Need to Know

Saving Lives by Shaping Futures

By Senior Airman Rupert Victoria, USAFR

Editor’s Note: Often our Chaplains and CDIs are seldom aware of the impact that they have had on shaping the future of our cadets and senior members. Here is a brief article by a former Cadet and Flight Officer reflecting on how his life and future was shaped by CAP. In Christian scriptures is a parable of sowing and reaping of seeds in the field (Mt. 13: 1-23). Some will sow, some will reap the harvest. In our cadet program, even in our senior program, the Chaplain Corps sows seeds that shape the lives of our members. Senior Airman Victoria shared his story with a CAP chaplain and wished to share it with the Chaplain Corps. His story is one among many of how Chaplains, CDIs, and Senior members have assisted and inspired cadets to discover their meaning and purpose, saving a life by helping to shape it. This story is presented in the writer’s own voice.

I would like to share my journey through Civil Air Patrol and highlight some of the people who assisted me. Civil Air Patrol gave me confidence and inspired my decision to join the Air Force, which was pivotal in shaping my life. I was introduced to the Civil Air Patrol during an airshow at Travis Air Force Base in 2019 where I saw Civil Air Patrol for the very first time. I had heard about it from friends who had joined CAP, but I did not really investigate it. However, when I did my research, I discovered how interesting CAP is. Continue reading here.

By Lt. Col. Anthony Hamill, CDI

Having a chaplain in our composite squadron truly transformed our experience. Initially, we didn’t realize how much we needed a chaplain. But everything changed when our squadron commander, Lt. Col. David Reber, shared how the chaplain’s involvement made challenging tasks suddenly achievable. He emphasized that every squadron should have a chaplain, and I wholeheartedly agree. Lt. Col. Reber said frequently, “If I knew what a chaplain could do, I would have had one years ago.”

One pivotal moment came when some cadets violated their honor code. As the Deputy Commander for Cadets, I was deeply disappointed, and Lt. Col. Reber felt the same. If it had been up to us, the cadets might have been dismissed from the program with a 2B. However, our chaplain offered a compassionate alternative: allowing the cadets to resign their positions in place of a disciplinary action that would follow them long-term. Years later, those cadets reached out to me for job recommendations in law enforcement, and thanks to our chaplain’s wise guidance, they learned valuable lessons and became positive contributors to our community.

Since our chaplain joined our squadron, he has supported both cadets and senior members in countless ways. His presence is invaluable—whether advising the Squadron Commander or counseling a cadet, he brings empathy, wisdom, and stability. If you’re considering adding a chaplain to your squadron, I strongly encourage you to do so. Their proven positive impact can be truly life changing.

Best Practices

Pardo's Push:  A Wingman's Story

By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Morison

The cadet wingman course and the concept of wingmanship have intrigued me. As a chaplain, I have taught the wingman course numerous times. As a result, I researched Pardo’s story in more depth and was drawn in by how rich the story becomes when viewed from a broader perspective. When the pilot he saved in Viet Nam suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease later in life, Pardo, once again, stepped in to help. In addition, the Air Force has been emphasizing that wingmanship is about caring, and that wingmanship is about creating a caring culture in the Air Force.

Two years ago, I authored a PowerPoint on wingmanship that was very well received by cadets and seniors at a few encampments in the Pacific Region. After attending the presentation, the Region Commander at that time requested that this presentation be incorporated whenever possible. The development of the presentation followed the Air Force theme of developing a culture of caring airmen who form a team and would have each other’s six. Being a wingman is not about what you are expected to do, it is about who you are. It is the realization that I am a wingman everywhere and every day to everyone. The content focused on the interrelationship between CAP’s core values and developing an attitude of wingmanship.

The PowerPoint has imbedded videos and speaker notes for ease of use. There is also a handout for cadets to include in their training binder to refresh the lesson. This is offered as a chaplain and CDI resource to refresh the concept of wingmanship for cadets and seniors. It can be used at encampments, on fifth week squadron meetings, for special activity events, or whatever seems an appropriate place and time. The wingman proactively brings their heart to their action.  For CAP, “shaping lives” is about being a wingman, internally and externally, everywhere and every day.

Presentation and handout available to download here.

Spiritual Support Squadron:

Become A Spiritual Wingman!

Request Support:

CAP members, family members, or military-connected individuals are encouraged to submit a request to the Spiritual Support Squadron. Your request will be handled with care as spiritual squadron leaders review and edit each one to maintain your privacy and protect your personal information. A prayer request can be submitted at any time by using the link below.

Click here to submit a prayer request.

Chaplains and CDIs are requested to make your squadrons aware of this spiritual resource

Become a Spiritual Wingman:

Join the Civil Air Patrol Spiritual Support Squadron—a growing team dedicated to providing “spiritual air cover” across CAP and our military family. Become a spiritual wingman today.

Click here to register to become a spiritual wingman!

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