U. S.

Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol Squadron 153 Charter #PCR-CA-345 Jan-Apr 2011 #PCR-CA-345

WORDS FROM THE TOP

Squadron Commander Maj. Mark Wong
Part of the Cadet Oath which all cadets take upon joining CAP states, I pledge to serve faithfully in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, and that I will attend meetings regularly, participate actively in unit activities What does attend meetings regularly mean? What does participate actively mean? Before joining SQ153, we inform every potential cadet what our schedule is like and what the requirements are for attendance. We are also very emphatic about what constitutes a valid, reasonable absence (school, family, religion, illness, etc.). As the Squadron Commander, I consider it my personal responsibility to inform a potential cadet and their parents / guardians that school must come before CAP. Our squadron schedule, especially for cadet staff members, is very busy (see our calendar at http://capsq153.org/squadron -schedule/). We have weekly Wednesday evening meetings, Foxhunts each month, and usually at least one or two other weekend

functions. Some months, we have events scheduled for every weekend. With this high level of activity and the everpresent demands of school and family functions, how can a cadet attend meetings regularly and participate actively? The answer is simple: time management, self-discipline, and motivation. The cadet must want to be at the units meetings and activities, which means they must utilize their time management skills and selfdiscipline. The squadron tracks each cadets attendance and uses a weighted point system to determine a cadets attendance percentage. Each month, we calculate each cadets attendance percentage for both the last month and the last six months. This score is a factor when deciding to advance a cadet from one flight to the next. Attendance is also a very large part of promotions which are in no way automatic. CAP regulations are very clear and require unit commanders to retain a cadet in grade if the cadets performance or maturity does not demonstrate an ability to accept increased responsibility commensurate with the promotion (CAPR

52-16, 5-2.e). In our squadron, we have established 63.0% as the attendance percentage below which performance is automatically deemed unacceptable and a cadet will be retained in grade. This is the minimum attendance and 100% attendance is the desired goal. I encourage all cadets to participate actively in as many CAP events as possible. The five years I was a cadet were filled with events that built relationships with life-long friends, improved my understanding of responsibility, discipline, and dedication, and most importantly were great fun!

life in the future. I am excited to want to use my skills in the real world, but at the same time I dont want someone keel over. The California Army National Guards that taught us helped make our learning fun, but very effective and able to stick in our heads. We learned how to give CPR, rescue breaths, chest compressions, the Heimlich maneuver, and basic 1st Aid. I enjoyed the class but also want to emphasize how important that class could be to you saving a persons life.

CPR/ 1st Aid

C/TSgt Daryl Leach

CPR/ 1ST Aid Class

C/SSgt Andy Goodwin

I attended the CPR/ 1st Aid Class on Saturday, February 12. I really didnt want to wake up at six oclock in the morning and go to CAP on my day off of school, but at the end of the day, it was well worth it. I learned so many things today that could save somebodys

The CPR/ 1st Aid class that was held at squadron headquarters on February 12, 2011 was amazing. The instructors were extremely nice and fun. All who participated got to practice CPR on plastic dummies while getting instruction from the instructor. After doing CPR for adults and children we moved on to First Aid. In the First Aid section we learned about cuts, breaks, burns, and poisons. We were able to practice using
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bandages on our partners and into the wheelchair. And making a sling and split for a that day everyone called me broken arm. After watching a hero. many power points and practicing on dummies and people we took our test. Almost everyone passed and those that didnt were personally helped individually with an instructor. Overall the CPR / First Aid class was a great learning experience.

First Aid/ CPR Class

C/A1C Nicholas Pio

BCS
C/A1C Nicholas Pio

This year I participated in the squadrons First Aid / CPR class. At the event we were taught simple first aid for cuts, broken bones, and other various injuries and conditions. We also were taught how to do CPR for adults, teens, and infants. In order to teach us CPR the Red Cross brought dummies that had lungs, to simulate doing CPR on a real person. I felt the class was interesting and useful, as well as fun. It feels good to know what do in case a situation comes up in which these skills might be necessary.

First Aid / CPR

C/AB Jacob Cole

One week after our First Aid / CPR course a girl in my class was having an "Epileptic seizure" since she has Epilepsy. So, while that was happening, I sprung into action and told the teacher to call the school nurse and told every one else to move the desks and create a walkway and move any items away from her. While the school nurse came I told her friends to help her up and get her

In March of this year I attended Basic Cadet School (BCS). It was a truly great experience. It showed me what the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) program was all about. I was exposed to all of the different activities and programs that CAP offers. When I first got there it was much different than any event I had done with CAP, because there were so many new people from all different squadrons. From there they taught us basic drill, and once we were ready, we played tanks. In the game all the flights were marched into each other in order to eliminate the other teams. Once I was beginning to really enjoy myself, it was time to leave. I would recommend all fairly new cadets to go to this because it really shows you what the Civil Air Patrol program has to offer.

and women to become leaders in their home units and outside of CAP. I have personally attended two once as a cadet student and once as a senior advisor. I enjoy NCOS because it can start you on the right road to becoming a dynamic leader. NCOS can teach you many new things about yourself as a leader. I personally learned different teaching styles and how they affect my audience, how to properly drill a flight using a proper command voice, and responsibilities of an NCO. This was a great experience because not only were we taught in classrooms but we also got to practice what we learned. Some of the ways we practiced were by taking charge of the flight during drill and teaching small classes to our seminars. This was a great learning experience because we received feedback on everything we did. I know that I did not come out a perfect leader at the end of the weekend but I definitely was headed in the right direction.

advisor to help guide the cadets in the right direction.

Group 7 Color Guard Competition

C/CMSgt Devon Butler

As I entered the building at 0800, I instantly saw the level of preparation that our squadrons color guard, as well as the other squadrons, committed into functioning as a team. Regardless of the outcome, Im confident that both color guards will continue on to greatness in the future; with both sides improving by learning from their mistakes. I was impressed by the outcome and support present from the senior members as well as parents and highly encourage cadets to attend such events in the future.

Group 7 Color Guard Competition

C/SSgt Andy Goodwin

Non-Commissioned Officer School

TFO Cynthia Martinez

Many of you may wonder what is NonCommissioned Officer School (NCOS). NCOS is one of the many schools that Civil Air Patrol (CAP) provides to teach young men

Looking back at my experience as a cadet, I realize how much I learned and how much this helped develop my skills as a leader. Now I can use these skills as a Senior Member and in my daily life. Its always a pleasure to return as a senior

As many of you know, I am on our squadron color guard. I am the Civil Air Patrol flag bearer, Sgt. Clay is the American flag bearer, and Cadet Van De Brake and Cadet Priest are both riflemen. On February 21st, our squadron competed against the color guard from
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Squadron 47 from Camp Pendleton. A color guard competition consist of seven parts: 1) Inspection, 2) Drill, 3) Outdoor Practical, 4) Indoor Practical, 5) Leadership Written Exam, 6) Aerospace Education Panel Quiz, and 7) Mile Run. The inspection part consists of the color guard being inspected by the judges for their uniform and bearing. The drill portion consists of reporting, and having the color guard perform movements in a certain order while being closely watched by the judges. Next comes the outdoor practical, which is basically the flag raising ceremony. We have to properly receive the American flag from the judges, raise and lower the flag, and give the flag back. It is a lot harder than it sounds and every movement must be precise and correct or else points are deducted. The indoor practical consists of placing the Civil Air Patrol and American flag indoors for a special event and then retrieving them. The Leadership Written Exam is a fifty question multiple-choice exam that must be filled out with fortyfive minutes. This makes color guards put in many hours of studying and quizzing each other. The Aerospace Education Panel Quiz is a Jeopardy-like game that is played with two color guards playing each other and trying to answer questions before the other team. Lastly, the competition ends with a mile run. The faster the mile time, the more points your receive.

Our color guard did not win, but we learned much more than we could have possibly imagined. Color guard is very fun but also a large commitment. We are already practicing and cant wait for next years competition. For any cadets thinking about joining please feel free to ask us any questions you have and we could always use more than one team.

O-Rides
C/Amn Benjamin Russell

Group 7 Color Guard Competition

C/SSgt Jacob Vandebrake

The color guard competition was very fun, and well competitive. The written test went very well. On the written test Sgt. Clay got the highest score. P.T. was fun and we wanted to always work together, but that part of the competition could have gone a lot better if we would have pushed ourselves a little harder to do better. The standard drill part went okay, except for the fact that we did wheels instead of abouts. Raising the flag will go even better next year, especially if we start training more. The aerospace part will go better Learning to Fly if we study a lot more. Well C/SrA Colton Priest that is it from me, and we Ever since I was a need more cadets to come little kid I was always out for color guard so we can fascinated with aviation. My have more than one team. brother and I used to spend a countless amount of hours in

On March 6th, my fellow cadets and I got the chance to fly in a CAP Cessna 182. Although we took turns flying in the Cessna, while we were waiting, we got to fly in a CAP glider, which was very fun. When it was my turn to fly, I was really excited. I had only flown in a single engine airplane once before. Also, the Cessna was equipped with Garmin G1000 panels, which are computer screens that show various things, such as a map, artificial horizon, and engine monitors. I had never seen these for real before, so I really liked that. We took from the Los Alamitos AAF flew to the Torrance airport. On the way we saw the Queen Mary and the Long Beach harbor. Once we landed, we switched places and flew back. After that, we took off and flew out over the ocean, circling above the clouds. Then we landed back at the Los Alamitos AAF. I think it is awesome that CAP allows cadets to experience flight.

our garage making paper airplanes. We made all kinds, such as the traditional, the floating ring, and the fighter jet. We used to have contests and see which one flew farther and which airplane was the fastest. When I was on the computer one day I came across the Orange County Soaring Association webpage and I learned that there was no age limit to start flight lessons. I immediately looked for a glider operation near my house. What I found was CAP Glider Training Squadron 41 so once I learned a little more about the program I joined up and started flying on Sundays. Flying is a lot of fun and you learn a lot every time you go up. Squadron 41 is filled with very experienced instructors and they are all really good guys. When I first started I was a little anxious to take the controls. Since then I have learned take off procedures as well as flight maneuvers and how to land the airplane. Flying is my passion and I dont plan on stopping anytime soon.

Race on the Base

C/Amn Hashim Tauqir

Race on the base was a fun event. Kind of a tiring day considering we parked over 1,000 vehicles. We all had fun though; it was a good day. Even though we all thought it was going to rain but, surprisingly it was dry. Besides the early rain
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before everything started; it was a fun day.

Race on the Base

C/SMSgt Daniel Clay

This years Race on the Base was a great success. The cadets who were involved did an outstanding job. After getting there at 0500 in the morning and being ready to direct traffic at 0600 when the gates opened was great. The day went by quite smoothly and best of all it didnt rain. Thats a plus. Also as another plus, all the participants received a t-shirt and backpack with goodies in it. It was a well run event and the base was very grateful that they had us to help.

Some Senior Moments

2dLt Tim Leach

The C.A.P.
C/Amn Christopher Kunz

Never before have I seen such a collection of clean-cut and helpful young men. Civil Air Patrol allows todays youth to group together and really help our nation in a positive way. We are responsible for 84% of America's emergency services, who would have guessed that teens could play such a big role? Most teens today dream of their drivers license, we are taught to pilot gliders and planes before we even begin to think of driving cars! How many teens learn how to fly before they can drive? Apparently those who serve in the Auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force!

Time for a few thoughts on recent activities with the squadron. Back in February, we participated in Race on the Base with the task of traffic flow and parking control. With races starting at different times throughout the morning, I figured it would be busy most of the morning. We were assisting the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce, which provided personnel and bags with water and snacks. The basic traffic pattern coming into the base was already set, so my job was to help keep the cars moving at a steady pace onto the flight line where more of our fine cadets would guide them into exact parking spaces. Most of the morning went really smooth. The only time things got a little crazy was when traffic started backing up onto the main streets outside of the base and snarling traffic. I believe the matter was fixed by opening up another lane coming into the base. After that little bit of fun, the next bit of excitement came when the races began ending and cars started to leave at the same time people were still coming in. The added little bit of traffic flow meant I had to be able to look both ways to guide the cars to the proper areas.Im sure theres something in my

C.A.P. training that I can cite as helping me in this situation. Both the weather and the people (both racers and volunteers) couldnt have been more pleasant. Another bit of the C.A.P. I was involved with was T.L.C. or Training Leaders of Cadets. It was a nice learning experience. The setting was our own home base. Meeting several senior members from other squadrons was really nice too. The gentlemen in charge, including our own Major Wong and LtCol Skullr, made the whole thing very relaxed and personable. The information shared by the leaders, and the interaction between all involved, made for a very helpful and rewarding experience. I came away with several new ways to approach different situations and fresh ideas for different activities.

before the city council. To the family members who drove the cadets out to this event, the other CAP members who came to make it work, and the color guard, I express my gratitude and respect for all those who supported the squadron.

MG Scott Johnson & C/SSgt Priest

Long Beach Airport Open House

C/SSgt Colton Priest

Los Alamitos City Hall

C/CMSgt Devon Butler

When I was asked by Flight Officer Kamei to participate at the ceremony thanking all those for their help at the Race on the Base 5K 10K Run on behalf of Los Alamitos, I didnt hesitate to offer my help. Lt. Col. Skullr, Lt. Goodwin, FO Kamei, C/SMSgt Clay, C/TSgt Goodwin, C/SSgt Priest, C/SSgt Quintana, and I were present to represent our squadron. We arrived at 1700 (an hour and a half before starting) to prepare ourselves and not take any chances. The color guard, with the assistance of FO Kamei, prepared themselves accordingly and set a proper example of CAP discipline

Last Sunday (10APR11), at the Long Beach Airport Open House hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, cadets from Squadron 153 helped out our sister Squadron 150. The cadets parked cars for those attending the event and both squadrons helped in working a recruiting booth. I was stationed at the recruiting booth and there seemed to be a lot of people interested in our program. Also, in the middle of the day, there were two F/A-18F Super Hornets doing some training. We saw them take off and land twice and boy were they LOUD! The Super Hornets were quite a sight to see though. At the end of the day I was lucky enough to meet Major General Scott W. Johnson (commander of the U.S. Armys 40th Infantry Division) and he gave me his business card. After a few handshakes and pictures, we closed up the booth and called it a day.
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Encampment Staff Selection Exercise

C/SMSgt Anistasha Wilhelm

On April 1, 2011, over 60 Civil Air Patrol cadets gathered in one of many conference halls in Ft. Hunter Liggett, California. The cadets amassed with one goal in mind: to be selected for a line or support staff position for the 2011 California / Nevada Wings joint encampment. Tensions ran high while applicants poured over materials and composed outlines in preparation for a mentally grueling weekend of assessments, interviews, and inspections. Even before the welcome briefing had begun, squadron commanders began questioning applicants on ideals of leadership and organization and on why they believed that they should receive the position they had applied for. April 2, 2011 was the real test of aptitude. The day operated in two distinct rotations; one to be completed in blues, the other to be completed in BDUs. The BDU portion of Staff Selection included a pressure filled inspection, a short interview, and an evaluation of the use of the 6-step teaching method and drill command. The blues portion of the almost 3-day job interview included a review board, an inspection,

a written test, and a support staff skills evaluation. At the end of the day, curiosity and nerves focused upon who made the cut, and who would be sent home without a job something that would be known within 48 hours after dismissal the next morning. (Squadron 153 sent two cadets to SSX, C/SMSgt Daniel Clay, and C/SMSgt Anistasha Wilhelm, the latter being selected as the Delta Flight Sergeant in the 118th Cadet Training Squadron).

Encampment Staff Selection Exercise

C/SMSgt Daniel Clay

Encampment Staff Selection was quite an experience, and there was a lot going on. Upon arrival and registration, all applicants were given an overview of the weekend by the Executive Command. The next morning everyone awoke at 0500 and went to breakfast. Applicants were put into two groups and went through the different exercises of the day. Some of the things we went through were inspections of the BDU uniform and blues uniform, drill instruction and performance, a written test and a review board. The weekend was a great experience and even though I did not get a position on this years staff, I learned a lot and will be better prepared for next year.

Looking Back
C/1stLt Kristofer Schumacher

Rather than bore you all with a recap of the last several months, I will give you my own ponderings on progressing through the cadet program. Without

further ado, I give you my And finally, are you perspective of, How to there yet? If so, return to Succeed in the Civil Air step one and repeat the Patrol. process with a new goal. Its an upward spiral that only stops when you want it to stop. If not, return to step one and repeat the process until you succeed. You can slow down or take a break if you want to, but dont get comfortable. Theres a very fine line between settling and stagnation. First: have a goal. Hopefully you find Ask yourself the question, this helpful. If you find Why am I in Civil Air everything Ive said to be Patrol? You are obviously glaringly obvious, good for here for a reason, be it you you already know flying, leadership training, or what to do. So, as a parting emergency services work. message to all of you, finish Only you can decide your reading this fine publication path. cover to cover, then get out Second: figure out there and make yourself how to get that goal. If you proud. want your pilots license, start asking around about An Introduction flight training. For 1stLt Steven Covarubias leadership training, pay As the squadron extra-special attention to continues to grow with new your flight sergeants and members, I, unfortunately, commanders. If you dont have not met most of our know what to do, ask new cadets. I would like, around. I guarantee you therefore, to introduce arent the only one in the myself as 1stLt Steven A. squadron with that goal. Covarubias, and I am the Working towards a goal is Leadership Officer of easier when you have Squadron 153. someone to help you, or to As a brief compete against. If nothing background, I was raised in else, you can get advice on the city of Long Beach, what to do to get where you California and spent my want to go. teenage years as a Police Third: go for it. Explorer for the Long Beach The message should be clear: Police Department. I was in now you know what you the Explorer program for want and how to get it, so the approximately five years only thing stopping you from where I rose to the top rank getting there is you. All of Explorer Commander. I other issues (monetary, etc.) have been employed with the can be solved if you ask City of Long Beach since around. CAP and aviation 2004 and continued being grants are available for those involved the Explorer who look. program as an Associate Advisor until 2006.
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I left the Explorer CAP Achievement Award program and in 2008 I joined CAP. I joined CAP because C/SMSgt Daniel Clay I want to work with the C/TSgt Andy Goodwin cadets. I believe my past C/SSgt Colton Priest experiences in the cadetC/SrA Jacob VanDeBrake style program of the explorers had a major Benjamin Davis Jr. Award positive influence on my life (Leadership Ribbon) and I want to share my experiences with the cadets of CAP. I also believe my Capt A. Wong (Bronze Star) 2dLt Timothy Leach small part in the unit could help positively influence a Wright Brothers Award cadet today and help make them a better leader for tomorrow. C/TSgt Andy Goodwin Unfortunately, my C/SSgt Colton Priest work schedule does not C/SSgt Jacob VanDeBrake allow me to attend the Red Service Award weekly meetings and has made it difficult for me to attend early morning C/SMSgt Anistasha Wilhelm activities such as Foxhunts, Race on the Base, Wings Community Service Award Wheels & Rotors, and so on. Most cadets may only see C/SSgt Andy Goodwin me as they conduct the Promotion Review Boards Recently Promoted! (PRBs). However, I do keep track of what is going on and I do interact with the Cadet Staff members. I also stay in constant contact with Major Wong and review the Seniors: squadron website. 2dLt Timothy Leach I do plan on interacting more with the cadets soon. I look forward to meeting all of the new cadets and continuing to working with all the cadets to help train the leaders of tomorrow.

Past
SQ153 Events
January 2011 Foxhunt Model Rocketry Cadet Staff Training February 2011 Foxhunt AEX Race on the Base GP7 Color Guard Comp. First Aid / CPR Cadet Staff Training March 2011 Foxhunt Model Rocketry AEX Cadet Staff Training GP7 Commanders Call Orientation Flights April 2011 Foxhunt AEX Self-Defense Concepts Training Leaders of Cadets Cadet Staff Training LGB Airport Open House

August 2011 Foxhunt Cadet Staff Training

Cadet of the Month

SQ153 began recognizing a Cadet of the Month in February 2011. Cadet staff members are not eligible for this recognition since they receive other acknowledgements. To determine the Cadet of the Month, each cadet receives points. Points are earned by passing a Leadership or Aerospace test, completing a Cadet Physical Fitness Test, uniform inspections, attendance, recruiting, school honor roll, and other metrics. The score sheet is posted on our bulletin board at the end of each month. Past Cadets of the Month: February 2011 C/SrA Colton Priest March 2011 C/AB Jacob Cole April 2011 To Be Announced

Coming
SQ153 Events
May 2011 Foxhunt Model Rocketry AEX Cadet Staff Training June 2011 Foxhunt Model Rocketry AEX Cadet Staff Training Big Bear FTX Change of Cadet Command July 2011 4th of July Celebration Foxhunt AEX Squadron Pool Party Cadet Staff Training

Be sure to check out our website:

capsq153.org
It has a calendar!
Navigator Jan-Apr 2011 Publication produced by CAP Squadron 153 Maj Mark Wong Publisher/Editor Page 6 of 6

Cadets:

C/1stLt Kristofer Schumacher C/SMSgt Daniel Clay C/TSgt Andy Goodwin C/SSgt Colton Priest C/SSgt Jacob VanDeBrake C/A1C Nicholas Pio C/Amn Hashim Tauqir C/Amn Seibert von Fock C/Amn Eric Golston C/Amn Mason Matthews Navigator, January April 2011