New Jersey Cadets Reach StellarXplorers Finals

Six cadets from the New Jersey Wing’s Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Composite Squadron — (from left) Cadet Airman Jadon Domenech, Cadet Airman 1st Class Michael Domenech, Cadet Senior Airman Alexander King, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Clayton, Cadet Senior Airman William Weisgarber, and Cadet Staff Sgt. Benjamin Clayton — will compete April 20-22 in the Air & Space Force Association’s StellarXplorers IX Space STEM program national finals.

The team is one of 10 nationwide to reach the championship competition from an initial field of nearly 350 entries.

A cadet team from the Oregon Wing’s Aurora Composite Squadron captured the national championship in 2021.

Members Visit Capitol Hill for Legislative Day

Civil Air Patrol members from across New York joined their colleagues from all over the nation last week in the nation's capital to inform and educate members of Congress about CAP’s missions. Shown are (from left) Maj. Grant Sussey, Col. John Jones, Cadet Capt. Lauren Gomez-Nieto, Cadet Maj. Rebekah McGarvey, and 1st Lt. Gavin Davis as they waited outside U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney's office to visit with her and her staff.

The New York volunteers gathered with about 200 CAP members, including wing commanders and selected adults and cadets from around the country, to join National Headquarters staff in 355 meetings with legislators and government officials on Capitol Hill.

National Legislative Day is a hybrid campaign consisting of not only the Washington, D.C., visits March 2 but also a virtual and in-person component that began Feb. 13 and will continue through March 17. More than 460 meetings are expected by mid-March.

During their meeting, the New York team learned Tenney, R-N.Y., will be co-leading a bipartisan letter of support with Rep. Mike Thompson,. D-Calif., for CAP’s fiscal 2024 appropriations request.

Executive Officer Receives Volunteer Award

Col. R. Jason Bailey (left), CAP national executive officer, was recognized for his volunteer service at the 2023 Winter Command Council in Washington, D.C.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement recognizes individuals who have volunteered more than 4,000 hours of service. The award, including a certificate signed by President Joe Biden, was presented by Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP's national commander/CEO, during the Winter Command Council general session.

Willa Brown: Trailblazer for CAP, 'Ninety-Nines'

For Women's History Month, Civil Air Patrol honors Willa Beatrice Brown, an early member of both CAP and “the Ninety-Nines.” Established in 1929 by 99 women pilots, Ninety-Nines Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots, promotes advancement of aviation through education and scholarships. 

CAP’s national artist, Maj. Ron Finger, has depicted a historic aircraft (seen above) like one Brown flew training U.S. Army Air Forces pilots during World War II.

Cadets from the Carolinas Flock to STEM Workshop

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) principles came alive for 121 cadets from the North and South Carolina wings through hands-on learning exercises during a workshop at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Twenty-two adults members volunteered to teach and support the activity throughout the day. The STEM workshop involved three workshops — Electronics, Materials, and Propulsion, each offered once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

NHQ News

Cadet Encampment Assistance Program Applications for the Summer Now Open

Thanks to U.S. Air Force support, CAP has special funding available to cover encampment fees and uniforms this summer with an emphasis on serving economically disadvantaged cadets through the Cadet Encampment Assistance Program (CEAP).

New for this year, CEAP applications now have a start and end date to ensure funding is distributed equitably for all applicants. The main application window opened March 1 and is scheduled to close May 1. Most cadets will receive news about their application status and potential funding support during the first week of May.

Gold Sponsor Announced for National Conference

America's Aircraft Engines will be the gold sponsor for the 2023 National Conference this summer in Bellevue, Washington.

This conference brings together CAP members from across the country and features a full slate of activities, including exciting keynote speakers, learning sessions from members and national staff, Hangar Time in the exhibit hall with sponsors like Textron Aviation and CAP programs, and social events to spend time networking and engaging with other members.

The conference is also the time when Civil Air Patrol recognizes members' work in a wide range of roles and responsibilities, highlighted by recognition of the CAP Senior and CAP Cadet Members of the Year.

Registration for the conference will open in early April, so save the dates — Aug. 17-19 — and start planning now to join us in Bellevue.

What Are Non-Probate Asset Beneficiaries?

Non-probate assets are assets that are passed onto beneficiaries outside of a will. Examples include IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions, certain bank and brokerage accounts, and life insurance policies.

The average middle-aged adult has more than five major non-probate assets often held across different institutions. To ensure those assets go to the people and organizations you love, you must be sure to properly name your beneficiaries, and update them over time.

Safety/Health Services' Monthly Newsletter Online

March's edition of The Dispatch, the Safety and Health Services programs' new monthly newsletter, is now available online.

Compiled and edited by Alecia Singh, Safety Program administrator, and Lt. Col. Gordon Helm of the Health Services program, this electronic publication includes the following articles:

• “The Emerging and Newly Developing CAP Health Services Program” by Lt. Col. Stephen Leighton, M.D.
• “Dinner Time is Coming!” by Capt. Cole Ettingoff, Virginia Wing staff.
• “Understanding Resilience” by Lt. Col. Jill Silverman, M.D.
• “Human Error and Just Culture” by Michael Nunemaker, CAP chief of safety.

InstaPhoto of the Week #Civil Air Patrol

Since the beginning of Operation Pulse Lift, a total of 19,771 units have been collected toward the mission's anniversary goal of 20,000.