13 July 2009

   On 2 Mar 09, the Lackland Cadet Squadron held a Change-of-Command (COC) ceremony. C/2d Lt Kristopher Kerr met the ultimate challenge for a cadet officer, as he is now in charge of commanding the Lackland Cadet Squadron. He took over from C/Capt Colleen Rojas who served as the SWR-TX-007 Cadet Commander for past 12 months. The Lackland Cadet squadron has 29 active cadets and 16 senior members assigned to the unit. In Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the Cadet Commander is the most visible cadet, a role model for the entire cadet corps, and the liaison between the senior staff and the cadet staff. The COC ceremony included the traditional passing of the squadron guide on to the new commander –representing the new commander’s authority. Cadet Commander’s key duties include, 1) setting goals for the squadron, 2) establishing plans, policies, and procedures, 3) coordinating cadet staff activities, 4) make personnel recommendations, 5) supervise and mentor all cadets, 6) promote excellence, and 7) lead drill and ceremonies.

   Also on 2 Mar 09, The Texas Wing Group V Commander, Lt Col Ed Billman presented C/Capt Colleen Rojas the Amelia Earhart Award and presented C/2nd Lt Taylor Moellendorf the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award. Reception immediately followed with cake and refreshments.

   The new Cadet Commander stated that CAP has opportunities to grow and excel into various positions within the squadron and offers leadership potential to those who have the desire to lead. He also told the crowd that at one point he wasn’t sure about staying in CAP, however, after careful consideration and mentorship from fellow cadets he decide to stay in. He stated that CAP gives you an opportunity to do a lot of different things. He thanked the people around him for his success and stated, without the support of his fellow cadets and senior members who have mentored him over the past three years, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

   Opportunities Knock. With Cadet Kerr’s busy schedule, his accomplishments have come along quickly. Cadet Kerr is an active participant in Civil Air Patrols three missions (Emergency Services/Cadet Programs/Aerospace Education). Emergency Services: He is a member of the Emergency Services team, participating in search and rescue missions since joining CAP in Feb 06. Cadet Programs: He is actively involved in many Cadet programs, having served in many leadership positions in the Cadet Squadron since joining CAP in Feb 06. Since 23 Oct 06, he held Cadet(C) positions as a C/Guide-On, C/Element Leader, C/Flight Sgt, C/First Sgt, C/Flight Commander, C/Deputy Commander and now Cadet Commander which will be the ultimate challenge of his leadership skills to date. Cadet Kerr also served as the Lackland Squadron primary point of contact for the Group V Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) since being appointed in Jan 07. He served as a recorder. In Nov 07, he earned the Model Rocketry Badge for completing all three phases and launching several different rockets. He hopes to expand his horizons in 2010 by serving as a goodwill ambassador at one of the many CAPs International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) programs--participating in aviation-related activities abroad or attending the Texas Wing Cadet Flight Academy and/or the Texas Wing Glider Academy. He is a member of the squadron’s Honor Guard/Color Guard team since joining CAP and has been participating at various community events (SPURS NBA games, Silver Stars WNBA games, Hockey Games, Baseball games, 4th July Parade, displaying the colors. In Sept 09, he earned his Mitchell Award and was promoted to C/2nd Lt. In Nov 08, he attended the Texas Wing CTEP Office Training School (OTS), the fourth training phase of professional development. Cadet Kerr is currently working on Achievement 10 towards his next rank of C/1st Lt (the Amelia Earhart Award). Aerospace Education: Cadet Kerr is also involved in Aerospace Education. He has served on several occasions as an aerospace mentor to other Cadets who are testing on an aerospace module. As the Cadet Commander, he will be responsible to schedule monthly aerospace education classes to ensure each Cadet’s aerospace education training objectives are met.

   Cadet Kerr is currently participating in an on-going squadron community service project, collecting Powder Laundry Detergent to donate to the Battered Women’s Shelter and the Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio, in Apr 09. In addition to his community service through CAP, he also donates his time outside of the organization by volunteering to help out at Church during Sunday Mass services. As a member of the Lackland Church Youth Group, he participates in feeding the homeless at the Vincent DePaul Church, supporting and working Youth Group bake sales to help raise money to attend Catholic Youth Conventions around the world.

   While actively participating in CAP, Cadet Kerr is currently in 10th grade at John Paul Stevens High School (JPSHS), San Antonio, Texas. Effective Feb 09, he is ranked number 84 of his sophomore class of 964 students. This is his second year playing soccer for the school’s Junior Varsity (JV) Soccer team which consist of 20 plus players and was one of the 2009 JV Captains for the team. On 20 Mar 09, the Varsity Soccer Coach from JPSHS, Coach Marc Helkey, moved Kris up to the Varsity level team roster. The JPSHS Varsity Soccer team won the 2009 District Champs Title and Kris got to play a few minutes in the first game of the playoffs on 24 Mar 09, against the Judson Rockets and the JPSHS Falcons won 3 to 0. The Falcons lost in the second round of playoff to Reagan High School. In addition to CAP and High School, Cadet Kerr is a race car driver. He started racing quarter midget race cars at the age of 7, went on to race in the minicup series and is currently in his fourth year racing with the Texas Super Race Series (TSRS) Allison Legacy Racing series, driving a TSRS Allison Legacy Race car--a three-quarter scale NASCAR replicable. He is scheduled to race in nine races from March till Sept 09, at Thunderhill Race Way, in Kyle, Texas. On 28 Mar 09, Kris started on the pole, led all 50 laps to secure his first win in the TSRS Allison Legacy Race!

   The Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the US Air Force, was founded on Dec 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the US into World War II. CAP is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAPs mission is Nationwide. CAP members play a vital role in performing 95 percent of continental US inland search and rescue missions. CAP volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

   If interested in joining Civil Air Patrol. Visit the Lackland Cadet Squadron and attend a couple meetings. The Lackland Cadet Squadron meets on Monday evenings, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at The Lackland Cadet Squadron Building (Bldg 1612, located on Kelly Field Annex C, Port San Antonio) 401 S Frank Luke Dr, San Antonio TX 78226, For more information, visit the squadron’s web site at www.CAPTX007.org. For squadron CAP pictures, go to http://community.webshots.com/user/CAPTX007.

Story and Photos submitted by Nancy Kerr, 2d Lt, CAP