On February 28, 2019, Squadron 304 was honored to present the promotion of eight cadets. These included:
Cadet Airman
Cadets Johnson, Jorgenson, Ortega, Penrod, and Sagoo were promoted to C/Amn. With this promotion they have gone from Airman Basic to full Airman and are now eligible to receive their Air Force-style blues uniform.
This promotion is named in honor of Maj Gen John F. Curry, who served as Civil Air Patrol’s first National Commander. To earn this achievement cadets were challenged to pass a test on the contents of Learn To Lead (chapter 1), pass a physical fitness test, and participate in character development classes. By being selected for this achievement the cadet staff has acknowledged that the cadets are meeting leadership expectations such as displaying a positive attitude and adhering to the Core Values.
In Arizona Wing about half of all cadets are Cadet Airman Basic or Cadet Airman.
Cadet Technical Sergeant
Cadet Gaccione was promoted to the rank of C/TSgt. This promotion is named in honor of Capt Eddie Rickenbacker, the first “Ace of Aces” who earned nearly every decoration available to him during his time in WWII.
By earning this achievement Cadet Gaccione has completed the first step of Phase II of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, the end of which sees cadets becoming cadet officers.
In Arizona Wing about 22% of cadets are one of the Cadet Sergeant ranks.
Cadet Master Sergeant
Cadet White was promoted to the rank of C/MSgt. This promotion is named in honor of Charles Lindbergh, the first person to fly solo, non-stop, across the Atlantic Ocean. This achievement is the second of six in Phase II of the Cadet Program. With this promotion Cadet White is now eligible to prepare to earn the rank of Cadet Senior Master Sergeant.
Cadet Major
Cadet Jacob Kottraba was promoted to the rank of C/Maj, which is also called the Operations Officer Achievement. This achievement is the third of six in the Executive Phase of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.
To earn this achievement cadets who have previously earned the Earhart Award must continue to display leadership in their squadron and in Civil Air Patrol and in their communities. Cadets in this phase of their CAP career are preparing for their next milestone promotion, which is the Eaker Award and the rank of Cadet Lt Colonel, an honor which is achieved by fewer than 2% of CAP cadets.
In Arizona Wing there are currently four cadets that have earned the rank of Cadet Major, which is less than 1% of the total cadet corps.