Civil Air Patrol Conducts Firearms Training

You'd think it was the Fourth of July the way those Hernando County Composite Squadron cadets' faces lit up when they stepped onto the firing line at the Hernando Sportsman's Club. Each cadet stood proud in their Air Force-style uniforms as they got their first chance to fire a rifle as members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).

This was no small thing. Firearms training is one of the many tools used in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program to encourage self-discipline, leadership and service in the young men and women. As they raised those .22 rifles, you could see the eagerness and determination in their eyes. Each round sent downrange was another step toward the cadets becoming full, responsible citizens in the United States.

The Hernando Sportsman's Club provided both the facilities and the NRA-certified instructors for the event. This was the second firearms training event conducted with the support of the Hernando Sportsman's Club. Like the prior event, the instructors outdid themselves - they spent a great deal of time with the cadets to make sure that each understood the safety rules, proper handling and fundamentals of shooting accuracy.

The instructors said the cadets were mighty attentive to the safety rules. By the end of the day, every cadet had a big old grin even though they were tuckered out from the Florida sunshine. You could just tell how proud they were for having done well in their training.

These cadets are lucky to have folks in Hernando County looking out for them. The Sportsman's Club provided the gear and know-how to make this training possible. Those NRA-certified instructors cared for the cadets and taught them right. The CAP seniors chipped in, too, providing ammo and additional supervision to keep things safe.

In addition to the cadet program, the Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services throughout the United States. From Air Force-assigned search and rescue missions to disaster relief, the cadets and adults of the Civil Air Patrol provide valuable volunteer services to the people of our country, including those right here in our own community.

As cadets, these young men and women are taking steps toward becoming responsible, capable adults we can count on in the years to come. Some may pursue careers in public safety or the military, while many will go on to become pilots, doctors, teachers and mechanics. If today was any measure, the future's looking bright in Hernando County.

If you have an interest in learning more about what we do, please visit our website at https://fl301.cap.gov/.