The rising sun shone hot on the ranks of the Civil Air Patrol cadet and staff members of the Ohio Wing 2017 Encampment. Though the sticky July morning foreboded a sweltering and humid day, my heart beat rapidly with excitement as we saluted the rising American Flag.
As Echo Flight Sergeant, I was directly in charge of the training and accountability of thirteen “basic” cadets. The cadet command staff interviewed and selected all other staff members in January. For the next six months, we trained and coordinated our plans for this weeklong event. Since I would be responsible for teaching my flight of basics, I had to study and know everything from leadership styles to drill movements to physical fitness. However, all the long hours of preparation of those months could not fully prepare me for the job of staffing an encampment. …show more content…
When the basics stepped through the door, I would have to shout at them, motivating them to move faster and creating an environment of high stress and intensity. I have always been quiet and reserved person; shouting loudly and being intimidating was far outside my comfort zone. However, I took a deep breath and began bellowing at them as they entered with all the gusto that my nervousness, excitement, and adrenaline could muster. My squadron commander told me afterward that I had surprised him with my intensity; he had been concerned that I would have been too quiet. My heart thrilled to know that I had done well the first day. However, this was only the
As Echo Flight Sergeant, I was directly in charge of the training and accountability of thirteen “basic” cadets. The cadet command staff interviewed and selected all other staff members in January. For the next six months, we trained and coordinated our plans for this weeklong event. Since I would be responsible for teaching my flight of basics, I had to study and know everything from leadership styles to drill movements to physical fitness. However, all the long hours of preparation of those months could not fully prepare me for the job of staffing an encampment. …show more content…
When the basics stepped through the door, I would have to shout at them, motivating them to move faster and creating an environment of high stress and intensity. I have always been quiet and reserved person; shouting loudly and being intimidating was far outside my comfort zone. However, I took a deep breath and began bellowing at them as they entered with all the gusto that my nervousness, excitement, and adrenaline could muster. My squadron commander told me afterward that I had surprised him with my intensity; he had been concerned that I would have been too quiet. My heart thrilled to know that I had done well the first day. However, this was only the