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CADET ACTIVITIES  >  AMELIA EARHART AWARD

cadetsTitle: SWR-TX-007, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Lackland Cadet Squadron.
The Lackland Cadet Squadron, CAP Cadets Visited KENS 5 Television Station in San Antonio, Texas.
On 7 Dec 09, District 6 Councilman Raynaldo (Ray) T. Lopez, presented the Amelia Earhart Award to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet/Capt Kristopher Kerr, the Lackland Cadet Commander, (Amelia Earhart Award #14688) and Cadet/Capt Taylor Moellendorf, (Amelia Earhart Award #14703). Councilman.Lopez was a cadet in this squadron when the Lackland Cadet Squadron was the San Antonio Composite Squadron several years back. He told the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets that he could tell the maturity of the cadets in CAP and to keep up the good work. The Earhart Award honors the late Amelia Earhart, a pioneer who set many records for women pilots in aviation’s infancy and is one of the nation’s premier female aviation pioneers. Nationally, only 5 percent of CAP cadets earn the Earhart Award. With this award, both cadets received a promotion to the grade of Cadet Captain.
Earhart cake
After the Earhart Award ceremony, several other squadron members received promotions and awards. Cadet Schultz was promoted to C/Airman. Cadet Martinez to C/Airman, Cadet Ramirez to C/Airman, Cadet Mijares to C/AIC, Cadet Rogers to C/SrA, Cadet Vasquez to C/SrA, Cadet Turner to C/SrA, and Cadet Richardson to C/TSgt. Cadet Richardson was also presented with the recruiting ribbon and community service ribbon.

Cadet/Cap Kerr and Cadet/Capt Moellendorf recently completed the 11th achievement (Phase 3-the Command Phase), out of the 16 achievement program. The next phase, Phase 4-The Executive Phase, will bring many challenges for both. Both Cadet Kerr and Moellendorf attended and graduated from the Wing-Level Cadet Training Education Program (CTEP) Cadet Command Staff College (CCSC), the fifth Wing-Level CTEP Professional Military Education (PME), at Camp Mabry, Austin Texas, held on 2-4 Oct 09.
 

 
Earhart Award
C/Capt Kristopher Kerr is currently in 11th grade at John Paul Steven’s High School, San Antonio Texas. On 17 Nov 09, he was recently was inducted in the school’s National Honor Society. He currently plays on the 2009/2010 School Varsity Soccer team. During 2008/2009 he was moved up to the 2008/2009 District Champions varsity soccer team during playoffs and played in the first game. He is an active member of the Church Youth Group at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Lackland AFB TX, and a member of the Allison Legacy Race Car series, CompCar of NC Inc. He volunteers for both school and community events through the year. Recently, on 12 Dec 09, he helped lay close to 900 wreaths during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, to honor the fallen veterans and others laying at rest. Cadet Kerr has a very busy schedule ahead of him. During off season, Cadet/Capt Kerr is also getting his race car ready for the 12 races scheduled, for the Mar-Sep 2010 racing season. He is currently working on college plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), to earn a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering and to join the UTSA Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Detachment 842. Cadet Kerr’s career goal is to get a commission and served in the US Air force as a military officer. He wants to be able to give back to his country. He is also looking into applying to be a member of the staff during the 2010 Summer Encampment at Big Sandy, Texas and applying for IACE.
Earhart Award
C/Capt Taylor Moellendorf is currently in 11th grade as a home schooler. He is taking dual-credit college classes at Northwest Vista College. On 18-25 July 09, he attended and graduated from the Texas Wing Cadet Glider Powered Flight Academy, at Alert Academy (near Tyler, Texas). He had the opportunity to learn to fly a glider. The gliders are non-motorized. They take off, towed by a regular small plane, and once they reach a certain altitude, the glider is cut loose. He volunteers for both school and community events through the year. Cadet Moellendorf plans to go to college after graduation.

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was originally conceived during WWII by civilian aviators. The Cadet Program was established both to meet the need for pilots and to provide the resources necessary to train them. Today, as a volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol’s mission is three-fold: to meet civil emergencies, to encourage aerospace education of the general public, and to motivate young men and women to ideals of leadership and service through aerospace through aerospace education and training.
cadets Earhart Award
The structured program is divided into 16 consecutive achievements, and 4 phases (Phase 1-the Learning Phase, Phase 2-the Leadership Phase, Phase 3-the Command Phase, and Phase 4-the Executive Phase), each involving study and performance in the primary program areas. Upon completion of each achievement, the cadets earns increased responsibility, decorations, awards, eligibility for national and international special activities, and opportunities for both flight and academic scholarships. After completing each of the five advanced milestone awards the cadet can earn increased grade and can advance to higher positions of leadership in their local squadron.

It may sound as though the CAP Cadet Program is all work and no play. While it is true that the cadets put in a lot of hard work, they also have a lot of fun. Cadets learn model rocketry, take field trips, and go on weekend encampments, Cadets may fly aboard military aircraft as part of the flight orientation program. They may also attend professional military schools and week-long encampment during the summer and winter, learning such skills as ground search and rescue. CAP membership gives cadets an edge in pursuing future career goals. Civil Air Patrol Cadets who choose to serve in the military or attend a service academy after high school have an advantage over their peers. Currently, those cadets who enlist in the Air Force may join as Airmen First Class (E-3), rather than Airmen Basic (E-1). For those who hope to attend one of the service academies, it is significant that 8 to 10 percent of the US Air Force Academy class is typically made up of former CAP Cadets.

If you are interested in joining the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Lackland Cadet Squadron, in San Antonio TX, as a Cadet or Senior Member, please email or call the Lackland Cadet Commander, C/Capt Kris Kerr at (210) 367-7291 or email kriskerr@satx.rr.com for more information.