By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
SPRINGVILLE – Maintaining a squadron of cadets from ages 12 to 18, the Civil Air Patrol met on Tuesday night at the Springville National Guard Armory where young students in uniform were present to drill and practice formation before attending two classes on leadership and character development.
So, what is Civil Air Patrol? It’s a non-profit public service organization that serves as an auxiliary to the Air Force. CAP specializes in aerospace education and training cadets on search and rescue services. It is open not just to children but to adults as well.
“Our job is to teach kids about aerospace and how to be leaders,” said Major Michael McEntyre. “And to give them confidence. When the program was going on I had never heard about it when I was a kid. I wish I would have. I would’ve joined it in a heartbeat because it really helps these kids. Especially when they get out and get jobs because they already know how to work as a team, they already know how to communicate, be a leader.”
The classes at the Springville armory draw youth from many different parts of the state, but among the group at the class were three students from Springville who say that CAP has helped them develop themselves as people.
“Tonight, we’re doing a leadership activity as well as a character development course,” said Kerrie Morris, 16, an 11th grade Springville High School student and cadet at CAP. “In leadership we train our fellow cadets in how to lead and follow. In [the other class] we learn how to develop our character.”
Two other cadets from Springville are part of the squadron that night. All three are 11th graders at Springville High School.
They are commanded by McEntyre, whose brother, Kenneth McEntyre, is the cadet programs officer who supervises and watches the youth as they train.
In the aerospace aspect of the CAP, McEntyre said that students have built drones, rockets and 3-D printers.
An aerospace instructor, Mark McKay, leads a regular class on flight at the armory.
“We teach basics of aerodynamics, space, weather and all the stuff that goes into aviation,” he said. “And simple stuff like folding paper airplanes and seeing how this flies versus how that flies to teach the simple principles of aerodynamics. Aerospace is one of the most fun things we do.”
Cadets often go to what McEntyre called Camp Laid in St. Clair County where students train in search and rescue missions, how to read compasses and how to conduct line searches for missing items among others. But the camp also functions as socialization for young students where they can meet and bond.
He said that the cadets are currently working on building a quadcopter drone made from carboard box, balsa wood and electronics.
Civil Air Patrol allows for cadets to forge their way into different career paths, McEntyre said. For those who decide to join the military, they can enter as E-3 instead of basic, which is a higher salary. Many get their pilot’s license, and some enter the Air Force or the Marines.
Flying, along with search and rescue are two major focuses of the Civil Air Patrol. Oftentimes, cadets choose one over the other but some choose both.
“I’ve had kids that do the search and rescue. And that’s all they do,” he said. “They don’t want to fly, they don’t want to get in a plane. And I’ve had kids where all they want to do is fly. And I’ve had some that do both of them.”
But not only does CAP educate cadets on aerodynamics and search and rescue but also aims to instill character, leadership and confidence in the youth, McEntyre said. The leadership class was taught by retired Air Force Colonel Frank Laid, who is a leadership officer for the Civil Air Patrol.
Major Wilson, 17, a student at Springville High School said that the Civil Air Patrol has helped shape him as a person.
“It’s helped me to be a better person,” he said. “I used to be a troubled child and got in trouble all the time but it’s really helped me improve my character.”
Keith Morris, Jr. 16, pointed out that he has acquired communication skills as well as problem solving.
“I’ve learned some valuable communications skills and basically how to listen, even if it’s not in the best condition to listen in but you can try and figure out,” he said.
For more information, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.