Session Descriptions

Track

Course Title

Instructor/Speaker

Summary

Audience

Aerospace

Aerospace Dimensions of the Ukraine War 

1st Lt Michael Kappas

US AE strategies for the Ukraine War.

Senior Members

How to Deliver Fun AE with STEM Projects

Capt Gilberto Monarez

How to have fun in Civil Air Patrol?'  Participate in Orientation Flights and STEM program.  Did you know the AE programs cover 3 main topics with 11 STEM kits?   In this session, participants will have a chance to build one of the STEM kits and how to get free STEM kits and other resources.  

Cadets and Senior Members

Cadet Programs

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

Air Force RPAs: A Mission for the Next Generation

Capt Anthony Migyanka, CAP (2d Lt, USAF)

This presentation introduces the United States Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) mission and explains how RPAs support real-world operations through intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes without the crew being physically in the airspace. It highlights how Airmen operate advanced aircraft from stateside locations while supporting missions around the world.

Cadets and Senior Members

Cadet Fitness to Promote

1st Lt Rebecca Gray

Physical Fitness is a core component of Cadet Programs, yet many cadets struggle to pass the CPFT at Wright Brothers and beyond. One hour of fitness each month as is required by CAPR 60-1 will not prepare cadets for the HFZ score that is required for promotion. Explore fitness games, activities and movements that can be incorporated into the monthly fitness topic that are designed to improve coordination, range of motion, and the flexibility of cadets.

Cadets

QCUA How to Achieve

Maj Mark Chin & Maj Brian Lynch

Quality Cadet Unit Award. This award motivates squadrons to pursue goals that will inevitably lead to their having a vibrant Cadet Program. The award is purely objective. Cadet squadrons, composite squadrons and flights who meet the challenging criteria automatically earn the award. The award can serve as a helpful management tool. Local leaders can use its award criteria to gauge the relative health of their Cadet Program.

Cadets and Senior Members

HSO Roles & Responsibilities at Cadet Activities

Maj Christopher Boullion

Texas Wing Best Practices for Overnight Activities including staffing, qualifications, chain of command, and more!

Cadets and Senior Members

Navigating Registration Zone

1st Lt Nikki Sliger

Session will cover the absolute basics for unit level use, best practices, and overview of resources and new parent portal.

Cadets and Senior Members

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. 

Cadets and Senior Members

Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) In-person Meeting

Capt Brian Lynch/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

Capt Brian Lynch/Cadets

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

Cadets

Aspire to Inspire CAP "Addicts"

1st Lt Alan Cleveland

Ever wonder why you can only get a few CAP "addicts" at a time? Learn how to own your recruitment strategy and inspire new members to be the best and most devoted they can be through one simple philosophy. 

Cadets and Senior Members

TLC Basic

Capt Brian Lynch  

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

TLC Intermediate

Capt Brian Lynch

PREREQUISITES REQUIRED: 1 Online Course found in Absorb.  TLC Intermediate is for adult volunteers, often graduates of TLC Basic, focusing on advanced leadership, mentoring, discipline, and managing youth programs to build effective cadet leaders

Senior Members

Careers

United Airlines/Safety Starts on the Ground: How Aircraft Maintenance Supports Aviation

United Airlines/Joe Hunt - Aviate Leader

Behind every safe flight is a team of skilled maintenance professionals. This session explores how aircraft maintenance supports the aviation industry, from routine inspections to solving real-world mechanical challenges. Attendees will gain insight into how maintenance decisions impact safety, performance and reliability — and why maintenance is a vital and rewarding career path in aviation.

Cadets and Senior Members

United Airlines/Tech Ops Calibrate & Technician Pathway Programs

United Airlines/Scott Ferris - Sr. Manager Calibrate Programs

Intro, United Airlines growth, Technician Pathway Programs

Cadets and Senior Members

Chaplain

Ethical Decision Making for Seniors

Lt Col David Wersler

A familiarization of the contents and how to conduct an Ethical Decision Making Forum.

Chaplains and CDI

How to Write and Submit Awards

Lt Col David Wersler

A familiarization of how to write and submit awards. This is part of the Chaplain Technician rating requirements. It recognizes work and the efforts of members of the Chaplain Corps.

Senior Members

Communications

Texas Wing Updates  

Capt Brandon Parker

Ongoing and Future projects Wing Communications, communication echelons and their roles, overview of the new VHF channel layouts, ReadyOp, and other training.

Senior Members

Texas Wing Town Hall

Capt Brandon Parker

A time for conversation, questions and answers.  Topics can be emailed to Communications@txwg.cap.gov prior to event so staff can prepare to cover topic.

Senior Members

Education and Training

Understanding CAP's Education and Training Program for Adults

Maj Valerie Schroder & Maj Valerie Moczygemba

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

Senior Members

Level 2 Training

Capt Paul Cunningham & Capt Ivan Torres

Session modules for Level 2 will be presented (Friday Only)

Senior Members

Level 3 Training

Maj Valerie Schroder,  Maj Valerie Moczygemba & Lt Col Peter Morford

This 2-day class will cover the moderated modules for Level 3.

Senior Members who have completed Level 2.

Level 4 Training

Col Harriet Smith & Col Joe Smith

This 2-day class will cover the moderated modules for Level 4.  

Senior Members who have completed Level 3.

Squadron Commander Course

Maj Robert DuRall and Lt Col James Peace

This 2-day class 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

Emergency Services

Unit and Ground ES Training Plans

Capt Luke Kakert

How to conduct a thorough and meaningful training needs assessment; synchronizing with Group and Wing goals; targeting and prioritizing training toward goals; and using the TX Wing ES Training Mission to meet training and qualification goals.

Senior Members

sUAS Operations in Texas Wing

Maj Erik Barlow

Updates on training activities, corporate airframes, and integration with traditional SAR/DR mission sets.

Senior Members

Working with Local EMAs

2nd Lt Andrea Forte

Establishing interagency relationships with local and county emergency management agencies and emergency response organizations.  Incorporating interagency training into unit, group, and wing-level exercises.

Senior Members

Mission Public Affairs

Maj Roman Vitanza

The "Do's and Don'ts" of public affairs in exercise and real-world mission operations.  Recent NHQ guidance on traditional and digital releases.

Senior Members

First Aid Certification

Capt Chris Boullion 

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

Cadets and Senior Members

Finance

Squadron Fundraising

Capt Jack Balko

Identifying reasonable requirements for funds in the squadron, how to develop the amount required to raise, preparing presentation materials to aid in securing funds, and identifying sources of funding. Assemble your team for the project.

Squadron Commanders and Finance Officers

CAP 101 - Successful Squadron Integration for Adults

Lt Col Sue Kristoffersen & Lt Col Dana Gray

Provides new members or current members information on tolls and resources needed for successful integration including finances, eServices, training, aerospace, and emergency services.

Senior Members

Government Relations

Legislative Training Session 2026

Lt Col John Melcher

The Squadron Commander Legislative Affairs Training Program was developed to equip squadron commanders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to effectively represent Civil Air Patrol within the legislative and civic environment, while remaining compliant with C.A.P., USAF, and federal regulations. 

Commanders, Deputy Commanders, Group & Wing Leadership, SM in Leadership Roles

Information Technology

CyberSecurity: Understanding Technology Security Threats

Maj Stephen Shultz

Review security threats to the CAP environment such as phishing and malware and how to prevent them at the individual member level.

Senior Members

Microsoft: Beyond Email

Capt Ronda Kilian 

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.

Senior Members

Microsoft Teams Best Practices for Units

Capt Ronda Kilian 

What is TEAMS and how can it help improve communication, collaboration, and file sharing and storage for your unit. 

Senior Members

Inspector General

IG Summit

Maj Mary Kay Starnes

This Friday afternoon session will be an update and training session with an opportunity to dissect recent challenges in a confidential setting among peers.

Senior Members

IG - Preparing for Your SUI 

Maj Mary Kay Starnes

What do you do when you are told you have an inspection coming up? Panic? What is the inspection all about and why do we have them? What steps do you need to take to have a successful SUI? What documentation do you need and what questions will be asked?  The TXWG IG Staff is here to give you the answers and assistance you are looking for. This will be an open session that discusses the collaborative roles of IG and the unit, providing real answers to your questions.

**This is not a session to air out grievances or file complaints. 

Senior Members

Legal

Progressive Discipline for Cadets

Maj Eric Opiela

Civil Air Patrol’s core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect are expected to be upheld by all members.  When cadets fall short of these expectations, disciplinary action must be taken to ensure the integrity of the organization and the safety of all members.  Sometimes separation is necessary.  Learn how to properly handle disciplinary issues, and take actions that will be upheld on appeal.  earn the importance of documenting disciplinary issues so that small problems do not become larger issues.

Commanders, Legal Officers, Activity Directors, Encampment Staff, Cadet Program Officers

Progressive Discipline for Adults

Capt Denise Villarreal

Civil Air Patrol’s core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect are expected to be upheld by all members.  When members fall short of these expectations, disciplinary action must be taken to ensure the integrity of the organization and the safety of all members.  Sometimes separation is necessary.  Learn how to properly handle disciplinary issues, and take actions that will be upheld on appeal.  Learn the importance of documenting disciplinary issues so that small problems do not become larger issues.

Commanders, Legal Officers, Senior Members

Logistics

Texas Wing Updates and New Regulations

Lt Col Jordan Aasgaard

Discuss Texas Wing Updates and New Regulations.

Senior Members

Maintenance

Aviation Mechanic Opportunities

Capt Trevor McKnight

How to become an aircraft mechanic and the opportunities that come with being a mechanic including different jobs, travel, benefits, pay, etc.

Cadets and Senior Members

CAP Aircraft Maintenance 

Lt Col Martin Dorantes

Session will discuss CAP aircraft maintenance, changes with national headquarters, and trends with Q&A.

Cadets and Senior Members

Operations

Operations - General Update

Lt Col Shane Lipson

General Operational Updates for Texas Wing.

Senior Members

Next-Gen CAP: Leveraging AI to Protect and Serve

Lt Col Jeffry Handal

Civil Air Patrol is an organization that has been adapting over time to fulfill its mission. This talk will dive into some fundamentals of cybersecurity, digital transformation, and data concepts to inspire the audience to imagine the possibilities of mission fulfillment in the AI Era.

Senior Members

Pilot Training and Stan Eval

Lt Col L Spinetta

Training session and Stan Eval for CAP pilots.

CAP Pilots

G1000 Ground Session VFR 1

Lt Col Lee Saage

Part 1 of a Garmin G1000 VFR flight training module focusing on foundational VFR knowledge, system basics like startup, tuning comms/nav radios (COM1, COM2, ATIS), setting altimeters (like 1200 for VFR), using the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD), and understanding basic navigation/terrain displays for flight in the pattern and local area, preparing for actual flight. 

CAP Pilots

G1000 Ground Session VFR 2

Lt Col Lee Saage

Park 2 of a Garmin G1000 VFR flight training module focusing on essential Garmin G1000 systems for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flying, focusing on the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD) for tasks like transponder entry (GND mode), basic navigation setup, autopilot use (heading/NAV), and understanding system limitations for VFR flight, using simulators or actual aircraft. 

CAP Pilots

G1000 Ground Session IFR 1

Lt Col Lee Saage

Part 1 of a Garmin G1000 IFR training module.

CAP Pilots

G1000 Ground Session IFR 2

Lt Col Lee Saage

Part 2 of a Garmin G1000 IFR training module.

CAP Pilots

Safety

Aviation Safety Utilizing Simulators

Col Michael Hodge

Aviation simulators are crucial for safety, providing a risk-free environment to train pilots for emergencies (engine failure, fires, severe weather), build muscle memory, and practice complex procedures, enhancing decision-making and ensuring continuous proficiency without endangering lives or aircraft, thereby significantly reducing accidents.

CAP Pilots