2d Lt. Ethan King
photo by 2d Lt. Jennifer Breedlove
Perfectly pressed Air Force Blues, mirror shined shoes, Character Development Instruction, drill tests and the reciting of the Cadet Oath are just some things that you can look forward to seeing on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Chattanooga Cadet Squadron.
Promotions night is a regular event and all the cadets proudly display all their ribbons they have worked so hard to achieve. With hours of study in Aerospace Education, Character Development, physical fitness, Learn to Lead Modules, as well as the many cadets who also take on Emergency Services Training, they work through the challenges to pass tests and achievements that grant them their next grade.
On Tuesday the squadron promoted three cadets who rose to their own set of challenges.
C/A1C Maximo Gonzales, C/T Sgt. Sophia Willet, and C/2nd Lt. Ethan King, who is the fourth cadet to receive the Billy Mitchell Award in the Squadron this year. Deputy Commander 1st Lt. Zach Breedlove, who led the promotion ceremony, said The Billy Mitchell Award is an impressive achievement by itself. "It is the award that makes the cadets a Cadet Office. They wear the epaulets on their shoulders that show they have the rights of being called Sir/Ma’am and being saluted. However, Cadet King deserves recognition because he passed his Aerospace Test on his first try. That is something that we rarely see. C/2d Lt King is now in the 15 percent of cadets who have reached this achievement. If he joins the Air Force, he will now be able to enter as an E3 in pay grade," he said.
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives and shaping futures. Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
The Chattanooga Cadet Squadron is committed to serving Cadets ages 12-21 and helping them to grow and excel in the Core Values; Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect. They meet on Tuesday nights from 6:30-9 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 8451 East Brainerd Road in Chattanooga. You can visit Facebook or their website to see what they are up to. Adults looking to volunteer are always welcome as well. Their meetings are always open to the public.