GIVING BACK

WWhen Cadet 1st Lt. Sarah Early, a high school junior
in Lexington, S.C., left for Europe in August 2006 to
participate in the Rotary International Youth Exchange
Program, she packed her French dictionary for reference,
a pair of good walking shoes for sightseeing and a
U.S. Civil Air Patrol study plan.
Early is the first cadet accepted for CAP’s independent
study program. Her participation means her Civil
Air Patrol commitment is not interrupted just because
she’s more than 4,000 miles away from her squadron.
“Civil Air Patrol has taught me so many things,” said
Early, a member of the
South Carolina Wing’s
Lexington Composite
Squadron. “I could not
imagine going without the
program for one year. I
wanted to advance and
stay updated on Civil Air
Patrol activities while I
was gone on my
exchange.”
“
CAP has helped me learn
self-discipline, punctuality, how to
keep a positive attitude and so
much more, which is essential not
only to success in the military,
but also to success in life.
Will It Fly?
When the independent
study program was first
introduced, “We weren’t
sure if it was feasible or
even if there would be any demand for it,” said Curt
LaFond, chief of cadet programs. at CAP National
Headquarters. (Previously, cadets living overseas could
continue in the Civil Air Patrol only if they had access
to a squadron, typically on an American air base.) Then
along came Early.
“We see now that independent study is working
extremely well,” he notes, adding, “We’re just delighted
a super high-achiever like Sarah is continuing on in the
Civil Air Patrol.”
Whether abroad or on U.S. soil, cadet training traditionally
involves five elements — physical fitness, leadership,
character development, aerospace education and
community activities. For some of the self study elements,
her progress was measured through tests proctored
by her teachers in France. For the activities
requirement, she performed the required number of
community service hours. As for demonstrating physical
fitness, skiing the Alps was one attractive option.
“The discipline and leadership Sarah has gained from
CAP were invaluable to her experience in France,” said
her mother, Deborah Early. “Highlights were becoming
proficient in French, attending a scientific school where
less than 10 percent of the students are female, adapting
to a new household/culture, traveling throughout
Europe and making new friends. She juggled all of this
while also striving to
move forward with her
CAP education.”
The Payoff
“Although I would not
have said it when I was
younger, Civil Air Patrol
has helped me grow up in
so many ways,” said
Sarah. “I have learned
about leadership, discipline,
teamwork and so
”
much more thanks to this
program, and I know I
could not have learned
these lessons any other
way at my age. It has also given me the opportunity to
come out of my comfort zone and try new things.”
“I still have one year left in high school,” she said,
explaining her long-range plans, “but afterward I definitely
will be going into the military and hopefully
studying biology and possibly start a medical career.”
CAP, she concluded, has postured her to reach those
goals.
“CAP has helped me learn self-discipline, punctuality,
how to keep a positive attitude and so much more,”
she said, “which is essential not only to success in the
military, but also success in life.”
For more information on the cadet independent
study program, contact Curt LaFond at clafond@capnhq.gov
or (888) 211-1812, ext. 401. ▲
U. S. Civil Air Patrol Volunteer 49 July-August 2007