This morning, as I rolled into work, I saw an interesting email. As soon as I opened it, I felt like things couldn't get any better. Back in December, as a new Squadron Commander I struggled through a Cadet OTY Award submission with much prodding from the Group Chief of Staff. The cadet went on to be selected at Group, Wing, and eventually Region. Not bad for a first ever write up, that I wasn't sure about (in terms of quality, the material and subject certainly met the criteria). Then today I finally got the news - the cadet was selected for the National C/OTY Award.
I managed to congratulate him after the Wing Commander via phonecall, and he thanked me and the other staff for "doing the work" on the nomination. I told him he did all the work, we just did our job in recognizing it.
But it's bittersweet. In less than two weeks, this cadet, along with another squadron mate will be going off to the Air Force Academy. He probably won't get the chance to be recognized at the national level in September, as he'll be busy with AFA coursework. A great loss to CAP, but also a great gain for the USAF, and our nation.
THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!
Bravo zulu! Attitude reflects leadership. Great compliment to your unit!
Congrats to your cadet! And good luck to him at the Academy.
Congrats all the way around, he's an awesome cadet and a fine young man a privilege to work with
and an asset whereever life takes him
Wish we could clone him before he leaves...
Quote from: Eclipse on June 14, 2017, 05:00:05 PM
Congrats all the way around, he's an awesome cadet and a fine young man a privilege to work with
and an asset whereever life takes him
Wish we could clone him before he leaves...
I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that by the time the diamonds (heh) in the rough appear, they are almost ready to launch onto bigger and better things.
Quote from: Майор Хаткевич on June 14, 2017, 05:24:49 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on June 14, 2017, 05:00:05 PM
Congrats all the way around, he's an awesome cadet and a fine young man a privilege to work with
and an asset whereever life takes him
Wish we could clone him before he leaves...
I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that by the time the diamonds (heh) in the rough appear, they are almost ready to launch onto bigger and better things.
My unit has been able to benefit from our trip diamond. Got some good time out of it as a cadet now he's turned to the dark side and is still an amazing person to work with and help mentor the cadets.
Quote from: Angus on June 14, 2017, 08:06:33 PM
Quote from: Майор Хаткевич on June 14, 2017, 05:24:49 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on June 14, 2017, 05:00:05 PM
Congrats all the way around, he's an awesome cadet and a fine young man a privilege to work with
and an asset whereever life takes him
Wish we could clone him before he leaves...
I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that by the time the diamonds (heh) in the rough appear, they are almost ready to launch onto bigger and better things.
My unit has been able to benefit from our trip diamond. Got some good time out of it as a cadet now he's turned to the dark side and is still an amazing person to work with and help mentor the cadets.
As a former cadet, I really appreciate those that came back into the fold. My CDC is a former cadet of my vintage, and really saved my rear upon my "elevation" from that position. I've got one more from what I'd call 2 generations later that has reupped, but is focusing on flight training currently, and isn't quite engaged yet.