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AFA's Annual 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.
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See ordering process, presentation information, and after-action reporting instructions, below.
Award Package Ordering Process
Squadrons can request an award package for one outstanding cadet any time during a per calendar year in eServices/Logistics/Materials Order/Order Request/Award (then go to AFA Award).
* Check to see if YOUR squadron has already ordered the 2026 award package HERE (list current as of 3/31/26).
(See when your squadron ordered award packages at the previous years' lists below.)
- Award packages can be ordered at any time during the calendar year, but only one award package per calendar year can be ordered by the squadron commander, AEO, or Cadet Programs officer/Deputy Commander for Cadets.
- Packages will be sent to the home address of the ordering officer (as home addresses are more dependable in receipt than the squadron address).
- Plan to request the award at least 2 weeks prior to award presentation.
- NOTE: The cadet does not have to be selected when the award package is requested. That can be done during awards timeframe and reported in online after-action report found at AFA's site, HERE.
Award Presentation Guidance:
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, any adult and cadet CAP members who are not already AFA members can receive a Complimentary Mission Membership with AFA by joining HERE.
This is an eMembership with the benefits listed on the Mission Member page.
This membership does not expire until the member cancels it.
After-Action Cadet Recipient/Presentation Information
After the presentation, submit the easy online after-action report for the AFA, found HERE. Also, upload a photo of the cadet and/or a photo of the cadet and the AFA representative during the presentation.
***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.
Questions? Contact afa@capnhq.gov.
AFA's info about this award is found on the AFA Cadet of the Year Awards page.
Info about this award is also found on the CAP Cadet Programs Individual Cadet Award page.
NOTE: The certificate and medal/ribbon (below) have been updated to reflect the new AFA name and logo - The Air & Space Forces Association.
Texas AFA Representatives, Vance Clarke, Chad Chaffee, and Don Tharp (AFA TX 416) met with the CAP squadron leadership to learn a little about the 2026 recipient, C/Capt Lane Foreman, before the beautiful outdoor presentation with the other cadets in formation. Cadet Foreman was honored in several ways by the AFA representatives:
Vance Clarke spoke about AFA and led the presentations.
Don Tharp presented Foreman with his AFA CAP Outstanding Squadron Cadet Award certificate and medal/ribbon.
Chad Chaffee presented Foreman with his Amelia Earhart Award.
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LEFT: SWR-NM-083 Albuquerque Heights Composite Squadron's Cadet Lt Caleb Brock received his award from Fred Harsany, President of AFA Albuquerque Chapter 258.
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RIGHT: NCR-MO-005 St Louis Composite Squadron's Cadet CMSgt Stone Moses received his award from Gary Chambers of the Spirit of St Louis AFA Chapter.
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LEFT: SWR-OK-008 / Flying Castle Composite Squadron's Cadet 1Lt Joshua Donald received his award from AFA Garrity Chapter215 President, Mr. Tim Frisby.
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MIDDLE: PCR-WA-019 South Sound Composite Squadron's Cadet 1Lt Tristian Baker received his award from AFA Washington State President Dave Stookey.
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RIGHT: SER-FL-173 St Augustine Comp Sq 173's Cadet Maj Cody Robert Ochoa received his award from Squadron Commander, Lt Chris Donaghue.
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.
