One good turn deserves another, the saying goes. An Indiana Wing mother and daughter exemplified that concept May 4 when they were honored for attaining Civil Air Patrol’s top achievements, respectively, for adult members and cadets.
Capt. Carol O’Brien, St. Joe Valley Cadet Squadron commander, received the Gill Robb Wilson Award, presented to adult members who exemplify leadership in CAP’s three core programs — aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet programs.
Not to be outdone, her daughter, Cadet Col. Caitlin O’Brien, received the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award. The award entails completing the cadet program’s 16 achievements, then passing pass 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.
Only about 5% of adult members achieve the Wilson award. The Spaatz award is even rarer, accomplished by less than one-half of 1% of cadets.
“The awards earned require a deep commitment to the (CAP) core values, hard work, and determination,” said Col. Robert Dempsey, Great Lakes Region deputy chief of staff for cadet programs, who attended the ceremony.
“As proven leaders in CAP, they will continue to serve others in all areas and provide role model inspiration to fellow CAP members,” he said. “They truly embody the Civil Air Patrol virtues of enriching lives and shaping futures.”
Capt. O’Brien joined Civil Air Patrol in September 2017. Along the way, she was named the Indiana Wing’s 2018 Cadet Programs Officer of the Year and 2023 Commander of the Year Award.
Outside the organization, she’s a master’s-level registered nurse.
Cadet Col. O’Brien, a member since April 2017,has been recognized with several squadron awards and three wing awards — 2019 Cadet Noncommissioned Officer of the Year; 2020 Frank G. Brewer Sr. Memorial Aerospace Award, Cadet Category; and 2022 Cadet of the Year in 2022.
She graduated from Liberty University in March 2022 at age 17 with a bachelor’s in psychology with a clinical counseling cognate and is working toward a second bachelor’s at Indiana University Fort Wayne.
In addition to receiving the Spaatz award, she was also presented with the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution at the ceremony.
Mother and daughter “have a remarkable story of encouraging each other over the last seven years, enabling both to reach the highest level of accomplishment available to cadet and adult members,” said Lt. Col. Brian Malone, Indiana Wing Group I commander.
“Both saw opportunities with CAP, made possible by the joint efforts of so many CAP members, and they participated whenever possible,” Malone said.
“Seeing this and being there for the presentation of both awards inspired me and many others.”_____Lt. Col. Bill Vendramin Public Affairs Officer Indiana Wing
