The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program has its foundation in the military tradition that comes from being the Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP Cadets learn aerospace, leadership, moral and ethical skills, and many other useful life skills in a military environment. Cadets have the opportunity to learn leadership through hands-on leadership opportunities such as being a Flight Sergeant, support staff positions, or one of many other positions. By actually leading fellow cadets toward a common goal, CAP cadets learn teamwork, planning, time management, and leadership skills.

The program is based off of four phases whereby cadets learn more and advance through demonstrating their mastery of the knowledge. Cadets start at the "bottom of the totem pole" but can advance to a position where they are leading others. CAP believes strongly that one must learn to follow before learning how to lead. Three of the four phases are ended by a Milestone Award. These awards require a special dedication to the program and to performance. Attaining certain awards allows cadets to be given more responsibilities, attend more activities, and be eligible for more aspects of the cadet program.

One of the greatest parts of the CAP Cadet Program are the Special Activities. Cadets can attend many different activities throughout their CAP career. Cadets can travel to foriegn countries, learn to rescue injured persons, spend time at the Air Force's Space Command Headquarters, and many many other opportunities.

---

The Four Phases

The Cadet Program is divided up into four phases, four awards, and 16 achievements. To pass an achievements a cadet must usually do the following:

• Pass an Aerospace test at 70%
• Pass a Leadership test at 70% (all)
• Pass the Cadet Physical Fitness Test (all)
• Pass a Staff Duty Analysis (only achievements 9-16)
• Attend a Moral Leadership breifings (all)
• Participate in squadron activities (all)

  Phase One - achievements 1-3 - The Introductory Phase

  This phase is designed to introduce the new member to CAP. Some squadrons have a formalized Phase One Training Program to help the new member adjust to CAP.

  Grades: Cadet Airman Basic, Cadet Airman, Cadet Airman First Class, Cadet Senior Airman

  Phase Two - achievements 4-8 - The Learning Phase

  During Phase Two cadets begin to understand followership and progress towards their new responsibilities as cadet officers (in Phase Three). Typically cadets will serve as Flight Sergeants, assistants to staff officers, and other middle level positions. A cadet can be promoted every two months, depending on how quickly they complete the requirements. Average time is four months per promotion.

  Grades: Cadet Staff Sergeant, Cadet Technical Sergeant, Cadet Master Sergeant, Cadet Senior Master Sergeant, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant

  MITCHELL AWARD - 100 question test, 80% passing score

  This is the first major milestone award. Named for General William Mitchell, the award signifies the passage of the cadet from the NCO corps to the CAP Cadet Officer corps. Due to its significance, the award must be present by a CAP Group Commander or higher. Earning the Mitchell Award, entitles CAP cadets to advanced grade and pay if they choose to enlist in the USAF (or course credit in AFROTC). Cadets who have passed the Mitchell Award are promoted to Cadet Second Lieutenant.

  Phase Three - achievements 9-11 - The Leadership Phase

  Phase Three takes the semi-experience NCO (non-commissioned officer) and turns them into an semi-independent leader. Cadets begin taking on progressively complicated tasks and projects. Where Phase Two cadets would be asked to execute a defined set of instructions, Phase Three cadets are the ones designing those instructions and supervising their completion. During Phase Three, cadets no longer take the Aerospace exams and instead began intensive study of CAP management and regulations called Staff Duty Analysis.

  Grades: Cadet Second Lieutenant, Cadet First Lieutenant

  EARHART AWARD - 100 question test, 80% passing score

  Like the Mitchell, the Earhart Award is also a "Milestone Award." This test, named for famed female aviator Amelia Earhart. This represents the second major level in the Cadet Program. Approximately 50% of those cadets who earn the Mitchell Award go on to earn their Earhart. Serving as the gateway to the final phase of the program, only those officers with a solid base of professionalism, maturity, and ethics are passed. Completion of this award confers the grade of Cadet Captain.

  Phase Four - achievements 12-16 - The Executive Phase

  These individuals, often referred to as "Senior Cadets," now service the cadet program by guiding large scale projects and serving as mentors and advisors for the cadets coming up the program. Often times these cadets serve on a group or Wing level and help administrate the program. Phase Four cadets are often involved in the strategic planning process of major activities and programs.

  Grades: Cadet Major

  IRA C. EAKER AWARD - given for completion of Cadet Program

  The third, and newest, major milestone award, it is named for General Ira C. Eaker, a famed Air Force aviation pioneer. This award signifies that the cadet has completed all 15 achievements of the CAP Cadet Program. Upon completion of the last achievement, the cadet is promoted to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel. Officially the cadet is done, and can receive no more promotions, unless the cadet chooses to try for the final major award - the General Carl A. Spaatz Award.

  GENERAL CARL A. SPAATZ AWARD

  The highest award possible for a CAP cadet, the General Carl A. Spaatz award is earned by only a select few cadets each year. The test can ONLY be taken THREE times. If the candidate fails all three times, then the candidate can NEVER earn the award. There are four parts to the exam:

  • A 60 question Aerospace Exam (80% passing)
  • A 60 question Leadership Exam (80% passing)
  • An essay exam
  • A physical fitness exam

   Upon passing the exam, the cadet is promoted to Cadet Colonel.
  
  

  ---

Special Activities

Special Activities are one of the greatest parts of the CAP Cadet Program. Each year, through CAP Special Activities, cadets are allowed to adventure, explore, and learn in one in a lifetime opportunities. CAP Activities include all of the following and many more:

• Pararescue Jumping Orientation Course (PJOC) - Cadets learn Search and Rescue skills from Air Force rescue jumpers.
• National Cadet Officer School (NCOS) - Cadet officers attend leadership courses at Maxwell AFB, home to the Air War College and Air Force Squadron Officer School.
• Encampments - On both a state and national level, cadets can attend week long training camps where they test themselves, learn leadership, and experience an active DOD installation.        
• Blue Beret (NBB) - Cadets learn Search and Rescue skills while serving the aviation community at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow.        
• Flight Encampments - Held both locally and nationally, CAP cadets are given the oppotunity to earn their "solo wings" in a Cessna 172 or 182 in a school format.
• IACE - Cadets from around the nation are selected to participated in a foriegn exchange program with aviation cadets from around the world. Cadets can visit Japan, Norway, Isreal, Austria, and many other countries.
• Leadership Schools - Often held on a local level, cadets have the opportunity to learn and hone their leadership skills.

Each of these activities have different costs and attendance requirements. For more information please visit the CAP National Website.