Cadet Honor Society

Introduction

The purpose of the Cadet Honor Society (CHS) is to recognize academic excellence within the Cadet Program by allowing those cadets who've consistently demonstrated superior academic performance the opportunity to be recognized among their peers. This recognition helps provide additional motivation to achieve success and excellence in achievement testing.

In addition to this recognition, cadets have the privilege of noting they are members of the Florida Wing Cadet Honor Society. This accomplishment will help cadets further their educational progression outside of Civil Air Patrol by identifying them as top performers from within the Cadet Program. CHS is an optional program, but squadrons are highly encouraged to participate and support their cadets in earning this distinction.

Authority

Cadet Honor Society is a Florida Wing Commander approved initiative. The program is administered by the Director of Cadet Programs (FLWG/A5CP) and, if appointed, by a Cadet Honor Society Administrator (FLWG/A5CPH).

Membership Criteria

A member must fully qualify for the category of induction they choose to apply for, whichever is higher, with the exception of Member of High Distinction which can only be obtained during cadet officer phases. A cadet who has a mixture of scores above 90% and 93% must choose only the category of induction they fully qualify for. A cadet who achieves the Society Member induction is encouraged to improve their scores in the future to qualify for induction as a Member of Distinction or Member of High Distinction. Any scores used for a previous induction cannot be used for future inductions.

For example, a cadet who uses achievements 1-3 and the Wright Brothers Award for Society Member induction cannot use any of those scores towards a Member of Distinction or Member of High Distinction induction but may include any testing completed from achievement 4 and upward, if they are completed consecutively. All scores will be considered for retroactive consideration.

Society Member

1. Member in good standing.

2. Can be obtained during any cadet phase (C/Amn-C/Col).

3. Maintain a minimum score of 90% or better per achievement or milestone test for four consecutive achievements with no time frame. If the achievement only requires one test (such as achievement 1 which has only a leadership test), that one test will count for the whole achievement. The same applies to milestone awards that have a combined leadership and aerospace test rather than two separate tests. However, if there is an achievement or milestone test that requires two separate tests, leadership and aerospace, both tests will require a 90% or better for that achievement to count.

4. Only the original test score will be used. For example, if you received a 60% the first time you took the test and then took it again and received a 92%, only the first test score of 60% can be used which disqualifies that achievement.

5. There is no timeline to qualify for this recognition; however, tests must be passed at 90% or greater for four consecutive achievements. Therefore, if you have previously qualifying achievements, you are encouraged to submit those for retroactive induction.

Member Of Distinction

1. Member in good standing.

2. Can be obtained during any cadet phase (C/Amn-C/Col).

3. Maintain a minimum score of 93% or better per achievement or milestone test for four consecutive achievements with no time frame. If the achievement only requires one test (such as achievement 1 which has only a leadership test), that one test will count for the whole achievement. The same applies to milestone awards that have a combined leadership and aerospace test rather than two separate tests. However, if there is an achievement or milestone test that requires two separate tests, leadership and aerospace, both tests will require a 93% or better for that achievement to count.

4. Only the original test score will be used. For example, if you received a 70% the first time you took the test and then took it again and received a 94%, only the first test score of 70% can be used which disqualifies that achievement.

5. There is no timeline to qualify for this recognition; however, tests must be passed at 93% or greater for four consecutive achievements. Therefore, if you have previously qualifying achievements, you are encouraged to submit those for retroactive induction.

Member Of High Distinction

1. Member in good standing.

2. Can only be obtained during cadet officer phases (C/2Lt-C/Col) and must have previously received the Member of Distinction induction.

3.  Maintain a minimum score of 93% or better per achievement or milestone test for four consecutive achievements with no time frame. If the achievement only requires one test (such as achievement 1 which has only a leadership test), that one test will count for the whole achievement. The same applies to milestone awards that have a combined leadership and aerospace test rather than two separate tests. However, if there is an achievement or milestone test that requires two separate tests, leadership and aerospace, both tests will require a 93% or better for that achievement to count.

4. Only the original test score will be used. For example, if you received a 70% the first time you took the test and then took it again and received a 94%, only the first test score of 70% can be used which disqualifies that achievement.

5. There is no timeline to qualify for this recognition; however, tests must be passed at 93% or greater for four consecutive achievements. Therefore, if you have previously qualifying achievements, you are encouraged to submit those for retroactive induction.

Grandfathering from previous induction criteria

Anyone who has been previously inducted as an inductee or member of distinction under the previous guidelines may continue to wear the shoulder cord but is not permitted to wear the gold aiguilette unless they have qualified for the Member of High Distinction under the new criteria. Anyone previously inducted is encouraged to continuing striving for excellence by working towards achieving the Member of High Distinction.

Application Procedures

Download and complete the FLWG Form 501 (contact your unit commander for download) Cadet Honor Society Inductee Application. This form can be completed electronically or handwritten, however, it must be legible regardless of which method you use. If the form is completed electronically, the proper electronic signature format must be used. Forms will be checked for accuracy. Any submission with incorrect information, such as using an improved score after an additional attempt, will be grounds for automatic disqualification. Remember, we follow an honor code!

After unit commander (or deputy commander for cadets) approval is received, submit the form using the form on the Florida Wing Cadet Honor Society page. Regardless of whether the form is completed entirely electronically, or has been printed and scanned, the form must be used for final submission. Completed applications may be submitted by the cadet or the squadron; however, please ensure the information in the submission is for the cadet inductee not the person submitting the form.

Please allow up to 60 days for processing. The certificate will be sent to the unit for presentation to the cadet.

For additional information or questions about a submitted CHS application or submissions, please e-mail CHSadmin@flwgcap.us.

Recognition

Society Members will earn the Florida Wing Cadet Honor Society Induction Certificate, and the cadet’s name will be listed as a Member on the Florida Wing Cadet Programs website. Members of Distinction will earn a blue and gold shoulder cord to be worn with the Blues Uniform as well as receive the Florida Wing Cadet Honor Society Member of Distinction Certificate, and the cadet’s name will be displayed with one asterisk on the Florida Wing Cadet Programs website noting the Member of Distinction achievement.

Members of High Distinction will earn a gold aiguilette which will be attached to the blue and gold shoulder cord to be worn with the Blues Uniform as well as receive the Florida Wing Cadet Honor Society Member of High Distinction Certificate, and the cadet’s name will be displayed with two asterisks on the Florida Wing Cadet Programs website noting the Member of High Distinction achievement. Members who earn the blue and gold shoulder cord are permitted to wear the cord with their Blues Uniform at any Florida Wing event. The shoulder cord must be removed from the uniform if attending an activity outside of Florida Wing.

Members will receive a memorandum from FLWG/A5CP recognizing their achievement. Commanders of Society Members will receive the certificate recognizing the cadet’s achievement; this certificate will be provided in electronic format for printing at the local unit level.

Shoulder cords and aiguillettes can be obtained directly from Vanguard’s website at vanguardmil.com for both Members of Distinction and Members of High Distinction. FLWG Pamphlet 60-29 provides photographs and specific ordering information for these items. Purchase of the cord and aiguillette is the responsibility of the squadron or member.