Women and the Civil Air Patrol.. A Time-Honored Partnership.

March 2016. Baltimore, Md. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) offers many professional development programs for both men and women. From mentoring cadets to piloting aircraft, CAP is where people of varied social and professional backgrounds can contribute to the Mission for America. Since its inception, women have proudly served in the Civil Air Patrol. Over 200,000 men and women served in CAP during World War II. Today, CAP’s 56,000 women and men are volunteer members serving nationwide in 53 wings located in all states including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. The 2016 National Women’s History Month is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge just one of the many women who have and are making a difference by service in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).

Major Tori Kyler Steinmeier began her CAP career as a cadet in 1989 with the Towson Composite Squadron of the Maryland Wing (MDWG). Commenting on women volunteering in CAP, Major Steinmeier stated, “Women of all ages have a place in CAP and it is a good place. CAP provides adventure and opportunities to use personal strengths and experiences to find a ‘niche’ and to excel. Female cadets and senior members are welcomed to participate in all programs at all levels. Their expectations and goals can be realized in an atmosphere of safety, equality and encouragement. CAP members both men and women, youth and adults are afforded many opportunities to pursue their dreams.”

When asked why she joined CAP, Steinmeier replied, “I wanted to fly and had an interest in following my father’s legacy of service in the U.S. Air Force. Also, as a teen, I had a strong desire to do something important and unusual. I discovered that being a CAP cadet strengthens moral character, provides leadership skills and encourages camaraderie.” Encouraged by her mother to join, Steinmeier recalled her experiences during that first week as a cadet were challenging. Regardless, she pursued cadet life with a personal sense of motivation to succeed. Not only did she adapt to cadet life; she excelled.

Goal driven, Steinmeier progressed rapidly through the achievement and promotion levels of the cadet program. She participated in almost all of the National Cadets Special Activities available at the time pursuing every opportunity to learn and experience new adventures.

When talking about her best and most challenging memories of being a cadet, Steinmeier recounts, “It was when I began the Para-rescue and Survival Orientation Course (PJOC). The anxious anticipation of attending this course was intense. I went through periods of uncertainty and nervous anxiety; then I decided that if I accepted the challenge and pursued the course with a strong sense of commitment, I would do well. The course was demanding, tough and probably the most challenging activity in my life. It was also one of the most beneficial experiences I had as a cadet. Upon completion of the PJOC, I was filled with pride, heightened self-confidence and a true sense of achievement.”

Brigadier General Richard L. Anderson, the CAP National Commander at the time, presented Steinmeier the General Carl A. Spaatz Award at the awards’ banquet culminating the December 1995 National Drill. The “Spaatz” award is the highest honor for a cadet and is presented for excellence in leadership, character, fitness and aerospace education. On average, only two cadets in one thousand earn the Spaatz Award. Since the award’s inception in 1964, only 0.5 percent of CAP cadets ever earn the Spaatz award. Maryland ranks eighth among the 50 U.S. states in the number of Spaatz awards earned.

At the 1995 banquet, General Anderson also announced that Steinmeier had the distinguished honor to be hired as the first cadet employed by the CAP National Headquarters to bring the youth perspective to the Cadet Programs Directorate. As such she and the directorate team managed all the national cadet special activities.

In retrospect, Steinmeier’s cadet career is a stellar example of what a young person can achieve by pursuing every opportunity offered through the CAP cadet program. After two years of Headquarters employment, she returned to Maryland and continued her commitment to volunteer service as a CAP senior member. With every endeavor she pursued, Steinmeier implemented lessons learned and incorporated the CAP core values, she followed as a cadet, of integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect. She became a valuable asset to the Maryland Wing professional staff and worked to improve CAP programs and accomplishments.

Coupled with a successful personal career, Steinmeier’s list of CAP accomplishments is many to include, the appointment as the Maryland Wing Director of Cadet Programs. In this position, she developed, managed and monitored statewide weekly and summer cadet programs including the International Air Cadet Exchange program which included British, Canadian and Turkish cadets.

Steinmeier, working with MDWG staff, is credited with the establishment of the Fort McHenry Composite Squadron located in Linthicum, Maryland. She served as the squadron’s first commander with a membership of 50 seniors and cadets. Throughout her tenue, the squadron progressed in their achievement in implementing CAP’s mission to Support America's communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development and promotion of air, space and cyber power.

Major Steinmeier, a Harvard University graduate, is employed at Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. She continues her membership in CAP and with the Fort McHenry squadron as a member-at-large and mentors cadets. She frequently returns to Maryland and the squadron. Her ever present adventurous spirit accompanies her in all that she pursues. As an independent scuba instructor, a maritime Chief Mate/Second Officer, a keynote speaker and a business leader, Major Steinmeier contributes a large portion of her success to her training and experience in the Civil Air Patrol. She emphatically states, “CAP cadet and senior professional development programs allowed me to develop confidence, to overcome obstacles and ultimately reach my goals. Applying the principles of CAP Core Values to all that I have done has helped ensure my success.”

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, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWGCAP.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 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 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 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.

Article by: Alice Raatjes, Captain, Public Affairs Officer, Group II, Maryland Wing.

Photos courtesy of: Major Tori Kyler Steinmeier