Civil Air Patrol Cadet Attends United States Air Force Academy

Columbia, S.C. (1 July 2021) – Cadet Senior Master Sergeant (C/SMSgt) Brilee Larson’s summer ended a bit early this week when she reported to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado to begin their 6-week Basic Cadet Training course. Larson, a three-year member of the Lowcountry Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, earned a nomination to the Academy from Sen. Lindsey Graham, according to Larson’s parents.

Larson, who was named the 2018 Female Honor Cadet at the South Carolina Wing Encampment, graduated from high school earlier this year. She was active in JROTC, and acquired her private pilot’s license in 2020. C/SMSgt Larson served within the Lowcountry squadron as a flight sergeant and the cadet safety NCO. She attended encampments in the summer of 2018 & 2019 with Civil Air Patrol. The 2020 encampment was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Civil Air Patrol trains teens (and adults) in leadership and provides real-life opportunities to perform search and rescue and aerial operations. While Civil Air Patrol does have a military-style mode of operation—cadets are taught customs and courtesies, proper drill and formations, etc.—there is no expectation that all cadets will move to a military career. Cadets who achieve the rank of Second Lieutenant and enlist in the United States Air Force can enter as an E-3, earning higher pay right off the bat.

Lt. Col. Mark Bailey, CAP, who has served as the Commander of the Lowcountry Composite Squadron since July 2020, stated, “It is exciting to see cadets move through the Civil Air Patrol program and embody the leadership principles that CAP teachers. As a squadron, we can’t wait to see where Cadet Larson will end up.”

Civil Air Patrol is the longtime auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a valued member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine aircraft and more than 2,000 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). It performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP’s 54,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Operating as a nonprofit organization, CAP also plays a leading role in STEM/aerospace education, and its members serve as mentors to more than 20,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.

Visit www.CAP.News or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.