CAP cadet leader turns over reins

— The 97th Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, located at the Batesville Regional Airport, recently said farewell to its cadet commander, according to a news release from the squadron.

Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Dallas Doffin relinquished his post as he prepares for college. The 2010 graduate of Southside High School plans to attend West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, Calif.

“I plan on majoring in youth ministry and minoring in music,” Doffin said. “After college, I will attend an independent Baptist church and work at the school and be a youth pastor there.”

Doffin said the Civil Air Patrol has been an integral part in developing his maturity.

“I think CAP has helped me not only as a cadet, but also as a person. I learned how to act more mature, have more respect for adults and even learned more common knowledge,” he said.

But it wasn’t always a smooth path.

“I had been in CAP for two years, and then this guy joined as a senior member, and we didnot hit it off at all,” Doffin said. “At the time, I was the ‘class clown,’ and he didn’t like that too much. I found something else to do on Monday nights so I wouldn’t have to put up with him anymore. I realized that the problem wasn’t only with him, but it was also me. I realized how much I missed it, so I talked to him about it and apologized, then went back to CAP. I stayed once I went back and was there for another three years. Overall, I was in it for 5 1/2 years.”

The problem was with 1st Lt. Michael Young, a 12-year veteran of the military, Doffin said.

“I joined the squadron in 2006 and brought in a no-nonsense approach,” Young said. “I thought the cadet program was too lax, and my opinion was there were a few cadets who needed some corrective training. Doffin was one of them.The cadet program is designed like a military unit, and it teaches the customs and courtesies of the military. I took that very seriously and wanted to instill that into the cadets. Most were receptive to it; others were not.

“When Doffin decided to come back, he and I had a talkabout what was expected of him. I told him the days of being a joker were over. He agreed and came in with a great deal of excitement, energy and, most of all, respect. The level of maturity only got better, and I promoted him to my cadet commander. He took the ball and ran with it, and I am extremely proud of him. We developed a friendship which has extended beyond the hangar.”

Doffin added: “As long as you listen to your authority and don’t clown around at the wrong times, then you will have a blast. But if you try to be the funny guy or you are just there to fill in your boring Monday nights, then you should probably find something else to do.”

Despite the military-like expectations, CAP is designed to be a fun training environment. Leadership, aerospace, emergency services, safety and physical fitness are the primary focuses of the local squadron.

“We also have moral leadership and anti-drug training,” Young said.

And there are plenty of activities, too. The squadron will host its annual cadet and familyappreciation event this month at Sylamore Creek.

Flight orientations, camping, search and rescue exercises, canoeing, model rocketry and many other activities keep squadron members busy yearround.

“Overall, CAP gave me basic training for survival, first aid, and even how to have fun. My favorite memories of CAP were the camping trips we took to Sylamore Creek Campsite inMountain View,” Doffin said. “We did our usual SAREX (search and rescue exercise), but after that, the trip was just normally camping. I love to camp, so when it came time to go, I was always super excited.”

The cadet program is open to boys and girls ages 12-18. Adult membership is also available. For more information about the Batesville Squadron, call (870) 283-4707 or (870) 834-9612.

Three Rivers, Pages 128 on 07/25/2010

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