2d Lt Marc Stanley, Palwaukee Squadron, CAP
Cadet Chief Hannah Gottschalk received the General Billy Mitchell Award and was also promoted to C/2d Lt at the August 19th meeting. Presenting the award was Great Lakes Region Vice-Commander, Col. Robert Karton, joined by Group 22 Commander, Maj. Robert Williams, and Squadron Commander Captain Scott Murphy.
C/2d Lt Gottschalk joined the Palwaukee Squadron shortly after it became a Composite unit in 2006 and is the first cadet in recent years to begin her CAP career here and then subsequently earn the Mitchell Award. Both of the other Mitchell awardees in the unit transferred here from other squadrons.
Maj. Robert Williams stated: "I view this as the culmination of the efforts of a lot of people who worked hard to bring back a robust cadet program here at Palwaukee. We didn't want them to just show up for meetings, we wanted them active and fully engaged in everything CAP has to offer. I put the goal on the table, but Maj. Dempsey and others executed on my ideas and made them their own. Cadet Gottschalk's achievement is proof that the program here is fully functional and I expect to be handing out a lot more of these in the near future."
The Mitchell Award is given after completion of the first eight structured segments of the CAP cadet program. In addition, a cadet must also pass an examination covering leadership theory and aerospace topics. Cadets who receive the Mitchell Award are eligible for advanced placement in the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enlist in the US Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in the Air Force ROTC program. Mitchell Award cadets may also apply for a variety of scholarships and CAP special activities.
C/2d Lt Gottschalk is a student at Prospect High School in Arlington Heights, IL. "She will be a great cadet leader in Palwaukee Composite Squadron" says Maj. Robert Dempsey who supervises the Squadron's cadet program.
