Father-daughter duo join Civil Air Patrol

A Milton, N.C., father and daughter duo found a daddy-daughter activity they could do together that has lasted more than two years.

What is the Civil Air Patrol?
Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions and was credited with saving 91 lives in 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 67 years. For more information on CAP, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

Both of them joined the Danville Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, a local unit that meets at Danville Regional Airport.

The adventure all began two-and-a-half years ago when Noelle Joubert, now 18, became interested in going to the Air Force Academy. She saw a Danville Register & Bee article about a CAP cadet who was headed for the Academy, and that piqued her interest.

“I needed community service credits for resumes and to get into the Air Force Academy, and I thought the CAP would be a way to get in,” Joelle said.

Her father, Herman, recalled when his daughter first expressed an interest in joining, he at first said no, but later changed his mind.

“She came back later and said she had researched the CAP online and would really like to join,” he said. “So I said, ‘Let’s go to some meetings.’ We joined together, and both of us moved up in the ranks.”

Noelle eventually became the cadet commander for a year, during which time she was responsible for planning activities and overseeing the training of about 15 other youth. Her father became the squadron commander, which, he said, was “a matter of providence.”

“The current commander was stepping down, and I seemed the most likely candidate, so Noelle and I served together for a year,” he said.

Serving as commander of the squadron from 2008 to 2009, Herman oversaw both adult and cadet members. During this time, members of the squadron photographed hurricane damage, assisted with radio communications at a major wildfire and participated in training exercises with military pilots, a news release stated.

“I’ve been blessed with a staff of very capable, talented people. My biggest challenge was to give them room to be individuals; it’s worked out beautifully,” Herman said.

Military-minded

The youngest of nine children in a blended family, Noelle had always been interested in the military because of the discipline and order involved, so it was a perfect fit.

“I knew I needed to get some leadership experience and learn how to wear a uniform properly,” she ex-plained. “I was already sold on CAP before I went to the first meeting. It was everything I expected it to be.”

In the organization, cadets aged 12-18 progress through a six-phase program while developing physical fitness, military and aviation knowledge and leadership skills. They also participate in activities like an annual summer encampment, trips to air shows and museums and the occasional weekend field training event, according to a CAP news release.

“It seemed like a very well-rounded program,” Herman said.

Since joining the CAP, Noelle has changed her mind about the Air Force and is now planning on joining the Army, where she believes she will be able to use the degree in international relations she is planning on earning.

Homeschooled, she recently received her high school degree and earned enough credits through dual enrollment at a nearby Piedmont Community College that she will receive an associate’s degree next spring. She plans on attending Liberty University.

After that, she’s not sure, but it probably includes military intelligence in the Army and graduate school.

“One of the pilots said she has all the makings of a good pilot and there is funding available for key cadets for flight school, but she wasn’t interested,” Herman said. “I tried to talk her into it, but I knew when she sets her mind to something, there is no convincing her, so I gave up.”

Although Noelle piloted a plane all the way to Camp Pickett once, she said flying isn’t what interests her about the CAP. A summer encampment of learning how to march correctly, cleaning up her quarters and making sure her cot had hospital corners was right up her alley, though.

“Camp was a little sleep, a lot of hard work and a lot of fun,” she said. At the camp, she served as a flight sergeant.

Although she can remain involved in the CAP until she is 21, she is planning on spending less time on it now that her command is up. Her father has also given up his command, even though he could have served longer.

Her best memory of the past two years is her encampment experience. Herman’s best memories also involve the two encampments he has been involved in.

“The best memory was seeing before me the image of the cadet basics (new cadets) their first summer encampment and looking and saying that they won’t make it,” he said. “Then I saw their metamorphosis halfway through when they had decided to stick it out.

“I was standing at the edge of the parade field and watching them march proudly before the Virginia Wing Commander. That was an absolute thrill.”

Both father and daughter agree that sharing the CAP experience has been good for their relationship.

“There was never any real conflict between Noelle and me,” Herman said. “CAP didn’t change our relationship — it actually made it better! I learned when to step back and let her do things; she asked for help if she needed it. There was a very honest and trusting exchange between us.”

Contact Elzey at selzey@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7991.