Her Story of Inspiration and Dedication to Civil Air Patrol Will Continue
By Julia Martin
Kayla Powers’ Civil Air Patrol service has exceeded 50 years — first as a cadet major in the 1970s, and today as a lieutenant colonel.
Members of the Semper Vigilans Society pledge support through estates, wills, and bequests. But even among that devoted group, it’s a very special person who starts the conversation about her Civil Air Patrol service with: “I want to be buried in my CAP uniform.”
But Lt. Col. Kayla Powers, a volunteer in the Idaho Wing with more than 50 years of service to Civil Air Patrol, is that special person. “My life didn’t start until I joined CAP,” she said. After experiencing some health issues, she contacted CAP to leave a bequest in her will and, when told about the Semper Vigilans Society, she joined immediately. “We can be vigilant forever more if we all realize … there is always the opportunity to do something more at the end.”
Not one to reach for the spotlight, Powers said she prefers to stay behind the scenes. “I have begun to realize, though, that telling my story can be something that inspires and touches others positively.” Last year, she spoke with 93-year-old twins from the Washington Wing who’ve been in CAP since their cadet days. “I can only beat their longevity if I can last until my 90s! I talked to them about their story, and they inspired even me,” Powers said.
As a believer in life-long learning, she said she has started back to college studying medicine, a goal she’s had since before she was a cadet. “[In CAP] I was shown what I COULD accomplish.” Powers attributes this to the motivation gifted to her from a cadet wing commander she served for. “She was a WASP and selected as only the second CAP female wing commander. She gave me the idea I could fly, be military – all things I didn’t see as a possibility.” Powers said it made her realize she could do anything – “make a plan, make a goal, keep moving forward.” And move forward she did, earning her Gen. Ira C. Eaker Award, a Region Commander’s Commendation, and the longevity service and professional development CAP awards named for Paul E. Garber and Gill Robb Wilson.
Powers receives Airman of the Year honors during her early years of service.
Originally from California, Powers began her CAP journey by attending a meeting with a friend whose father was active in CAP. “The first thing they did was hand me a uniform. I went home, said not for me, and returned it. Then I thought about it. I didn’t like following orders, but realized with CAP, I could become a leader.” And on Dec. 28, 1974, she began that quest.
Her favorite cadet memory was her first encampment at Mountain Home Air Force Base where she saw leadership in ways it had not been presented to her before. “Twin girls close to my age were there – cadet colonels – and they’re out there giving orders and leading people. It made me want to be a leader, too – to change things.” And that’s the part of CAP she likes best. “The opportunity to grow people – both cadets and senior members – and see what that growth provides in their futures. I have cadets all over and been lucky enough to see how the adult version came out.”
She has served with two squadrons -- Twin Falls and Kellogg. Even joining the U.S. Air Force after high school and being assigned to Mather Air Force Base didn’t stop her commitment to CAP. “I started two squadrons in the California Wing, Foothill Squadron and Golden Bear Composite,” she said, adding she served as commander of Squadron 24 and did emergency services and search and rescue training with them. She was also instrumental in helping area cadet color guard teams win multiple first place finishes.
After eight years in the Air Force, Powers left to pursue other dreams but continued motivating and inspiring cadets. “I’m interested in the cadets, their lives and who they are ... and how I can help them get to be who they want to be. I’m able to understand how they’re feeling – what they’re thinking – because I’ve been through it. I’ve been there,” she added.
It's not just cadets she inspires. Circumstances allowed her to adopt a 9-year-old cousin. “When she was a teenager, she needed to be with kids her age to succeed but no nearby schools could help her "catch up" to grade level.” After much research, Powers discovered a curriculum that would help, and by meshing it with CAP values and training established her state’s first military school, Vanguard Military Academy, in a donated facility.
Powers plans to continue her dedication to cadets and senior members well beyond that 50-year mark. A woman with strong values learned as a cadet … a volunteer who continues mentoring, inspiring and making a difference … She feels everyone has a story to tell that resonates with someone. “By sharing who you are others can be inspired by and learn from you. Everything I’ve accomplished, I can always point back to my beloved Civil Air Patrol,” she said.
The Semper Vigilans Society was established in 2020 to recognize the generosity of those who have made provisions for CAP through a deferred gift arrangement (including wills, revocable living trusts, or life insurance/retirement account beneficiary designations). Deferred SVS gift commitments can be of any amount and can be made specific to the programs, activities, wings, squadrons, and/or scholarships the donor chooses.