Civil Air Patrol provides an opportunity for teens to learn leadership. Recently, Olivia Vessels, a 13-year-old cadet from Cloverport, Ky., was awarded the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award. She became the first cadet officer in recorded history for the Owensboro Composite Squadron of the Kentucky Wing to receive this award and promotion the Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2d Lt).
The Owensboro squadron was established in the 1950s and have been tracking the promotion of cadet officers since 1999. Receiving this award places Vessels among the top 15 percent of cadets in the nation and makes her eligible to attend the Cadet Officer School and the Civic Leadership Academy.
Cadets who receive the General Billy Mitchell Award are also eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enter the US Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in AFROTC, various CAP scholarships, and CAP special activity opportunities.
The General Billy Mitchell Award is the second of four milestones within the Cadet Program, earned after the completion of the first eight achievements. In addition, the cadet must pass a comprehensive 100-question examination covering leadership theory and aerospace topics, and must write an essay and present it to her peers and leaders.
Capt Patrick Deem, Owensboro Composite Squadron Commander, said Vessels has shown that hard work and dedication can get the job done.
“Lt Vessels, being the most senior cadet, has taken on many roles that were new to her, yet she naturally filled those roles and lead her cadets with great success,” he said. “Her performance to teach train and develop others naturally speaks volumes on what type of leader she will be in life.”
Vessels has been an active member of the Owensboro Composite Squadron since July 2017. She has held many leadership positions including Flight Sergeant, First Sergeant, as well as the Cadet Leadership NCO. Since becoming an officer, C/2d Lt Vessels has taken on the role of Flight Commander, Leadership Officer, and Operations Officer.
She currently plans and conducts the unit’s weekly meetings, mentors fellow cadets, sits on the cadet promotion board, and actively serves on the Kentucky Wing’s Cadet Advisory Council as the unit’s primary representative.
In addition to her participation within the local unit, Vessels actively participates in Search and Rescue training and missions with other units across Kentucky. In 2018, she worked with the community of Stanley during the severe flooding by filling and distributing sandbags to help residents protect their property.
The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The CAP inspires youth to become the next generation of leaders in its cadet program.
The Owensboro Composite Squadron meets 6 p.m. Tuesday at the National Guard Armory.
