VFW Cadet Officer of the Year

The Veterans of Foreign Wars recognize excellence in CAP cadet officers through an annual award to the outstanding cadet officer in each CAP squadron. CAP squadron commanders may nominate one cadet officer each year for the award by submitting a nomination to the VFW detailing the cadet's accomplishments and certifying that cadet officer is in good standing academically, progressing satisfactorily in the CAP cadet program, demonstrated outstanding achievement in community service and the cadet program (aerospace and leadership). The cadet must also be of high moral character, demonstrate a high level of professionalism in appearance and action and patriotism (commander or member of color guard, drill team, etc.), actively promote Americanism, demonstrate growth potential (assumes higher levels of responsibility). A Cadet may only receive this award once.

VFW Award for Unit Cadet NCO of the Year

The VFW recognizes excellence in CAP cadet non-commissioned officers (NCO) through an annual award to the outstanding cadet NCO in each CAP squadron. CAP squadron commanders may nominate one cadet NCO each year for the award by submitting a nomination to the VFW detailing the cadet's accomplishments and certifying that the cadet NCO is in good standing academically, progressing satisfactorily in the CAP cadet program, demonstrated outstanding achievement in community service and the cadet program (aerospace and leadership). The cadet must also be of high moral character, demonstrate a high level of professionalism in appearance and action and patriotism (commander or member of color guard, drill team, etc.), actively promote Americanism, demonstrate growth potential (assumes higher levels of responsibility). A Cadet may only receive this award once.

Community Service Award

The Community Service Ribbon is awarded to senior members and cadets who complete 60 hours of community service. The community service is done outside of Civil Air Patrol, and is verified by someone other than the member. Civil Air Patrol headquarters has now authorized the wear of a bronze device for every additional 60 hours of community service

Red Service Ribbon

The Red Service Ribbon is given to any member of the Civil Air Patrol who has been a member of the program for two years (as a cadet or Senior Member in good standing.) In addition, the following devices are awarded for additional years of service.

A first Bronze Clasp is awarded at the end of 3 additional years (total of 5 years).

Additional Bronze Clasps are awarded for each additional 5 years of service. A maximum of three bronze clasps (denoting 15 years of service) will be worn.

Longevity Devices, A metal number, denoting years of service, awarded at the end of 20 years and in increments of 5 years thereafter. The longevity device is worn centered on the red service ribbon and the bronze clasps are no longer worn.

Cadet Recruiter Ribbon

The Cadet Recruiter Ribbon is given to cadets who recruit two or more people into the Civil Air Patrol. For each additional two members recruited, a bronze clasp may be worn on the ribbon. Once a cadet earns five bronze clasps, they may be replaced with a silver clasp. Bronze clasps are no longer worn after a silver clasp is received. For every ten new cadets recruited after this, an additional silver clasp may be worn on the ribbon.

Air Force Association Award to Unit Cadet of the Year

This award from the Air Force Association recognizes one outstanding cadet per unit each year.

General J. F. Curry Achievement

The General J. F. Curry Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 1 in Phase I of the cadet program. Cadets must successfully complete the Physical Fitness test, Leadership chapter 1, and have participated in at least 1 character development class. Accompanies promotion to the grade of Cadet Airman. Named after General John F. Curry, Civil Air Patrol first National Commander.

General H. H. "Hap" Arnold Achievement

The General H. H. "Hap" Arnold Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 2 in Phase I of the cadet program. Accompanies promotion to the grade of Cadet Airman First Class. Named after General H. H. "Hap" Arnold, first U.S. Air Force Commander.

Mary Feik Achievement

The Mary Feik Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 3 in Phase I of the cadet program. Accompanies promotion to the grade of Cadet Senior Airman. Feik is credited with becoming the first woman engineer in research and development in the Air Technical Service Command’s Engineering Division.

Wright Brothers Award

The Wright Brothers Award is awarded for successfully completing the Phase I of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. It marks the transition of a cadet to the non-commissioned officer status in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, and accompanies promotion to the grade of Cadet Staff Sergeant.

Orville and Wilbur Wright were the first people credited with controlled, sustained, powered, heavier-than-air flight. 

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Achievement

The Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 4 in Phase II of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Accompanies promotion to the grade of Cadet Technical Sergeant.

During his time with the 94th Aero "Hat in the Ring" Squadron in WWII, Eddie Rickenbacker earned nearly every decoration possible, including the Medal of Honor.  The first "Ace of Aces" lead his squadron in several important engagements against the German ace Baron Manfred von Ricthofen, "The Red Baron."

Charles A. Lindbergh Achievement

The Charles A. Lindbergh Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 5 in Phase II of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Accompanies promotion to the grade of Cadet Master Sergeant.

Charles Lindbergh piloted "The Spirit of St. Louis" on the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Paris on May 20 – 21, 1927.  The excitement generated by this accomplishment paved the way for commercial flight.  In later years, Lindbergh served science by working in designing an artificial heart.

General Jimmy Doolittle Achievement

The General Jimmy Doolittle Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 6 in Phase II of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Accompanies promotion to Cadet Senior Master Sergeant.

General Jimmy Doolittle is best remembered for his daring raid on Tokyo, leading a flight of B-25 Bombers from the deck of the carrier Hornet in WWII.

Dr. Robert H. Goddard Achievement

The Dr. Robert H. Goddard Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 7 in Phase II of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Accompanies promotion to Cadet Chief Master Sergeant. NOTE: A silver star worn on the ribbon denotes successful completion of the Model Rocketry Badge requirements (if Mitchell Award has been earned).

Robert Goddard is called "The Father of Modern Rocketry."  His research led to the patent of the first multistage rocket and the development of the liquid fueled rocket, as well as many of the ideas that became standards in rocketry.

Neil Armstrong Achievement

The Neil Armstrong Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the specific requirements of Achievement 8 in Phase II of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Awarded for the second achievement of Chief Master Sergeant.

Neil Armstrong was a Navy test pilot and NASA astronaut who became the first man to set foot on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

General Billy Mitchell Award

The General Billy Mitchell Award is earned by Civil Air Patrol cadets who have successfully completed the second phase of the cadet program. It marks the end of the enlisted phase of the cadet program; cadets are promoted to Cadet Second Lieutenants upon receipt and, by extension, Cadet Officers. The award is given in honor of Maj Gen William "Billy" Mitchell, former Deputy Chief of the Army Air Service and military aviation visionary.

Amelia Earhart Award

The Amelia Earhart Award is a cadet achievement of the Civil Air Patrol presented in honor of Amelia Earhart, pioneering aviatrix and aviation record-setter. This award is presented on behalf of CAP National Headquarters to denote the successful completion of the specific requirements in Phase III of this program. Cadets receiving the Earhart Award are promoted to Cadet Captain.

Perhaps no name is as symbolic of aerospace achievement as Amelia Earhart.  In 1928, she became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air.  

She disappeared in 1937 near Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean while trying to circumnavigate the world in a twin engine Lockheed Electra.  

Her disappearance is one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.

General Ira C. Eaker Award

The General Ira C. Eaker Award is given by the Civil Air Patrol in honor of the former Deputy Commander U.S. Army Air Forces and aviation pioneer. It is presented on behalf of CAP by CAP National Headquarters to cadets who have completed the specific requirements in the Phase IV of the cadet program. The award is accompanied by promotion to the grade of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel.

General Ira C. Eaker was an Army Air Forces general and advocate of strategic bombardment during World War II.

General Carl A. Spaatz Award

The General Carl A. Spaatz Award is the highest award in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. The award honors General Carl A. Spaatz, who was the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and the second National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol.

The Spaatz Award may be awarded to cadets who "successfully complete all phases of the CAP cadet program and the General Carl A. Spaatz Award examination" consisting of a comprehensive leadership and aerospace education written examination, a graded essay and a physical fitness test. The Spaatz Award is arguably the most difficult honor to earn in the CAP cadet program.

Cadets earning Spaatz Award are also promoted to Cadet Colonel, the highest grade obtainable in the cadet program. Upon reaching the age of 21, Cadet Colonels are eligible to transfer to the Civil Air Patrol Officer program with appointment to the grade of Captain. Cadet Colonels who voluntarily transfer to the Officer program between the ages of 18 and 21 receive the grade Senior Flight Officer.

General Carl A. Spaatz was the First Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and first Chairman of the CAP National Board.

Cadet Special Activities Ribbon

Awarded to cadets and senior members who participate in National Cadet Special Activities. Officer participants must be identified by the Civil Air Patrol project officer and approved by the member’s region commander. Each subsequent activity is represented by a bronze star affixed to the basic ribbon. Cadets earning this ribbon may continue to wear the ribbon as a Senior Member.

Encampment Ribbon

The Encampment Ribbon is awarded to all cadets who complete a Civil Air Patrol Encampment successfully. It is also awarded to cadet staff members and officers who provide leadership for the encampment. Multiple encampments are symbolized with bronze clasps, one per additional encampment and worn centered on the encampment ribbon. Cadet encampments, usually a week in length, provide cadets with an intense look at military life. Encampment attendance is a prerequisite for the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award. Senior members may also be awarded the ribbon for providing leadership at CAP encampments.