[PRINT] Colorado Military Academy cadet receives Civil Air Patrol’s highest honor (copy)
Alexander Wilson, a senior at the Colorado Military Academy, is working on obtaining his driver’s license and his pilot’s license, which makes him uniquely qualified to answer the question: Which is more difficult — landing a plane, or parking a car?
“I’ve always naturally liked the air,” Wilson said. “So landing a plane would probably be a little easier for me.”
Wilson, a Civil Air Patrol cadet, recently achieved the program’s highest honor: the General Spaatz Award.
Named for Gen. Carl Spaatz, a legendary pilot and the Air Force’s first chief of staff, the Spaatz Award is an achievement garnered by less than 1% of CAP cadets. The fact that Wilson earned it at age 16 is nearly unprecedented, said retired Lt. Col. Nicole Roberts.
“This is not something a cadet can earn overnight,” said Roberts, who serves as CMA’s commandant and commander of CAP Cadet Squadron 805.
“Most cadets are 18 years old or older when they attempt Spaatz. For someone his age to get it — and on the first attempt — is a huge achievement.”
Colorado Military Academy, a K-12, tuition free public charter school on the eastern outskirts of Colorado Springs, opened its doors in 2017. Wilson, who learned about the school while attending an air show, enrolled in 2018.
“I was intrigued by it,” he said. “Then I heard about the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, and I was instantly sold on that.”
Alexander Wilson, a 16-year-old senior at Colorado Military Academy in Colorado Springs, earned the Civil Air Patrol’s highest award, The General Carl. A Spaatz Award. Wilson, pictured outside the Colorado Springs school Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy this fall. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
CMA students are required to participate in Civil Air Patrol from ninth grade until graduation, officials said.
“It’s not like Junior ROTC, where kids put on a uniform for a few hours a week,” Roberts said. “So it’s a decision students have to make before they begin ninth grade, to join the Civil Air Patrol or attend another school.”
For Wilson, the structure of academy life and the school’s various STEM activities were a natural fit, he said.
“I also love the camaraderie. We have a very close-knit community, and I think that’s one of the greatest strengths of the school. The esprit de corps of this school is what makes it a shining light.”
Wilson’s CMA career has not been without difficulty. A contentious divorce and custody battle forced him to leave school and live in Pueblo for nine months.
“He has had nothing given to him,” Roberts said. “Every (decoration) he has on his chest, he has earned through blood, sweat and tears.”
When he was finally able to return to CMA, Wilson’s ordeal had taken a visible toll on his health, Roberts said.
“He was probably 30 or 40 pounds overweight,” she said. “But he fought his way back, and now he’s a beast!”
Testing for the Spaatz Award is a rigorous process requiring top-level physical fitness, leadership, and aerospace knowledge. In addition to passing multiple written exams, candidates are required to take the Air Force Academy Candidate Fitness Assessment. Male candidates must be able to do a minimum of 81 sit-ups, 62 push-ups, and run a 6:29 mile.
“It was hard,” Wilson said. “But if you’re persistent and dedicated, it’s a manageable goal.”
Upon completion of the Spaatz requirements, Wilson was promoted to cadet colonel — the highest cadet rank in the Civil Air Patrol.
“With what he’s been through, he’s had every excuse to not be here, as an honor student, graduating early – but here he is,” Roberts said.
Wilson is looking at several college options. He has received scholarship offers from The Citadel and Norwich University, and recently received a congressional nomination for admission to the U.S. Naval Academy.
For now, though, Wilson is focused on getting his driver’s and pilot’s licenses, and enjoying the final months of his CMA journey.
“I’ve really enjoyed my experience here,” said Wilson, who plans to study mechanical engineering. “CMA offers opportunities you can’t get anywhere else.”
“We’re very proud of Alex,” Roberts said. “He might be the top cadet in Colorado — and I’m not just talking about high school.”
Alexander Wilson, a 16-year-old senior at Colorado Military Academy in Colorado Springs, earned the Civil Air Patrol’s highest award, the General Spaatz Award. Wilson, pictured outside the Colorado Springs school on Tuesday, hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy this fall.
