Carroll Cadet receives prestigious Eaker Award.

July 2016. Westminster, Md. Colonel John Knowles, Middle East Region Commander of the Civil Air Patrol presented cadet Lt. Col. Aaron Scanlan the General Ira C. Eaker Achievement Award at the Carroll Composite Squadron meeting on 12 July 2016. Maryland Wing Group II Commander, Major Don Ells and Group II Deputy Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Jarosinski, also participated in the award ceremony. The Civil Air Patrol cadet program offers numerous opportunities to cadet members. To fulfill its goal of developing young people into responsible citizens and aerospace leaders, the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is organized around four program elements, leadership, aerospace education, fitness and character. As cadets participate in these four elements, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way.

Scanlan has served as the squadron’s cadet commander since February 2014. Beforehand, he held several cadet leadership positions including as a member of the squadron's highly recognized and award winning honor guard. Known for his persistent drive for learning and desire to enhance his leadership skills, Scanlan complemented his squadron cadet leadership positions in several ways. He has participated in CAP national legislative day visiting Maryland legislators. He was the 2016 Chair for the Maryland Wing and Group II Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) and the Wing representative to the Middle East Region CAC. A graduate of the National Cadet Special Activities Cadet Officer School, Scanlan also earned a “blue beret” for his participation in the 2014 National Blue Beret Program.

Scanlan has attended several TriWing Encampments serving in various leadership positions. In 2016, he served as the TriWing Standards and Evaluation Officer-In-Charge. It was at this particular Tri Wing that he was presented with the Colonel Mary Feik Mentorship award for his commitment to excellence and determination in developing improved encampment program standards to achieve more efficient and productive goals. Scanlan also was recognized for his willingness to collaborate and affect a positive work attitude within a team structure. With a willingness to participate in various venues, his efforts are not limited to Maryland as in July 2016, he also participated as a flight commander at the Colorado Encampment.

As of July 12, 2016, Cadet Lt. Col. Scanlan turned age 21. On that day, he not only passed his cadet leadership position to incoming cadet commander cadet 1st Lt. Caleb Scanlan, his brother, he converted to the position of a senior officer with the rank of first lieutenant. He expressed his appreciation to CAP leaders and mentors who provided expert guidance and learning opportunities to him during his cadet career. He further indicated that he will continue to pursue excellence as a senior member and is looking forward to his future career as an CAP officer. Putting his words into action, also in July, he served at the Minnesota Wing Encampment as Hotel Flight training officer.

When asked about his tenure as a cadet commander, Scanlan replied, “Cadets learn by leading. My service as a cadet commander provided opportunities to apply skills and develop my leadership potential. As one of many cadet leaders, we help set cadet goals, coordinate activities and serve as peer mentors. What makes a perfect leader? A leader must be open to constantly learning and embracing change. Every day, every opportunity presents all leaders with new ideas and affects their outlook on leadership.”

He continued: “A true leader will tell you is that it is never about “Me.” It is always about the team. The position of cadet commander carries a weight of authority; however, it has nothing to do with using that power to serve yourself. It's quite the opposite, as the power is there to be used to serve others, to serve the team, to serve the squadron and ultimately to serve all the cadets who are the squadron.”

Only 2 percent of all Civil Air Patrol cadets will obtain the Eaker Award and the grade of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel. This award honors the late Air Force General Ira C. Eaker, aviation pioneer, career military officer, and one of the chief architects and visionaries of the U.S. Air Force. The General Ira C. Eaker Award denotes a cadet's successful completion of all of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program leadership, technical and physical achievements.

The Carroll Composite Squadron meets at 6:45 p.m. every Tuesday evening at the Hilltop Assembly of God Church Hall at 30 North Cranberry Road in Westminster, Maryland. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well. For more information, email carrollcomposite@yahoo.com or visit www.carrollcap.org. You can also follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capcarrollcomposite.

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with four finds. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,245 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at 4.6 million dollars. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.marylandwingcivilairpatrol.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWGCAP.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and 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 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

Article by: Capt Alice Raatjes, Public Affairs Officer, Group II, Maryland Wing with contributions from 2nd Lt Carol Scanlan, Public Affairs Officer, Carroll Composite Squadron. Photo credit, C/CMSgt Jonah Scanlan and Hannah Yerger and the MN Encampment Public Affairs staff.

Photo Descriptions:

Photo 1 – Eaker Award Presented to cadet Lt. Col. Aaron Scanlan (center) by Colonel John Knowles, Middle East Region Commander (R) and Major Don Ells, Commander, Group II, Maryland Wing

Photo 2 – Cadet Lt. Col. Aaron Scanlan, proudly displaying the Eaker Award and the Colonel Mary Feik Mentorship which he received.

Photo 3 – Senior Airman 1st Lt Aaron Scanlan, participating in the 2016 Minnesota Wing Encampment. This is his first activity as a senior member, and he is looking forward to sharing his experience back home in Maryland.