CAP's training benefits with Total Air Force campus

by Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
I.G. Brown Training and Education Center

6/6/2014 - MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn.  -- The Civil Air Patrol adds value to the Air Force's integrated missions, and its training benefits from reciprocal help and support, a top CAP official said during a training event at the Air Force's largest EMPE center here.

CAP Lt. Col. Dent Young, director of the CAP Southeast Region Staff College, spoke June 4 during the CAP's school for senior officers here at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.

"We have constant contact with the Air Force at a lot of levels, and we are very much aware of the need to foster and strengthen that relationship, and this is one of the places that we do that," said Young.

Young said that many CAP members, volunteers in its 52 wings at eight regions, hold their training through the help of military installations across the nation, each year.

"What we get from the partnering, which we have with the TEC facilities and instructors, helps make this class that we teach so much better," said Young, a retired Air Force major who volunteered with the CAP since 1962.

"It's to a point to where our school has a nationwide reputation.

Young highlighted the Southeast Region's week-long event. It included more than 50 staff college adults, cadet leadership youth, and honor guard. Their seminars, case studies and exercises involved management, leadership and communication skills, among other events.

"Every course that was not specific to Civil Air Patrol was taught by Air Force instructors," said Young.

"All the instructors this year are master sergeants and above.

The TEC offers more than 18 enlisted professional military education courses and more than 40 professional continuing education courses annually to a Total Air Force student body.

"This gives them an opportunity to try out a course they are developing," said Young.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Traugot, chief of TEC's Media and Engagement Division, said that he taught a lesson on supervision and discipline.

"I made a lot of Air Force references in the way I taught that lesson," said Traugot.

"I think it's a good opportunity to share what we know with the CAP and for them to experience the Air Force, so to speak.

Traugot, a former EPME instructor, said he tried to explain to the CAP's cadet leadership youth the different definitions of discipline and, more importantly, self-discipline or what drives people to do the right thing.

He also received some special recognition from a cadet.

"I got a green card, which was pretty interesting," said Traugot.

Traugot explained that the CAP holds a tradition of writing appreciation notes on a green index card when a member of the audience wishes to recognize a speaker. The card is given to the speaker.

The cadet told Traugot that he appreciated the way he addressed the audience members with respect.

"The interest that TEC's instructors have shown in us is very encouraging," said CAP Lt. Col. Jeff Wreyford, deputy director for the CAP Southeast Region Staff College.

"We have eight CAP regions and eight different staff colleges, but we usually have people from all the different regions coming to this one because of the excellence in the relationships that we have with the instructors here.

Young elaborated on the CAP's operational relationships with the Air Force, not including its missions in homeland security, youth and public aerospace education and cadet leadership programs, among many others.

"We're tasked with [much of] the inland search and rescue for lost aircraft by the Air Force. We report to 1st Air Force [Air Force North, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center] in our role as the Air Force's auxiliary," said Young.

Officials said the CAP saves about 100 lives a year in that congressionally mandated mission.

That is one reason why training new generations of CAP volunteers, with the help of Air Force Airmen, is important, said Young.

"It's always been a good relationship, and we're moving into a phase right now where that relationship is actually strengthening," said Young.