AFA's CAP Outstanding Squadron Cadet Recognition
The Air & Space Forces Association's Education Division Recognizes Outstanding CAP Cadets with the “Civil Air Patrol Outstanding Squadron Cadet of the Year Award.”
The AFA is proud to support the accomplishments of cadets at the grassroots level with a CAP cadet award package that includes a silver medal accompanied by a sky-blue ribbon and a downloadable presentation certificate.
Each squadron may submit a request for an award package to present to one outstanding cadet- ONCE A (CALENDAR) YEAR.
NEW Award Package Ordering Process as of April 2025!
Squadrons that have not requested a 2025 award can now request that award in eServices/Logistics/Materials Order/Order Request/Award (then go to AFA Award).
* Check to see if YOUR squadron has already ordered the 2025 award package HERE.
- The award can be ordered by and will be shipped to the home address of the squadron commander, AEO, or Cadet Programs officer. (Packages are less likely to be received when sent to the squadron address.)
- Plan to request the award at least 2 weeks prior to award presentation.
- Award packages can be ordered at any time during the year.
- NOTE: The cadet does not have to be selected when the award package is requested. That can be done during awards timeframe and reported on after-action report found in right column.
Please follow the guidance for award presentation:
1- For fillable and downloadable presentation certificate, click HERE.
- The AFA has changed to a downloadable certificate and requests the certificate be inscribed by the unit commander before the presentation ceremony.
2- Contact an AFA representative to make the presentation (unless there is an AFA member in the squadron who can make the presentation).
Use the AFA chapter locator HERE to e-mail the closest AFA chapter in your state to request a representative to attend your squadron meeting to make the award presentation.
- On the chapter locator map, the circles are for chapter president contacts and the squares are for state president contacts.
- Please reach out to both the chapter and state president via the linked e-mail address with the request. If there is no response, forward your request e-mails to afa@capnhq.gov for further assistance.
- If not already an AFA member and desire to be, CAP members receive a complimentary two-year AFA eMembership by clicking HERE.
3- After the presentation, submit to afa@capnhq.gov the AFA after-action report (found below) and a photo of the cadet and the AFA representative during the presentation.
For the required after-action report form, click HERE. (When submitting report, please submit photo of presentation with AFA representative, if possible.)
***NOTE: CAPR 39-3 (page 24) still has incorrect info, so, please follow the guidance herein to send all requests via e-mail to afa@capnhq.gov- and NOT to the AFA National address. Requests for 39-3 change were submitted when change to CAP award management changed.For award information and complete details, click HERE. If there is a problem, e-mail afa@capnhq.gov.
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Info about this award is found on the AFA Cadet of the Year Awards page.
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Info about this award is also found on the CAP Cadet Programs Individual Cadet Award page.
Questions? Contact afa@capnhq.gov.
NOTE: The certificate and medal/ribbon (below) have been updated to reflect the new AFA name and logo - The Air & Space Forces Association.

Remote and Health Protective Presentations



Prior to 2019, the AFA national office sent the awards. As of Jan 2019, CAP NHQ began managing the award requests for the AFA and connecting CAP squadrons with AFA chapters for presentations. The change to CAPR 30-3 page 24 has been requested, so hopefully that will be updated soon.