Last week, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Utica Cadet Squadron’s Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Bethany Roczen was recognized for receiving the General Billy Mitchell Award. This event brought with it a promotion to cadet second lieutenant and opportunities for further leadership challenges and greater responsibility. Air Force Captain Gerritt Schutt of the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) and her brother Airman First Class Nate Roczen of the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, also a former cadet and Mitchell award recipient, assisted in the “pinning” of her second lieutenant insignia.
The award is the second in a series of milestone achievements and is named after the late Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. He was a staunch proponent of the use of air power during the early days of aviation and advocate for an independent Air Force. Its achievement denotes excellence in the cadet program and is accomplished through practical study and application of leadership fundamentals and aerospace education.
This achievement also has benefits outside of CAP. Cadets enlisting into military service are awarded the grade of E-3 (versus E-1). That translates to increased responsibility and more money. Those interested in entering military service via college ROTC are afforded advanced credit in that program.
We wish Cadet Roczen congratulations and continued success in the cadet program as she works to become one of tomorrow’s leaders.
”Blue Skies!”
If you are interested in becoming involved with the Civil Air Patrol then go to www.utica162.org or www.cap.gov to get more information on the cadet program or to volunteer.
