Squadron News
Squadron News
Encampment as a cadet.
The Fruit Cove Cadet squadron had many cadets attend the 2022 Florida Wing Winter Encampment this past December. One of them was our Cadet Public Affairs NCO, C/MSgt Victoria Ledbetter. She shares her experience, as well as those of the other cadets, below.
Winter Encampment 2022-2023 
Where should you go to get an Air Force basic training experience in one week? Encampment! Something almost all cadets, no matter what rank, go through. It requires motivation, respect, and confidence. 6 or 7 days waking up before the sun, constant marching, and rigorous PT, combined with knowledge tests, persistent note-taking, and classroom experiences may sound rough, but its worth the experience in the end. We had 4 cadets go this year from our squadron; C/Capt Aden Baxley, as Safety OIC (Officer in Command), C/MSgt Skylar Phoenix-Dean and C/SSgt Olivia Phoenix-Dean as ATS (Advanced Training Squadron), and I, C/MSgt Victoria Ledbetter as a basic. Attributed to what I have heard from other cadets, there is a large difference in going as a basic and as staff. I talked to C/Capt Baxley about his role, and he said it was both easier and harder than being a basic. He wasn’t constantly in formation and being quizzed on completely new information, but he was always being asked questions, helping other cadets, or running around attempting to fulfil orders.
To follow, my experience was tough, but fruitful. Being honest, I cried a few times, as many basics do. But the people are fantastic, and the staff is there to support you, not to bring you down. I learned that I need to put my mental health first, and I need to leap into things head on. It’s ok to let out some emotion, in fact, that’s healthy. But in order to keep it from interfering with your productiveness, you need to be able to manage the time when you can be thoughtful, or when you need to toughen up and get things done. The schedule doesn’t care if you’re on the verge of tears or if you’re completely self-motivated, so you’ve got to let it all out in the barracks, and then put your game face on as soon as you step out that door.
In addition, always be accountable for yourself. Your leadership skills start with being able to lead yourself. So, while you must take orders from everyone above you, be sure to also keep yourself in check. For example, in the mornings, you barely have any time to get ready for the day. And ladies, you know what that means; no time to secure your hair. So, in order to save more time to get in uniform, I put my bag with my toiletries right next to my bed. Since I couldn’t sleep anyway, I brushed through my hair, put lotion on my face, etc., under the covers. That way, as soon as I got up, I was awake and ready. I would be one of the first cadets prepared and out the door. If you are a good cadet, your encampment will seem easier. But, with that, make sure not to make the same mistakes; there is something that they call being too independent. That’s what my issue was. I didn’t ask for help from my other cadets much because I didn’t feel like I needed it. I helped my other cadets, but only if they asked or I saw them struggling. The point is to build a team. And a team isn’t a team if no one reaches out to anybody else. Then it’s just a group.
In conclusion, Encampment is a one-of-a-kind experience that you will remember for years to come. And I promise, when you get home, you’ll realize that it was all worth the outcome.
C/ MSgt Victoria Ledbetter
FCCS Cadet attends Florida's Up, Up, and Away 2022
Running the weekend of Saturday May 6 through Sunday May 8, the Florida up, up, and away festival returned this year. Civil Air Patrol cadets and senior members from all over the state were asked to come and assist. While the weather was touch and go for the weekend, many of the events were still able to happen. FCCS Staff Sergeant, Elizabeth Lobetti was able to attend the event with her family. Among the activities that were available were vendors from all over, live entertainment including music and shows. Helicopter flights, and some scheduled balloon launches were able to take place on Sunday. Cadet Lobetti, pictured here in a helicopter with her father, stated that her best experience was flying in a Bell Jet Ranger 206 helicopter. “It was so pretty to look down and see the area. My dad also had a wonderful time on his first ever flight.” Saturday evening was a “Balloon Glow Show” (pictured above) The balloons were lit up in sequence to instrumentational music.
Cadets and families have great opportunities to attend events like this all over with CAP. Experiences like this give cadets an opportunity to explore the possibilities they can achieve in STEM, Aerospace, and Aviation. Thanks to Florida wing for this great opportunity!
Fruit Cove Rocket Launch!
It was a great day on Saturday, April 30 for a rocket launch. After a previous date having to be scrubbed due to high winds, Members of FCCS were able to launch their rockets that they had been learning about and building for over a month now. Each cadet is currently working towards their Rocketery Patch with CAP's Model rocketry program. Thanks to CAP's Aerospace STEM kit program, each cadet was able to build and launch a rocket. The squadron also had one cadet who has worked ahead and built 2 other types of rockets, that we wear able to launch for all to see. Family members and even local youth sports members couldn't help but take pause and watch every launch. FCCS would also like to that CPO Elico Catalen, USN NAS Jacksonville for the assistance in coordinating our launch window to ensure launch and aircraft safety with NAS Jacksonville.
Alumni cadet returns to share his experience.
CCC Seale at 3/22/2022 CAP meeting Then C/1st Lt Seale receiving his appointment to the Air Force Academy Prep School
At our March 22nd meeting our cadets had a great guest speaker. Cadet Candidate Matthew Seale took time out of his Spring break from the Air Force Prep school to come and speak to our cadets about his experience at his prep school and his planning for the Air Force Academy in the Fall. last June it was a pleasure to bear witness to his appointment to the Air Force prep school when he was presented with his admissions at our Civil Air Patrol meeting. A representative from the Air Force association was on hand to present his certificate at our meeting along with friends and family and his entire squadron.
CC Seale started his yearlong education and training at the Air Force Academy prep school this past fall. At Tuesday night's meeting he spoke about his arrival and experience as a new cadet candidate. He talked about the good and the bad and was even kind enough to bring pictures to show some of his experiences. He also gave some great information on how cadets in our current program could continue on their path to hopefully one day attain the same position he has or even how to obtain entry into the Air Force Academy.
We are extremely proud of our past cadets and all their accomplishments. We were very thankful to have CC Seale take the time out of his vacation and come and visit with our cadets and give them some great information on how to take hold of their future. We also wish to thank his family for the years of support that they provided Fruit Cove. We wish the Seale family all the best in their future endeavors and for Matthew in what we hope will be the start of his Air Force Academy time in the fall.
Fruit Cove Recognized For 2021 Performance.
Anyone who has been part of the Fruit Cove Cadet Squadron for a while now knows how great it is to be a member. This feeling was reverberated on February 23rd when we were notified by Florida wing that our squadron merited recognition for “Superb Performance for the year 2021”. For the senior members and cadets that are part of our squadron, this wasn't anything unusual for us. Fruit Cove has been a magnificent home to many cadets since its founding. With great senior members and senior cadet staff who tirelessly work every week providing education, support, activities, and so much more, It comes as no surprise to be recognized. Over the years our cadets have graduated and gone onto bright futures in the aerospace industry, and military academies or service. With cadets attaining scholarships at multiple universities and their ROTC programs, Fruit Cove has definitely continued on its motto of “Cadets Training Strong.” With a continued focus on CAP’s four core values always in the forefront, Fruit Cove hopes to continue on for years not only being a squadron that merits recognition, but also being a squadron that truly supports its cadets and their families.
We congratulate the other squadrons also listed in this category, and furthermore congratulate the “MacDill Aviation Cadet Squadron” for successfully achieving “Cadet Squadron of the Year”. We also want to thank Florida Wing for this recognition.
Thanks to all the parents and senior members as well who support us each week and provide for these great cadets.
2d Lt Lobetti
