Capt. Jud Ergle, Louisiana Wing

Capt. Jud Ergle credits his CAP success as a Director of Aerospace Education for Louisiana Wing and a squadron commander in CAP to the partnership in CAP volunteer service that he has with his wife, Capt. Jo Lynn Ergle.

August 12, 2024

Meet Capt. Jud Ergle, Director of Aerospace Education (DAE) for Louisiana Wing and commander of the Alvin Callender Composite Squadron in New Orleans. He became a CAP member in 2018, and he and his wife, Capt. Jo Lynn Ergle, have worked together in the organization. It was his father who inspired an interest in aerospace. "My father was in the US Air Force and was an engineer working on the space race in the 1960s," he says. "His love for aerospace became a father and son hobby that gave me the desire to learn about aerospace."

Capt. Ergle was in attendance at the 2024 National Aerospace Education Officers School this past June and highly recommends the course. The school was held in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where many key space exploration events in the 1960s and beyond have occurred.

Also, this summer, he has been named the latest recipient of the National Frank G. Brewer Award for Aerospace Education, Senior Member Category. He will receive the award at CAP's National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, later this month.

When asked about his best experiences in CAP, Capt. Ergle mentions the cadets with whom he has worked. "The best experience in CAP is seeing the smile on a cadet’s face when we pin a new grade on them or when they get back from their first orientation flight. Also, when a cadet gets accepted into a National Cadet Special Activity or starts flight training -- that is my best CAP experience, and it happens over and over." 

Outside of CAP, he has had a 21-year career with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after being inspired to join that organization after the events of 9-11.

What keeps him in the aerospace education mission is seeing the benefits that AE gives to cadets. "... When I see a cadet get interested in aerospace and plan to have an aerospace career, it makes me very happy," he says. We asked him some questions on his CAP career and life outside CAP, and his answers follow.

What are your current duty positions with Civil Air Patrol?

I am the Louisiana Wing Director of Aerospace Education (DAE) and also the Squadron Commander for the Alvin Callender Composite Squadron in New Orleans.

How did you get involved in Civil Air Patrol?

In 2018, I was completing some research online, and the United States Air Force Auxiliary popped up. I clicked on it and read through the website and was sold. 

How many years have you been in Civil Air Patrol? Tell us about your CAP career path that led to your current role.

Capt. Ergle takes a mission scanner flight with Maj. Malay Ghose-Hajra.

I’ve been in CAP for six years. I joined a squadron that was rebuilding, and we realized that Aerospace Education needed attention. Four members attended the National Aerospace Education Officer (AEO) School at Pensacola Naval Air Station. I have been to every National AEO School since, and Aerospace is the place I want to serve in Civil Air Patrol. A couple of years ago, the DAE position became available, and I decided to give it a try. Now, I know I am where I should be.

Please tell us about your aerospace education background and interest and include any awards and recognition you have received that you would like to mention.

My father was in the US Air Force and was an engineer working on the space race in the 1960s. His love for aerospace became a father and son hobby that gave me the desire to learn about aerospace. I have taken a lot of training through NASA's teacher education program and through NASA STEM, and I work hard to gain as much knowledge as possible to be better in my position as DAE.

Awards and Recognition:

• The National Frank Brewer Award, Senior Member Category, 2024

• Regional Commander's Commendation, 2023

• Louisiana Wing Senior member of the Year, 2022

• An exceptional Service Ribbon for work in Aerospace Education

Tell us about your career outside of Civil Air Patrol.  How long have you been in this field and why did you choose it?

After 9-11, I decided to join the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and serve as a Transportation Security Manager (TSM) and have been with the agency for 21 years. I really enjoy being a part of an outstanding counterintelligence agency and making sure all Americans have the freedom to travel safely.

Within CAP, why do you work in the Aerospace Education mission area? Why do you encourage youth through Aerospace Education?

We have so many youth in Louisiana that could achieve more, and when I see a cadet get interested in aerospace and plan to have an aerospace career, it makes me very happy. The CAP STEM program is the best program for youth, and the cadets learn so much while having fun. I get so excited when a parent tells me that their cadet’s grades are getting better and their cadet now has an interest in math and science.

 What is the best CAP experience you have had since joining the organization?

The best experience in CAP is seeing the smile on a cadet’s face when we pin a new grade on them or when they get back from their first orientation flight. Also, when a cadet gets accepted into a National Cadet Special Activity or starts flight training -- that is my best CAP experience, and it happens over and over. 

If you have not covered it, tell us about any Civil Air Patrol aerospace education programs you use internally and externally.

In Louisiana, we work hard to ensure our AEMs get their Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flight, and we offer educational opportunities throughout the year to help educators learn to teach STEM better. The Louisiana Wing has gotten so many collaboration opportunities through our AEM program, and I found out that if you take care of your AEMs, they are the best advertisement for CAP. We have seen a few join as senior members, and they really help recruit cadets. Another program, the STEM kit program, brings a great educational tool to the squadrons that the cadets are not getting in school in many cases.

Please tell us about your experience at AEO School. Why did you attend? Would you recommend AEO School to others who have not attended? 

I have attended every National AEO School since 2019, and each year I learn more and get great ideas to bring back to the squadron and wing. I recommend that every AEO should attend the National AEO School. You can’t get this knowledge anywhere else. I have made many great friends and have learned so much just talking to other AEOs. This is a must for all AEOs!

What is the best advice you have for a new AE Officer working with cadets?

A new AEO should work hard to learn the programs and use your network to provide good aerospace experiences for your cadets. There are pilots, engineers and many people in STEM professions that are senior members that would love to speak to your squadron; so use them to bring AE alive in your squadron. Order STEM kits and use them as the STEM kits CAP offers are very fun and educational for the cadets. Collaborate with other AEOs to get great ideas and attend a National AEO School. 

What is the best advice you have for recruiting AEMs?

Recruiting AEMs is easy, and many turn into senior members. This is one of the best programs in education and you just need to learn about the program and tell educators, librarians and any youth group who teaches STEM about it. Provide them classroom speakers, help them in any way you can and make sure they get their TOP flights, and they will recruit for you. 

Please tell an anecdote of a rewarding experience working with cadets and/or students or teachers:

Once, in my squadron we were doing a STEM project and the engineer who was doing the project with the cadets was sick on aerospace night. I knew we needed the engineer to do the project with them, but I tried to step in, and the cadets were able to complete the project without assistance. I asked them where they obtained the math and engineering skills to complete the project. They said they learned the skills in the squadron doing AE projects and using STEM kits. I didn’t realize how much cadets learn by doing STEM, but I know now. The cadets amaze me over and over, and what they are learning in CAP is changing their lives.

My success in Civil Air Patrol as a Squadron Commander and DAE is because my wife and I are partners in everything we do. She, Capt. Jo Lynn Ergle, has attended all the National AEO Schools with me and even though she won’t except an “official title” on the Louisiana Wing Aerospace Education Staff, she has worked so hard to support the Louisiana Wing Aerospace Education Mission and is a big reason why we are having the success we are having. She serves as the Wing Education and Training Officer and as a Wing Assistant Emergency Services Training  Officer and has many positions in the squadron. We have had so much fun working together to make our wing and squadron successful in all we do.  

Is there anything else that we didn’t ask that you’d like to add for this spotlight on an AE Officer? We want to tell your story.

In 2018 when we were trying to rebuild the Alvin Callender Composite Squadron, I was wondering why we were working so hard and then I saw how the cadets were growing and achieving success. Then I realized the importance of the Civil Air Patrol, and that is why my wife and I believe so much in CAP and are willing to work hard to ensure success. We didn't know much about CAP when we started but have worked hard and now CAP is our life's work. The only thing you need to be successful in CAP is a servant’s heart and a great work ethic. 

Capt. Ergle says the most rewarding aspect of his CAP work is seeing the success of cadets.

Lt. Col. Floyd Miles Jr., Capt. Scottie Burge and Capt. Ergle work at the Joint Base New Orleans Air Show.

Col. Martha Morris, Southwest Region Commander, presents an award to Capt. Ergle at the Louisiana Wing Conference.