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Community Corner

Carroll Cadet Receives Prestigious Billy Mitchell Award.

March 2014. Westminster, Md. – Cadet Chief Master Sergeant, Aaron Scanlan, was promoted to Cadet Second Lieutenant and received the General Billy Mitchell Award during the March 2014 Open House hosted by the Carroll Composite Squadron. Lieutenant Colonel Frank Jarosinski, accompanied by Carroll County Commissioner, Mr. Haven Shoemaker, presented the award and congratulated Scanlan while his parents proudly looked on with squadron members and guests attending the open house.

Scanlan has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol for two years. In 2013, Scanlan served as part of the award winning CAP Maryland Wing and Middle East Region color guard. “There were many facets to competing as a color guard team member. These included: leadership, aerospace knowledge, physical fitness, drill, uniform protocol and ability to execute ceremonial flag displays. Acquiring knowledge to lead, teach, drill and inspect and negotiate with others was amplified by my experience in the Carroll color guard team. Looking back, everything that I have learned through my participation in CAP has contributed to who I am,” Scanlan proudly stated.

Among his squadron duties, Scanlan currently serves as the “Tango” flight commander training new cadets. In this position, he has the opportunity to instill a sense of pride and self achievement in new cadets. “Personally, being able to teach new cadets about CAP is the best job. I love the program and by teaching others about it not only makes me a better instructor and leader, my students get an insight as to how awesome it is to be a CAP cadet!” says Scanlan who also serves as part of the squadron’s cadet public affairs support team.

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C/2d Lt Scanlan is one of three brothers serving as cadets in the Carroll squadron who are committed to service before self and commitment to excellence in character and professional development. A homeschooled student, Scanlan is currently attending the Carroll Community College and expects to transfer to University of Maryland, University College to obtain a degree in cyber security and computer engineering. His goal is to work in government in support of homeland security.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is divided into 16 segments or achievements, involving study and performance in five program areas: aerospace education, leadership, special activities, physical fitness, and moral and ethical values. Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet earns increased responsibility, decorations, awards, eligibility to apply for national special activities, and opportunities for both flight and academic scholarships. Once a cadet earns the General Billy Mitchell Award, he or she is promoted to the grade of C/2d Lt. Any cadet who has received this award, and who later enters CAP’s Senior Member program, is eligible for immediate promotion to CAP 2d Lt at age 21. Cadets who receive the General Billy Mitchell Award are also eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enter the US Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in AFROTC, various CAP scholarships and CAP special activity opportunities.

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Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 60,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 71 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 72 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

Nearly 1,700 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with five finds and one life saved. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,106 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For more information contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org or follow the wing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol.

The Carroll Composite Squadron meets 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings at the Hilltop Assembly of God Church Hall at 30 North Cranberry Road in Westminster, Md. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well. For more information, email carrollcomposite@yahoo.com or visit www.carrollcap.org. You can also follow the Squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capcarrollcomposite.


by 1st Lt Alice Raatjes, Public Affairs Officer, Carroll Composite Squadron. www.carrollcap.org Photo credit Carroll Composite Squadron

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