Civil Air Patrol, Fort McHenry Squadron holds Cadet Change of Cadet Command and awards ceremony.

25 August 2016. Lithicum, Md. The Maryland Wing, Group II, Fort McHenry Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) held an annual Change of Cadet Command and Awards Ceremony to recognize and express appreciation to its officers and cadets. The evening began with the change of cadet commander and continued with cadet promotions and achievements. The event concluded with an informal reception attended by squadron members and guests.

During the Change of Cadet Commander ceremony, C/Amn Bernard Crawford served as the squadron guidon bearer with squadron commander Lt Col Steven Hollis as the senior official. C/Capt Colin Stiers received the squadron guidon from outgoing C/2d Lt Audrey Hollis during this 11th annual Cadet Change of Command ceremony. With the words, “Sir, I accept command,” Stiers began his tenure as cadet commander. In relinquishing her command position, Hollis said, “I was honored to command such a great squadron, thank you cadets and senior members for your support.” Stiers concluded the ceremony expressing anticipation and gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the cadet commander. Fort McHenry Squadron cadet commander tenure is one year. As such, this traditional event is held on an annual basis providing other qualified cadets the opportunity to share the experience of command and enhance their leadership skills. The Change of Command is a time honored ceremony designed to mark the occasion when the responsibility of command is passed to the incoming commander. It is one of the most formal ceremonies conducted. This event presents the new cadet commander to the squadron while simultaneously recognizing and retiring the previous cadet commander.

Following the Change of Cadet Command Ceremony, squadron commander, Hollis, announced promotions for C/Amn Christion Brown, C/A1C Emma Hollis, C/A1C Deja Thomas and C/SRA Sam Kailee Runge. CAP cadets progress through a structured program which is divided into 16 segments, involving study and performance in the areas of leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet earns increased responsibility, decorations, awards, eligibility for national and international special activities, and opportunities for both flight and academic scholarships. Completing many of the achievements also earn the cadet a higher grade.

Another highlight of the evening came when C/2d Lt Timothy Seidell was awarded the Drug Demand Reduction (DDRx) Excellence Award. A cadet must complete six specified activities within a 12-month period to receive a DDRx award. There are multiple programs within CAP that help ensure cadets achieve excellence and meet the cadet program goals. One such program is the CAP Drug Demand Reduction program with a mission dedicated to helping Civil Air Patrol cadets achieve excellence in life by making good choices and remaining free of drugs and alcohol. This is especially important if the cadet wants to become a part of the military or the professional world of civilian aviation.

The Fort McHenry Composite Squadron meets weekly Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. at the American Legion Post 109, 1610 Old Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227. Prospective cadets aged 12-18 with their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking volunteer opportunities are invited as well. For more information about CAP Maryland Wing, Group II squadrons, visit www.mdgroup2cap.org.

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with four finds. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,245 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at 4.6 million dollars. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org or follow the wing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 70 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. Performing missions for America for the past 73 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

Photo bylines:

Photo 1: Fort McHenry Squadron members stand in formation in preparation to hold the squadron's Change of Cadet Command and awards ceremony.

Photo 2: C/Capt Stiers (center-right) accepts command from squadron commander Lt Col Hollis (left) with outgoing cadet commander C/2d Lt Audrey Hollis (right) with C/Amn Bernard Crawford (center-left).

Photo 3: From left to right: C/2d Lt Jason McSweeney, C/2d Lt Timothy Seidell (recipient of the DDRx Award), C/2d Lt Hollis and C/Capt Stiers.)

Article by: Capt Alice Raatjes, Public Affairs Officer, Group II, Maryland Wing, CAP and C/Capt Eugene Nash IV, Fort McHenry Composite Squadron, Group II, Maryland Wing, CAP. Photo credit C/Capt Nash.