CADET PROGRAMS

The Plano Mustangs Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, Cadet Program is designed to inspire the country's youth to become leaders and dynamic American citizens through an interest in flying and aviation.

One of the major parts of the Civil Air Patrol is providing a program to motivate American youth to develop leadership abilities and to become responsible citizens through aviation-centered activities. This mission has evolved into the CAP Cadet Program.

The Cadet Program is designed to permit all cadets to:

Objectives of the Cadet Program:

Leadership

The Civil Air Patrol has established a successful leadership training program. Cadets are encouraged to learn their assignments and achieve their objectives. Senior Cadets are expected to become familiar with their respective duties in the Staff Duty Analysis Program. Each cadet will go through on-the-job-training in each achievement.

Physical Fitness

Each cadet is expected to complete the appropriate conditioning program and maintain a physical fitness category as defined by the CAP Program.

Moral Leadership

One of the elements of the Civil Air Patrol is the Moral Leadership Program. It is designed to help the cadet understand and appreciate the moral issues of our time through discussion and debate. Civil Air Patrol has its network of chaplains. In addition, CAP may call on a variety of military and civilian chaplains to assist.

Aerospace Education

The Aerospace Education Program is a combined self-study and group study program that is designed to make the cadet fully aware of the importance of aviation today and in the future. The cadet will learn about propulsion systems, meteorology, aerodynamics, the social and economic impact of aerospace on society - and much more!

Emergency Services

Civil Air Patrol cadets may participate in the Emergency Services Program after they have completed the required training.

Mission

The cadet program is one of the Civil Air Patrol's three basic missions. The cadet program's mission is the "development of dynamic young Americans and aerospace leaders."

Description

The cadet program has many aspects to it. However, they all can be grouped into three categories: support, training, and competition.

1. Support- Cadets perform various support roles in the Emergency Services mission of the C.A.P. Most units have ground teams, which are mostly made up of cadets. Most wings hold an annual ground team competition both for training and competition purposes. Communications at mission base during SAR (search and rescue) missions are usually handled by cadets as well.
2. Training- Educational opportunities for cadets abound in the C.A.P. Every summer there are nearly a dozen different activities. These include Cadet Officer School (C.O.S.), Para Rescueman Orientation Course (PJOC), International Air Cadet Exchange (I.A.C.E.), Encampments, and Air Education and Training Command (A.E.T.C) to name a few. Additionally, cadets are given training in ground team and related operations, communications, and disaster relief.

Another training aspect of the cadet program is orientation flying. Many squadrons have their own plane and are able to take cadets up quite often. In addition to the small plane orientations in C.A.P. , there are also opportunities to fly in larger military planes. If there is an AFB or an Air National Guard base near by, there is a good chance surrounding squadrons arrange orientation rides in their planes as well.

3. Competition- Every year a National Cadet Competition is held at CAP HQ, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The NCC consists of seven events: standard drill (marching), innovative drill, mile run, volleyball, panel quiz (C.A.P. Jeopardy), and a 100 question written test. Each wing (state) sends a 15 man team to compete in it's Region's Cadet Competition. The winner of the region competition goes to national.

Characteristics

The cadet component of the CAP is quite a bit different from the senior component. There is usually more discipline and a much greater sense of military bearing. Cadet squadrons usually have a set chain of command and a commander and staff who run the squadron. Recruits are instructed, usually by their Cadet NCO's (non-commissioned officers), in drill and military customs and courtesies.

What do I have to do to join?

Joining CAP will open a new world full of exciting activities like encampments, field training, air shows, emergency services training, parades, survival training, orientation rides, community service projects, and much, much more! What are you waiting for????

Awards in the Cadet Program

Information

National Activities:

  Scholarships: