Conference Sessions

2026 Annual Maryland Wing Conference
Learning Sessions
 

MDWG Conference Sessions – October 31, 2026

Note:  All sessions are open to all members.  Some sessions have a cadet or senior focus,
but anyone with an interest may attend the sessions.

Aerospace Education

AEO Responsibilities, Resources, & References
Maj. Maria Esparraguera, Aerospace Education Officer, Harford Composite Squadron
Join the Harford squadron’s AEO as she shares what was presented at the National Aerospace Education Officer School this summer.  Discover best practices for working this important CAP mission.

STEM Kits and Maker Spaces
Maj. Laura Smith-Velazquez, Director of Aerospace Education, Maryland Wing
Wondering which STEM kit to order for your unit?  Want more information about the future MDWG Maker Space? Stop by our AE table and see the kits firsthand; ask questions as you plan your next AE lessons for your squadron.

Cadet Programs

CAC:  A Primer for Leaders and Members
Maj .Nathan Rolfe, Director of Cadet Programs, Maryland Wing
A deep dive into what the Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) is, how it's supposed to function, and how to support CAC activities at each echelon. Learn how to select squadron/group representatives, how unit leadership can best support them, and how to be as effective as possible as a CAC. Unit leaders, cadets currently or hoping to be on a CAC, or someone who wants a better understanding of how this whole CAC thing works, this session is for you.

Matching Training with Expectations:  Equipping Cadets for Success
Maj. Nathan Rolfe, Director of Cadet Programs, Maryland Wing
The terms Cadet NCO and Cadet Officer are used frequently in describing cadet ranks, and these terms often come with expectations of what those cadets can and should do in terms of leadership skills and abilities. But are these expectations realistic and supported by training? Cadet rank does not necessarily equate to a set of automatic abilities. Cadets must be equipped for leadership roles with proper training and experiences, regardless of rank. This session explores common assumptions about rank and abilities, discusses best practices for preparing cadets for the leadership expectations often placed on them, and consider cadet leadership "SQTRs" as an example of supplemental training to prepare them for success.

Cadets 

While all sessions at the conference are open to all members,
the following Cadet Sessions are designed primarily for and led by cadets

Psychology of Leadership
TBD
An interactive session for cadets to learn more about leadership.

Senior Member 101: Bring the Adult in the Room
TBD
A session for cadets and adults working with cadets about boundaries, professionalism, mentoring teenagers, authority, and creating an environment where cadets can thrive.

Cadet Olympics (2-hour session)
TBD
Teams compete against each other in a series of stations covering CAP topics like CAP knowledge, memory challenges, aircraft identification, simple emergency services skills, first aid, leadership TLPs, map navigation, aerospace trivia, radio communications, drill precision, and more.

Becoming a sUAS Pilot
TBD
Learn what it takes to become a sUAS pilot from the FAA Part 107 to integrating small Uncrewed Aerial Systems into search and rescue missions as well as thermal imaging interpretation for mission person searches.

Mystery Room
TBD
Attendees will be provided a scenario with clues to solve using teamwork, radio messages, maps, witness statements, mission logs, and other clues.

Chaplain Corps

CAP Chief of Chaplains Update
Ch Col. John F. Reutemann III, Civil Air Patrol Chief of Chaplains
Chaplains, character development instructors, squadron commanders, cadets – anyone interested in learning what is on the heart and mind of our national Chief of Chaplains will want to attend this session.  Join Chaplain Reutemann – a former Maryland Wing cadet – as he shares his thoughts with the wing where he started his CAP journey.

When the Wingman Becomes the Lifeline
Ch Capt. Chon Gann, Chaplain, Maryland Wing
Every squadron commander in Civil Air Patrol leads members who are statistically at risk: suicide remains the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–24, and CAP members sit squarely inside that window. Existing gatekeeper training gives members the skills to intervene. Still, research shows a persistent knowledge-to-action gap: people trained to recognize warning signs often don't act on them. The Integrated Character-Gateway Model (ICGM) proposes this gap is not primarily a training deficiency but a cultural one, and CAP's existing character development instruction—built on integrity, volunteer service, excellence, and respect—is the missing link that turns knowledge into action. This briefing outlines how commanders can operationalize that connection at the unit level.

Command

The Only Constant in Life is Change
Col. Brenda A. Reed, Commander, Maryland Wing
Commanders change every 3-4 years. Having a solid bench of growing leaders is key to consistency and avoiding organizational setbacks.  This session is for anyone who may be interested in a future squadron, group, or wing command, those who mentor others for future command, and those who want to support their commanders.  We’ll discuss technical requirements as well as soft skills needed to prepare our members for these leadership roles.

Communications

Annual Communications Meeting
Lt. Col. Michael Starr, Director of Communications, Maryland Wing
This session will focus on the many changes in CAP Communications, including detailed instructions to transition from MRO/CUL to the new FEMA RDO/COML qualifications, updates on MDWG communications as well as changes being announced by NHQ.  Note this session counts towards the Communications Education & Training ratings. 

Emergency Services

Pathfinder and the Annual Training Plan
Lt. Col. Bob Thompson, Deputy Commander, Maryland Wing
Join us for a discussion about Maryland Wing’s Fiscal Year 27 Annual Training Plan and funding requests, how it impacts the Pathfinder program, and what local unit expectations will be for Emergency Services mission training. There will also be some discussion about the orientation flight program along with Q&A.

Beyond the Task Guide: Shifting from Minimum Qualification to True ES proficiency
Lt. Col. Michael Zabetakis, Geospatial Information System Officer, Maryland Wing, and Commandant, NESA Ground Search and Rescue School
In Civil Air Patrol Emergency Services, earning a rating on a 101 Card signifies that a member has met the baseline standard—they possess the minimum required knowledge and skills to perform a role safely under supervision. However, baseline qualification is only the entry point. True mission readiness requires proficiency: operational agility, critical thinking, and decisive leadership that only develop through continuous application, realistic training, and mentorship. This session explores the critical distinction between being merely qualified and being genuinely proficient across all three domains of Emergency Services and Disaster Relief operations: Ground, Air, and Incident Management. Attendees will examine how units can elevate training standards, move beyond "box-checking," and build operational capability that holds up under real-world pressure.

Skills Evaluator Standards and Procedures
Lt. Col. Bob Thompson, Deputy Commander, Maryland Wing
Understanding validation, approval, and the role of the Skill Evaluator Trainer (SET) in Emergency Services. Properly trained teams save lives and serve our communities. This session will talk about what SET is, how it works, and what happens when you check the box.

Historian

Guest Speaker:   Gary Powers, Jr.
Francis Gary Powers, Jr., is a prominent author, historian, and lecturer specializing in the history of the Cold War. As the son of Francis Gary Powers—the CIA pilot famously shot down over the Soviet Union during the 1960 U-2 spy plane incident—he brings a unique, deeply personal perspective to 20th-century history.  Gary is the founder and Chairman Emeritus of The Cold War Museum in Warrenton, Virginia, a museum he established in 1996 to honor Cold War veterans and preserve the era's artifacts. An expert in espionage history, he served as a technical consultant for Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning 2015 film, Bridge of Spies. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Spy Pilot, which utilizes newly declassified CIA documents to correct the historical record surrounding his father's legacy. Gary is a frequent commentator on C-SPAN, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel, and he travels internationally to speak about aviation, espionage, and the enduring legacy of the Cold War.
BOOK SIGNING:  Mr. Powers will be signing copies of his books on Friday evening and Saturday morning near registration.

Information Technology

Using AI in CAP:  Exploring Acceptable Use
Maj. Nathan Rolfe, Director of Cadet Programs, Maryland Wing
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere now.  It is used in pretty much every industry and organization in some fashion.  The opinions about the use of AI differ almost as much as the actual applications of it.  But regardless of your opinion, AI is here and it is in use within CAP.  In this session, we'll discuss the use of AI within CAP across multiple areas (academic, communications, and generation of content, just to name a few), and deep dive into the acceptable uses of AI consistent with our core values.

Inspector General

The New Inspector General Program
Lt. Col. John Henderson, Inspector General, Maryland Wing
What is a CIMB and why is it important?  Learn how the new IG program will directly affect your squadron as Maryland Wing is set to pilot the new IG continuous compliance model in the upcoming months.

Leadership

TLPs: The Gold is in the Debrief: Experiential Leadership Training for CAP
Ch Maj. Dovid Grossman, Chaplain, Patapsco Cadet Squadron
Chaplain Grossman has extensive experience in experiential education through organizations such as Outward Bound and Project Adventure, learning firsthand that meaningful leadership development occurs not simply through instruction, but through carefully facilitated experiences and thoughtful reflection.  This workshop is designed to equip CAP members with practical tools they can immediately incorporate into cadet programs, leadership schools, encampments, and squadron training. Participants will actively engage in several Team Leadership Problems, followed by guided debriefings that demonstrate how to transform a fun activity into a meaningful leadership lesson.

Standards, Enforcement, and Leading by Example
Maj. Nathan Rolfe, Director of Cadet Programs, Maryland Wing
CAP members are expected to meet certain standards: all should follow uniform and grooming standards, cadets must meet drill and PT standards, and the various training standards across operations for specific skills and activities. Standards are not optional but can quickly deteriorate if not given the proper attention and emphasis. This session explores common areas where standards can become lax, discuss means and best practices for enforcing standards to produce positive results, and looks at the importance of leadership in both settings and enforcing standards, and being the example to follow.

NCO Corps

What’s New with our NCOs?
CMSgt Pablo Burgos-Ramos, Senior Enlisted Leader, Maryland Wing
Civil Air Patrol has lots of new information for our NCOs, including the introduction of the Brown Book.  Join our wing SEL as he discusses how NCOs can get involved and how they can make a difference at your squadron!  NCOs, commanders, and interested members invited!

Operations

G1000 Learning and Exercise
Maj. Arch McCleskey, Director of Safety,  Virginia Wing, and Curriculum Director, Advanced Aircrew Course, NESA
G1000 proficiency utilizing simulator or procedure trainer. Maj McCleskey will have electronic copies available of his book: G1000 Learning and Exercise Book for Transitioning Pilots and Non-Pilot Mission Observers (G1000 Learning and Exercise Book). There will be three training devices available for use during the conference: NXi, traditional G1000, and the Becker (Rhotheta) training device.

Pilot Forum
Maj. John Ralph, Director of Operations, Maryland Wing
Annual Maryland Wing pilot briefing featuring timely topics for pilots and air crews.

Personnel

Tax Implications of CAP Membership
2nd Lt. Carol Wolfe-Ralph, Bowie Composite Squadron
Wondering how CAP membership can affect your taxes?  Join Carol Wolfe-Ralph, a CAP member and CPA, as she discussions the tax implications of CAP members.
 

Safety

I’m in the zone!  Are you?
1st Lt. Robert N. Carhart, Jr., Commander, Col Mary S. Feik Composite Squadron
At root, aviation safety data across various training pipelines indicate that intermediate-experience pilots are disproportionately represented in preventable accidents.  The short take may simply be overconfidence and/or complacency.  You have enough hours to feel experienced, but not enough hours to be experienced. This presentation will initially provide a breakdown of factors/specific dangers which emerge in this experience band, why they happen, and how to counter them, applying these factors to CAP pilots, the missions we fly, and recommended best practices.