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Visitors welcome at our next open house
The Anderson Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol (auxiliary of the United States Air Force) is cadets and adult members putting our minds and bodies to work. Join us to do interesting things with your kids or grandkids.
We are from Anderson, Chesterfield, Daleville, Pendleton, Frankton, McCordsville, Greenfield, and New Castle. We meet Wednesday nights and occasionally other days to push ourselves to new heights, figuratively and literally. We are becoming friends, learning to follow, learning to lead, and learning to do significant things as a team.
Civil Air Patrol has been called one of America's best-kept secrets. We'd love for you to visit at our next open house. To see what we're working on and how you might be a part, read about our history and purpose and see how to get started.
The Anderson Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol (auxiliary of the United States Air Force) is cadets and adult members putting our minds and bodies to work. Join us to do interesting things with your kids or grandkids.
We are from Anderson, Chesterfield, Daleville, Pendleton, Frankton, McCordsville, Greenfield, and New Castle. We meet Wednesday nights and occasionally other days to push ourselves to new heights, figuratively and literally. We are becoming friends, learning to follow, learning to lead, and learning to do significant things as a team.
Civil Air Patrol has been called one of America's best-kept secrets. We'd love for you to visit at our next open house. To see what we're working on and how you might be a part, read about our history and purpose and see how to get started.
Things You Can Do in Spite of COVID-19
Our annual slate of special activities was undermined by the response to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. More and more activities were being added back onto the calendar, but we are back in "safety mode." HOWEVER, there is plenty cadets and adults can do between meetings to advance and prepare.
Attend weekly squadron meetings
We have been meeting again each week in person since Fall 2020. Meetings are the best way to keep your momentum going and to build camaraderie--and they're obviously fun, too. Set reminders in your calendars!
Schedule after-school orientation flights
Weather-permitting. For details, speak with an adult leader on Wednesday nights. Orientation flights are not just a plane ride; read more here!
Get a free, local glider experience
Weather-permitting, and in season (spring to late fall), cadets get a free glider flight after applying for a free Indiana Soaring Society membership. The closest chapter to us is just outside Alexandria, Indiana. This is not the same thing as an orientation flight, but it's awesome!
Prepare for the next encampment
Parents, encampment requires a lot of preparation. Get started by helping your cadet log into Microsoft Teams then click Encampment > Documents, where you will find a packing list, shopping tips, and more.
Cadets, if you have already attended one encampment, consider attending Advanced Training School, Wisconsin Wing's Cadet Development Course, attend in a different state, attend a winter encampment, and/or apply to be on staff!
Adults, consider signing up as a Training Officer, kitchen staff, or driver, and begin conditioning now so you can keep up with the cadets.
Finish Emergency Services prep
Cadets and adults, everything you need for getting started in C.A.P. emergency services is at this link; print, study it, and check off as you go. This introductory checklist exposes you to radio basics, outdoor fundamentals, required equipment, duty assignments available, developing a mission mindset, and more. See Lt Bagnall and C/Maj Bagnall when you're ready to progress.
Finish Sporty's Learn-to-Fly course! ($400 value)
Cadets, if you have had an orientation flight through CAP or a Young Eagles flight through the EAA, you are eligible for a free EAA student membership that also gives you access to the professional ground school training used by many aspiring pilots to prepare for flight lessons. Finishing this course is the first step toward your private pilot's certificate through CAP's Cadet Wings program and will earn you a free flight lesson!
Adults can also sign up for an EAA membership, $40 per year or only $50 for a family membership. Go to www.eaa.org to review all of the benefits.
Finish Incident Command courses
Cadets and adults, these advanced courses are required for most emergency services qualifications but are also open to the general public. The information herein is applicable for thinking through any event or incident, large or small, and are highly recommended.
Finish the CyberPatriot course
Cadets and adults, grow your résumé by learning basic cybersecurity principles through the CyberPatriot national youth education program. No prior experience is required!
ITPRO.TV offers an excellent, deep, fun CyberPatriot course at this link, and it is completely free. Click Try It Free at the top then click Create Your Profile under the Free Membership - Limited Library option that appears. After sign-up, you will occasionally get offers for other free content, but they don't spam.
Even if you decide not to join the CyberPatriot competition this fall, you will be a much more valuable employee and you'll be able to help your family and friends avoid silly mistakes online.
Watch a C.A.P. safety course
Cadets and adults, risk planning is a big part of what we teach at Civil Air Patrol events. To maintain a safety mindset, it is wise to finish at least one safety course in eServices each month. To see your options, log into eServices, click Menu > Online Learning > Learning Management System, then filter on the topic of Safety.
Work on your next promotion!
Cadets, the requirements for each promotion are listed at this link. Put your goals on a calendar and work a little bit each day.
Adults, there is plenty of professional development that you can be working on incrementally:
Attend weekly squadron meetings
We have been meeting again each week in person since Fall 2020. Meetings are the best way to keep your momentum going and to build camaraderie--and they're obviously fun, too. Set reminders in your calendars!
Schedule after-school orientation flights
Weather-permitting. For details, speak with an adult leader on Wednesday nights. Orientation flights are not just a plane ride; read more here!
Get a free, local glider experience
Weather-permitting, and in season (spring to late fall), cadets get a free glider flight after applying for a free Indiana Soaring Society membership. The closest chapter to us is just outside Alexandria, Indiana. This is not the same thing as an orientation flight, but it's awesome!
Prepare for the next encampment
Parents, encampment requires a lot of preparation. Get started by helping your cadet log into Microsoft Teams then click Encampment > Documents, where you will find a packing list, shopping tips, and more.
Cadets, if you have already attended one encampment, consider attending Advanced Training School, Wisconsin Wing's Cadet Development Course, attend in a different state, attend a winter encampment, and/or apply to be on staff!
Adults, consider signing up as a Training Officer, kitchen staff, or driver, and begin conditioning now so you can keep up with the cadets.
Finish Emergency Services prep
Cadets and adults, everything you need for getting started in C.A.P. emergency services is at this link; print, study it, and check off as you go. This introductory checklist exposes you to radio basics, outdoor fundamentals, required equipment, duty assignments available, developing a mission mindset, and more. See Lt Bagnall and C/Maj Bagnall when you're ready to progress.
Finish Sporty's Learn-to-Fly course! ($400 value)
Cadets, if you have had an orientation flight through CAP or a Young Eagles flight through the EAA, you are eligible for a free EAA student membership that also gives you access to the professional ground school training used by many aspiring pilots to prepare for flight lessons. Finishing this course is the first step toward your private pilot's certificate through CAP's Cadet Wings program and will earn you a free flight lesson!
Adults can also sign up for an EAA membership, $40 per year or only $50 for a family membership. Go to www.eaa.org to review all of the benefits.
Finish Incident Command courses
Cadets and adults, these advanced courses are required for most emergency services qualifications but are also open to the general public. The information herein is applicable for thinking through any event or incident, large or small, and are highly recommended.
- FEMA IS-100.C Introduction to the Incident Command System
- FEMA IS-200.C Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
- FEMA IS-700.B: Introduction to the National Incident Management System
- FEMA IS-800.C: Introduction to National Response Framework
Finish the CyberPatriot course
Cadets and adults, grow your résumé by learning basic cybersecurity principles through the CyberPatriot national youth education program. No prior experience is required!
ITPRO.TV offers an excellent, deep, fun CyberPatriot course at this link, and it is completely free. Click Try It Free at the top then click Create Your Profile under the Free Membership - Limited Library option that appears. After sign-up, you will occasionally get offers for other free content, but they don't spam.
Even if you decide not to join the CyberPatriot competition this fall, you will be a much more valuable employee and you'll be able to help your family and friends avoid silly mistakes online.
Watch a C.A.P. safety course
Cadets and adults, risk planning is a big part of what we teach at Civil Air Patrol events. To maintain a safety mindset, it is wise to finish at least one safety course in eServices each month. To see your options, log into eServices, click Menu > Online Learning > Learning Management System, then filter on the topic of Safety.
Work on your next promotion!
Cadets, the requirements for each promotion are listed at this link. Put your goals on a calendar and work a little bit each day.
Adults, there is plenty of professional development that you can be working on incrementally:
- Read and study CAP Pamphlet 151 Customs and Courtesies.
- Do Volunteer University. The many modules of this course can be applied at home, at work, and in any other organization you're a part of. This is also required for promotions.
- Each specialty track has its own requirements for advancement and all are excellent for growing your résumé; explore your options at this link on CAP University.
- Earn the Yeager Award by reading the 682-page book Aerospace: The Journey of Flight, 3rd Edition (PDF, 23 MB) and passing a 100-question open-book quiz over it with 70% or higher score. The book is also available in hardcover at Amazon.com ($8+) and VanguardMil.com ($50).
2021 Optional Special Activities
Response to the novel coronavirus of 2019 hosed a lot of good stuff that was in the works for 2020 and, though it looks like we'll still be diminished in 2021, we refuse to lose heart. We are using this time to enhance our processes, plan for better days, and continue to prepare by studying on our own or in videoconference with a small group.
Because the City of Anderson has closed the airport to public traffic, weekly meetings have resumed at the Anderson address listed at the bottom of this page (and in Google Maps). Check your email daily for updates. Larger group activities are still hard to come by, but your leaders are always on the lookout. See below to get an idea of what we did in 2019 and let us know what you would like to do in the future!
-- All the time --
After-School Orientation Flights, weather permitting, at your nearest airport. Contact Capt Hensley with available dates if interested. Requirements: OPSEC training, hangar rash training, aircraft ground- handling training, complete uniform (ABU or BDU: trousers, jacket, boots, undershirt, belt, name tape, CAP tape, and hat). These were on hold for a time but have resumed.
Emergency Services Activities are slowly resuming around Indiana. Everything you need for getting started in C.A.P. emergency services is at this link; print, study it, and check it off as you go. Watch your CAP email for announcements about opportunities. If you have friends in other squadrons, tell them to let you know of any opportunities and then please pass those along to us, as well. You can also stay aware of opportunities by following other Wings' Facebook pages.
-- Spring, Summer & Winter Encampments --
Encampment requires a lot of physical and some mental preparation; see Lt Nardoni for details. Also, there is a very good chance you can attend your first encampment for free by applying for CEAP (~March 1); see this link for details and put a reminder on your calendar to apply when the window opens.
-- National Cadet Special Activities --
Also held around the country throughout each year are National Cadet Special Activities (NCSAs) and many resumed in 2021. Most, if not all, offer financial support. Most have registration deadlines between November and January, so begin preparing now. (Many require that a cadet has graduated from an encampment.)
Details for each of the NCSAs appear here:
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/activities/national-cadet-special-activities
Because the City of Anderson has closed the airport to public traffic, weekly meetings have resumed at the Anderson address listed at the bottom of this page (and in Google Maps). Check your email daily for updates. Larger group activities are still hard to come by, but your leaders are always on the lookout. See below to get an idea of what we did in 2019 and let us know what you would like to do in the future!
-- All the time --
After-School Orientation Flights, weather permitting, at your nearest airport. Contact Capt Hensley with available dates if interested. Requirements: OPSEC training, hangar rash training, aircraft ground- handling training, complete uniform (ABU or BDU: trousers, jacket, boots, undershirt, belt, name tape, CAP tape, and hat). These were on hold for a time but have resumed.
Emergency Services Activities are slowly resuming around Indiana. Everything you need for getting started in C.A.P. emergency services is at this link; print, study it, and check it off as you go. Watch your CAP email for announcements about opportunities. If you have friends in other squadrons, tell them to let you know of any opportunities and then please pass those along to us, as well. You can also stay aware of opportunities by following other Wings' Facebook pages.
-- Spring, Summer & Winter Encampments --
Encampment requires a lot of physical and some mental preparation; see Lt Nardoni for details. Also, there is a very good chance you can attend your first encampment for free by applying for CEAP (~March 1); see this link for details and put a reminder on your calendar to apply when the window opens.
- Winter encampments may be open this year in Texas, Florida, and elsewhere. You can search online for information or stay tuned for updates.
- Usually ~Apr 16-19, 23-26 Illinois Spring Encampment, recommended for younger cadets because the weather is cooler and it's split into two four-day weekends. That is a lot of driving, though, of course. Print the packing list ASAP so you can start asking questions.
- Usually ~Jun 7-13 Indiana Encampment; get the packing list ASAP
- Usually ~Jun 13-20 Ohio Encampment; get the packing list ASAP
- Usually ~June 25-Jul 5 Michigan Encampment; get the packing list ASAP (it has not been posted yet)
- Usually ~Jun 27-Jul 4 Wisconsin Encampment; get the packing list ASAP
-- National Cadet Special Activities --
Also held around the country throughout each year are National Cadet Special Activities (NCSAs) and many resumed in 2021. Most, if not all, offer financial support. Most have registration deadlines between November and January, so begin preparing now. (Many require that a cadet has graduated from an encampment.)
Details for each of the NCSAs appear here:
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/activities/national-cadet-special-activities
Squadron Calendar
Click +Google below for these dates to appear in your own Gmail calendar.
Click +Google below for these dates to appear in your own Gmail calendar.
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Visit at our next open house We meet weekly at Anderson Intermediate School on the north side of Anderson. Follow our Facebook page for announcements, including when our next open house will be held. While you wait for the next open house, study and begin practicing as much of the New Cadet Guide as possible! Spread the word! |
