History of the Patch

	Minnesota Wing Encampment, 2010 12th Cadet Training Group - Camp Ripley ANGB, MN

A running theme of the Integrated Leadership Program (ILP) is the Upward Spiral. Cadets return to encampment each year, achieving higher and higher levels of development. The bottom and first arrow represents the encampment's basic students, and the beginning of their climb through the cadet program.

"Pride in Passion" is a theme that 12th CTG Commander, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Billy R Hoffman, is using to inspire cadets to always be passionate about the work they are doing. Red is the color of Passion. The four arrows in the ILP Upward Spiral signify the four phases within the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program. Yellow is the color of Excellence, and Gray is the color of Maturity.

The Minnesota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters is a joint Army and Air National Guard command headquartered in St Paul. JFHQ-MN provides personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics, and resource guidance and support to the Major Commands in the Minnesota National Guard. JFHQ-MN also coordinates military support at the request of the Governor in the event of a disaster and is capable of providing a joint command staff for federal military forces operating within the State of Minnesota.

The light blue and white shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) of the JFHQ-MN stands behind the ILP Upward Spiral, representing our gratitude of the Camp Ripley training facility staff, and the Minnesota National Guard's support of the Cadet Encampment and Civil Air Patrol.

The Yellow outline of the State of Minnesota, as well as the Blue background of the shield, reflect the colors of the Minnesota Wing shoulder patch, and Minnesota Wing's support of the Cadet Encampment.

The emblem of the 12th Cadet Training Group was designed in April 2010 by Major Andrew "Ace" Browning of Red Wing Composite Squadron, at the request of the 2010 Cadet Encampment Commander, Captain Nash Pherson of Mankato Composite Squadron. The design was approved on May 5 by Captain Pherson's staff, and Major Janelle Gates, Director of Cadet Programs. It was authorized as a wearable patch on May 18 by Colonel Thomas B Theis, Minnesota Wing Commander.