Civil Air Patrol provides an opportunity for teens to learn leadership and last month the Owensboro squadron awarded 14-year-old Mason Rowe with the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award.
He became the second cadet officer in recorded history for the Owensboro Composite Squadron of the Kentucky Wing to receive this award and subsequent promotion to 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 C/2d Lt Rowe among the top 15 percent of cadets in the nation and makes him 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 U.S. Air Force.
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.
Owensboro Composite Squadron Commander Patrick Deem said Rowe is a great example of this program’s success.
“Lt. Rowe has shown the leadership skills he has honed while working through the ranks, will stick with him through his professional career,” Deem said. “Mason has aspirations to become a fighter pilot within the United States Air Force, and while he has a few more years to go, he will be a huge asset to our Air Force counterpart.”
Deem said his dedication to his advancement through the program is nothing short of remarkable, and he has just hit his stride.
Rowe has been an active member of the Owensboro Composite Squadron since joining in July 2017. He has held many leadership positions including flight sergeant, first sergeant and Aerospace NCO.
In addition to his participation within the local unit, Rowe actively participates in search and rescue training and missions with other units across Kentucky.
In 2018, he worked with the community of Stanley during the severe flooding by filling and distributing sandbags to help residents protect their property. For his effort, he was awarded the Civil Air Patrol Disaster Relief Ribbon.
The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, has three primary missions — aerospace education of the American people, emergency services and the cadet program.
The Owensboro Composite Squadron meets at 6 p.m. every Tuesday at the National Guard Armory, 3300 Tamarack Road.
