Members of the Effingham Cadet Squadron, Civil Air Patrol are progressing quickly through the organization’s requirements to promote to new levels and obtain new achievements.

Mitch Guetterman, who joined recently as a senior member, has already completed the Level I orientation course as well as completing many requirements to become search and rescue certified. He also has assisted with the cadet’s model rocketry program through which several have received their rocketry badge. 

Cadets also are continuing to excel. Most recently, Cadet Technical Sergeant (C/TSgt) Chris Palmer completed the requirements for his promotion. He also has completed requirements for his next promotion to cadet master sergeant (C/MSgt) but is awaiting his time in grade to be fulfilled. 

Other cadets awaiting promotion are Cadet Senior Airman (C/SrA) Evan Jenkins, who will be promoted to cadet staff sergeant (C/SSgt) and Cadet Airman First Class (C/A1C) Christopher Poole, who will be promoted to cadet senior airman (C/SrA). 

Cadets progress through the CAP program by demonstrating knowledge of aerospace and leadership (usually assessed via online tests) as well as demonstrating appropriate drill and ceremony for each promotion. 

Additionally, cadets must complete a safety briefing each month as well as a character education lesson. Major achievements require a closed book, monitored test on the leadership and aerospace lessons learned. The program also provides cadets the opportunity to pilot a Cessna aircraft under the instruction of a trained CAP pilot through a series of five orientation flights or OFlights.