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Portage Area High School Junior Alexander Allen is a straight shooter in many ways.
He speaks plainly about aspiring to be a career military man and has spent time on the firing range.
A chief master sergeant in the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol, Allen is well on his way to a bright military career.
“I joined the Civil Air Patrol when I was 12,” said Allen, 17, also a member of the Army Reserve.
“Most kids my age were into video games,” he said. “I wanted something more.”
Allen is one of 21 cadets ages 12 to 21 in Johnstown Squadron 1501. The squad also has 16 senior or adult members.
You can easily spot the cadets in orange caps and camouflage uniforms. They are active volunteers in parades, veterans ceremonies and charity events.
They are trained to search for missing persons and downed aircraft. They can one day assist authorities to perform drug interdiction and homeland security. Many cadets go on to serve in the military.
“The Civil Air Patrol teaches you leadership and honor,” Allen said. “I think these are qualities very important for young people to learn.”
The Civil Air Patrol was founded Dec. 1, 1941 – just days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II, CAP was active in patrolling coastlines and transporting supplies. CAP is part of the Air Force Auxiliary.
The cadet program trains young men and women on teamwork, moral leadership, aerospace education, technical skills to support emergency services and military history, according to the CAP website.
There are 22,000 CAP cadets in the U.S.
Capt. Sam Allison leads the Johns-town squadron.
Allison, a 44-year veteran of the Army and Reserves, said cadets are a dedicated group who go on to be leaders in other fields, not just the military.
“We start from ground zero – drill ceremony, appearance, military discipline,” he said. “As each cadet progresses academically and physically they get awards.”
It takes 18-20 months before a cadet can earn the highest honor, the Billy Mitchell Award.
Allen, along with William Galbreath and Kyle Vivis, will receive the award in a December ceremony at the National Guard Armory, 554 Airport Road in Richland Township.
During their training, boys and girls learn about aerospace and have a chance to fly a CAP plane under the supervision of a certified pilot.
“I learned about flying a plane before I learned about driving a car,” Allen said.
Cadets are drilled in a boot camp-like environment.
“We rappelled down a rock wall, shot on the firing range and rode in a Black Hawk helicopter,” he said.
Allison said transforming the lives of young people keeps him active in CAP.
“When you see these cadets come in, they don’t know their right from their left,” he said. “When we’re done with them that individual is a finished product.”
Not everyone is CAP material.
Prospective cadets fill out an application and then are interviewed.
“I’ve had students I’ve had to turn away,” Allison said.
Bad apples need not apply.
“I can’t have my cadets who are clean and ethical exposed to somebody who might bring them down,” he said.
Nothing is too great a challenge for Allen.
“The Civil Air Patrol makes you more mature and focused,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Chief Master Sgt. Alexander Allen leads Civil Air Patrol cadets at Johnstown’s 2009 Veterans Day parade. Submitted Photo
Discussion
Civil Air Patrol a launching pad for military careers
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