From its inception forty years ago through 1 Sept. of this year, the prestigious General Billy Mitchell Award has been presented to 52,750 Civil Air Patrol cadets who have successfully completed their first major milestone achievement in the cadet program. During 2004, a total of seven cadets at the 78th Cadet Squadron in Cedar Rapids have earned Mitchell awards, including the newest recipients -- C/2d Lt Tessa Poppe and C/2d Lt John Sullivan.

The Mitchell Awards for cadets Poppe and Sullivan are crowning achievements in a year packed with Civil Air Patrol activities. Both cadets served as members of the award-winning 2004 Iowa Wing color guard, both attended the Colorado Wing Encampment in 2004, and both graduated from the NSA Ground Search and Rescue Academy at Camp Atteberry in Indiana during August. Cadets Poppe and Sullivan also contributed significantly to the success of the unit -- Poppe most recently as squadron First Sergeant and Sullivan as a flight leader.

The two cadets join the ranks of previous 2004 Mitchell recipients at the 78th; including former cadet Jim Adams (currently on active duty with the U.S. Army in Kuwait); former cadet Ryan Muller (currently a 2d Lt at the 78th following his 21st birthday); former Cadet Commander C/2d Lt Christen Skiff (currently attending the University of Baltimore in Maryland); current Cadet Commander C/2d Lt Steven Skiff; and current Cadet Deputy Commander C/2d Lt Luke Conrad.

"A unit of our size typically might have two or three cadets earn Mitchell Awards in a year's time. To have seven cadets do it is truly remarkable," said Squadron Commander Capt Bruce Tiemann. "This accomplishment reflects the determination, commitment and hard work of these outstanding young men and women."

In addition to their promotion to C/2d Lt, cadets receiving the Mitchell Award are eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they enlist in the U.S. Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in the USAF ROTC program, various CAP scholarships and CAP special activity opportunities.