Cadet Captain Makenzie Waldon - Biography

Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. 9/1/2026

As the cadet commander of the Scott Composite Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Cadet Captain Makenzie Dawn Waldon oversees the cadet squadron, establishes objectives for the cadet corps, and guides the cadets toward mission success. This includes creating plans and processes to conduct the unit commander's policies.

Cadet Waldon mentors and guides cadets in the development of their leadership and character; coordinating with senior employees and acting as a point of contact between cadet cadre and senior members.

She accomplishes this by participating in leadership feedback meetings, recommending cadet personnel assignments and promotions, and helping the unit commander oversee adherence to Cadet Protection Program standards at all cadet activities. Leading by example; continuously exhibiting the Core Values both in and out of uniform; proactively identifying potential safety hazards and bringing them to the attention of leadership; and ensuring that cadets adhere to all safety regulations established for a particular activity.

Cadet Waldon is an Emergency Services Operator in Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief with specialized training as a certified ground team member, disaster assessment, radio operations, electronic direction finding, and training to leading ground teams and providing airfield flightline safety and security.

Cadet Waldon joined the Civil Air Patrol in November 2022 and has attended several encampments and national cadet special activities, to include, the National Emergency Services Academy Ground Search and Rescue School and Camp Atterbury, Indiana in 2024, and Medical Orientation and Training School, Nacogdoches, Texas as a student in 2025, and returned to serve as cadre in 2026.

Cadet Waldon has progressed through the cadet program, excelling as an honor award recipient for several achievements and served as the Squadron’s Cadet Flight Sergeant, Cadet Leadership Education NCO, Cadet First Sergeant, Flight Commander, then Cadet Deputy Commander for Operations until she was selected as the Cadet Commander on 27 May 2026.

Cadet Waldon has received several decorations and awards for her exemplary service, including four Achievement Awards, the Air Force Sergeant Association Award to Unit Cadet NCO of the Year in 2024 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Outstanding Cadet Officer of the Year Award in 2025. Cadet Waldon is in Phase IV of the cadet program after completing Phase III in March 2026 and receiving the Amelia Earhart Award, award number 22,640.

Cadet Waldon lives in East Carondelet, Illinois and attends Southwestern Illinois College, completing an associate’s degree in nursing, also enrolled in a Partnership Program with Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville for their Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Once she obtains her Registered Nursing accreditation specializing in pediatrics and emergency medicine, her long-term goal is to become a Certified Flight Registered Nurse.

Honorable mention to her older sister, Second Lieutenant Breanna Nicole Waldon, who joined alongside Makenzie, but aged out of the cadet program and transferred to senior member status in May 2026. Breanna also attends Southwestern Illinois College, completing an associate’s degree in physical therapy. Before turning 21, Breanna completed Phase II of the cadet program and received the Brig Gen Billy Mitchell Award, award number 79,841.