C2LT Hall Highlights Cadet Promotions
Red Bird Composite Squadron recently celebrated the promotions of three cadets, including one who earned the Billy Mitchell Award and was promoted to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant.
Katherine Hall, a member of the squadron since joining CAP in 2018, successfully completed the requirements for the Mitchell Award in July. She is the second female cadet in the unit’s history to become a cadet officer and is the third officer currently serving in the squadron.
Only 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets earn the Mitchell Award. Once a cadet earns the award, he or she becomes a cadet officer, is promoted to the grade of cadet second lieutenant, and is challenged to lead and serve junior-ranking cadets, while continuing to develop into a “dynamic American and aerospace leader.”
Hall, a freshman in the STEM program at Martin High School in Arlington, joined Civil Air Patrol because her parents made her. She admits that she wasn’t thrilled at first, but as she has become more involved, especially after attending Airman Leadership School and Encampment, she has grown to love the organization.
“I’m very thankful to have achieved the Billy Mitchell Award because it seemed like something so far away that I have finally accomplished. Receiving this award will only make me want to work harder to achieve the next milestone, and eventually the Spaatz Award,” Hall said.
“Through my CAP experiences, I have learned that not everything you need in life will appear the way that you want it to, and that patience is key to your success. I have gained many life skills such as time management, listening, communication and a lot more that will help me later on in life.”
1st Lt Sonja Berry, deputy commander for cadets and an active duty Senior Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, noted the significance of Hall’s promotion.
“C/2LT Hall is a natural leader and positive role model for our squadron. Her influence is critical because we have many ‘early-career’ cadets who require a lot of guidance. 2Lt Hall’s achievement as a Billy Mitchell Award recipient further solidifies her place as an inspiring example for cadets to look up too, especially young women. She has shown a great deal of maturity and worked very hard to reach this point, and I’m honored to take part in her journey as she continues to excel in CAP,” said Berry.
Also earning promotions were Cadet Mykayla Hall, Katherine Hall’s sister, who was promoted to Cadet Chief Master Sergeant, and Cadet Jayvyn Titus, who was promoted to Cadet Airman.
