Personal Essay: My Experience As A Cadet Officer School

I have been a member of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol for five years. Every year has brought about new challenges and new achievements which might serve as evidence to my growth from a child to an adult; however, no such challenge or triumph was greater than my graduation from Cadet Officer School, a strategic leadership school held at Maxwell Air Force Base. Cadet Officer School’s purpose was to act as the “finishing school” for Cadet Officers, but behind the education was a life changing experience which caused myself to think critically about what I wanted in life and where I was going.
The Cadet Officer School curriculum included topics ranging from ethical leadership to strategic planning, and every lecture was
In Civil Air Patrol I have already been promoted to the rank of Cadet Captain, attended Cadet Officer School, and acted as the Cadet Commander of 50 Cadets, but I wanted continue share my experience and help cadets so I have decided to apply for the Cadet Commander of our Encampment. Essentially I would be the lead Cadet in charge of over 100 Cadets, for an 11 day event. This represents a huge leadership challenge that I am determined to take head on in order to provide the most benefit to my Cadets. I believe that my role as a senior cadet is to not “be in charge” but to act as a guide for cadets to experience the same life changing events that I was given the fortune of having.
In truth, there is no real distinguishing mark in one’s progression from childhood to adulthood. We age and grow, but one’s family, culture, or community cannot determine when it is that you become an adult. It is only through internal reflection and critical thought can one decide they have begun that transition. Cadet Officer School acted as my first step into the long path to adulthood, and if my journey must start now I am glad it started