CAP Cadet Receives Gen. Billy Mitchell Award
February 6, 2020
Pictured above, from left to right, are C/2d LT Zander Sprouse receives the Mitchell Award from Group V Commander, Major Greg Lewis.
Recently, Cadet 2d LT Zander Sprouse, of the Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron, was presented with his Civil Air Patrol (CAP) General Billy Mitchell Award by Major Greg Lewis, Group V Commander, at the Branson Airport. Zander is the son of Janeyce and Michael Sprouse of Blue Eye, MO.
Cadet Sprouse earned the Squadron Cadet of the Year Award in 2019 and the VFW NCO of the Year Award. He is a Ground Team Search and Rescue member and has participated in many squadron activities including color guard, Wreaths Across America and CyberPatriot. He has participated in cadet competition and has assisted with Aerospace classes at external Aerospace Education programs with Hollister Schools, Forsyth Schools and the Boys and Girls Club. Cadet Sprouse has attended and staffed the Missouri Wing Encampment at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and the Model Aircraft Remote Control National Cadet Special Activity in Osh Kosh, WI, where he earned his RC solo wings. He has also completed powered and glider orientation flights and hopes to earn his Private Pilot Certificate.
The General Billy Mitchell Award has existed since 1964. This award honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer, advocate and staunch supporter of an independent air force for America. This milestone achievement is earned after completing the first eight achievements of the cadet program and gives the cadet the rank of 2d LT. In addition to the achievements, the cadet must pass comprehensive exams on aerospace and leadership, in addition to a physical fitness test. Less than 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets earn this award. Mitchell recipients are eligible to enter the United States Air Force at the rank of E-3.
The Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron meets on Thursday nights at 6:30 at the Branson Airport departures area. Youth can start the cadet program at age twelve. For more information about Civil Air Patrol, see www.gocivilairpatrol.com.
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of Cessna aircraft, performs about 90 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 80 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.
Cadet Sprouse earned the Squadron Cadet of the Year Award in 2019 and the VFW NCO of the Year Award. He is a Ground Team Search and Rescue member and has participated in many squadron activities including color guard, Wreaths Across America and CyberPatriot. He has participated in cadet competition and has assisted with Aerospace classes at external Aerospace Education programs with Hollister Schools, Forsyth Schools and the Boys and Girls Club. Cadet Sprouse has attended and staffed the Missouri Wing Encampment at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and the Model Aircraft Remote Control National Cadet Special Activity in Osh Kosh, WI, where he earned his RC solo wings. He has also completed powered and glider orientation flights and hopes to earn his Private Pilot Certificate.
The General Billy Mitchell Award has existed since 1964. This award honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer, advocate and staunch supporter of an independent air force for America. This milestone achievement is earned after completing the first eight achievements of the cadet program and gives the cadet the rank of 2d LT. In addition to the achievements, the cadet must pass comprehensive exams on aerospace and leadership, in addition to a physical fitness test. Less than 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets earn this award. Mitchell recipients are eligible to enter the United States Air Force at the rank of E-3.
The Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron meets on Thursday nights at 6:30 at the Branson Airport departures area. Youth can start the cadet program at age twelve. For more information about Civil Air Patrol, see www.gocivilairpatrol.com.
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of Cessna aircraft, performs about 90 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 80 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.