MAXWELL COMPOSITE SQUADRON

CADET

Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Fall 2009 (July September)

NOTES

OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT

In case you havent heard, flying around in airplanes is inherently risky. If you run out of fuel, you cant just pull over until help arrives like you can in a car. Even simple tasks like moving the plane from the hangar or taxiing around the airport could result in damage or injury if proper ORM is not observed. The Air Force and Civil Air Patrol have standardized procedures in place to minimize potential hazards, but all of us should be aware of our immediate environment and put forth the effort necessary to reduce or eliminate safety mishaps. Here is a quick breakdown of the 6 steps of ORM: 1. Identify the Hazards A hazard is any real or potential condition that can cause mission degradation; injury, illness, or death to personnel; or damage or loss of equipment or property. 2. Assess the Risks Quantify and qualify the probability and severity of loss from exposure to the hazard. 3. Analyze Risk Control Measures Investigate a variety of actions which will either reduce or eliminate the risk. 4. Make Control Decisions The appropriate decision maker uses cost versus benefit analysis to choose the best control(s). 5. Implement Risk Controls Plan for implementation of control(s) and the commitment of resources to do it. 6. Supervise and Review Proactive and personal follow-up on effectiveness of control(s). RememberORM only works when we use it! Common sense takes us so far, and a standardized risk management process makes life safer for everyone. Take care of yourself and each other. 1 2 2-3 4-5 6 7 7 7 8 8 8

(ORM information from www.seco.noaa.gov)

INSIDE THIS EDITION

ORM Enthusiasm quotes NCSA SERFI Ironman Prop update Did you know? Monthly schedule Member spotlight CAP honor code DDR corner

NATIONAL CADET SPECIAL ACTIVITIES RECAP

These activities which are predominantly offered each summer provide great opportunities for learning about leadership, emergency services, and aerospace, in addition to getting to meet CAP members from all over the country. The following cadets have written about their experiences this year so others can decide which NCSAs theyd like to attend next year. You must plan ahead; the application period opens up months in advance, and those who seek scholarships need to ensure the documentation is prepared in time.
National Emergency Services Academy [submitted by C/CMSgt Haigh]

As a fellow cadet I can only say that National Emergency Services Academy (NESA) was AWESOME!! When I got there I was a little scared at how may different cadets were there; however, I got to meet most of them and to become good friends with them. Throughout my week there, we had a lot of learning to do. They sit you in a room with all the other cadets and go through the task or tasks that you were going to do that day. After they taught you, you go out and practice it with your team. As you go through the week, you have to do certain tasks to graduate and this is what you do to pass. Two nights out of the week you will bivouac. This means you build a tent out of a tarp, string/rope, and hopefully tent stakes. If you go, I recommend bringing some. If you dont, youll use sharpened sticks like I had to. I think the best times I had there were when we were sleeping outdoors, listening to the wild, looking at the stars, and of course yelling out jokes to keep everyone up. At the end of the week, you have a practice mission. This is the time you put all of your knowledge of search and rescue to work. You have to go out and find a downed airplane or a missing person. This is to prove that you listened and learned what they taught you because just going to NESA doesnt mean youll graduate. After the practice mission you get to have your only break during the week, which is called Canteen Time. This is when people who arent on Lt Col Longs list get to talk with friends, buy candy and soda, and watch movies. Those who are on his list get to wash all of the CAP vans and his van (The Bronco, also known as Bird Striker 1). At the very end of the week is graduation. Everyone that completed their tasks graduates. You get to go up in front of everyone and get your NESA patch and either your GTM-3 or GTM-1 patch (ground team member). Also, the most outstanding team and cadet get their own little trophies to show off. I hope this encourages you to go to NESA.

QUOTES ON ENTHUSIASM
Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier. -- Susan Rabin The worst bankruptcy in the world is the person who lost his enthusiasm. -- H. W. Arnold Charisma is the transference of enthusiasm. -- Ralph Archbold Its faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
[from http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/enthusiasm/]

(continued on next page)

Cadet Officer School [submitted by C/2d Lt Djuric]

One of the major NCSAs (National Cadet Special Activity) is Cadet Officer School (COS). Cadet Officer School is a 10 event in which you do something unlike any other National Activity. COS is unique because it puts you into a college atmosphere; and teaches you not only how to be a better officer, but also to be a more responsible person. The course consists of several lectures with the whole class and is then followed by discussions in your individual flights. With some of the bigger lectures talking papers are assigned to teach you how to write in a proper military style. Altogether eight papers are assigned. In addition to the papers, speeches are also assigned on more philosophical topics ranging from two to ten minutes in length. Even though the course is focused on mainly academics there is also a lot of free time with your flight. Teamwork is the key to being successful at COS; in fact one of the parts of COS is completing Team Leadership Projects. A Team Leadership Project is where each flight has to work together to complete a challenge. Also, in the evenings, you and your flight play three volleyball games. To make the school more of a competition between the flights each flight is competing for the title of Honor Flight. Honor Flight is assessed from the flights volleyball record, completed Project Xs, a Comprehensive Test, and the number of Team Leadership Projects completed. The overall objective of COS is to build upon being an officer, your leadership abilities, and your time management. It is a course that I would recommend as a must activity to attend.

National Blue Beret [submitted by C/CMSgt Spitzer]

National Blue Beret (NBB) is an NCSA centered around the largest air show in the country, the Experimental Aircraft Associations (EAA) Airventure. As per the title of this activity, cadets that participate and show hard work and professionalism earn the right to wear the dark blue beret with their BDUs. After arrival, in-processing and introduction, your training begins! In the first three days of NBB (before Airventure actually starts), you will learn about flight line marshalling, radio operations, and urban direction finding, which teaches you how to navigate to an active Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT) among the thousands of aircraft parked on the airfield. Once Airventure begins, your flight will either be assigned to the flight line to marshal incoming aircraft to their destination, security areas to keep spectators at safe distance from the aircraft, or on emergency services duty, where a portion of your flight will note all landing aircraft by tail number and another will search for overdues and ELTs. When not on duty, however, you are given plenty of free time to go to the EAA museum, head off the NBB compound and check out the air show or just play volleyball with your squad mates. NBB not only gives you an opportunity to learn skills that will last you throughout your CAP career, but gives you an opportunity to learn about airplanes 3 and aerospace, in addition to gaining friends nationwide.

South East Regional Fly-In (SERFI)

Airplane enthusiasts always enjoy SERFI, an annual event held in Evergreen, AL. This year it is scheduled for 23-25 October, and our squadron is taking a contingent of cadets and senior members to volunteer as their qualifications permit in positions ranging from parking arriving airplanes to helping at the various service booths. When not busy during their 2-hours duty shifts, theyll have an outstanding opportunity to enjoy the air show and learn about different kinds of aircraft. This page and the next one have pictures of planes you are likely to see there, but there is a big difference between pictures in a newsletter and actually getting up close and personal with these amazing machines. If you are interested in going to SERFI 09, please contact Lt Weinzirl and/or Capt Otero.

What are the planes on the previous page?

Can you identify any of these? - Beechcraft Bonanza - P-51 Mustang - Cessna 172 - Cirrus - Mooney

IRONMAN COMPETITION
If you hear someone yelling IRONMAN! over the next couple of months, youve quite likely encountered one of our squadrons athletes preparing for the annual test of brains and brawn known as the Ironman competition. Last year, AL-032 had two teams which placed 3rd and 5th out of a field of twelve as well as placing first overall in the physical training and drill components. Teams are scored in a weighted system containing the following components: physical training (PT), inspection, drill, emergency services (ES), and the Ironman run. PT includes push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups or arm hang, and sprints. BDUs are inspected as a team, and the drill portion consists of both a maze and a predetermined list of commands. ES includes a compass course as well as finding an Emergency Location Transmitter. The Ironman run changes length every year but is always between 3 and 5 miles. It has objective waypoints with a variety of challenges such as written tests, ranger push-ups, aircraft signaling, and other physical and mental contests demanding teamwork. This year our squadron already has enough participants to field two teams again; however, we could use alternates and/or have a third team. Well meet at the OTS track (1500 hrs) on: October 3 PT & ES 10 Drill & run challenges 17 Run challenges 24 Off (SERFI weekend) 31 Run challenges November 7 PT & ES 14 Drill & run challenges 20-21 Ironman competition in Auburn. Team members will be inspected in BDUs during normally scheduled Monday evening meetings. Each component has a person primarily responsible for preparing the teams for this competition. They are: C/2d Lt Wueschner Physical training C/CMSgt Spitzer Inspection & Drill Lt Weinzirl Emergency Services C/2d Lt Djuric Run challenges.

Enjoying a photo op after a long day! 6

EMERGENCY SERVICES Wing Emergency Services School (WESS), formerly known as Field Training Exercise (FTX), is starting the 09-10 cycle. The schedule is: 2-4 Oct, 6-8 Nov, 22-24 Jan, 19-21 Feb, 26-28 Mar, & 23-25 Apr. WESS provides an opportunity for cadets and senior members to become ground team qualified at the basic, advanced, and team leader levels. A $15 fee is required, and basic students must pay another $15 to cover first aid & CPR. Cadets must be at least a C/Amn to participate. You can miss the first (and possibly the second weekend) if needed since the final weekend is dedicated to completing any remaining requirements. For more information, go to www.alabamaftx.com.

AEROSPACE EDUCATION Congratulations to Lt Weinzirl for being appointed as the new AE officer! Many of our cadets have worked very hard with the previous AE officer on earning their rocketry badges, and most only need to launch the final rocket to qualify. However, its not too late if youd like to start now. Just express your interest and well help you through the program. The senior members did a great job last year working toward their Yeager awards. Some have more work to do, and now we have new senior members just starting. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about aerospace history and concepts with the same high-quality materials used by the cadets, plus you earn a lovely certificate and a ribbon to CADET proudly display as a PROGRAMS sign of your Most of the NCSAs are achievement! scheduled during summer months; however, Florida Wing has an open invitation to its winter encampment (27 Dec 2 Jan). For more information, go to www.flcadet.com/winterencampment.aspx.

Generic Monthly Schedule

The official website for CAP has changed to www.gocivilairpatrol.com, but if you have trouble finding what you need you might get faster results typing it into a search engine. Cadets are expected to develop leadership skills as they progress through the ranks in the squadron. Promotions are earned based on the whole-person concept, including the potential to serve at the next level. Dont know where that level is? Then check out the CAP Cadet Super Chart (CAP VA 52-100, Apr 09) available on the CAP website and posted in our buildings hallway. It summarizes the expectations for each cadet to reach the next level. Mondays, 1830 2100 hours CADETS 1st (Blues)
Moral Leadership Testing Promotions

SENIORS
Meet on the 1st & 2nd Monday of each month in the wing building

2nd (PT)
Physical Training

3rd (BDUs)
Emergency Services Testing

4th (Blues)
Aerospace Education

5th [if applicable] TBD

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Cadet Staff Sergeant Stan Holling Captain David Flack Why did you join CAP? How long have you been a member?
I wanted to gain experience in drill and ceremony and learn discipline before joining the Air Force. Ive been a member for almost a year. My grandson Shaun called me and said that the scorpions were after him, so I decided to join CAP so I could go on the encampments and other activities with him. Ive been a member for three years. I really enjoy going out on missions, whether for search and rescue or observation. I also enjoy the camaraderie and working with the cadets.

What do you like about CAP?

I like the experience that it gives, especially in aerospace studies and activities.

What would you like to accomplish while in CAP?

I would like to become a better leader. I would like to pass on what knowledge I have gained to the cadets, since they are upcoming leaders of CAP.

How do you fit CAP into your civilian life?

Its actually a very easy fit for me. Im retired so its a great fit!

What are you most proud of doing in CAP?

Im most proud of becoming a flight sergeant. Being the oldest man in the wing to complete an FTX (field training exercise).

If you would like to nominate someone to be featured in our next newsletter, please contact the squadron public affairs officer. We plan to include a cadet and senior member each quarter.

THE CIVIL AIR PATROL HONOR CODE

I will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.

DRUG DEMAND & REDUCTION Prescription medicines

Teens have reported abusing: - pain medication (20%) - stimulants & tranquilizers (20%) - cough medicine (10%). Only use medicine prescribed for you and while under the care of a physician.