Washington WINg awards
1. It is that time again for any member of Washington Wing to submit nominations for the various awards that will be presented at the 2010 Spring Conference.
2. A number of the awards are selected by the board through input from specific wing staff members. These include: Outstanding Squadron, Unit Commander of the Year, Public Affairs, Squadron Chaplain, Squadron Moral Leadership Officer, Squadron Safety Officer, Logistics Officer, Cadet Programs Officer, Wing Staff Member, Communications Award, Cadet Communicator of the Year, Emergency Services Incident Staff Member, Ground Team Leader of the Year, Ground Team of the Year, Observer of the Year, Counterdrug Officer of the Year and Historian. Anyone wishing to submit nominations on these awards may do so.
3. Many of the awards are selected by the Wing Awards Committee, from nominations submitted by any member, commander, or staff member. These awards include: Senior Member of the Year – Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Senior Member of the Year, Inspirational Award, Cadet of the Year, Cadet Commander of the Year, Cadet NCO, Aviator of the Year, Air Force Association Cadet Award, and the five Aerospace Awards (Cadet , Senior, Individual/Organization, Officer and Teacher). Others awards may be announced.
4. Submit a CAP Form 120 or letter electronically to the Wing Awards Committee at WAWA@wawg.cap.gov. The nomination should be ONE page and one nominee per page. The key to a good submittal is to be sure to include the basics: who, from where, for what reason, for what time period (some awards cover the last calendar year only) and why. That last item is the most important. Be sure to include a list of accomplishments at both the unit level and higher. The more relevant items you list the better chance the nominee has of being selected. If the nomination is not on a CAP Form 120, you must include the nominee’s full name, grade, and unit as well as the name of the award and the name of the submitter. Remember, the selection board can only judge by what has been submitted. Be sure you have good facts. Facts and data are always more important than glowing words. It is strongly suggested that nominations be submitted before the end of the year. However, all nominations must be in to Wing Headquarters no later than 1800 hours on 13 January 2010 to be considered.
Dick Heiz, Lt Col, CAP
Wing Awards Committee
WASHINGTON WING AWARDS
For the following awards any CAP member may nominate by CAP Form 120 or by letter. The recipients will be selected by the Wing Awards and Decorations Board in consultation with the appropriate department. Nominations must be electronic and are due no later than 1800 hours 13 January 2010.
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE YEAR – Lifetime Achievement
Awarded to a senior member who, over his/her lifetime, performs assigned duties in an outstanding manner, actively participates outside the unit, and who contributes above and beyond the call of duty to the advancement of all missions of CAP. The individual must meet the national award criteria (ref. CAPR 39-3, para 23) and will be considered for submittal for the region and national level award.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a senior member who, over the past year, performs his/her unit assigned duties in an outstanding manner, actively participates outside the unit, and who contributes to the advancement of CAP both in the program and in the community.
CADET OF THE YEAR
Presented to a cadet who has provided a good example of progress through CAP and has shown significant leadership and made important contributions to the CAP program during the past year and previous years. This individual should also meet the National Award criteria (ref: CAPR 39-3, para 24, to include the Earhart Award and school academic excellence) and, if so, will be considered for submittal for the region and national award. For the nominee to be considered for the region and national award, the nomination must be submitted on CAP Form 58 and must include an unofficial grade transcript.
CADET COMMANDER OF THE YEAR
Presented to a cadet commander who has provided a good example of progress through CAP, has shown significant leadership, and has made important contributions to the CAP program during the past year. Cadet must have held a commander position for at least 6 months during the prior year.
OUTSTANDING CADET NCO OF THE YEAR
Presented to a cadet NCO who best exemplifies the qualities of a cadet NCO during the past year. Cadet must have been an NCO for at least 6 months during the past year.
INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Awarded to a cadet or senior member who has provided significant contributions to the betterment of the overall program in the current or past years, and who, through word and deed, has provided support and inspiration to others.
OUTSTANDING UNIT COMMANDER OF THE YEAR
Presented to the member who best exemplifies the role of a CAP Unit Commander. Nominee must have held the position for at least 6 months of the last year. Nomination must specifically document how the commander has advanced emergency services (training, missions), aerospace education and the cadet program (awards, participation) in their unit.
AVIATOR OF THE YEAR
Presented to a pilot who demonstrates a professional attitude toward flying, shows concern for safety, makes an outstanding contribution to the CAP program, and has been active in both training or actual missions and cadet orientation flying over the past year.
EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARDS:
INCIDENT STAFF MEMBER
Presented to a cadet or senior member who has participated in, promoted and supported emergency services activities in the past year. Nomination should include specific qualifications and events. Nominee may be submitted by wing to region and national for the Colonel Ed Lewis Incident Staff member of the year, if qualified.
GROUND TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR
Presented to the Ground Team Leader who demonstrates a professional attitude towards ground search and rescue and has been active both in training or actual missions in the past year. Member must be rated as a GTL with at least 3 missions (actual or training). Nominee may be submitted by wing to national for the Colonel Dion DeCamp Ground team member of the year, if qualified.
GROUND TEAM OF THE YEAR
Presented to the Ground Team (urban direction finding, or other) that has contributed to the success of CAP emergency services and operational missions. Emphasis is on ‘team’. Nomination may be submitted by wing to national for the Colonel Dion DeCamp ground team of the year, if qualified.
OBSERVER OF THE YEAR
Presented to the rated mission observer who demonstrates a professional attitude towards flying as a member of a CAP aircrew and has been active in both training and actual missions overt the past year. Member must be rated (not a scanner) and have participated in at least 3 missions (actual or training).
COUNTERDRUG OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Presented to the Counterdrug Officer who demonstrates a professional attitude toward the counterdrug support program. Member must be a qualified counterdrug participant and must have participated in at least two actual or training counterdrug missions during the past year. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies.
AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION CADET OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Air Force Association Cadet of the Year Award is given to an individual cadet who has been outstanding in the cadet program in the past year as well as previous years. The recipient must have shown significant leadership and made important contributions to CAP. Nominations must include career plans. An interest in an Air Force career is highly desirable. The Tacoma chapter AFA sponsors a recognition dinner for the selectee.
AEROSPACE EDUCATION AWARDS:
Cadet
Awarded to the cadet who is outstanding in Aerospace Education in the squadron, the wing, or in outside activities and who has made a noteworthy achievement in this area. Emphasis should be on accomplishments during the past year. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies for the Brewer Award.
Senior
Awarded to the senior who is outstanding in Aerospace Education in the squadron, the wing, or in outside activities and who has made a noteworthy achievement in this area. Emphasis should be on accomplishments during the past year. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies for the Brewer Award.
INDIVIDUAL, Organization, Institution, Business
Awarded to a teacher, administrator, individual or an entity described, that has made significant contributions to aerospace in CAP or to Aerospace Education in general. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies for the Brewer Award.
AEROSPACE EDUCATION OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to an outstanding AE officer. Must have completed Senior rating, have held AEO position for at least one year, and earned the Yeager award. A narrative describing what the member has contributed to and with AE is required. Candidate may be submitted for region/national if qualified.
AEROSPACE EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a CAP member who is a certified teacher teaching in a regular school. Nominee must either teach AE as a subject or use AE to enrich the teaching of other subjects. Recognizes teachers who set high standards for students, demand excellence in performance, demonstrate creativity, maximize student involvement and strive to improve their personal competence. Candidate may be submitted for region/national if qualified.
WING COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AWARDS:
Communications Award
Awarded to the CAP senior member who best exemplifies the critical role of communications in CAP. May involve multiple communications media. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies for the national award.
Cadet Communicator of the Year
Awarded to the cadet member who has taken an active role in CAP communications in his/her unit and has supported communications at CAP activities. Primary emphasis should be on contributions during the past year.
OUTSTANDING UNIT LOGISTICS OFFICER
Given to the unit logistics/supply officer who has best demonstrated the proper handling of equipment and supplies needed to successfully run the CAP program. Emphasis areas include accountability, availability and storage of equipment and supplies. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies.
OUTSTANDING CADET PROGRAMS OFFICER
Given to the unit cadet programs officer who best demonstrates a successful cadet program. Emphasis areas should include progress of cadets through the established program including milestone awards, cadet activities that foster enthusiasm and development, support programs for cadets to ensure success (mentoring, tutoring, etc), and support to wing-wide activities. Candidate may be submitted to region/national for the Jack Sorenson Award if the nominee qualifies.
Outstanding Public Affairs Officer
Given to the member who has excelled in the Public Affairs field for CAP. Activities include working with the media, promoting the CAP mission and submitting reports on time. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies.
Outstanding Chaplain
Given to the chaplain in the wing who has fostered development and promotion of the CAP chaplaincy. Recognition includes participation in unit meetings, multi-unit activities and timely submission of required reports. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies.
Outstanding Moral Leadership Officer
Given to a non-chaplain member of CAP designated as the Moral Leadership Officer who has actively supported the CAP Moral Leadership program. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies.
Outstanding Unit Safety Officer
Awarded to the unit Safety Officer who has best demonstrated the CAP safety program. Activities should include briefings, safety materials and timely reporting. Candidate may be submitted to region/national if nominee qualifies.
HISTORIAN AWARD
Awarded to the unit historian who has taken an active role to promote and document unit history. Historian should have a notebook (scrapbook) of unit activities for the previous year including personnel actions, pictures, copies of news articles and unit newsletters.
SAMPLE LETTERS
For a senior (Senior Aerospace Award)
2Lt John Doe has been the Aerospace Officer for the Mount Pleasant Composite Squadron since 2005. In that capacity, he has worked long and hard to make the Aerospace Education program a viable part of the unit. John Doe personally teaches aerospace classes to cadet members twice a month, and frequently, more than that. He has counseled cadets with their aerospace studies both on meeting nights and by phone. He conducted one aerospace workshop at a teacher retreat in April 2008 and again in 2009. In August 2009 he led the cadets through a model rocketry program and is planning one for 2010. John has developed a program to take aerospace education into the middle schools in the Mount Pleasant area as a guest teacher to foster interest in aviation with the youth of the community. He has conducted three programs using his materials to date. He has completed his technician rating and is currently working on his senior rating. He has competed the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members.
He is a former engineer with Sabercraft and worked hard as a member of the Thunderbolt Jet Design Team. He brings a unique perspective to the aerospace program. His experiences and knowledge about aircraft design and systems make him a valuable asset to the pilots and aircrews of the Mount Pleasant Squadron. John’s hard work and dedication to the CAP program also earned him the Mount Pleasant Composite Squadron 2008 Senior Member Aerospace Award for the Year.
For a cadet (Outstanding Cadet NCO of the Year Award)
Cadet Jane Doe joined the Green Valley Composite Squadron in 2008 and has quickly progressed through the cadet achievements. She organized the squadron’s drill team and has participated in over 11 community events. Cadet Doe created a program within her squadron that had senior cadets mentor new, younger members in CAP. Through her recruiting efforts in 2009, the squadron gained 5 new cadet members. Because of her positive attitude and dependability, she has gained a huge amount of respect of both the cadet and senior members as someone who will carry through with assigned tasks. She attended Winter Encampment in 2008 and held a Flight Sergeant position at Summer Encampment 2009. She earned her Mitchell Award in October 2009. Cadet Doe was instrumental in helping organize a ground team in her squadron this past year and in developing a cadet winter safety program.
Cadet Jane Doe currently is a junior at Green Valley High in Tracytown where she is on the track team. In addition, she volunteers once a week at the Tracytown Senior Center and has participated with the Green Valley High School marching band.