Cadet Col. Svetlana Ehlers of the Platte Valley Composite Squadron is the Missouri Wing’s newest recipient of Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award — an achievement she accomplished despite being blind.
Ehlers joined Civil Air Patrol in March 2016. Throughout her 8½ years in CAP, she has taken on a range of leadership positions, including cadet commander for her squadron, where she oversaw all cadet training and leadership development. She also served this year as cadet commander at Arkansas Wing encampment in 2024 and deputy commander for support for the Missouri Wing encampment the same year.
She’s the first blind cadet to complete CAP’s Cadet Officer School.
Presenting Ehlers’ Spaatz award was CAP’s national commander, Maj. Gen. Regena Aye.
“She has an incredible legacy of service at the age of 20,” Aye said. “I was privileged to see her at the Arkansas Wing encampment where she was the cadet commander — she took care of those cadets amazingly — it was just so great to see her in the leadership roles.”
“I remember a blustery day in December, a few years back when she was an airman and I was a colonel and we were putting wreaths on graves at a very large cemetery in the area. I have to say we made one heck of a team,” Aye recalled.
“It is wonderful to see her go from cadet airman to cadet colonel. It is an honor very few cadets get to celebrate,” said the national commander, who received the Spaatz award herself as a Kansas Wing cadet in 1992.
“She embodies the core values: integrity, volunteer service, excellence, and respect; and she has made excellence a habit. You have heard about her great work in Civil Air Patrol as well as her great work in the community working with the Foundation of the Blind, making a difference, being an advocate.
“Those skills that she is using to make a difference in Missouri, and in the nation and in the world, are skills that she practiced in the cadet program,” Aye said.
“Think about the commitment that Cadet Col. Ehlers has made and think about the return on that investment as she goes forward into the world confident, dedicated, advocating for others. That is a huge return on investment.”
The new Spaatz recipient’s squadron commander expressed similar sentiments.
“What strikes me most about Svetlana is not just her success in fulfilling leadership roles within our squadron and beyond; it’s her remarkable ability to adapt, innovate, and elevate those around her, often without making a sound about her own challenges,” Lt. Col. Clyde McNally said. “She never asks for special treatment, nor does she allow her blindness to limit her capacity to lead. Instead, she uses her experiences as a way to connect with others and demonstrate the power of determination.
“But what truly defines Svetlana isn’t just her achievements, which are considerable; it’s the way she approaches life: her belief that every obstacle is an opportunity, every setback is a lesson, and every person is capable of more than they realize,” McNally said.
“This outlook has not only guided her but has become a source of strength for those who have served alongside her. I’ve seen cadets follow her lead, not just because of her title or position, but because of the respect she has earned through her actions.
“She doesn’t just inspire others to be better cadets—she inspires them to be better people,” he said.
“This award is not just a reflection of her achievements, but a testament to her unwavering commitment to the core values that make Civil Air Patrol great.
“Cadet Col. Svetlana Ehlers has demonstrated what it truly means to lead with both heart and conviction, and I could not be prouder to present this award to her.”
Outside CAP, Ehlers is president of the Student Division for the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri. She’s committed to advocating for the rights and opportunities of blind students across the state, aiming to empower them to break barriers and reach their highest potential.
In addition, as a co-founder of the Cane Drivers Youth Club, she played a key role in supporting visually impaired youth in developing critical life skills and gaining confidence.
The cadet has spoken at six major conferences, including the National Federation of the Blind Missouri Conference, the Missouri Assistive Technology Conference, and the American Council for the Blind South Carolina Student Division. Her presentations focus on overcoming adversity, practicing self-advocacy, and providing accessibility, with a mission to inspire others to see beyond their limitations and strive for their goals.
Ehlers is pursuing a business associate degree at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri.
She joins the less than one-half of 1% of cadets who attain the Spaatz award after completing the cadet program’s 16 achievements and passing a rigorous cumulative battery consisting of a strenuous physical fitness exam, a written essay on a persistent moral issue, and two 60-question cumulative exams on aerospace and leadership._____Lt. Col. David MillerDirector of Public AffairsNorth Central Region
