Gainesville Cadets and Officers with Lt Col Edsall, Group 2 Commander

Photo and article by 1st Lt Collin David 

The cadet corps of Gainesville Composite Squadron is growing, and twelve new cadets have gotten off to a "Great Start."  The Cadet Great Start program is currently under development by National Headquarters, and is designed to improve recruiting, training and retention. The Gainesville squadron is piloting the course by testing training plans and materials and providing feedback to the developers. Under the direction of Captain Leslie Ballard, Deputy Commander for Cadets, it is yielding outstanding results in Gainesville.

Cadets are inducted into the squadron during targeted recruiting drives, and are then given progressive instruction during a training program lasting several weeks.  At the end of this program, the cadets earn their first promotion and receive their first orientation flight.  A benefit of the program is that the cadets in training learn and work together as a team, and gain valuable knowledge about Civil Air Patrol and the cadet program, taught in a structured manner. They are then able to continue to work with their peers as they join the rest of the squadron after graduation.

Co-Instructor of the Training Cadre, C/CMSgt Tim Lhota, attributed the success of the program to an outstanding support staff.  He also commented on his own start in CAP, saying, "All of my mentors, and my previous commanders are the reason I'm standing here right now."  Chief Lhota and co-instructor C/MSgt Tiffany Jakowczuk have, in turn, become mentors to the cadets they have trained.

Feedback from the cadet trainees has been overwhelmingly positive. "It's helping me because I know more about what I'm supposed to do," said C/A1C Hope Stevens, a graduate of the Fall 2007 class.  "I looked up to my leaders. They showed me what to do, and I emulated them."  C/Amn Bradley Pittman, of the Winter 2008 class, stated, "we learned that the best and only way to learn to lead is to first learn to follow."  About the Great Start Program, Airman Pittman said, "It's going to be helpful through our whole CAP experience."

Perhaps the most outstanding praise for the program comes from C/Amn Mark Richardson, also of the Winter 2008 class.  Airman Richardson has completed three years in the Air Force JROTC at Buchholz High School in Gainesville.  Airman Richardson commented, "It has been a great experience to go through the process of starting at the beginning again and moving forward.  Going through basic training and basic drill has just made me better."

The Cadet Great Start program has made a real difference in recruiting and retention for the Gainesville Composite Squadron.  But, more importantly, it has made a real difference for twelve new cadets as they begin their CAP careers.