Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a program that helps prepare students for the Military. Members are able to learn about aerospace, leadership, physical training, emergency services and drill, also known as marching. Sophomore Amber Scheulen has been in this program for a little over three years and is now competing in the CAP color guard against other squadrons from all over the country, including a squadron from Hawaii.

“CAP color guard is a professional way to present American and state flags,” Scheulen said.

In Scheulen’s squadron there are two people who carry flags and two who carry M1 grand rifle replicas. There are three stages in the competition: First, Wing competition at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, then Regionals and finally Nationals. Regionals were originally supposed to be at Fort Ashland in Nebraska but the base was flooded, so they moved it back to Fort Leonard Wood. Scheulen’s squadron has already competed in the Wing competition and placed second. In Regionals, they did not place high enough to move on, but plan to work hard to make it to Nationals next year.

“We don’t win anything, because we are a non-profit organization, but we get more noticed for scholarships,” Scheulen said “It’s very much an honor to win.”

This is Scheulen’s first year competing in the color guard competition. Anyone can sign up to be a part of the color guard, but only a few are selected. The color guard is lead by other people in the program. There are 13 ranks that can be achieved by passing tests about everything a member will learn. Every Monday, students attend CAP, sometimes there are classes and sometimes there is physical training. Once a member moves up the ranks they have more control.

“I signed up, but my experience was what got me in,” Scheulen said.