Legislative Day 2024
MCGUIRE SQUADRON CADET ATTENDS NAT’L LEGISLATIVE DAY
WASHINGTON, DC (March 1, 2024) – Dedicated Civil Air Patrol cadets from across the
nation recently converged on the nation's capital to make a case for support for the organization.
Cadet Capt Allyson Kittel from the Maj Thomas B. McGuire Jr. Composite Squadron was
among a cadre of 12 NJ Wing cadets who met with U.S. senators and state representatives in
Congress.
Delegations from Civil Air Patrol's 52 wings -- the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico -- met with federal lawmakers to deliver CAP’s 2023 Report to Congress and brief
them on the organization’s primary missions of emergency services, aerospace education and
cadet programs.
During their time on Capitol Hill, NJ Wing’s cadets visited the offices of U.S. representatives
Andy Kim, Donald Norcross, Jeff Van Drew, Josh Gottheimer, Donald Payne, Jr. and others.
C/Capt Kittel and other cadets engaged lawmakers or their aides in discussions about Civil Air
Patrol’s missions including search and rescue, disaster relief and aerospace education, and how
the organization saves lives as well as money.
“Civil Air Patrol saves the government tens of millions of dollars when supporting these critical
missions with its own aircraft that average $170 per hour versus thousands for military aircraft,”
said C/Capt Kittel. “Last year, we were credited with saving 60 people across the U.S. using our
airplanes.”
Civil Air Patrol’s volunteer service to communities, states and the nation in the past year was
valued at more than $253 million. The return on the government’s investment is more than 4-to-
1, which is an exceptional value.
National Legislative Day is an effort by Civil Air Patrol to advocate for its value and funding to
key decision-makers in Congress. Congress is responsible for passing appropriations bills that
allocate funds to various government agencies and programs, including Civil Air Patrol.
“We explained to senators and their aides how a small increase funding would help us improve
our operations, replace some older vehicles and address maintenance costs,” said C/Capt Kittel.
As part of the National Legislative Day experience, cadets go on tours of various points of
interest in Washington DC. Last year, C/Capt Kittel, representing Civil Air Patrol’s Northeast
Region, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. On
this year’s trip, cadets visited the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
where they viewed a display of Civil Air Patrol’s 2014 Congressional Medal.
After she finishes high school this spring, C/Capt Kittel will attend Liberty University and plans
to join the U.S. Air Force after college. Her career aspiration is to become a commercial airline
pilot. She also wants to return to Civil Air Patrol as a senior member one day and give back to a
program that has given her so much.
“The leadership skills and experiences I gained as a cadet were meaningful and fulfilling,” she
said. “I don’t think I would be who I am today without Civil Air Patrol.”
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven
years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes
of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role
as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine
aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated
to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
If you are a student between the ages of 12-17, or an adult, and interested in Civil Air Patrol,
please reach out to Maj. Bill Petzinger via email bill.petzinger@njwg.cap.gov. Visit the
squadron’s website for more information. https://mcguire.cap.gov/