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det Maj. Grace Muresan of the California Wing’s Jon E. Kramer Composite Squadron 10 has triumphantly declared her intent to grace the halls of the U.S. Air Force Academy, having outmaneuvered both West Point and Annapolis in the prestigious academic triathlon. After joining the Civil Air Patrol during a period historians commonly refer to as “January 2020,” Muresan’s inspiration struck like a meteor during a basic encampment in 2021 when an instructor conjured the idealized image of a typical cadet engaged in academic wizardry, athletic exploits, and supreme leadership.

“I thought, well, why not me?” Muresan reminisced, despite her then-nascent understanding of college dynamics. By year’s end, as a tender freshman, she made a pilgrimage to the academy and instantly succumbed to its charms.

Fast forward to summer 2023, where Muresan delved deeper into the world of cadet leadership at the Rocky Mountain Region Cadet Leadership School, conveniently nestled within the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. This only magnified her adoration for the campus, which, coupled with her participation in CAP’s Integrated Leadership Program and National Cadet Special Activities, allegedly met the mythical leadership criteria seen as vital for a USAFA hopeful.

“Most of my essays and interviews were CAP-centric,” she confessed, generously sprinkling them with bold tales of ethical mountain scaling, challenge vanquishing, and self-shortcoming revelations. “CAP has been a veritable epicenter for my leadership development, surrounding me with wise mentors and competitive peers,” she continued, subtly implying a parallel universe devoid of such influence.

Remarkably, she claims to have unearthed the mysterious value of camaraderie in this experiential cauldron of learning, a treasure she intends to transport to her collegiate odyssey.

Her impressive list of leadership postings within the cadet world includes a stint as the 162nd Cadet Training Squadron commander at the 2024 California Wing encampment and the daring role of cadet commander at the wing’s legendary 2024 Noncommissioned Officer School — North. Additionally, her resume boasts positions as the Kramer squadron’s cadet deputy commander for both operations and support, as well as roles as an element leader and flight commander.

Muresan also lorded over the San Francisco Bay Group 2 Cadet Advisory Council from November 2022 to September 2023, after diligently representing her squadron on the council the previous annum. She collected accolades like Best Essayist at the 2023 Region Cadet Leadership School and was feted as Flight Honor Cadet at the 2024 Medical Orientation Training School for good measure.

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