Palwaukee Cadet Receives Mitchell Award

Great Lakes Region Vice Commander, Col. Robert Karton (left) presents Cadet Hannah Gottschalk with her Gen. Billy Mitchell Award

By: 2d Lt. MARC STANLEY, CAP

WHEELING, Ill -- Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Hannah Gottschalk received the General Billy Mitchell Award and was also promoted to Cadet Second Lieutenant at the August 19th meeting of the Palwaukee Composite Squadron. Presenting the award was Great Lakes Region Vice-Commander, Col. Robert Karton, joined by Group 22 Commander, Maj. Robert Williams, and Squadron Commander 1st Lt. Scott Murphy.

C/2d Lt Gottschalk joined the Palwaukee Squadron shortly after it became a Composite unit again in 2006 after a hiatus of ten years, and is the first cadet in recent years to begin her CAP career at the squadron and then subsequently earn the Mitchell Award. Both of the other Mitchell awardees in the unit transferred to Palwaukee from other squadrons.

Maj. Robert Williams stated: 'I view this as the culmination of the efforts of a lot of people who worked hard to bring back a robust cadet program here at Palwaukee. We didn't want them to just show up for meetings, we wanted them active and fully engaged in everything CAP has to offer. I put the goal on the table, but Maj. Dempsey and others executed on my ideas and made them their own. Cadet Gottschalk's achievement is proof that the program here is fully functional and I expect to be handing out a lot more Mitchells in the near future.'

The Mitchell Award is given after completion of the first eight structured segments of the CAP cadet program. In addition, a cadet must also pass an examination covering leadership theory and aerospace topics. Cadets who receive the Mitchell Award are eligible for advanced placement in the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enlist in the US Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in the Air Force ROTC program. Mitchell Award cadets may also apply for a variety of scholarships and CAP special activities.

C/2d Lt Gottschalk is a student at Prospect High School in Arlington Heights, IL. 'She will be a great cadet leader in Palwaukee Composite Squadron' says Maj. Robert Dempsey who supervises the Squadron's cadet program.

Comments

[NATHAN U. FIRESTONE, 1ST LT., RET. AIR FORCE (Ex Lead Navigator 15th A.F.)]

Att'n: 1st Lt Scott Murphy: I would greatly appreciate being advised of the C.O. that I may contact in regards to the CAP aerial mounted on my roof and the CAP receiver that I have, as mentioned previously. I would appreciate being advised if your organization can help remove the aerial from the roof and keep it (with the receiver). And hopefully
mount a TV antenna instead. I expect no remuneration for the above and
if necessary, am prepared to pay a reasonable amount for mounting a
civilian broadcast antenna to replace the above. If your organization
is not interested in the above, I would appreciate being told this.
Thank you for your kind attention. Regards N.U.F.