2 minute read

Also brings enough CAP credentials to fill a hangar

In a dramatic leadership shift that may or may not involve a secret handshake and a patch ceremony, Col. Brett Dolnick — Washington Wing commander, cyber defense overlord, and part-time badge collector — has been appointed as the next Pacific Region commander by Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, CAP’s national commander and CEO (and full-time decision-maker).

He Has Arrived: The Résumé That Ate Seattle

Maj. Gen. Aye praised Dolnick’s nearly 40 years of Civil Air Patrol service, proving once again that if you stay long enough and collect enough certifications, someone will eventually give you a region.

“I look forward to working with him over the next three years,” Aye said, likely while flipping through his 18-page CAP résumé on a folding table.

Dolnick will officially assume command on April 12 at the Oregon Wing Conference, just in time for Spring PowerPoint Season.

He replaces Col. Virginia Nelson, who is reportedly retiring to a quiet life of being asked for advice anyway.

Dolnick’s Vision: Bold, Buzzword-Approved, and Regionally Strategic™

“I owe my success to CAP,” said Dolnick, humbly downplaying his 73 leadership positions and encyclopedic knowledge of everything from gliders to cyber attacks.

He promises to:

  • “Embrace innovation” (i.e. finally figure out Microsoft Teams)
  • “Improve collaboration” (probably involves a lot of group emails)
  • “Mentor successors” (while reminding them he did Blue Beret before it was cool)

“Together, we’ll take small steps each day,” Dolnick said, which in CAP terms means huge organizational overhauls by August, pending committee approval.

The Man, The Myth, The Multi-Mission Machine

Dolnick’s past CAP roles include, but are not limited to:

  • California Wing commander of everything except catering
  • Cyber defense team leader (a.k.a. Chief Nerd General)
  • Ground team guru in both Colorado and California
  • Deputy Director of Safety (North Side only, because why not?)
  • Instructor, check pilot, search-and-rescue ninja, and possibly an honorary member of NASA

And for those keeping score, he is:

  • Master-rated in Command and Cadet Programs
  • Senior-rated in Emergency Services
  • Technician-rated in roughly every specialty track that has a binder
  • A Level 5 instructor, which is either prestigious or the final boss of Volunteer University

Other Credentials (Because He Has Those Too)

  • Has flown more planes than some airports
  • Has more uniforms than a surplus store
  • Participated in Blue Beret and Hawk Mountain, which is basically the CAP version of surviving both boot camp and a wilderness reality show

He also helped rewrite the Level 1 Professional Development Program, which means he’s partly responsible for that quiz you didn’t study for.

When He’s Not In Uniform (Wait, Is He Ever Not?)

Outside of CAP, Dolnick is a partner at PwC, advising Fortune 500 companies on tech operations while occasionally reminding them that he once flew a Cessna in a snowstorm without GPS. He’s been married for 23 years to Darcy, and their two kids are both Eagle Scouts and former CAP members — because of course they are.

In summary: Col. Brett Dolnick is set to take the reins of the Pacific Region with unmatched experience, boundless energy, and enough ratings to start his own CAP subregion. Expect innovation, cyber-readiness, and at least three new acronyms per quarter.

Buckle up, Pacific Region — your next commander runs on spreadsheets, flight plans, and ambition.

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