Goldsboro Composite Squadron Welcomes New Cadet Commander

Goldsboro Composite Squadron Welcomes New Cadet Commander

By: 1 st Lt. Catherine Bird, CAP

Squadron Commander, Goldsboro Composite Squadron

Goldsboro Composite Squadron recognized C/2d Lt. Lillianna Walker as its cadet commander during its July 14 meeting, marking an important milestone in the continued growth of the squadron’s cadet program. 

C/2d Lt. Walker officially assumed command of the cadet corps after transferring to Goldsboro Composite Squadron from Johnston County Composite Squadron at the beginning of the year. Her appointment filled a leadership role that had remained vacant for the previous couple of years, during which Goldsboro also had no cadet officers within its ranks. 

C/2d Lt. Walker has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since Sept. 29, 2021, when she joined Johnston County Composite Squadron. During her time with Johnston County, she held several cadet staff positions, including cadet deputy commander for operations, cadet flight commander, cadet flight sergeant and cadet leadership education officer. Her CAP experience extends well beyond the squadron level and includes participation in activities throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and the Middle East Region. 

C/2d Lt. Walker attended her basic encampment with South Carolina Wing and has since returned to serve on encampment staff as both a flight commander and squadron commander. She has also attended several South Carolina Wing Staff Training Academies and served at South Carolina Wing Cadet Training Weekends as a first sergeant and, later, as a squadron commander. Her additional staff experience includes serving as a flight sergeant at Sky Fest. At Black Spade, she has served as an administrative assistant and as the public affairs officer in charge. At the Middle East Region Warrior Challenge, she has served as both an event leader and chief event judge. She has also expanded her CAP experience through emergency services training. She attended Regional Training Weekend for the Mission Radio Operator course as well as the Level 2 and Level 3 trainee courses. 

While her CAP résumé includes a variety of leadership positions and activities, C/2d Lt. Walker said one of the things she enjoys most about the program is the opportunity to work with and teach other cadets. “I love getting to watch the looks on the cadets’ faces when they realize how to solve the ciphers I teach them and the look on their face when I tell them they got the right answer,” C/2d Lt. Walker said. 

For her, developing cadets goes beyond teaching a new skill. She also values helping cadets become comfortable in unfamiliar or stressful situations and watching their confidence develop through CAP experiences. “I love watching cadets who come to events turn from a shy, scared kid into a confident leader,” she said. 

Now serving as Goldsboro Composite Squadron’s cadet commander, C/2d Lt. Walker is bringing those experiences back to the squadron level, where she has the opportunity to teach, mentor and help develop Goldsboro’s next generation of cadet leaders. Her appointment represents more than filling a vacant position. After a couple years without a cadet commander or cadet officers, C/2d Lt. Walker’s assumption of command marks another step forward in rebuilding Goldsboro Composite Squadron’s cadet leadership structure and providing younger cadets with opportunities to grow into leadership positions of their own. 

For More Information:

1st Lt. Catherine Bird, CAP

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