Session Descriptions

TRACK

COURSE TITLE

PRESENTER

SUMMARY

AUDIENCE

Aerospace 

Cadet Activities

Capt Mary Mendoza

Six sessions with multiple stations and activities including rockets, robotics, paper airplanes, and much more.  This session also provides opportunities for NCO's and Officers to plan and implement activities.

Cadets

Resources for AE Education

Capt Stuart Moon

Additional resources for squadron AEX meetings including YouTube, podcasts, magazines, and other resources. 

Senior Members

Rocket Launcher Build Demonstration

2d Lt Natee Sumethasorn

This session will demonstrate the building of a rocket launcher for use within squadrons for rocketry.

All Members

Cadet Programs

AE Education Officer Pathway

Capt Mary Mendoza

This session will provide pathway for those aspiring to become AE Education Officers in their squadron.

Senior Members

US Air Force Academy - Application and Admission Tips

Rick Wright USAFA '74

This session will assist Cadets with the application process and provide helpful insight.

Cadets

Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) In-person Meeting

Lt Col Jed Taylor/Cadets

This is a general meeting of the Texas wing Cadet Advisory Council. Members will be allowed to observe but not participate in the meeting.

Cadets

Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) Town Hall

Lt Col Jed Taylor/Cadets

This is a general meeting with the wing Cadet Advisory Council. All cadets are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. 

Cadets

Great Start - Successful Cadet Programs

Maj Brian Kilian

This interactive session will cover senior and cadet recruiting, seasonal Great Start programs, meeting organization and philosophy, and other topics to grow a successful cadet led, senior mentored cadet program. 

Senior Members

Planning and Leading a Cadet Activity - Creating and Planning

Panel Discussion

Panelists:  Maj Jason Quick, Maj Matthew Parker, Capt Wendy Cameron, Capt Joshua Taylor, Capt Marco Desimone, SMSgt Jack Koby, TSgt Ellen Coaton. 
Moderator: Lt Col Lana Holub

All Members

Planning and Leading a Cadet Activity - Executing

Panel Discussion

Panelists:  Maj Jason Quick, Maj Matthew Parker, Capt Wendy Cameron, Capt Joshua Taylor, Capt Marco Desimone, SMSgt Jack Koby, TSgt Ellen Coaton. 
Moderator: Lt Col Lana Holub

All Members

Serving on Cadet Executive Staff

Panel of Prior Executive Cadets

Staffing at the Executive Level at Encampment and other Large Scale Cadet Activities. 
Panelists: C/Lt Col Emily Coaton, C/Lt Col Nathan Sisson, C/Lt Col Mya Desjardins, C/Maj Kaira German,  C/Maj Ben Stabela, and C/Maj John Rosenfeld.

Cadets

TLC -Basic

Lt Col Jared Cryer

PREREQUISITES REQUIRED:  3 Online Courses (TLC Cadet Advancement, TLC Cadet Great Start, and TLC Cadet Progressive Discipline)

The TLC - Basic course prepares adult leaders to contribute as Cadet Program Officers on a squadron staff.  This course will help graduates articulate the CP vision and explain the roles and responsibilities of squadron level CP officers.  Furthermore, students will be able to describe the operating principles of squadron-level CP weekly meetings and activities.  

Senior Members

Careers

Cadets attending these sessions are eligible for special door prizes.

View Prizes

Education Panel:  Who - What - Where of Education and Training for Aviation Careers

Panel of Educators

Education Panel: 
1) Brittany Dinsmore, Chief Instructor, Texas Women's University
2) Mike Esquivel, Dean, Tarrant County College
3) Steve Kugler, Director of Admissions, USAviation Academy

Purpose:  Engage with local educators to discuss the advantages of various aviation training programs which will prepare you for a lasting aviation career. Panel Biographies

Cadets

Maintenance Panel:  Aviation Maintenance Careers - High-tech AND hands-on

Panel of Maintenance Staff

Maintenance Panel:
1) Capt Stuart Moon, Reliability Analyst, SW Airlines
2) Ingo Wyman, Maintenance Control, American Airlines
3) TBD, Merlin 1

Purpose:  Aviation maintenance careers require both intelligence and mechanical skills.  Discuss with aviation maintenance professionals the skills you need to keep highly complex machinery operating safely.  Panel Biographies

Cadets

Operations Panel:  Finding the hidden opportunities in Aviation - Opening doors and finding innovation.

Panel of Operations Staff

Operations Panel:
1) Maggie Acosta, Talent Acquisition, SW Airlines
2) Jennifer Shinn, Senior Manager Dispatch, SW Airlines
3) Danielle Flores, UAS Drone, Practicum in Stem, Ben Barber Innovation Academy

Purpose:  Talk with aviation business professionals about uncovering opportunities and how entry level positions can lead to lifelong careers. Additionally, examine the critical role of aviation dispatchers and the ever-increasing demand as drones integrate daily into our lives. Panel Biographies

Cadets

Pilot Panel: Professional Pilot Career Paths - Which is right for me?

Panel of Pilots

Pilot Panel:
1) Cate Bute, 1st Officer, SW Airlines
2) Matthew Simmons, Corporate Pilot, PepsiCo
3) Paul Ryan, Test Pilot, Bell Helicopter

Purpose:  Engage in conversation with professional pilots from Southwest Airlines, PepsiCo, and Bell Helicopter to help you determine your own career path to the cockpit. Panel Biographies

Cadets

Chaplain

Commanders Introduction to Chaplain Corps

Chaplain (L Col) David Wersler

This session is for commanders of all levels to understand the role and importance of the Chaplain Corps in their units and the Wing.

Commanders

Understanding and Entering Activities into CAPCARS (Form 34) 

Chaplain (L Col) David Wersler

This session will review how to enter Chaplain and CDI activities into the CAPCARS (Form 34).  Other subjects can be entertained during Q & A time. 

Chaplains and CDI

Education and Training

Education and Training - Office Hours

Lt Col Dana Gray

This session will provide VolU instructors to assist individual members with their Education & Training Path and/or navigating Absorb.

All Members

Level 2 Training

Capt Paul Cunningham

In the morning the discussion modules for Level 2 part 1 will be presented. In the afternoon, the discussion modules for Level 2 part 2 will be presented. Refer to https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Level_II_Modules__Revised_71323_b032946aae07b.pdf for list.

Senior Members who have competed Level 1.

Level 3 Training

Maj Val Schroder & Capt Steve Kiester

Moderated modules for Level 3 will be presented. 

Senior Members who have completed Level 2.

Squadron Commander Course

Maj Robert DuRall and Lt Col James Peace

This session is for new and aspiring unit commanders (primarily squadron, but is also helpful to new group commanders in smaller wings where the group structure is used). UCC is designed to ease the transition from serving on squadron staff to becoming the commander, leader and link to higher headquarters (HHQ).   Additionally, to prepare the individual to build a cadre of well-trained officers who are prepared to become unit commanders at the squadron level. 

Senior Members

Understanding CAP's Education and Training Program for Adults

Maj Val Schroder and
Capt Val Moczgemba

This presentation will describe and discuss the basic CAP Education and Training Program.

Senior Members

Emergency Services

Emergency Services - "ESO-101"

Lt Col Ray Walden

Learn key functions and best practices for the Unit and Group Emergency Services Officers.  Explore the key elements of the ES Specialty Rating and how the Unit and Group interfaces with adjacent Groups and the Wing ES Staff.

Senior Members

Emergency Services - "Intro to SARTopo"

Lt Col Ray Walden

Learn how this web-based tool can assist with planning and conducting missing aircraft and missing person searches.  Facilitator will walk through a SAR mission in real-time, demonstrating the data entries and functionality of the platform.

Senior Members

Emergency Services - Introduction to Mission Management E-Tools

Lt Col Ray Walden

Discover several on-line tools used to manage and document missions. Seasoned ICs will demonstrate tools available within the Microsoft 365 suite helpful in managing situational awareness, a common operating picture, and remote incident management team collaboration.

Senior Members

First Aid Certification

Capt Chris Boullion 

This a 4-hour First Aid class including CPR. (AM Session and PM Session)

All Members

Mission Scanner - Latitude Longitude, and Grids

1st Lt Andrzej Stewart

This lesson provides pilots, aircrew, ground teams, and incident staff with standardized operational nomenclature for identifying and communicating geographic points and areas.  Completion of this lesson satisfies the criteria for operations tasks O‑0204, “Locate a point on a map using latitude and longitude”; O‑0205, “Locate a point on a map using the CAP grid system”; and O-2003, “Grid sectional charts”.

Mission Scanner, Ground Team, Urban Direction Finding Team

Information Technology

IT - Microsoft 365 Beyond Email

Capt Ronda Kilian and 2d Lt Richard Reynolds

What is Microsoft/Office 365?  It is more than just email.  Come learn how to use the entire suite of productivity software available to Texas Wing for collaboration, internal networking and communication, conferencing, shared file storage, and increased efficiency.  Additionally, lean how cadets without Texas Wing 365 accounts can be included.

Senior Members

IT - NHQ Website Unification and Design

Capt Ronda Kilian and Capt Jeremy Agor

Implementing the new guidelines established by NHQ at the squadron, group, and wing level.  How does this impact you?  Learn how to get your website ready to move to the new format. 

Senior Members

IT - Open Question and Answer

Capt Ronda Kilian and 2d Lt Richard Reynolds

Bring your questions and ideas regarding Microsoft 365, websites, or any Texas Wing CAP related IT matter and we will address it with our panel of IT staff. 

Senior Members

Innovation

National Innovation Seminar - Ignite your creativity with an informative and stimulating innovation activity!  

Austin Worcester, NH CAP Senior Program Manager

In this presentation, we’ll dive deep into what this means, and how you play a part!   You’ll be educated, equipped, and empowered to return to your unit ready to tackle challenges with creativity and proactive solutions. Don’t miss this chance to whet your innovation appetite and become a leader in driving change!

All Members

Inspector General

IG - Complaint Resolution

Col Frank Eldridge

This session will review the proper process of handling complaints within CAP.

Senior Members

IG - Preparing for Your SUI 

Col Frank Eldridge

This session provides detailed information  on how to prepare for your SUI and will discuss some lessons learned from previous SUIs.

Senior Members

Operations

Operations - General Update

Lt Col Shane Lipson

The Texas Wing is involved in 5 major military support missions, 2 major TX Agency support missions and several ordinary routine missions. Come find out what we are supporting, how you can get more time on your aircraft and how you can support Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs and Disaster Response. Texas Wing has never been busier supporting so many different missions.

All Members

Pilot Training and Stan Eval

Lt Col L Spinetta

Training session for CAP pilots.

CAP Pilots

Retention

Keys to Retaining Members

Lt Col Lindsey Jackson

Lt Col Jackson will be discussing what is retention, when and where does it start, who is responsible, and what can be done to make it better.

Senior Members