From the Commander

by

LtCol Robert Ross

It is always good to see a group of young people strive and succeeded at any worthy pursuit. Thunderbird Squadron, CAP, is no exception to this. The members of this unit continue to set goals and excel towards these individual and collective goals. How can this be, one might ask, after watching or listening to any news broadcast? It has to do with the caliber of leadership both cadet and senior member.

I feel that T-bird has by far the best set of senior members of any unit in Civil Air Patrol coupled with superior cadet officer leaders. The senior members, as well as the cadet officers, don't want the up and coming cadets to just get by, they want them to really succeed in big ways.

This can be seen in the number cadet officer advancements and the number of other cadet promotions done in minimal times. Secondly, cadet excellence can be seen in the interest that cadets are taking in special activities both on a local level and the National level. Our cadets are applying and being accepted to these activities at a rate that makes every senior leader proud. Thirdly, are the pursuits that cadets are taking that will impact their futures. They are training as pilots, as emergency service personnel and as leaders. Our cadets are being accepted to collages, military institutes and service academies.

And though all the adult members are in the unit to support the cadets, they too are progressing and adding to their knowledge and capabilities in diverse ways. Some have taken on leadership and guidance roles, some have taken on direct teaching roles while others have taken on much needed support roles.

This unit epitomizes teamwork at all levels and to many of us, in so many ways, it is truly our family. Having been in CAP for over twenty years I can proudly say that, though it seeks constant improvement, Thunderbird Composite Squadron is the finest unit that can be.