Staff Cadets

Ranger Staff Training was developed to train cadet as members of Ranger Staff; however Officer (Senior) members are also welcome to attend and participate.

Above: Hawk Mountain Ranger Cadet Commanders that did not command during a Summer Ranger School

Here are a few comments on what the Hawk Mt Ranger School and Staff Program did to influence my life:

"When I attend Hawk for the first time as a basic cadet, I like many, at the age of 13 had no direction or real goals in my life. I finished my first school and remember as I left the gate that I swore to my self that I would never come back to this bug infested swamp and put myself through that much grief again. But for whatever reason, within a week I couldn't wait to return, but this time on staff. So in the cold of March there I was with approx. sixty other staff wanabee's, going through everything that they could throw at us. At the end, twenty or so of us survived to graduate and to become staff. Through all of the training and abuse, the one thing that was drummed into us day after day was the Staff Cadet Honor Code. That code became one of the most important standards in my life, one that I have tried to live by.

The Staff Cadet Program did many other things for me, it motivated me, it gave me direction and it made me want to help others. So when it came time to go to college it helped me to select Law Enforcement as a career. Now, with 28 years of Law Enforcement behind me and well into retirement I have had time to reflect on the other things that the Ranger Program gave me. It helped me to make quick decisions and then act on them; it made me think on my feet when under stress, it kept me honest and held me to the highest level of integrity. All of these things helped me to survive in the hostel world of undercover work in and around our Nations Capital. The Ranger Program has had a very positive effect on my life and I would not be where I am today were it not for the things I learned and took away with me from Hawk.

Today I am the Commander of the Hawk Mountain Ranger School and responsible for insuring that the Honor Code is upheld. To give back to the program that made such an impact on my life. To remind those that have gone through the program that they also owe back for what they took from the program. For there is no one that has walked through that gate that has not been changed and impacted for life by what they learned and endured at Hawk Mt." Herbert C Cahalen, Maj, CAP

"The school is nine days long, but the experience of each student lasts a lifetime. Lyn (Smith) Gemperle, can attest to that. She was one of the first female cadets to attend the program in the early 1970's, and went on to pave the way for future female staff cadets. "I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't use something that I learned at Hawk. It really gave me the opportunity to work with a variety of people at a young age." A graduate of Penn State, she was commissioned in the USAF, and served 15 years active duty as a bio-environmental engineer. She currently serves as a LTC in the USAF Reserve.

Shortly after his cadet experience at Hawk Mountain, Charles Wedge served as a helicopter crew chief with the 1^st Air Cavalry from 1966-1967. He is still involved in CAP, serving as the squadron commander of Squadron 123 in Pennsylvania. "My Hawk Mountain experience taught me about teamwork and esprit de corps. When you thought you couldn't move or take another step, your fellow cadets were there for you, and you for them. This is what helped me make it through Vietnam."

Julian Rivera, CAP member for 18 years, is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, a Captain in the US Marine Corps, and a UH1N gunship helicopter pilot. He served 4 years in combat in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. "I would tell Hawk stories to my crew members during the war. It took us away from the war, if only for a few minutes. My crew loved hearing the stories."

Effortless Perfection is a personal standard that does not settle for any less than one’s full effort and which never allows for stagnation in progression. The concept demands an individual to strive to exceed expectations and to use every success to power the drive for continued personal development. Any member who dedicates his or her time and energy toward moral, physical, and technical standards will be successful throughout Civil Air Patrol and throughout their lives. I am satisfied knowing I have achieved great honors and personal perfection in pursuit of the Spaatz Award and Expert Ranger proficiency, but I refuse to stagnate and am resolved to learn more and gain further experience. I challenge every cadet or senior to endeavor towards their own Effortless Perfection. C/Col Spillane, “We Lead”

-is a highly trained, extremely motivated and well-disciplined member of the PAWG Ranger Program, who lives by a strict code of ethics and an honor code. Staff Cadets rank among the highest caliber of cadets produced in Civil Air Patrol today.

-would rather resign than bring disgrace upon the Ranger Program. They are dedicated and committed to achieving the goals of Civil Air Patrol and the Ranger Program. They are dedicated not to any one person but rather to the Ranger Program as a whole.

-is dedicated to the art of teaching and the principles of training. A staff Cadet's leadership training lends itself to accomplishing the mission faster and more effectively. Ranger and medical training is a key ingredient to aiding the injured and saving lives.

-will never fail at anything they do. If something does not turn out as expected, it is used as a learning experience and will eventually enhance their ongoing training.

-welcomes the challenge of doing the unexpected or untried. Staff cadets are trained to forge ahead and create paths rather than follow other or sit by idly.

The Ranger Staff Cadet program has been in existence since 1960. As the Hawk Mountain Ranger School expanded and developed it became evident that there was a need for quality, consistent training of cadet leaders for the program. Since the first staff cadets began serving at Hawk Mountain, they have played an important part in the development and success in all areas of Emergency Services program within Civil Air Patrol.

The staff cadet training program consists of a series of eight weekends which run from March through June each year. Strict military courtesy and discipline is adhered to as the candidate progresses from a follower to a leader. The training is designed to challenge cadets in the areas of leadership, team work, and emergency services training.

Physical fitness, progression in the cadet program, dedication, self discipline, and proficiency in ground team and ranger skills is required.

Throughout the training, staff candidates are trained in the areas of navigation, woodsman ship, search theory and techniques, health and sanitation, rock climbing, rappelling, low angle rescue, search procedures, crash site security, communications, survival skills, teaching techniques, intense leadership classes, conflict resolution, leadership traits, problem solving, public speaking, time management, team leadership, job role responsibilities, and much more. Subjects are further supplemented with constant leadership development training which give on the job training and experience for the role the staff candidate will later fulfill; that of a professional leader and instructor for the ranger program.

Successful completion of the training cycle and qualification requirements will earn the first year basic candidate the “Yellow Scarf.” These first year cadets typically fill the positions of Team Commanders (similar to flight commander) for the school.

Cadets then return for the second year of staff training, where they further develop their leadership and command skills, and learn management and staff development skills as well. In addition, they further their training in search and rescue and the ranger program. With successful completion of the requirements the “Orange Scarf” is awarded, making them a full fledged Ranger Staff member.

These cadets often return for further training in their third year, and also support and train the upcoming staff candidates. Thus each year, the staff cadet learns more and more about search and rescue, leadership, and management.

Alpha Awarded orange scarves:	Bravo awarded yellow scarves:
Ream	Johnson
Austin	Shearer
	Cassidy
	Gray
	Jansen
	Dixon
	Keough
	Edwards
	Long

ENTERING TRAINING - Serving as a member of Ranger Staff is a distinct privilege. You must always maintain the high standards of the Ranger Program. When you joined CAP, you signed a membership application which explicitly stated the provisions of membership. Specifically, you agreed to obey the orders of your superiors and conform to CAP regulation and policies. CAPR 35-1 states that a member serves in a staff position at the discretion of the commander. During Ranger Staff Training a strict chain of command will be followed at all times.