Cadet Change of Command at Carroll CAP Squadron.

June 2015, Westminster, Md. - Recently, Carroll Composite Squadron held a change of Cadet Commander Ceremony. Newly appointed Cadet Commander, Captain Aaron Scanlan accepted the squadron guidon from outgoing Commander, Captain Jonathan Yerger in the presence of squadron and family members and friends. With presiding officer, Squadron Commander, LtCol Frank Jarosinski and the assistance of Cadet Frist Sergeant/SMSgt Caleb Scanlan the ceremony provided a seamless transition of command. C/Capt Scanlan joined the Carroll Squadron in March 2012 and in a relative short period of time has become known for his leadership ability and strong commitment to CAP goals of quality and service. Congratulations to C/Capt Scanlan, the squadron looks forward to your command. ‘Thank You’ to C/Cap Yerger as we appreciate all that you have done for the squadron and wish you well.

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. The Change of Command signifies the end of one era and the beginning of the next. More often than not, it signals a new beginning a renewal in progress of events and achievements of the squadron.

The flag/guidon is exchanged during the change of command as a symbolic gesture providing a tangible view of the command authority being transferred from one commander to the next. The sequence for the exchange begins with three participants standing abreast, from left to right as viewed from the audience, presiding officer (Squadron Commander,) outgoing commander and incoming commander.

Life gives us all new opportunities and chances to succeed. We wish much success to both C/Capts Scanlan & Yerger as they continue to pursue excellence in all that they do!

The Carroll Composite Squadron meets 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings at the Hilltop Assembly of God Church Hall at 30 North Cranberry Road in Westminster, Maryland. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well. For more information, email carrollcomposite@yahoo.com or visit www.carrollcap.org. You can also follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capcarrollcomposite.

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with five finds and one life saved. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,106 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 60,000 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 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. Performing missions for America for over 70 years, CAP will receive the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015 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.gocivilairpatrol.com, www.capvolunteernow.com and www.capgoldmedal.com for more information.

By Capt. Alice Raatjes, Public Affairs Officer. Photo credit, 2nd Lt Carol Scanlan.

Photo: Outgoing Cadet Commander Captain Jonathan Yerger congratulates Cadet Captain Aaron Scanlan on his appointment as the new Cadet Commander.