May 25, 2015 4 min read

McMURRAY – Involvement in the Civil Air Patrol started out as a father-son thing. Then it became mother-son thing. And then, it led to Nancy Parker, a Bower Hill Elementary School first-grade teacher, becoming commander of the Civil Air Patrol’s Washington Composite Squadron 601.

“I was never too keen on the word no,” laughed Parker, when asked how she became the squadron’s top gun.

Parker’s son, Adam, was the reason why she joined CAP in 2009. Initially, Adam, then 12, learned about CAP in school and wanted his father Randy, a former Marine and current helicopter pilot for air ambulance firm STAT MedEvac, to join, too.

Because of her husband’s hectic schedule, Parker, 50, found herself attending some CAP meetings with Adam. Soon, she was going to all of them with her son.

Squadron 601 is the local chapter of the Civil Air Patrol, an all-volunteer, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and a nonprofit organization with more than 58,000 members nationwide. CAP’s membership provides search and rescue, emergency services, youth programs and aerospace education.

“I was sewing on patches and participating in a way a Mom could,” said Parker of her early days with the organization.

But as Parker became more involved, she began assuming more responsibilities and eventually became the squadron’s safety officer, personnel officer, deputy commander of cadets, and most recently, deputy commander. She was appointed commander – succeeding Capt. Edward Silassy of Canonsburg – in March, and holds the rank of captain.

The Civil Air Patrol was formed one week after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor by aviation enthusiasts who wanted to use their planes and flying skills in defense of the country. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman made CAP a benevolent, nonprofit organization, and two years later, Congress passed a law establishing it as an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

Membership in CAP is divided into two segments: cadets, for people aged 12 to 21, and seniors, for people 21 and older. The cadet program was started during World War II to provide training for future pilots. As a cadet progresses through the ranks, there are four phases of development that he or she must meet – learning, leadership, command and executive. Cadets who complete the program and enlist in the military are eligible for advance promotion opportunities.

Parker does not have a pilot’s license and leaves the flying to her husband. But, she likes the idea of helping others, serving as a mentor to the CAP cadets, and being part of the military.

“I am proud to be a member of CAP,” said Parker, adding she will hold the commander post for three to four years. “You are part of a team. You are not the only person raising the flag. It is a nice way of making people feel comfortable with the military.”

The Washington branch, which has roughly 30 members, meets each Wednesday at the National Guard Armory in Washington. Because CAP is part of the Air Force, all members attend dressed in battle dress uniform – fatigues used in combat situation. Parker said her students, mostly the boys, seem in awe of her when she wears her BDU, which she will wear during special events at her school.

At a recent school function, Parker said she transformed her classroom into mini-boot camp and wore her BDU, all of which were a hit with the children.

“When I go out in public with it on, people think I am part of the Air Force,” she said.

Adam Parker, now a freshman at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, is still involved in CAP and attends meetings near his school.

“I am kind of proud that I am the one who got her involved, but in the end she decided to join,” Adam said. “Everyone looks up to her. Her friends have become my friends. I am very proud of her.”

Parker said her goals with her squadron are simple. She wants to get more name recognition for her organization and increase membership.

“It really is important to get our name out,” she said. “I want to have our cadets and seniors get their voice out there. I want to grow the squadron, and I want to give back.”