Commander’s Comments

By: Capt Thomas Vineer. CAP. Commander B-CC.

Well another quarter has come and gone and as usual it was very productive. Everyone is back in school now, either at home or on campus. I would like to thank again the cadets in college who come back to the squadron on their summer, spring, and winter breaks to help out. Many new cadets are coming into the squadron this year, so we must be doing something right. The cadet staff is doing a fantastic job and with a squadron our size that is an ever increasing responsibility. I would like to welcome several new senior members into the squadron. They are Ann Culver, Mary Goenner and Anna Schubert. I know this is a cadet run squadron but without the dedication of our senior members to support the cadet activities not much would get done.

The trip to the radio telescope site in Green Bank, West Virginia organized by Lt. Cheron was a great success. Twenty five cadets and four senior members participated and had a great time. The B-CC color guard has been busy; they posted the colors at the Middle East Region Staff College at McDaniel College in Westminster MD, led the town of Kensington’s Labor Day parade, and posted the colors at the rededication of Parkland Middle school. Lt. Queen had some of our cadets participate in the National Press Club’s 5K run this summer. Thanks to Lt. Queen, the National Press Club has taken a great interest in Civil Air Patrol. B-CC was invited by the staff of district 19 Senator Michael G. Lenett to send a cadet to sit on the Maryland Youth Advisory Council.

Capt. Crockett and Lt. Fink have increased the interest in the ground team from practically zero to enough to make up three ground teams once everyone is trained. The ground team has been busy this last quarter with many missions. One mission to Aberdeen Maryland resulted in the ground team led by Cadet Ilowite finding two activated ELTs on Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

Lt. Queen and senior member Anna Schubert are going to put a Drug Demand Reduction program together for B-CC to present to the public when we have our recruiting table set up at schools and community functions. DDR is a very important program and one we need to be involved in. Senior member Mary Goenner is heading up the Wreaths Across America program. The wreath laying ceremony will be at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery on 13 December at 1200 hrs. I want to thank everyone again for their hard work and dedication.

National Radio Astronomy Observatory Trip - August 22-24

By: C/2d Lt. Victor Santos

This past month, a number of cadets and senior members had the unique opportunity to visit the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in West Virginia. The trip started out with a long 7-hour drive from the airpark to the Observatory. Upon arrival at the observatory, the cadets were met with a beautiful bunkhouse which would serve as their home for the next couple of days. After the cadets settled in and changed into their civies, they were off to the auditorium for a briefing and short lecture on the relationship between architecture and science. After the lecture, we had to return to the bunkhouse since the movie we were going to watch was broken. With time left to spare before lights out, the cadets relaxed and played games.

The following morning, we changed into our BDUs, ate breakfast, and made our way to the auditorium for an introduction to the observatory and radio astronomy. The day was filled with cool classes and demonstrations. The cadets got an opportunity to learn about constellations in an inflatable planetarium, explore radio frequency interference with hand-held radios, look at the different radio telescopes during a bus tour, and learn how to control the 40-foot radio telescope. The cadets really enjoyed these activities.

Later in the afternoon, the cadets were given the opportunity to change back into the civies and hangout. After a short break, we made our way to the auditorium to watch the movie “Apollo 13.” Following the movie, we gathered the gear we needed for stargazing. That night, we lay down in the field and stared off into the universe. The skies were clear and the view was amazing. The stars filled the sky from horizon to horizon and we even saw a few shooting stars. While we were stargazing, each of the six teams took turns to go into the control center of the 40-foot telescope and collected data as they looked for the presence of hydrogen in the Milky Way. After all the teams had completed their one-hour shifts, we headed back to the bunkhouse and went to bed.

The next morning we began our data analysis. After preparing our data presentation, we went on a tour of the Green Bank Telescope control center. Following the tour, each group presented their data to the rest of the cadets. A winning group was chosen and each member was awarded with a National Radio Astronomy Observatory Patch. After a quick lunch the cadets were tasked with cleaning the bunkhouse. Amazingly, the cadets were able to finish cleaning the bunkhouse in under half an hour and then we headed home.

One major attraction that this observatory hosts is the giant Green Bank Telescope also known as the GBT. This telescope is the world’s largest, fully steerable, radio telescope. The GBT stands an awesome 485 feet high and weighs an enormous 16,000,000 pounds. Its dish measures 100 by 110 feet and has an area a little less than two acres. This radio telescope is made to handle a great range of wavelengths from 9 feet to 1/8 inch and is currently being used for research. The trip to the observatory was a very unique experience. Thanks to Lt. Cheron for organizing this incredible trip!

Kensington Labor Day Parade

By: C/2d Lt. Victor Santos

On September 1, 2008, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Color Guard was given the opportunity to carry the colors in the Annual Kensington Labor Day Parade. The team was invited back to carry the colors again this year after the parade organizers were impressed by the team during last year’s parade. This year’s team included team commander C/2d Lt Victor Santos, Junior Flag Bearer C/SMSgt Caddi Golia, Senior Rifle Guard C/CMSgt John Walters, and Junior Rifle Guard C/SSgt David Sturgeon. The team led the parade through the Town of Kensington.

Upon arriving at the grandstand, the Gaithersburg High School Marching Band played the National Anthem as the B-CC Color Guard stood motionless at present arms. Immediately after the parade, the team and Capt Carmello were treated to a free lunch provided by the parade organizers.

The Color Guard team was honored to participate in the Annual Kensington Labor Day Parade. This is what being on the Color Guard is really about. It is nice to win the competitions and be known as the best, but a true reward is the opportunity to give back to the community, whether it be marching in a parade or presenting the colors at a ceremony. Congratulations to the team for another job well done!

Parkland Middle School Rededication Ceremony

By: C/2d Lt. Kristen Santos

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Color Guard Team has been busy lately. After being given the opportunity to carry the colors in the Annual Kensington Day Parade on September 1st, the team presented the colors at Parkland Middle School’s Rededication Ceremony on September 20th. The team consisted of Team Commander C/2d Lt Victor Santos, Junior Flag Bearer C/2d Lt O’Brien, Senior Rifle Guard C/CMSgt John Walters, and Junior Rifle Guard C/Amn Deus. Among those in attendance at the ceremony were several members of the County Council and the Montgomery County Public School Board of Education, as well as the Montgomery County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jerry Weast.

Congratulations to the following cadets who were promoted this quarter:

Promoted to Cadet Captain:




Robert Nesko




Promoted to C/2d Lt

Jason Ilowite

Daniel Kator

Todd O’Brien

Michael Vliet




Promoted to C/SMSgt:

Rejathjoseph Aryankalayil




Promoted to C/TSgt:

Catrina Johnson

Devtulya Kavathekar

Scott Maroulis

David Sturgeon




Promoted to C/SSgt:

Christopher Lutschaunig

Daniel Shor




Promoted to C/SrA:

Victoria Giglio

Jaison Pajaro




Promoted to C/A1C:

Albert Goenner

Reef Jahangiri

John Roberts

Samuel Scheiner

John Stein

Mark Zong




Promoted to C/Amn:

Dylan Adams

Jonathan Lefebvre

Kevin Liu

Manuel Munoz

Arvind Srinivasan

B-CC Customs & Courtesies (adapted from OTSMAN 36-2202, 29 July 2008)

1. Salutes. The salute is one of the oldest military traditions. It is a courtesy exchanged between members of the armed forces as both a greeting and a symbol of mutual respect. The uniform hat is worn and salutes are rendered in all outdoor areas, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Although inappropriate at certain times, it is never incorrect to salute a senior officer (cadet or SM) outdoors as a courtesy and a greeting. Do not salute indoors unless formally reporting in to a senior officer’s office/cubicle or upon receiving an award at an awards ceremony. Do not salute when reporting to enlisted staff members.

1.1. You are required to render a salute to a superior officer whenever you are in uniform, regardless of whether or not the superior officer is in uniform. A superior officer not in uniform is not required to return the salute, although it is certainly not inappropriate for him to do so, even in civies.

1.2. In detail formations (two to four cadets), all will extend military courtesies as appropriate. In normal formations (5 or more cadets), the one commanding the flight renders the military courtesies for the formation.

1.3. The junior individual initiates and holds the salute until the senior individual drops their salute. When saluting always give a verbal greeting, unless it will interrupt the senior individual.

1.4. Cadets will initiate the salute in time to allow the senior officer to return it, but not from such a distance as to hinder communication. To prescribe an exact distance for all circumstances is not practical, but good judgment indicates when salutes will be exchanged. (NOTE: A standard rule of thumb is to use the same distance prescribed for rendering a salute to the Colors—approximately six paces.) At no time will a trainee turn their upper body to salute someone behind them nor will they salute someone they approached from the rear. If marching, they will continue as needed. If stationary, they will use appropriate facing movements.

1.5. Cadets passing an officer engaged in conversation will render a salute but not interrupt with the greeting of the day. If the officer does not return the salute, the trainee will continue and then drop the salute once abreast of the officer.

1.6. Salute outdoors when in uniform unless encumbered. Make every effort to not be encumbered while marching. If this is unavoidable, give only the greeting of the day. If the senior officer is encumbered, the junior will still render a salute and wait for acknowledgement before dropping the salute.

2. Subordinate/Superior Interactions.
2.1. When passing, addressing, or being addressed by a superior (cadet staff/any SM), the proper greeting of the day is ALWAYS given. The proper greetings of the day are defined by the time of day: “Good Morning, (sir/ma’am/first sergeant/chief/sergeant)” from 0000 until 1159, “Good Afternoon, (title)” from 1200 until 1659 and “Good Evening, (title)” from 1700 until 2359.

2.2. Cadets will IMMEDIATELY come to their feet and stand at the position of attention when addressed by or addressing any superior, except during flight room/drill instruction at the instructor’s discretion.

2.3. Whenever a cadet addresses a superior, the cadet will begin with the word “Sir,” “Ma’am,” “First Sergeant,” “Chief,” or “Sergeant,” followed by the statement/question. The only exceptions to this rule are when a yes/no question is being answered or when asking “will that be all?” In those cases, replies will simply be “Yes/No, (title),” or “Will that be all, (title)?” Cadets will always end all conversations by asking, “Will that be all, (title)?” and give the proper greeting of the day. If outdoors, the cadet being addressed will end the conversation by saying, “Will that be all, (title)?” followed by a salute (if the superior is a cadet or SM officer) and the proper greeting of the day. Other trainees present, but not being addressed will simply render a salute (if the superior is a cadet or SM officer) and the greeting of the day (unless in flight formation, in which case the flight leader will extend all courtesies).

2.4. When approaching a group of superiors, the greeting of the day will be rendered to the highest ranking individual(s) first. If the individuals are of the same rank, greet the female(s) first (e.g. A female Captain walking with a male Captain will be greeted with “Good morning Ma’am, Good morning Sir”). If all individuals are of the same gender, greet them as a group with “Ladies” or “Gentlemen” (e.g. A male Major walking with a male Captain will be greeted with “Good morning, Gentlemen”). If rank is indeterminable (e.g., they’re in PT gear, and you don’t know them, but you know they’re SMs, and that they therefore out-rank you), greet the female(s) first (e.g. “Good Morning Ladies, Good Morning Gentlemen”).