January 2009 Promotions

Cadets having been promoted in 2009:
C/CMSgt Bryce A. Nix, CAP: Now the Unit's Ranking Cadet, Cadet Nix is a long time member of the unit and among the original Brahma Cadet Flight members. He is a graduate of the Texas Wing Ground Team School at Brownsville and intends to attend the Texas Wing Powered Flight Academy during the summer. Cadet Nix is currently the Unit's Cadet Commander by proxy and is poised to become the Unit's first cadet Officer in several years.

C/A1C Matthew Spencer, CAP: Currently serves as the Brahma Cadet Squadron Quartermaster and also serves a similar funtion in the organization of CAP Station Corpus Christi. I accordance with the new Flight Reassignment Policy discussed on 27 Janaury 2008, Cadet Spencer was appointed to serve his unit as the Flight Commander of Alpha Flight. Alpha Flight's Emergency Services specialty will be UDF/GROUND TEAM. Cadet Spencer is Qualified in GES and has completed the necessary NIMS Courses to qualify for UDF training.

C/A1C Kayma Rose, CAP: Cadet Rose is a rising star in the Brahma Cadet Flight. With an accute sense of numbers and calculating attention to detail, Cadet Rose distinguished herself on the Module 4 of Aerospace Education (Rockets) and breezed through ICS 100 and 700. Cadet Rose's application of these skills will be valuable to the unit's growing ES capabilities. Cadet Rose can often be heard quote and applying lessons from her NIMS training.

C/Amn Raymond Perez, CAP: Equally dedicated, and beginging his CAP career in the Brahma Cadet Flight is Cadet Perez. Cadet Perez is qualified in GES and is currently studying his NIMS courses. He displays a keen skill for ELT hunting and is rapidly becoming a skilled generalist in the Cadet Program and Emergency Services mission. He will begin Chapter 2 and Module 4.

PROJECT: SQUADRON BAND

South Texas-The first Band Practice of the South Texas Civil Air Patrol Military Band was held in Kingsville on 19 January 2009. The effort is being spearheaded by Capt Sandy Phelps and is being supported by Major Joe Ely Carrales.

“I hadn’t played the trombone in three years,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales, “but it was good to get back in the swing of things.”

It is hoped that the Band can be ready for the National Board in September 2009 which will be in San Antonio.

The Band warmed up under the direction of Major Carrales and was turned over to Capt Phelps who began to work on two selections, the “Air Force Hymn” and “The
Star Spangled Banner.”

The units members present were C/SSgt Jonathan Garza and C/Amn Estrellita Silguero on Trumpet; Major Joe Ely Carrales and C/AB Jose Silguero on trombone and C/Amn Nathan Hawks and Matthew Spencer filled in on percussion.

Parade Season 2009- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade in Kingsville

Kingsville, Texas-One of our unit goals for 2009’s First Quarter is to increase the Public Affairs mission by participating in a series of Parades. The Unit’s first parade for 2009 was held on 19 January 2009 in Downtown Kingsville, Texas. The parade was in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Brahma Cadet Flight made a commendable showing in that activity.

The Unit gathered at 1145 hrs and organized its efforts. Long time Squadron Cadet Color Guard Commander C/SSgt John Flores was unable to lead his color guard because of a family crisis, a family member dear to him was in hospital. C/CMSgt Bryce Nix, the flight’s Cadet Commander also had an issue in the hospital and could not attend.

Despite these setbacks, the remaining units cadet rose to the Challenge and honored the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by fielding a color guard and making a show of unity and fraternity.

The Unit cadets quickly slotted into their roles, C/SSgt Jonathan Garza assumed the role of US Colors, C/Amn Estrellita M. Silguero carried the CAP Colors. C/Amn Matthew Spencer assumed the station of US Guard and C/Amn Michael Mixon took the position of CAP guard.

An element of unit cadets led by C/Amn Nathan Hawks followed the Color Guard. This element was made up of C/AB Christoper Alvarado, C/AB Aurora M. Mireles and C/AB Jose Silguero.

The day’s activity serves as a practice for other larger parades. It is hoped the Unit can March in the Buc Day’s Parade later this year.