Madison Cadet Squadron (MS111)

Madison Cadet Squadron History

Founding & Mission

• The Madison Cadet Squadron (SER-MS-111) was established in January of 2014 as a youth-focused squadron within the Mississippi Wing of CAP. The Madison Cadet Squadron has the unique distinction of being Mississippi’s only cadet-only squadron. The squadron's motto, "Discite Para Serve," was chosen by the cadets in 2022 and captures the essence of the squadron's mission. Translated, it means "Learn, Prepare, Serve." This mantra reflects their commitment to continuous learning, thorough preparation, and dedicated service to others, embodying the values we strive to instill in every cadet.

Awards & Accolades

• The squadron is recognized as a benchmark of excellence, consistently earning CAP’s coveted Quality Credit Unit Award and repeatedly being honored as the MSWG Squadron of the Year and Squadron of Merit.

• Madison Cadet Squadron cadets have distinguished themselves by consistently attaining prestigious high-level cadet leadership positions, earning their private pilot licenses, and securing appointments to elite U.S. military service academies and Ivy League institutions.

Meetings & Community

• The squadron convenes weekly throughout the entire year, pausing only for major holidays and significant wing events. Each meeting immerses youths aged 12–18 in a rigorous program emphasizing leadership, cutting-edge aerospace and STEM education, physical fitness, and character development. Squadron members hail from Madison, Ridgeland, Brandon, Clinton, Canton, and Flora. Beyond regular sessions, the squadron offers exclusive weekend training opportunities, featuring exciting aviation adventures, intensive leadership development, and dynamic emergency services exercises. Additionally, cadets spearhead impactful outreach initiatives within the community, delivering inspiring leadership and aerospace education programs that ignite curiosity and ambition among local elementary school students.

Squadron Emblem & Symbolism 

Red Caboose: At the bottom of the disc is a red caboose that serves to represent a key landmark in the town our squadron calls home and serves as a reminder of Madison’s origins. In 1856, when the Illinois Central Railroad opened its Madison Station, it became the precursor of today’s city of Madison. The newly established railroad community began to thrive and soon became the predominant town in the area. After the Civil War, the railroad continued to serve as a magnet for business growth, and Madison became a major railroad-shipping center. The caboose not only marks our heritage but also the community we protect, serve, and the youth we mentor. 

Mockingbird: In addition to being the Mississippi state bird, adopted in 1944, the Mockingbird serves as a symbol of our tenacity, ability to adapt, and highlights how we are able to thrive no matter the environment. The mockingbird is found in a variety of ecosystems, each unique and with its own hazards; so too do the cadets and senior members of the Madison Cadet Squadron come from all walks of life and thrive wherever they may roam. We protect our community, our state, and our nation, we adapt to any challenge – including a global pandemic, and no matter the circumstances, we continue to thrive. Finally, the mockingbird ties the unit to the state and wing it is part of, illustrating the unity we share with our fellow Americans. 

Ursa Minor Constellation: The seven stars of a stylized version of the Ursa Minor constellation represent the burning passion our cadets have to reach for the heavens and show the tie our unit has with emergency services. Ursa Minor contains the North Star, a famous landmark in the night sky that navigators, astronomers, and emergency service personnel have used for thousands of years to orient themselves. Civil Air Patrol ground teams and our own cadets learn to orient themselves from Ursa Minor to not only save lives but to remind themselves of the core values, of our duty to serve, and that the sky is the limit for what they can achieve. 

Contacting and Visiting

To visit or message this squadron, please use the Civil Air Patrol Unit Locator Tool to find up-to-date contact and meeting information.