It began in 1941, a collaboration of civilians in the protection and service of their country. What started as a civilian-pilot air force, patrolling against submarines shortly after the Pearl Harbor bombing, has since evolved into a search and rescue and disaster relief organization known as the Civil Air Patrol. What many people don’t know, however, is that it’s not only adults doing this service—some start training as early as age 12.
“Louisville Cadet Squadron is a military-style youth development program where we teach aerospace science, aviation, leadership, character development,” said Squadron Commander Capt. Heather Gregory, who has been involved since her son first joined. She also serves as assistant director of cadet programs for Kentucky. “We promote physical fitness and emergency search and rescue. The cadets also do the ground team search and rescue, where we teach them how to survive in the woods and to search for missing persons and articles. With our cadet squadron, they also earn ranks just like you would in the military, so it teaches them time management, self-management, stress management, and prepares them for any career—not just the military.” The squadron is not associated with any school, but includes public, private and homeschooled students.
The program provides training not only for students aspiring to the military but also for those who want to develop character, leadership skills and servanthood, or work toward a pilot’s license. “We have more cadets that do not go into the military, whether because of a medical condition that would prevent them from being in the military, which is common, or they are interested in being a commercial pilot or mechanic or something of that nature. Probably around 10% join the military. But we do promote that,” Gregory said.
There are further opportunities for those interested in service; with certain program awards, “they can enlist in the Air Force as an E-3, so they get paid more and they get promoted quicker through the enlistment. It also helps them get scholarships in ROTC and helps give them points when they apply for the Air Force Academy.”
The squadron meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Bowman Field, with a Saturday session once or twice a month for community or emergency services, aerospace science, visits to the National Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, or visits to college ROTC programs. During weekly meetings, cadets practice skills like drill and ceremony and uniform inspections to foster attention to detail. There is also a color guard and CyberPatriot team. “You can be as busy in this program as you want to be.”
But not only does the squadron provide opportunities for the present—it’s also about growth. “Watching cadets when they first arrive—they’re shy, and they’re not really sure what’s going on, they don’t know anybody—and then watching them get up in front of the room and start leading classes, giving orders, leading drill and ceremony, writing projects or operations plans for an event that’s coming up, and really taking charge and ownership of their position. Or learning to be a flight commander or a flight sergeant, where they learn to be responsible for other people,” Gregory said. “Just watching them mature and develop these great leadership skills that will help them whether they join the military or whether they go into the civilian world—we prepared them to do this job well. It’s just great to see them succeed and get a reward for the time and effort that they put into the program.”
One of those shy cadets is now a major in the Civil Air Patrol. Cadet Luke Mölder reflected on his journey with the Cadet Squadron: “It has affected almost every aspect for my plans for the future. I learned of CAP through my mother who found a Facebook page of the program, and we decided to try it out. My last orientation flight through the program showed me how wonderful aviation could be. The sun was setting, and the lights of Louisville started to light up as my instructor and I headed toward Bowman Airport. It was unlike anything I had ever seen or done. After that flight, I knew I wanted to do something off the ground, which sparked my interest in aviation.”
“If you have a young boy or girl 12 or older, or close to being 12, and they’re looking for a challenge and looking for fun,” Gregory said, “if they’re interested in aviation or aerospace science, and if they like a military-style environment where they get to wear the uniforms and move up through ranks and develop their character and leadership skills—please come check us out.”
It isn’t only for youth, though—adults can also get involved. The Civil Air Patrol takes not only pilots, but also civilians who can take pictures from planes—called “mission scanners”—or who will participate in ground team search and rescue. There is truly a way for everyone to serve.
The community can also help by donating to support the continued participation of the cadets. Through the squadron, cadets are able to attend the Cyber Academy, Hawk Mountain Ranger School, and flight schools. They are “like no other schools,” Gregory said. Cadets learn to fly, or spend a week in the mountains learning search and rescue. “It costs money to get these kids in uniforms and send them to these special schools or special events. We help them, because they otherwise couldn’t afford to go.” Cadets can also earn a scholarship to pay for their private pilot’s license.
In addition to training, the cadets also engage with the community, particularly veterans. “We are very active in Wreaths Across America, which is where they come and place wreaths on the gravesites of our veterans at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Our goal is for every member that’s buried there to have a wreath placed at their gravesite,” Gregory said. “We also support our veterans not only through Wreaths Across America, but we also do volunteer opportunities at Veterans’ Hospital. We’ve handed out roses or goodie bags to people that are coming to get treatment. We’re a very busy squadron.”
In addition, through the squadron’s color guard, cadets can perform the “Presentation of Colors”—a military tradition to honor the flag at the beginning of a ceremony.
Ultimately, the Cadet Squadron at Bowman Field is about more than training—it’s about relationships, discovering the leader every child can become, and directing those skills in the service of others. “It’s a lot of fun to watch these cadets grow, and develop, and mature, and just go out and do great things—and it’s awesome to be a part of it.”
For more information or to get involved with the Civil Air Patrol, visit gocivilairpatrol.com or email Capt. Gregory at hgregory@kwyg.cap.gov. To sponsor a wreath for Wreaths Across America, visit wreathsacrossamerica.com and navigate to “KY039 Louisville Cadet Squadron” under “Zachary Taylor National Cemetery.”
