lt Lisa Sylvia

Squadron Leadership School:2d Lt Shari Barber, 2d Lt Gregory Brown,

1st Lt Tyler Floyd, Capt. Jeffrey Smith,2d Lt Lawrence Watson

Yeager Award:2d Lt Lisa Sylvia

Pictured above: 2d Lt Garland

Tabb standing guard all day inthe heat, watching over our

squadrons personal belong-ings at Memorial Day Parade ,The wind beneath our DCCs

wings.


7/10

CADETS PARTICIPATE IN SEARCH AND

RESCUE TRAINING MISSIONBy 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO

2d Lt Curtis Padgett wears two deputy hats. When he is not volunteering

as Deputy DCC for our squadron, he is working as a Spotsylvania Sher-

riffs Office Deputy.

In October, Deputy Padgett arranged for CAP cadets to participate in the

Sherriffs Office Joint Search and Rescue Training Mission at Luck Stone

Quarry near Massapo-nax High School. The

cadets who partici-

pated had Saturday

morning classes inSAR legal aspects,

land navigation tech-niques and map read-ing. The cadets

learned alongside members of the VA Defense Force,

Stafford County SAR Team, Dogs East and the Spotsylva-

nia Mounted SAR.

After

complet-ing a

night

search,the cadets

camped in tents during the overnight mission. In the morning,

most of the exercises involved training aspects of Project

Lifesaver. The program involves distributing watch-liketracking de-

vices on autis-

tic and Alz-heimers pa-

tients. The In-

cident Com-

mander for thetraining mis-

sion, Senior Deputy Mike Christie, is also Spotsylvania

Countys Project Manager for Project Lifesaver. His goal dur-ing the exercises was to train more volunteers in tracking and

locating the devices with one of the countys four hand-

receivers. He said that in five years of using the Project Life-

saver wristbands, there have been 40 searches and all have beenalive finds.


Above: 2d Lt Curtiss Padgett wearing

his other uniform.

Left to Right: C/Amn Jeremiah Browne and C/A1C Isaiah

Padgett stand outside the Incident Command Trailer before

they enter to take turns manning the radios during the train-

ing mission.

Above on far right: C/SSgt Michael Vandevander and

C/A1C Nicholas Swann (far right) get instruction on

use of the hand-receiver for tracking PL wristbands.

WELCOME NEW

MEMBERS!

Cadets:Katherine Andrews, Maria Barber, Kyle

Bettis, Bunteero Bulatindo, AlexanderHoffman, Bethany Shields

Seniors:

Cadet Sponsor Member, James Mead


8/10


CADET SPOTLIGHTSBy 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, Public Affairs Officer

C/2dLt Justine Strickland and C/2dLt

Jairus Selena Tabb Earn Mitchell Awards

C/2dLt Strickland and C/2dLt Tabb joined the

Fredericksburg Composite Squadron within

months of each other in 2009. They had fierydeterminations to become officers and accom-

plished their goals in just two years.

C/2dLt JustineStrickland also

completed high

school quickly

and at the age of18, she is already

a junior in col-

lege. C/2dLtStrickland spends

her time outside

of CAP andschool, teaching

piano and work-

ing as a mentor

and teacher in

debate andspeech.

C/2dLt Jairus

Selena Tabb flew the squadrons Cessna 182

planes at the age of 15 before taking her

drivers license test. In 2011, she served asthe Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol Encamp-

ment Staff First Sergeant, volunteered at Mary

Washington Hospital, tutored kids and assistedat area food banks.

The Virginia Wing Commander, Colonel

David Carter, CAP, is presenting their BillyMitchell awards at the squadrons annual mili-

tary dinner ball on January 14, 2012, at the

Fredericksburg Country Club. Approximately15% of cadets in the Civil Air Patrol are

See Cadet Spotlights, Page 9

CADET PROMOTIONS

Congratulations to the following cadets who have

promoted in the past 90 days:

Gen J.F. Curry (Achievement 1)

C/Amn Paul S. Eley, Jr, C/Amn Georganna Grizzard,

C/Amn Shawna Mumma, C/Amn Nikolas Rivera,C/Amn Julianna Veldhuyzen

Gen Hap Arnold (Achievement 2)

C/A1C Elise Ivory

Mary Feik (Achievement 3)

C/SrA Garrett Horne, C/SrA Conor Roberson,C/SrA Nikyla Wardrop

MilestoneWright Brothers Award

Phase I Completion, The Learning PhaseC/SSgt Allison Eley, C/SSgt Isaiah Padgett,

C/SSgt Joshua Turbyfill,

C/SSgt Michael Vandevander, C/SSgt Ian Woods

Eddie Rickenbacker (Achievement 4)C/TSgt Jacob Barber, C/TSgt Lydia Eley,

C/TSgt Allison Eley,C/TSgt Joseph Thielman, C/TSgt Alexander Thompson

Charles Lindbergh (Achievement 5)

C/MSgt Nicholas Leake, C/MSgt John Strickland

Robert Goddard (Achievement 7)

C/CMSgt John Boelsche

Neil A. Armstrong (Achievement 8)

C/CMSgt Justine Strickland, C/CMSgt Daniel Sylvia,

C/CMSgt Jairus Tabb

MilestoneBilly Mitchell Award

Phase II Completion, The Leadership Phase

C/2dLt Justine Strickland,

C/2dLt Jairus Tabb

C/2dLt Strickland at Virginia

Wing Encampment 2011


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FLY WITH THE BEST

2011 VIRGINIA WING CONFERENCEBy C/2dLt Jairus Selena Tabb

Attending a Virginia Wing Conference is three days of Civil AirPatrol socialization. The first day is check in. Most cadets carpool

to the conference and share hotel rooms. On the second day, we

woke up around six o'clock, put on our dress blues and headed tobreakfast. The rest

of the day was

filled with DrugDemand Reduction

activities, Cadet

Advisory Council

meetings, National

Cadet Special Ac-tivities, and leader-

ship classes.

After the classes,

we change into our

formal wear for theyearly banquet. Awards, certificates, and promotions were pre-

sented at the dinner. During the banquet, the 2011 Encampment

video was shown. Once we were dismissed, we changed into ourcivilian attire for the dance.

At the dance, the cadets pulled their music ideas together to create

the ultimate party play list. In the cadet hospitality room all kindsof delicious snacks were provided. On the third day everyone met

for a time of laughing, sharing exciting encampment and confer-

ence stories during breakfast then we said good bye and headedhome.

This year was especially important, because CAP VIP financialsupporters of the Virginia Wing where present. Thankfully, the

VIPs were enamored with our professionalism, organization and

spunk; therefore our financial support was increased, which willresult in more orientation flights, uniforms, and scholarships.

Personally, seeing all my encampment friends, making new friends

and being a part of the CAP adventure was a blast! I highly recom-

mend attending the 2012 Virginia Wing Conference. Each year theconference is more entertaining and informative about the new ad-

ventures happening in CAP. Just like encampment, you won't want

to miss out on the teamwork, fun, and learning at a Virginia WingConference.


CADET SPOTLIGHTSContinued

awarded this honor of being a cadet

officer which is comparable in trainingto receiving an E-3 (Airmen First

Class) in the U.S. Air Force. Billy

Mitchell is known as the father of theU.S. Air Force.

To achieve this Mitchell award mile-

stone, C/2dLt Strickland and C/2dLtTabb have passed ten physical fitness

tests, nine leadership exams, eight

character development forums, seven

aerospace exams, regularly participatedin squadron activities, attended the

week-long Virginia Wing Cadet En-

campment more than once, written es-says and delivered speeches.

On January 18th, 2012, C/2dLt Strick-

land is heading to Pretoria, South Af-rica for ten months to serve with a

youth mission program for the Hatfield

Christian Church. She heard aboutwww.yearofyourlife.co.za through a

friend. Good luck Justine! We will

miss you.

C/2dLt Tabb

plans to major

in medicine inthe fall 2012

to become a

doctor ornurse and then

join the U.S.

Air Force.

This year shewill be train-

ing all of our

new cadets.

Congratulations

Ladies!

C/2dLt Tabb wearing

her Cadet Advisory

Council Member

Shoulder Cord.

Far Left: C/SMSgt Rachel Sydow next

to C/2dLt Tabb with other female cadets.


10/10

THURSDAY MEETINGS

6:30pm9:00pm

MEETING LOCATION:

Virginia National Guard Armory1700 Jefferson Davis Highway

Fredericksburg VA

(Senior meetings on 2nd and 4th

Thursday of the month)

MAILING ADDRESS:

Fredericksburg Composite Squadron

27 Spring Lake DriveStafford VA 22556

SQUADRON COMMANDER

Capt Richard Leonard540-408-3149

[email protected]

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR CADETSLt Col Liz Sydow

[email protected]

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR SENIORS2d Lt Gregory Brown540-710-3270

[email protected]

CADET COMMANDERC/2dLt Rachel Boelsche

540-834-0155

[email protected]

RECRUITMENT &

RETENTION OFFICER2d Lt Shari Barber540-373-5215

[email protected]

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER2d Lt Lisa Sylvia

[email protected]


BELL-RINGING TRADITION

CONTINUESFor as long as anyone canremember, the Fredericks-

burg Composite Squadron

has spent the Saturday before

each Christmas at the mainentrance of Spotsylvania

Towne Center Mall. Cadets

have faithfully opened doorsfor mall customers coming

and going while others in the

squadron ring bells at the

Salvation Army bucket

we are trusted with eachyear. It is always cold,

but everyone has warm

hearts. This year, ourhospitality coordinator

Linda Leake, provided hotcocoa and treats for the

cadets.

Above: One of our newest

cadre, Bunteero Bulatindo,

jumped right in to participatein this activity that collects

funds for those in need in our

community.

Above: Our squadron TestingOfficer, 1st Lt Agata Thompson with

C/TSgt Alexander Thompson.

L to R: Cadet Commander 2dLt Rachel Boelsche and First Sergeant

Jairus Tabb show their bell-ringing swag.

Documents

Fredericksburg Squadron - Jan 2012