Gastonia Composite Squadron Promotes Cadet Leadership to Next Level

By: Lt. Col. Adam Springmeyer, CAP

Public Affairs Officer, Gastonia Composite Squadron

The Gastonia Composite Squadron hosted a Cadet Leadership Training Weekend (LTW) on September 18th and 19th at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina. The training weekend was created and executed by the squadron cadets and supervised by the adult members as a way to build the “Future Leaders for America!”

The course consisted of 11 cadets (participants and staff) and 5 adult members. A total of 25 sessions were taught over the two-day event. The weekend consisted of courses discussing safety briefings, duty positions, drill and ceremonies, support staff, how to accomplish a uniform inspection, staff duty analysis (SDA) paper review, giving appropriate and correct feedback, customs and courtesies, and one final team building activity. I spoke with C/CMSgt Holbrook, the Cadet in Charge, stated, “Being the OIC was a big learning jump and experience. I had a great time seeing the cadets show up and ready to learn. I put a lot of time into this event and really enjoyed it.” Presently, Cadet Holbrook is studying to earn the General Billy Mitchell Award. Upon completion of the different exams and requirements, Cadet Holbrook will be promoted to Cadet 2d Lieutenant. Cadet C/MSgt Lang was interviewed as one of the participants and he said, “It was a very good educational and training opportunity for us new staff, especially the drill component. Those two classes helped me to improve as a cadet leader the most.”

One of the classes taught was drill. This course shouldn’t be a new idea, but as the cadets work up in their ranks, they need to shift from following drill orders to executing them. The cadets were able to learn their execution skills with the adult members who were at the event. I spoke with 2d Lieutenant Chuck LeGuern, who was one of the adult members that staffed the event, “It was great seeing the cadets drill adult members. We do not get to use these maneuvers very much, and knowing what they know helps us be better for them.”

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 1st Lieutenant Paul Oplinger, Squadron Commander, awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the staff members who helped to plan and execute the activity. The squadron is very excited to welcome the newest leaders not only to our squadron, but to the North Carolina Wing and the United States Civil Air Patrol.

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Lt. Col. Adam Springmeyer, CAP

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