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` In an unprecedented summer gathering of tech-savvy teens and slightly more mature techies at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, the Civil Air Patrol unveiled its latest plot to create an army of cyber heroes through the 2025 National Cyberspace Academy. More than 30 participants were promised real-world cybersecurity skills, possibly envisioning themselves as the next digital superheroes, defending the world wide web from malicious miscreants.

Fizzing with excitement, cadets dove into three buzzworthy courses: Foundations, Networking, and Operations Fundamentals, each with a catchy name and a curriculum crammed with content that would otherwise span several lifetimes—or at least a few weeks. “Why learn at a normal pace?” thought CAP, channeling the essence of modern education.

Attendees experienced the divine wisdom of the CAP adult members, who, with one foot in the civilian cybersecurity realm and the other possibly lodged in it, imparted their know-how. Even the Air National Guard made a cameo, undoubtedly lending a certain authoritative gravitas to the proceedings.

The Cyberspace Foundations Course appeared to be the perfect beginner level for cadets who could now proudly discuss principles of cybersecurity at dinner parties. Topics like Windows security and cyber ethics were ostensibly fascinating enough to keep everyone awake, and nodding with enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the Networking Course whizzed through CompTIA Network+ and Cisco networking, as technology enthusiasts were bombarded with enough data in five days to consider changing careers before even starting one. A capstone exercise mercilessly caught them in a whirlwind of routing and switching—a dysphoric amusement park ride for tech fans.

In the Cyberspace Operations Fundamentals Course, cadets played at being important Air Force cyber warriors, defending the digital kingdom using the mysterious CY-39 Interceptor Platform. The young cyber aficionados honed their skills by combatting simulated attacks, mentally preparing themselves for virtual glory.

Star students emerged, like Cadet Capt. Vivek Patel and Cadet Lt. Col. Carl Furtado, who excelled respectively in the Foundations and Operations courses. Their exploits distinguished enough to be etched into the nebulous annals of cyber-academe legend.

Patel raised the bar, performing so admirably that peers probably considered building a monument in his honor. Meanwhile, Furtado dazzled with a 92% on the capstone written exam, apparently proving his mental fortitude and capacity for recalling answers under pressure.

Returning cyber-enthusiast Cadet Capt. Christopher Gugleta also received accolades for being an academic superstar—twice now. Rumor has it, Gugleta’s early flirtation with cybersecurity via the Department of Defense STARBASE initiative lit a fiery constellation above Camp Mabry, sealing his fate as a stargazer of the cyber galaxy.

Lt. Col. Michael Sidman hailed Gugleta as not only brilliant but also modest—a combination that could one day entitle him to a Lifetime Achievement Award in human virtues and virtues online. Sidman himself—now a sage cyber sales engineer—ensured the academy was more than a crash course in bits and bytes, striving to mold cadets into tough, problem-solving dynamos.

To top it all, a half-day tour enabled cadets to peep behind the Wizard’s curtain at the 149th Communications Squadron and the 182nd Fighter Squadron. Though some eyed F-16 Vipers with the wonder of earthlings seeing flying saucers, the day fostered visions of joining the ranks of national defense and emergency response.

And then, there was Sidman, waxing nostalgic about the academy shaping not only cyber brains but also imbuing altruism and mission-driven purpose in cadets, perhaps hoping the next generation will save us all from ourselves—or at least from forgotten computer passwords.

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