CAP develops LEADERSHIP skills in youth

SCOPE
    Civil Air Patrol develops youth through self-paced
study of the art of leadership. Cadets learn how to
lead through formal classroom instruction and a
laboratory of hands-on experience where they apply
leadership principles to real-world challenges
within the cadet corps.

 OPPORTUNITIES
Encampments: During weeklong encampments,
which are usually conducted on Air Force bases,
CAP exposes cadets to Air Force values and
traditions. First-year cadets develop teamwork and
self-confidence in what is for many their first
experience away from home. Leadership education
culminates at the academically rigorous Cadet
Officer School, conducted at the Air Force's Air
University.

 OUTCOMES
Civil Air Patrol produces confident young leaders
who think independently and persuade others in an atmosphere of teamwork and mutual respect.   Former cadets can be found in leadership positions in the military, aerospace industry, public service and the professions.

  CAP develops youth into RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS SCOPE Civil Air Patrol inspires youth to value their citizenship and serve their neighbors. Cadets develop a sense of duty to their community by contributing to CAP's real-world emergency services and humanitarian efforts.

   OPPORTUNITIES
Emergency Services & Humanitarian Missions:  Cadets aid adult CAP volunteers in conducting search and rescue and humanitarian missions as qualified radio operators, ground team members and mission staff assistants. Cadets have been  credited with locating downed aircraft, finding missing persons and saving lives.    International Air Cadet Exchange: High achieving CAP cadets enlarge their understanding of distant cultures by serving as goodwill ambassadors and participating in aviation-related activities abroad.   Civic Leadership Academy: Cadets study the federal government and explore public service careers during an unforgettable week in
 Washington, D.C.

OUTCOMES
For America to exploit the talents of bright, capable youth, today's young people must become good citizens willing to serve their community and  contribute to something larger than themselves.

CAP develops CHARACTER in youth

SCOPE Civil Air Patrol emboldens youth, challenging them to live the cadet ethic of integrity and to embrace timeless values.

OPPORTUNITIES
Character Development Forums: Cadets explore contemporary ethical issues through the lens of their core values: integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect.   Drug Demand Reduction: In partnership with the Air Force surgeon general, CAP helps curb the
demand for drugs by reinforcing positive lifestyles.   Cadet Competition: Eager to show off their aerospace knowledge, physical fitness and precision on the drill field, cadet drill teams and color guards vie against one another in competitions at the state, regional and national levels.

OUTCOMES CAP equips cadets to think critically about the moral dimensions of problems they encounter and then to face them with courage.

CAP inspires in youth a love of AVIATION & SPACE

SCOPE Civil Air Patrol cadets experience flight firsthand through the efforts of CAP adult volunteers, aviation enthusiasts eager to share their love of flying. Often,  it is through CAP that a young person receives the first flight of his/her life

OPPORTUNITIES
Orientation Flights: Through orientation flights in powered and glider aircraft, cadets develop a love of aviation at no cost to them.   Flight Academies: Having experienced the wonder of flight, advanced cadets pursue formal flight training. During powered and glider flight academies, CAP provides cadets with reasonably priced flight instruction in an age-appropriate learning environment.   Flight and College Scholarships: Aviation is prohibitively expensive for most youth. In partnership with charitable organizations and
colleges, CAP helps cadets pursue flight training and/or post-secondary education through scholarships.

OUTCOMES
By inspiring in youth a love of aviation, CAP develops tomorrow's pilots, engineers, mechanics and aerospace enthusiasts. That affection for the airplane helps fulfill the Wright brothers' century old dream of an air-minded citizenry.

CAP introduces youth to AEROSPACE CAREERS

SCOPE Civil Air Patrol introduces youth to career opportunities in aerospace. America needs today's generation of youth to become tomorrow's aviators, engineers, technicians, and entrepreneurs.

OPPORTUNITIES
Air Force Career Explorations: Air Force leaders introduce cadets to career opportunities during weeklong familiarization courses each summer. Cadets experience firsthand the exciting aspects of a career that interests them.   High-Technology Career Explorations: In
partnership with leading universities and businesses, cadets experience fast-growing, technology intensive aerospace fields. Career explorations take place at week-long academies each summer that often include significant time inside engineering and computer labs.  

OUTCOMES
The Aerospace Industries Association reports that   America is facing a shortage of aerospace  professionals. CAP helps youth get excited about   aviation, space and technology careers. Many in today's aerospace workforce got their start in CAP. By introducing cadets to aerospace careers, CAP helps ensure today's youth will continue America's   aerospace dominance tomorrow.

CAP motivates youth for ACADEMIC SUCCESS

SCOPE
 Civil Air Patrol offers middle schools and high schools an opportunity to use the Cadet Program to motivate students to succeed academically.

OPPORTUNITIES
Character-Building Aerospace Activities: Through CAP's school programs, young people participate in fun and interesting activities, including model rocket launches, leadership academies, color guard performances and orientation flights.   Role Models and Mentors: Early adolescence is a challenging time for youth. CAP provides middle school students with opportunities to interact with older, more mature teenage cadets and adult volunteers who model positive attitudes and encourage them to grow and fulfill their potential.  

Educational Resources and Support: CAP provides participating schools with all the tools they need to administer a successful Cadet Program. Teachers or administrators who want to make the cadet experience available at their school need only contact CAP to get started.

OUTCOMES
Reports from educators show that class attendance and academic achievement have marked improvements when CAP partners with their school. Orientation flights motivate students, providing an incentive to excel academically. One educator reported that an unruly gang was displaced by a productive middle school cadet unit because the young people enjoyed belonging to a group that had a meaningful purpose.

     Cadet Milestone Awards

Phase 1 Cadet Staff Sergeant	Phase 2 Cadet 2d LT	Phase 3 Cadet Captain	Phase 4 Cadet LT Colonel	Cadet Highest Cadet Colonel

 Phase I, the Learning Phase is just that: cadets learn to function in a military-type environment. They learn to march, wear their uniform properly, learn the principles of followership, and begin to learn about the aerospace environment. At the conclusion of this phase, cadets receive the Wright Brothers Award.

Phase II, the Leadership Phase, cadets become more involved in the program. They may enter leadership roles in their squadron and attend a CAP encampment, which is designed to give cadets an introduction to the Air Force culture and hands on leadership and aerospace training in a team environment. It is at the conclusion of this phase that they receive the General Billy Mitchell Award.

Phase III, the Command Phase, the cadet is expected to take on greater responsibility for activities and training within their squadron. They must assume a leadership position and mentor younger cadets in a variety of areas. In addition, they must also become knowledgeable in different staff areas, learning from their senior member counterparts in areas such as public affairs. This is in addition to continuing the activities they began in Phases I and II. At the conclusion of this phase, the cadet may receive the Amelia Earhart Award and go on to the final phase of cadet training.

The achievements in Phase IV, the Executive Phase, are designed to provide high-level leadership experiences to the individual cadet. When the cadet has completed the requirements for Phase IV, they will receive the General Ira C. Eaker Award and become eligible to test for the highest award for achievement in the Cadet Program, the General Carl A. Spaatz Award.

The Spaatz Award is a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of the cadet program phases. This exam is passed by less than one percent of the total cadet population. Once a cadet has passed the Spaatz examination, they are promoted to the highest grade in the program, cadet colonel. Most attend college and pursue aerospace careers; many have earned a pilot certificate; and all are advisors to those involved with conducting the cadet program. Spaatz cadets continue to improve themselves through applying what they have learned throughout the cadet program and assisting other cadets to excel.


Cadet Programs Officer

2d LT Ed Silassy
Washington Squadron 601
PA Wing Group 1
U.S. Air Force aux.
Civil Air Patrol