Developing Responsible Citizens and Aerospace Leaders in the Civil Air Patrol

Developing Responsible Citizens and Aerospace Leaders in the Civil Air Patrol

By Molly Mason

Founded just before the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) service trained World War II pilots to patrol the coast from Maine to Texas looking for U-boats. Today, as the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP provides emergency services, aerospace edu cation, and cadet programs as a national nonprofit organization.

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) focuses on building leadership skills; inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers; and building strong character in America’s teenagers. The Hillsdale chapter of the CAP was founded in 2018 under the direction of Squadron Command er Heather Tritchka. “My daughter became a cadet through the Jackson chapter and I saw for myself how great this program was for teenagers,” said Tritchka. “I wanted to bring this opportunity to Hillsdale and our squadron has grown through the ongoing support of this community.”

“I think people can be misled when they hear Air Force Auxil iary. It’s not as scary as some kids expect it to be,” said Dalilah McKimmy, Cadet 2nd Lieutenant and Cadet Commander of the Hillsdale squadron. “The skills we learn in CAP get you ready not only for a military career if you choose but also more prepared for situations in real life. I think CAP pro vides a really valuable experience for teens you can’t find anywhere else.”

As the Hillsdale squadron grew, it began a partnership with Hillsdale College’s Great Opportunities for Assistance and Leadership (GOAL) program. The college also provides meeting space for the squadron in the Margot Biermann Athletic Center. “As a member of the GOAL program, we receive one student assistant each year to serve as a mentor, direct the meetings, and lead our drills,” said Tritchka. “The chosen intern receives a scholarship through the college and typically has previous CAP experience.”

The CAP program seeks to grow teenagers into responsible citizens and aerospace leaders. It is designed around four elements: leadership, aerospace and STEM, fitness, and character. Cadets can increase their rank in the squadron by completing tasks and reading assignments. 

The squadron meets every Tuesday during the school year for two hours with modified scheduling through the summer months. Cadets enjoy special events regularly and have additional opportunities to participate in color guards, flag ceremonies, parades, officer installments, and other events in the community. Each cadet receives free orientation flights as part of the program and will also be trained and certified in First Aid/CPR for both adults and infants.

Each summer, the cadets attend a weeklong training camp at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, a Michigan Air National Guard training facility. In addition, the cadets also practice search and rescue at an overnight camp on the campus of Hillsdale College. “Our annual Bivouac event is one of the kids’ favorite events,” said Tritchka. “It’s held in a wooded area and the cadets have to make their shelters out of tarps and paracord. They search for a downed pilot while evading the enemy forces, often played by Hillsdale College football players.  Their goal is to return the pilot safely to camp without being captured and they always do a great job evading the enemy.”

While cadets are not obligated to enlist in a branch of the military, those who do can earn the Mitchell Award, earning an advanced pay grade (E-3). CAP also offers college and flight scholarships.

“No matter what your goals are, there are going to be so many people encouraging you and helping you get where you want to be,” said McKimmy. “There’s a great sense of community in our program and it’s a very valuable program for young people to be in.”

Students aged 12 to 18 are invited to join. Participation in the program is flexible, allowing cadets to participate in other extracurricular activities without having to leave the program. Accommodations may also be made for participants with special needs.  The cost to enroll is only $30 per year per cadet as the Air Force supports the program financially. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, contact Squadron Commander Heather Tritchka at 517960-1334.