Military Notes

SANFORD

Bennett Gibson earns Civil Air Patrol award

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Bennett Gibson of the Sanford Composite Squadron has earned the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award and promotion to Cadet Second Lieutenant. Cadet Gibson will receive this honor at an award ceremony at 6:30 p.m. today at the Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library, at 952 Main St.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Gibson joined the Civil Air Patrol in August 2021. He has served as first sergeant in his squadron and will now move into the position of flight commander.

He attended Hawk Mountain Ranger School, serves on the Cadet Advisory Council, has served in the color guard at community events, actively participates in aerospace education and emergency services training.

The Mitchell Award is a prestigious accomplishment in Civil Air Patrol only earned by 15 percent of cadets nationwide. It represents the completion of the first two phases of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program focusing on leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character.

In order to earn this prestigious rank, a cadet must graduate from a challenging encampment, pass comprehensive examinations on leadership and aerospace and have proven himself worthy of an ever increasing leadership role. This accomplishment marks the transition from the cadet non commissioned officer grades into the cadet officer phase of the the program where cadets are challenged further to develop in these areas and take on even more responsibility as a cadet leader.

Mitchell Award cadets also are recognized by the U.S. Air Force, allowing them to enter service at the advanced grade of E-3, Airman First Class, and viewed favorably on AFROTC and Academy applications.

In addition to his accomplishments and performance in Civil Air Patrol, Gibson is an honor roll student taking advanced courses at Massabesic High School where he recently completed the 10th grade, plays on the junior varsity lacrosse and soccer teams, and is a member of the Navy JROTC program.

Sanford Composite Squadron Commander Major Andrew Goldman, CAP, said that “Cadet 2nd Lt. Bennett Gibson is an exemplary cadet and a privilege to have in our squadron. He has proven himself to be a role model for others and has adopted and lives the Civil Air Patrol core values of integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect on a daily basis.”