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The Ranger Staff Training Program

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The Ranger Staff Training Program has developed from many years of hard work and experience. The product of the Ranger Staff Training plays a vital role in today’s Ranger Program. Once the school was moved to Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania, USAF and CAP senior personnel jointly staffed the school. As the Ranger School expanded and developed, a serious problem became evident: there was a shortage of qualified cadet leaders capable of training and directing the CAP cadets wanting to become Rangers.

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In 1960, the Ranger Program adopted a new and exciting aspect when the Ranger Staff Cadet Program was formed under Lt Col John Weaver, then the PA WING Ranger Commander. Maj John McNabb was chosen as Project Officer for the new program.

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CADET COMMANDERS

Since its inception in 1960, the Ranger Staff Cadet Program has had some of Civil Air Patrol’s finest cadet’s share in the leadership of this rewarding program. These cadets have served in the position of Cadet Commander for this program:

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1. Thomas Kerr

2. Joseph Spaniel #6

3. Bruce Zanders #8

4. Horace Fantasia #15

5. John Cross #14

6. Brian Craig #21

7. Paul Draper #44

8. George Hrichak #49

9. Barry Gray #55

10. Jeff Berky #64

11. Harry Williams #85

12. Jeff Riley #106

13. Andrew Worek #115

14. Laurie Jones #137

15. Tana Hawes

16. John Wirth #147

17. Kevin Loughran #152

18. Terry Loughran #155

19. Keith Unangst #170

20. Robert Jacoby  #175

21. Chris Reenock #184

22. Brian Faunce #182

23. Tim Cheslock #185

24. Julius Armstrong  #191

25. Jason Phipps #202

26. Tobias Long #205

27. Mike Courtright 

28. Beth Wirth #208

29. Mark Lindenmoyer #214

30. Robert Bernabucci #213

31.David Spillane #223

32. Ryan Hoffman #222

33. Sean McIntyre 

34. Gabriel Goldsborough #231

35. Ruth Sam

36. David Nazzaro #245

37. Timothy Zink

38. Javier Cruz

39. Jonah Torp-Pedersen #272  

40. Brandon Webber #267

41. Paul Reigel

42. Anna Marinelli

43. Cody Mangiaruga (Current)

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Cadet Commanders who did not command during a Summer School: 

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1. Mark Stephens #90

2. Mike Austin #143

3. Todd Fasnacht #230

4. Julia Benander #179

5. Sarah Ferdinand

6. Alex Hanna #197

7. Tim Grabowski #219

8. Kara Smith

9. Chris Seufert #218

10. Lauren Hartman #228

11. Kieran Callaghan

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# DENOTES BLACK BELT NUMBER OF THOSE WHO HAVE ACHIEVED EXPERT RANGER.

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Staff Cadet Project Officers

The Project Officer transition follows below:

  1. Maj John McNabb #5

  2. Lt Col Richard Runyan #75

  3. Lt Col Tom Jensen #25

  4. Capt Harry Williams #85

  5. Capt Edward Czeck #148

  6. Capt Jeff Riley #106

  7. Maj Eugene Egry #146

  8. Capt Norma Weitz 

  9. Maj Jeff Smith #67

  10. Maj Hugo Ficca #198

  11. 1st Lt Herbert Cahalen #40

  12. Capt Heather Weiss #203

  13. Lt Col Richard Runyan #75

  14. Capt Shawn Cressman #210

  15. 1st Lt Dave Shuey 

  16. 1st Lt John Laufer

  17. Capt Jeff Berky #64

  18. Capt Ryan Hoffman #222

  19. Lt Col Aaron LaMantia #277 (Current)

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