Dear Sir:
Thank you for your recent email, I read your web page with great interest. Having reviewed the matter, however, I cannot say that I arrived at the same conclusion as you.
First, your assertion that "Spaatz Cadets no longer represent the finest" is unsubstantiated. That a Spaatz cadet is non-selected for a wing's "cadet of the year" award says NOTHING about the cadets involved and EVERYTHING about the senior members involved. When your "trusted source" states, "He doesn't represent the type of cadet we want representing Tennessee Wing", I am compelled to ask: what type of cadet DOES Tennessee Wing want to represent it? And why hasn't that cadet earned the Spaatz Award?
If I sound skeptical, it's with good reason. One can't help but observe that while Tennessee Wing has zero control over the Spaatz Award examination process BY DESIGN, it has complete and total control over its "cadet of the year" award. Johnson's Corollary to Murphy's Law states: "Anything that CAN be politicized and/or corrupted, WILL be politicized and/or corrupted." See where I'm going with this?
If not, let me spell it out for you: you're looking at the situation backwards. Seems to me it's not a question of why aren't Perrine and Catino "TNWG Cadet of the Year" material, but a question why isn't the "TNWG Cadet of the Year" SPAATZ material? As you point out in your write-up, both Perrine and Catino seem to be on the right track: Perrine is now a commissioned officer, Catino is pursuing a career as a USAF pararescueman. Clearly, both have their "poop in a group", so to speak, and certainly represent both themselves and CAP well. Now, I ask: what are the credentials of the cadets TNWG honored as their cadets of the year, and how were they selected? Who selected them? What were the criteria? Were the criteria subjective or objective in nature?
I'd have to say that the thrust of your article should be "Tennessee Wing Cadets of the Year No Longer Represent The Finest". Maybe that's the point you were trying to make, maybe I missed it. Either way, the reputation of the Spaatz Award is not sullied in the slightest by Messrs. Perrine and Catino being "passed over" for TNWG "cadet of the year" honors.
Regards,
Matt Johnson
Maj, CAP
Spaatz Association Webmaster
Great response, Major Johnson. How refreshing it was to read someone actually say "Thank you for your recent email". As I told you in my responding email, I agree with you. I have high respect and regard for both Perrine and Cantino, gained during my short time serving in CAP with them. I was shocked with the two-years-in-a-row voiced comment at a SPAATS award ceremony. I anticipate it will be repeated a third time this year. There is no reason to think otherwise. More important than the comment is the absolute silence by the Tennessee Wing Commander, Col. James Rushing, pictured with SPAATZ recipient Catino, regarding this issue. No repudiation of the comment. No regret voiced regarding to the choice of Tennessee Wing Cadets, two years in a row, who did not rise to the level required of SPAATZ Cadets. It is the same silence which failed to acknowledge the insensitivity of the racial atttribution paid to my eldest son, that perpetuates the institutionalized racial intolerance being discovered at every level of Civil Air Patrol. It is the same silence which failed to acknowledge the impropriety of the now National Two-PIC Policy. Not one member of the CAP National Board has rejected the impropriety of the Tennessee SPAATZ award ceremony embarrasment Not one member of the CAP National Board has rejected the impropriety of the now National Two-PIC policy. Not one member of the National Board has embraced the formation of a Racial Sensitivity Study Panel constituted of 15 Lt. Colonels and/or Colonels from each region who refer to themselves as of African American heritage.. Like deer in headlight, none of the national leaders can recognize and acknowledge error and set about to change it.
Of course, in this decade of "One Year National Commanders" there is still the possiblity that the CAP will raise someone up with Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All that we Do. (someone reading my emails recently remarked, Phillip, those are not the CAP core values. He didn't have to tell me that. Anyone reading these webpages has known that for sometime. The question I ask is.... why aren't they? Which one is so repugnant? Proudly point it out to me.)
We are still vigilant (oh, yes, it is the CAP that is supposed to be Semper Vigilans. Well, until then, we'll do it for them.)
Phillip L. Blansett, Ph.D.
Counseling Associates
Still Performing Missions Serving America
Tennessee Wing Spaatz award recipient Cadet Col. Christopher D. Perrine
Cadet Col. Christopher D. Perrine of Berry Field Composite Squadron accepts his General Carl A. Spaatz from Col. Eileen Parker, Southeast Region Vice Commander, Tennessee Congressman (Lt. Col., CAP) Jim Cooper and Col. James M. Rushing, Tennessee Wing Commander. Photo courtesy Maj. James Lawson, Tennessee Wing Director of Public Affairs.
What is not pictured is available in an affidavit supplied by Senior Member Attendees. According to their testimony, one "Trusted Member of Tennessee Wing Staff" (TMTWS), when asked how could Cadet (Now Lt., USAF, Serving Proudly) Perrine, who at time of the award had earned his private pilot certificate with Multi-Engine Rating, commanded the Group Drill Team, had no unresolved discipline issues, how could it be that he could be granted the award of SPAATZ Cadet, yet be passed over for Tennessee Wing Cadet of the Year? According to witnesses claiming to be present and to whom the "TMTWS" responded, said the "TMTWS" stated, "He doesn't represent the type of Cadet we want representing Tennessee Wing."
Just as sad, perhaps sadder, is what should have been a joyeous moment for SPAATZ Cadet Colonel Danny Catino: Spaatz Roster:
1521 Danny L. Catino 01 Jan 2004 TN
No photo is found of his award. However, as in the award of SPAATZ Cadet Perrine, when asked why SPAATZ Cadet Catino was passed over for Tennessee Wing Cadet of the Year, the same "TMTWS", according to affidavits, said, "He doesn't represent the type of Cadet we want representing Tennessee Wing."
This question remains: If Cadet Col. Danny Catino and Cadet Col. Christopher Perrine don't " ... represent the type of Cadet we want representing Tennessee Wing." why were they awarded SPAATZ Cadet?
The deeper you dig, the dirtier it gets.
