Linden Civil Air Patrol cadet recognized as outstanding noncommissioned officer

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Francis “Patrick” Treutlein, of Virginia Wing’s Winchester Composite Squadron, received the Air Force Sergeants Association’s (AFSA) Outstanding Squadron Cadet Noncommissioned Officer of the Year recognizing his efforts in 2021.

Cadet Treutlein with parents and Chief Glazer.

Cadet Treutlein serves as the unit’s cadet first sergeant, actively mentoring all cadets in the unit and assisting with planning and execution of weekly meetings and activities. In 2021, supported by CAP’s cadet wings program in which he was the 94th graduate, he earned his private pilot’s license in June. At his home high school, he served as the cross country team’s captain, vice president of the national honor society, and treasurer of the student government association senior class. When not actively leading his peers, he is a dedicated piano and karate student.

Chief Master Sergeant Ronald Glazer, Sr., United States Air Force, retired, presented the award. He commented, “Not everyone can earn this award. Cadet Treutlein earned it for his hard work in leading and caring for his fellow cadets and his community. This is the true character of an NCO.”

Cadet Treutlein commented, “Serving my squadron and community through Civil Air Patrol has been one of the most rewarding things that I have done. I believe that the experiences I have had in CAP will better prepare me for officer training at college, and a career in the USAF.”

About Virginia Wing
The Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, with 22 squadrons spread throughout the Commonwealth has approximately 1,800 members, 12 light aircraft, and 29 multi-purpose vehicles. These assets are available to federal, state and local governments, emergency responders and law enforcement agencies to perform search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and counter-drug missions. For more information on the Virginia Wing, visit the wing’s website at https://vawg.cap.gov/ and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/vawgcap

About Civil Air Patrol
Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft and 2,250 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 108 lives last year. CAP’s 56,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education resources. Members also serve as mentors to over 23,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.