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Eaker Award

How to Become Eligible for Promotion

1.   General Advancement Pre-Requisites  (Ref: CAPR 60-1, 5.2.3)
Be a current CAP cadet, as shown in eServices.
Possess a CAP uniform and wear it properly.
Be able to recite the Cadet Oath from memory.
Participate actively in unit meetings.
Have spent a minimum of 8 weeks (56 days) as an Achievement 16 graduate, unless eligible for a JROTC accelerated promotion (see CAPR 60-1, 5.6.2.3).

2.   Leadership
Write a 300-500 word essay and present a 5 to 7 minute speech to the unit on one of the topics below. A senior member will evaluate the essay and speech using these critique forms.

  • Describe three things an executive-level leader needs to do to ensure the unit will fulfill its long-term goals.

  • Explain three principles that should guide an executive-level leader’s use of delegation.

  • Discuss three ways a cadet officer can continue to develop his/her own leadership potential after outgrowing the CAP Cadet Program.

3.   Aerospace:   
No requirement.

4.   Fitness: 
Have attained the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) in the Cadet Physical Fitness Test (CPFT), within the previous 180 days, under the "run plus 2 out of 3" rule. 
Be mindful that the Spaatz Award's CPFT is considerably more challenging than HFZ standards. Familiarize yourself with the Spaatz requirements, set personal goals, and continue working toward Spaatz standards.
 

Healthy Fitness Zone - Males

Age

1-Mile

Pacer 
(20m laps)

Curl
Ups

Push
Ups

Sit & Reach
(avg. inches)

12

10.40

23

18

10

8

13

9.46

29

21

12

8

14

9.22

36

24

14

8

15

9.04

42

24

16

8

16

8.42

47

24

18

8

17

8.22

50

24

18

8

18 +

8.04

54

24

18

8

 

Healthy Fitness Zone - Females

Age

1-Mile

Pacer 
(20m laps)

Curl
Ups

Push
Ups

Sit & Reach
(avg. inches)

12

10.40

23

18

7

10

13

10.20

25

18

7

10

14

10.09

27

18

7

10

15

9.58

30

18

7

12

16

9.46

32

18

7

12

17

9.34

35

18

7

12

18 +

9.22

38

18

7

12

5.   Character:   
No requirement.    

6.   Special Requirement:
Have graduated from Leadership Academy. See CAPR 60-1, 5.5.3 for more details.

Cadet Programs:  Cadet Officer School or Region Cadet Leadership School. 

College Programs:  One semester of college ROTC, a service academy, or a military junior college (any branch)

7. Honor Credit
Not available.

Leadership Expectations

Fulfilling the promotion eligibility requirements above is only half the battle. You also need to show that you have some leadership skills. Look at the goals below and once in a while ask yourself how well you're doing in those areas.

Attitude
Resilient; shows mental discipline in working to achieve long-term goals; welcoming of change; has habit of continual self-improvement

Core Values
Uses empathy; recognizes how Core Values relate to new and unfamiliar situations; makes sound and timely decisions independently

Communication Skills
Articulate; succinct; persuasive; varies message to fit audience; proficient in explaining complex issues

Sense of Responsibility
Completes large projects with little supervision; follows and sets a command intent; self-starter

Interpersonal Skills
Actively develops and mentors cadet officers; adapts leadership style to fit situation; calm under pressure

Critical Thinking
Sets long-term goals for the unit; imaginative and visionary; recognizes the unit's long-term needs; mentally agile when faced with unfamiliar problems

Delegation Skills
Directs multiple teams and manages multiple tasks; assigns people to right jobs; delegates well and enables others to take charge

Typical Duties Upon Promotion

Cadet staff officer, cadet deputy commander, or cadet commander


About Gen. Ira C. Eaker

General Ira C. Eaker was one of the forefathers of an independent Air Force. With General (then major) Spaatz, in 1929 Eaker remained aloft aboard The Question Mark, a modified Atlantic-Fokker C-2A, for nearly a week, to demonstrate a newfound capability of aerial refueling. During WWII, Eaker rose to the grade of lieutenant general and commanded the Eighth Air Force, "The Mighty Eighth" force of strategic bombers. Even as a general, Eaker preferred to lead from the front, personally flying B-17 precision bombing missions over occupied France and Germany. Today, the Air Force celebrates his legacy by naming the service's top school for commanders in his honor -- the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development at Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 

 

 

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