Military Salute: CAP cadet Ashten Byrne

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Ashten Byrne earns a WTOC Military Salute.

By Jaime Dailey - bio | email

PORT ROYAL, SC (WTOC) - A Port Royal teenager is making a real name for herself as she's working to fulfill her dreams of serving in the military.

Ashten Byrne may be just 17-years-old, but this rising high school senior is doing big things in the Civil Air Patrol, the Auxiliary to the United States Air Force.

"I heard about this program and I also learned to fly and search and rescue, figured it was for me and the leadership experience I've gotten and the cadets I've met are unbelievable," said Byrne.

As a cadet, she's putting those leadership skills to the test.

"We do drill, we get a taste of Air Force life, military officer life," said Byrne. "I love the leadership there. We learn a lot about being a leader in the military."

Something she dreams of becoming one day as a helicopter pilot.

"I have a couple of grandfathers and uncles in the Air Force," she said. "When my dad was a Marine, I'd tag along with him to the Marine bases and I was just automatically drawn to it."

Not only was she drawn to it, but she knew she wanted to serve our country, especially after 9/11.

"September 11th solidified my dream to be an officer or join the military," Byrne said. "It was a tragic day, it angered and saddened me and I wanted to do something. I wanted to give back. I've always wanted to join the military but after September 11th, I knew it was something I had to do."

And through this program, she's making her dreams happen. Just recently she was recognized as the South Carolina Air Force Associations's Cadet of the Year. She was also the first CAP Cadet to receive the Military of the Purple Heart Leadership Award.

"It's a huge honor," said Byrne. "Its's definitely my CAP cadets that taught me something about leadership. My senior members taught me a lot about being an officer in the military. The friend's I've met in the South Carolina Wing have given me a lot of support."

"She can work with a cadet and truly accomplish things they didn't realize they could accomplish, military discipline, customs, courteousness, particularly drill and march," said Civil Air Patrol Cadet Commander Nick Davidson. "She's excellent at it and instilling a sense of leadership into others."

That's why we at WTOC salute Ashten Byrne.