South Carolina Cadets Honored with Annual AFA Award

AFA’s Swamp Fox Chapter in Sumter, S.C., presented its annual “Cadet of the Year Award” to multiple Civil Air Patrol cadets from units and cities across South Carolina. The prestigious award is the highest honor AFA Chapters present to CAP cadets. 

One of the phenomenal cadets recognized this year was Cadet C/Senior Master Sgt. Maxwell Smith of the Sumter Composite Squadron. After joining the squadron in January 2024, Smith was expeditiously promoted through the ranks every 56 days. He attended his first summer encampment at Fort Jackson in June 2024 and was promoted to flight guidon bearer—ensuring proper alignment for flight and commander. In the squadron, Smith was the Flight Sergeant of Bravo Flight and assisted with drill tests and physical fitness testing on PT nights. 

Smith was also selected to attend the Saturn Stage of the Model Rocketry along with three other cadets this year. He was handpicked to join the National Cadet Special Activity (NCSA) in Middle Tennessee State University where he will focus on various aspects of Science and Engineering involving STEM subjects.