AFA Recognizes Civil Air Patrol Outstanding Squadron Cadets

Each year, Civil Air Patrol squadrons are offered the opportunity to present an AFA Award for Outstanding CAP Squadron Cadets for a deserving cadet. More than 250 cadets are recognized annually with an AFA ribbon, medal, and certificate. AFA chapter representatives are invited to present the award at squadron awards evenings; many AFA members take the opportunity to do this. 

In early April, Cadet Captain (then-1st Lt.) Caleb Brock received his award from the president of AFA’s Albuquerque Chapter #258, Fred Harsany. Brock is a member of CAP’s New Mexico Wing, the Albuquerque Heights Composite Squadron (SWR-NM-083).

Out of 46 cadets in his squadron, Brock was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments during the 2024 calendar year. In addition to his conscientious work to steadily progress through the cadet ranks, he was selected to attend several national cadet special activities: National Blue Beret in Oshkosh, Wis.; National Flight Academy (Powered) in Sebring, Fla.; and Region Cadet Leadership School at Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas.

Brock also redesigned the squadron patch in accordance with CAP Regulation 110-3, Civil Air Patrol Heraldry Program. He drove the original project in which the outdated squadron patch was replaced with one that had popular support and satisfied all regulations regarding such accoutrement. Brock made sure to familiarize himself with the regulation which governs how patches at various levels are created. He then solicited designs from squadron members which culminated in a voting process to determine the favorites. Brock made edits as the members requested to finalize the design. After the winning design was agreed upon by majority vote, he submitted the new design to the wing for approval. He ran this process by himself, requiring little guidance from squadron adults. 

Brock expanded this initiative to the wing level, working intensely to help many units become compliant with the regulation and guide the redesign of their patches. He aided the Northern, Central, and Southern Groups as well as the New Mexico Group 800 (which includes cadets at school squadrons). He expanded on his work with these four groups by assisting 10 of the 17 New Mexico squadrons with their patch redesigns.

“The logistics of such an undertaking are daunting. This is a legacy not many achieve in any pursuit, with lasting effects that will go beyond his CAP career as a cadet,” said Lt. Adrian Hansen, Brock’s squadron commander. “The impact of C/1st Lt. Brock’s efforts, and the uncommon nature of executing on such a task as a cadet, speak to his leadership capability. His exceptional professionalism is an invaluable asset to Albuquerque Heights Composite Squadron, and we’re proud he calls our squadron home. C/1st Lt. Brock’s outstanding performance of duty reflects great credit upon himself, the New Mexico Wing, and Civil Air Patrol. He has performed his duties in a manner that is clearly and unmistakably exceptional when compared to similar achievements by other officers of like rank and responsibility and is deserving of the AFA Outstanding Squadron Cadet of the Year Award.”

Since this award presentation, Brock has earned the 14th level (out of 21 possible levels) in cadet achievement, the Earhart award, and was promoted to Cadet Captain Caleb Brock.

If any CAP squadron has not requested the 2025 AFA award for a deserving squadron cadet, CAP is ready to provide the award package using a new online ordering system found here.

If any AFA member is interested in making this CAP cadet award presentation, contact the closest squadrons as found on the CAP Squadron Locator. For any questions, contact afa@capnhq.gov.