Volume 1, Issue 1

April, 2011

Mansfield 177th Squadron Communicator

CIVIL AIR PATROL, THE OFFICIAL AIR FORCE AUXILIARY

April Meeting Schedule and Upcoming Events:

Meeting 1 Aerospace Education Leadership Guard weekend No Regular Meeting PT at Madison H.S. Meeting 2 Safety Emergency Services Training Easter Sunday No Meeting
24 April 17 April 10 April 3 April

Mansfield 177th Flight Newsletter

Not a Military Secret
It has often been said in jest that the Civil Air Patrol is one of the best kept secrets in the military. All members of CAP have been tasked by the CAP National Commander, Major General Amy Courter, to work to change this perception. We at the 177th can do our part locally to make sure that we keep all of the members, as well as the families and friends of the members of our own squadron up to date on all activities of the Mansfield 177th Flight. An essential quality of an effective leader is the ability to communicate. The name of our newsletter, The Communicator, is meant to imply just what it says. As we strive to develop the leadership skills of the Cadets of our squadron it is important that we keep an open line of communication with them at all times. Equally as important, we would like to make sure that the families of our Cadets understand that there is nothing secret about anything we do in the Civil Air Patrol and they are always welcome to sit in on any of our regularly scheduled meetings. It is our hope that through this means of communication, we can assure you that we will always have the cadets best interests at heart and will work continuously to provide the cadets with the best experience that they can only get in one place.The Civil Air Patrol.
- Captain John M. Potter

MentoringCadets Helping Cadets

Mentoring is an informal relationship between two cadets; one of more experience with one of less experience. The goal of the Civil Air Patrol Mentoring Program is to help the cadet develop both professionally and personally. The mentors primary mission is to be a trusted helper, a guide, and a coach. The mentor also needs to have an increased awareness and sensitivity to the needs of others. Some of the duties of the mentor are to assist the cadet in learning new skills, help the cadet prepare for

tests, encourage or coach during PT, and listening and responding to needs for information and understanding. In practical terms, within the 177th Flight, senior cadets will be asked to mentor prospective recruits from their first visit until their first promotion, after which time they would be mentored by his or her element leader. Element leaders should have some sense of awareness of where each cadet in the element is working, what he/she needs to

work on, and how best to assist them. If the skills that are needed are outside of element leaders own skills, the element leader will assist the cadet in finding the resources to gain the desired skills. I believe that by developing the cadets both professionally and personally through this mentoring program, we will have given them yet one more tool to help them make good life choices and informed decisions. -Captain John M. Potter