25 May 2008
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – 3 Mar 2008 – members from the Lackland Cadet Squadron held a Change of Command ceremony after their weekly meeting on  March 3, 2008. The ceremony transferred command of the squadron (SWR-TX-007) from Cadet First Lieutenant (C/1st Lt) Jeffrey Cigrang to Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2d Lt) Colleen Rojas.  She is the third Cadet in the Rojas family to hold that position in the Lackland Cadet Squadron during its reign as oldest squadron in the state of Texas. The ceremony included the traditional passing of the squadron guidon to the new commander—representing the new commander’s authority, because the squadron’s allegiance belongs to whoever holds the squadron’s guidon. C/2d Lt Colleen Rojas is now responsible for more than thirty cadets in the squadron.  The ceremony ended with four Cadets receiving their next promotion by the new cadet commander.  Cadet Kris Kerr was promoted to Cadet Senior Master Sergeant (C/SMSgt), Cadet Mellisa Courreges was promoted to Cadet Technical Sergeant (C/TSgt), Cadet Katherine Sommers was promoted to Cadet Staff Sergeant (C/SSgt), and Cadet Micah Jones received his second promotion to Cadet Airman First Class (C/A1C).   

During April of 2008, the Lackland Cadet Squadron received two more changes as C/SMSgt Kerr was appointed to the position of squadron first sergeant and C/MSgt Benitez received the position of Flight Sergeant, both very demanding positions. No doubt the Cadets will excel in these challenging positions.  Congratulations to cadets in their recent accomplishments. 

A note on the new commander – C/2d Lt Colleen Rojas joined the Civil Air Patrol in the summer of 2004, since this time she’s excelled and become one of the most active participants not only of the Lackland Squadron, but also in Group 5, which Lackland falls under. Cadet Rojas has attended and staffed multiple activities to include: three airman leadership schools, four encampments, countless meetings since 2005 which contain regular squadron, honor guard, color guard, and drill team meetings. As per the color guard aspect of Civil Air Patrol, she has been an active participant of Lackland’s, and has participated in the Texas Wing Cadet Competition three times, serving once as commander in 2007 for Lackland’s Color Guard. This Color Guard fought through nearly impossible odds, and took second place overall in Texas Wing, losing by a mere two points. She also was part of Lackland’s first ever Drill Team which competed in the 2008 Texas Wing Competition. As new cadet commander for the Lackland Cadet Squadron, C/2d Lt Rojas takes on this responsibility with high standards, professionalism, and overall great view of the cadet program. In her term as cadet commander, she looks forward to working with her staff and senior counterparts alike.  

(L to R)—Lackland Cadet Squadron Change of Command passing of the flag.  Major Bob Howard, C/MSgt Kris Kerr, C/2d Lt Colleen Rojas, and C/1 Lt Jeffrey Cigrang. 

(L to R)—Newest Cadet Commander, C/2d Lt Colleen Rojas, Major Bob Howard, and previous Cadet Commander, C/1Lt Jeffery Cigrang.

 

(L to R)— C/TSgt Mellisa Courreges, C/SMSgt Kris Kerr, Maj Bob Howard, C/A1C Mica Jones, and C/TSgt Katherine Sommers.     

 

(L to R)---Cadet Rojas’s.  C/Lt Col Paul Rojas, C/2d Lt Colleen Rojas, and C/Capt Gus Rojas posed for a family historical picture.

Article C/Lt Col Gus Rojas and photos submitted by 2d Lt Nancy Kerr