There are many ways to serve one’s country. The most notable option is to join one of the five main active-duty branches, the National Guard, or one of the reserve branches. Another option, although less known, is to volunteer for one of the four civilian auxiliaries of the United States Armed Forces.
For some Hillsdale students, time in the civilian auxiliaries has given them a sense of pride and duty while also allowing them to learn how to work as part of a unit, whether acting as a leader or a subordinate.
These auxiliary units act as domestic support for the main branches of the military, also offering youth ages 12-21 the opportunity to gain early exposure to military service through cadet programs.
Junior Jean Pendergrass, a member of the Civil Air Patrol — the auxiliary arm of the United States Air Force — joined the cadet program at age 12.
In her time with the program, Pendergrass took part in the International Air Cadet Exchange, which sent her to the United Kingdom this summer, where she met cadets from several countries throughout Europe and Asia.
“Obviously, I was able to make some great friends on that trip,” Pendergrass said. “But also just seeing how a common interest in aviation can bring people together for something good was really amazing.”
According to Pendergrass, the Civil Air Patrol aids the Air Force by conducting more than 85 percent of all federal inland search-and-rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. This results in upwards of 100 rescues every single year.
At age 18, Pendergrass was able to join one such search-and-rescue team as a mission scanner, acting as the eyes to the ground for her three-man team.
In addition to search-and-rescue missions, the Civil Air Patrol flies disaster-relief flights and humanitarian missions, according to the Civil Air Patrol website. These flights often provide expedited transport of time-sensitive medical supplies and crucial personnel to remote areas.
Junior Razi Lane, also a member of the Civil Air Patrol, said his time with the auxiliary has taught him many valuable lessons.
“It was one of the best character building experiences that I have had,” he said. “There are several key values that you are taught in CAP, including integrity, respect, volunteer service, and excellence in everything that we do.”
Associate Dean of Men Jeffery Rogers — a Navy veteran himself — said the auxiliaries offer individuals a chance to get a taste of what the military has to offer while letting its cadets experience what it means to serve, so they might serve their country further.
“It’s a great way to get young men and women focusing on the fact that it’s about more than just you,” Rogers said. “It’s a great introduction to if you want to continue with that and take it a step further.”
Both Pendergrass and Lane plan to apply to Officer Candidate School to be a part of the Judge Advocate division of the Armed Forces. Lane said his time with Civil Air Patrol played a large part in his decision to do so, mainly by teaching him one important lesson.
“It’s service before self,” he said. “In everything, you put service before self.”