PIERRE, SD – Civil Air Patrol cadet competition teams from Rapid City and Sioux Falls will represent South Dakota in a regional Civil Air Patrol competition on April 9. The teams from Sioux Falls Composite Squadron and Rushmore Composite Squadron were first and second place, respectively, in the state-level competition held this past weekend in Pierre.
“The teamwork, collaboration, and attention to detail these young people exhibited will serve them well, whatever their future careers are,” said Lt. Col. Linda Buechler, the director of CAP’s youth program in South Dakota, known as the Cadet Program.
The competition included eight events, six of which were held in Pierre, evaluating the young people in categories that reflect the program’s leadership skills and military aspects. Events consisted of a team leadership problem, uniform inspection, evaluation of the team’s ability to prepare uniforms and insignia for proper wear, an impromptu speech, and presentation of the colors indoors and outdoors. Before arriving in Pierre, the teams were tested for fitness training in their home units and took a proctored written test.
“My congratulations to all of the CAP cadets who participated in this competition, and my thanks to our adult members who supervised the cadets and administered the categories,” said Col. Michael Marek, CAP’s South Dakota Wing commander. “The CAP youth program is a world-class program that trains leaders of tomorrow, including leaders in the STEM and aviation fields.”
Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force with missions focusing on emergency services, the cadet program and aerospace and STEM education. With close to 400 members in South Dakota with units in Brookings, Custer, Miller/Faulkton, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish and Tea, the wing can deploy its six aircraft, ground teams and small search drones to assist in disaster response and other support to local, state, tribal and federal agencies.
Competition Results:
OVERALL
First Place   – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
Second Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron (Rapid City/Ellsworth AFB)
Third Place   – Big Sioux Composite Squadron (Brookings)
Individual events
OUTDOOR POSTING OF COLORS
1ST Place   – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
INSPECTION PREP PHASE
1ST Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron3RD PLACE – Rushmore Composite Squadron
IMPROMPTU SPEECH
1ST Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Rushmore Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
COLOR GUARD STANDARD DRILL
1ST Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Rushmore Composite Squadron
UNIFORM SPOT INSPECTION
1ST Place – Rushmore Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
TEAM LEADERSHIP PROBLEM
1ST Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Rushmore Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
INDOOR COLOR GUARD PRESENTATION
1ST Place – Rushmore Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
CADET PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST
1ST Place – Rushmore Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
 WRITTEN EXAM
1ST Place – Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
2ND Place – Rushmore Composite Squadron
3RD Place – Big Sioux Composite Squadron
HIGHEST WRITTEN EXAM
Cadet Capt. Keon Den Hoed, Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
FLEET FOOT AWARD
Fleet Foot Female – Cadet CMSgt. Grace Ingebretsen, Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
Fleet foot Male    – Cadet Capt. Keon Den Hoed, Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
