Moving On

[A1Steaksauce]

This post is in honor of 4 cadets from Rutland Composite Squadron, in Clarendon VT, who have recently joined the military.

- C/2ndLt. Brian Penka (A1C USAF)
- C/1stLt. Nate Kerber (In USMC basic)
- C/Maj. Marc Triller (Entering first year @ West Point)
- C/TSgt. [1stSgt] Roy Murdock (Entering USMC Basic in August)

Thank you for your comitments to CAP, you will all be missed.

Feel free to post names of other cadets who have joined the military who are in your squadron.

[Major Carrales]

Kudos to these brave souls...serice to one's Nation is service profound.

[SARMedTech]

Bravo Zulu to one and all.

I look forward to being associated with ever increasing numbers of CAPs fine Cadets as time goes on. May the wind always be at their backs and their service long and proud.

[Capt M. Sherrod]

C/2Lt Bryan Lounsbury - shipped out yesterday for Ft. Knox, KY in pursuit of his dream to become a CavScout.

[IceNine]

C/CMsgt. Christopher McDermott- Ships to the US Navy July 12th
1Lt. John Learned Shipped to the US Army in Late May

[capchiro]

C/2ndLt Jordan Millirons: U.S. Army
C/2ndLt Tiffani Sullivan: U.S. Air Force (training in Security)
C/TSgt Ryan Sullivan: U.S. Army (basic and then combat medic training)

[Major Carrales]

Let's not forget that these are our best ambassadors to the armed forces.  I hope that CAP gave them all they needed and that they rememeber their CAP Cadets days foundly!!!

[Eclipse]

C/Capt Michael Hatkevich - US Army
1st Lt. Michael Marzano - Air National Guard

[Grumpy]

C/2Lt Bryan Lounsbury - shipped out yesterday for Ft. Knox, KY in pursuit of his dream to become a CavScout.

God bless him.  My boy's a 19 Delta was at Knox and is now a Sergeant Major Ft Campbell.

[Ford73Diesel]

C/TSgt Nick Davis- USMC BMT (next month)
C/Col Nathan Kish- First Year at Westpoint

I know there is a fair amount from OHWG, but thats all I can think of for now....

[Stonewall]

C/Lt Col M. McIntosh:  3rd year West Point, I'm going to pound jump wings into her chest on Tuesday.                                                    Yes, the same set of wings that were pounded into my chest in 1991.

C/Lt Col T. Culpepper:  Serving in Africa as a USAF PJ.

C/Lt Col C. Greata:  USMA grad, now in Iraq with 82nd; 1LT (Ranger).

C/Lt Col M. Smith:  USAFA grad, now C-130 pilot

C/Lt Col S. Langone:  ANG Firefighter/Iraq vet and full-time civilian firefighter in Maryland.

A little late for the recognition, but just 5 of about 100+ cadets that grew up and developed into fine American warriors under my watch as a senior member since 1992.

[Tim Medeiros]

Some friends of mine:

C/Col Christine Johnson: now at the USAF Academy, Class of 2011

C/Maj Mary Sellers: Headed to Lackland in Aug, hopes to be in the security forces military working dog program

C/MSgt (If I recall, shes been out a while) Lyn Paine: Headed to Lackland in Dec, hopes to be in special forces

me: as soon as I can, complete AFROTC (theres a few hurdles blocking my path right now that I am in the process of clearing)

[IceNine]

Former C/Col. Greg Watson AF Capt Navigator
Former C/Maj. Chris Johnson Graduated USAFA this year
Former C/Lt.Col Adam Kinzinger AF
Former C/Lt.Col Michael Perry AF Lt. (says his duties are classified but if you read the papers you've seen his work) 

[isuhawkeye]

This is Troy Ruffin,

Troy came to CAP not as a cadet, but as an officer.  Troy helped grow the cadet program in Iowa, and his hands on leadership helped to instill a strong cadet corp within the state.  Troy's involvement with the CAP brought his love of military service to the fore front.  Troy enlisted in the Army, and is currently serving with the third Infantry Division in Iraq. 

you can keep up to date on his progress @

http://troyruffin.blogspot.com/

[SAR-EMT1]

Cadet  M. Overman - Currently serving 2nd Lt. USAF
Cadet J. Brandes - Currently Serving 2nd Lt. USAF
both 'of late' members of the ILWG

[Stonewall]

One of the former cadets I mentioned above.  Pictures taken today, 3 July.

[Stonewall]

Here's another picture I found.  This is at a PJ graduation.  The PJ, former C/Lt Col T. Culpepper has an excellent story leading up to becoming a PJ...


From Left to Right:
1. Me
2. Former C/Lt Col Langone.  ANG Crash/Rescue and OIF vet and full-time Firefighter EMT-I.  Soon to be Paramedic.
3. Former C/Lt Col Leonato.  VA Tech grad and now full-time public school teacher.  Also a tri-athlete and adventure race guru.
4. Former C/Lt Col Greata.  West Point grad, now full-time Infantry Platoon Leader (Ranger) in Iraq with 82nd Airborne.

Here's the story.

Cadet Culpepper attended PJOC in either 1995 or 1996 at GW National Forest in Virginia. He was in high school and weighed in at about 275 lbs and 6' 4". He almost didn't make it but it was a program for cadets so some how he survived. It pumped him up.

Upon graduating high school in 1999, he enlisted in the Army Guard as an Infantryman. He lost enough weight to enter basic training. However, he didn't pass the final PT test to graduate. He was discharged.

Discouraged but determined, he made up his mind. He would become a PJ.

He worked, attended college and relaxed for a year or so, to get some perspective on life. His reenlistment code did not allow for him to enter the military for 2 years. Doing some research, he found that the AF did not want prior Army enlisted folks. He talked to people at Kirtland AFB as well as some colonel in the recruiting command. He took the PAST down at Langly AFB with a Captain after being told if he passed it, he could enlist. He passed.

He spent 2 years working out, eating right, and focusing on becoming a PJ. At his max, prior to starting his quest, he weighed in at 300 lbs. But before he left for Air Force BMT he was under 200. He swam, ran, ruck marched, did pull-ups and everything needed to make it.

He left in Jan 2004 for BMT. 3 tries at PJ indoc before finally making it, he graduated in Sep 2006. Some say "over a year to become a PJ", try 33 months?

He is now in Africa on duty as a PJ.

[SAR-EMT1]

Here's another picture I found.  This is at a PJ graduation.  The PJ, former C/Lt Col T. Culpepper has an excellent story leading up to becoming a PJ...


From Left to Right:
1. Me
2. Former C/Lt Col Langone.  ANG Crash/Rescue and OIF vet and full-time Firefighter EMT-I.  Soon to be Paramedic.
3. Former C/Lt Col Leonato.  VA Tech grad and now full-time public school teacher.  Also a tri-athlete and adventure race guru.
4. Former C/Lt Col Greata.  West Point grad, now full-time Infantry Platoon Leader (Ranger) in Iraq with 82nd Airborne.

Here's the story.

Cadet Culpepper attended PJOC in either 1995 or 1996 at GW National Forest in Virginia. He was in high school and weighed in at about 275 lbs and 6' 4". He almost didn't make it but it was a program for cadets so some how he survived. It pumped him up.

Upon graduating high school in 1999, he enlisted in the Army Guard as an Infantryman. He lost enough weight to enter basic training. However, he didn't pass the final PT test to graduate. He was discharged.

Discouraged but determined, he made up his mind. He would become a PJ.

He worked, attended college and relaxed for a year or so, to get some perspective on life. His reenlistment code did not allow for him to enter the military for 2 years. Doing some research, he found that the AF did not want prior Army enlisted folks. He talked to people at Kirtland AFB as well as some colonel in the recruiting command. He took the PAST down at Langly AFB with a Captain after being told if he passed it, he could enlist. He passed.

He spent 2 years working out, eating right, and focusing on becoming a PJ. At his max, prior to starting his quest, he weighed in at 300 lbs. But before he left for Air Force BMT he was under 200. He swam, ran, ruck marched, did pull-ups and everything needed to make it.

He left in Jan 2004 for BMT. 3 tries at PJ indoc before finally making it, he graduated in Sep 2006. Some say "over a year to become a PJ", try 33 months?

He is now in Africa on duty as a PJ.

Talk about willpower

[Stonewall]

Here are a few more pics of him in Africa on duty as a PJ.  Just sent them to me this week..

[culpies]

I know that guy, he's a dork

Here are a few more pics of him in Africa on duty as a PJ.  Just sent them to me this week..