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Iredell Composite Squadron Cadet Receives Community Service Ribbon for Performing Over 1,000 hours of Volunteer Service
C/SMSgt Ian Nettles (left) is presented with the CAP Community Service Award by Capt Roger Ayscue. Photo Credit: C/SMSgt Sarah Haynes, CAP (click image to view full size)
C/SMSgt Ian Nettles recognized for outstanding community service
By C/SMSgt Sarah Haynes, CAP
Iredell Composite Squadron Flight Sergeant
7/25/2018–STATESVILLE, NC–On 4 July 2018, C/SMSgt Ian Nettles was awarded Civil Air Patrol's (CAP) Community Service Ribbon in recognition of his performing over 1,000 hours of volunteer service.
Since he joined CAP, C/SMSgt Nettles has dedicated a significant portion of his time to volunteer work. He kept a log of his service time, turning in his progress at every set of sixty hours. After he had earned a total of 1,260 hours of volunteer service, he was presented the certificate, and four silver clasps were pinned on his community service ribbon. It took C/SMSgt Nettles two and a half years to accumulate this immense number of volunteer hours.
He regularly volunteered his time through a variety of non-profit organizations, including Operation Christmas Child and Rowan Helping Ministries. The service hours were primarily earned, however, through his service with the fire department. He frequently volunteered his time to work shifts at the Cooleemee Volunteer Fire Department, helping as one of the first people to respond to emergencies. During severe winter storms, he would even tirelessly worked 72 hour shifts.
Since joining the Iredell Composite Squadron, C/SMSgt Nettles has become known for more than just his volunteer service hours. He is dedicated to the safety of his fellow cadets, having served as a medic at various CAP activities, such as at an Airman School and during ground team missions. He is currently working on obtaining his Safety Technician, Ranger Medic, and Ground Team Leader ratings.
In his work career, C/SMSgt Nettles is working on completing his EMT training and is considering the professional career of technical rescue. But first, he just wants to graduate high school.
C/SMSgt Nettles would like to see other cadets earn their community service awards as well. Only 60 hours of volunteer service are required to earn the basic ribbon. Successive sets of volunteer service hours are recognized by pinning the ribbon with bronze or silver clasps.
“You’d be surprised at how many volunteer service hours you get in just your normal day-to-day life,” C/SMSgt Nettles observed. “All you have to do is pay attention to what you’re already doing.” He says that if you enjoy helping with a program, go volunteer your time, have fun and keep track of your hours. These activities could be anything that you are not being paid for, such as planting a community garden, shelving books at the library, participating in charity races, delivering meals to nursing homes, or taking care of pets at an animal shelter. “If you ask, people will tell you where they need help.”
C/SMSgt Nettles is a shining example of a cadet living out CAP's core value of volunteer service.