Cadet Wesley Presnall of the G.V. Montgomery Composite Squadron was awarded the General Billy Mitchell Award during the squadron’s weekly meeting by Col. Billy Nabor, commander of the 186th Air Refueling Wing. The Gen. Billy Mitchell Award is the first major milestone award in the cadet program. This is where the cadet enters the cadet officer ranks.

    With this award and promotion Presnall also assumed duties as the Cadet Commander over the Squadron cadet corps from C/Col. Jonathan Hester.

    Presnall joined the Squadron in 2011 and has been steadily assuming rank and responsibility in the unit. Presnall is also an Eagle Scout with a local Boy Scout Troop. This summer Presnall attended the CAP National Activity held at Auburn University specializing in the engineering career field. This is one of many activities that CAP has to offer each year to the youth and adult leaders in the program.

    Cadets earning the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award are able to enlist in the Army and Air Force with the automatic advanced grade of E-3, and the Navy as an E-2. They are also eligible for hundreds of flight and college scholarships offered through Civil Air Patrol and other organizations.

    The Civil Air Patrol cadet program is composed of 16 achievement and five milestone awards. Each achievement requires the cadet to study and pass tests in leadership and aerospace education subject matter. They are also required to participate in a character development and a physical fitness program. The cadet must be an active participant in the squadron, and display character and maturity commensurate with the achievement or milestone award that they are competing for.

    The G.V. Montgomery Composite Squadron is located on Key Field ANG in Meridian, and meets every Thursday from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm. The cadet program consists of members from 12 to 21 years old. There is also an adult program, which is open for people over the age of 18. More information can be found online at http://www.ms102cap.org or by contacting Lt. Col. David Younce at 706-612-4692 or by email at david.younce@mswg.cap.gov.