Civil Air Patrol

Phase Two-The Learning Phase

The next phase in the cadet program is much longer than Phase One. Cadets during this phase begin to learn the  more complex drill manuevers, and eventually learn to give the commands and to command flights in drill  manuevers. Cadets begin this phase as flight members, but as they progress in rank so can they progress in  responsibility. Cadet move up through Element Leader (responsible for 4-5 cadets), to Flight Sergeant (responsible for 10-15 cadets), and even to First Sergeant (administrative duties for 30-40 cadets). These jobs are no easy tasks and require many hours by the cadet. They are critical components of the squadron staff and relied upon heavily. Not every cadet earns a staff position, but the adult leadership tries to see that those who deserve it get their fair chance. This phase ends when the cadet earns the first of three major awards in the Cadet Program, the General Billy Mitchell Award. The Mitchell Award is earned by earning a passing score on the     Mitchell Exam which is a comprehensive examination of what the cadet has learned from their Aerospace and  Leadership texts and training to this point. Upon National recognizing this award the cadet earns their "commission" and joins the ranks of cadet officers. Cadets who earn the Mitchell Award are eligible for the grade of E-3 if the later decide to enlist in the Air Force.
Grades of this phase: Cadet Airman First Class, Cadet Sergeant, Cadet Staff Sergeant, Cade
Technical Sergeant, Cadet Master Sergeant

Phase Three-The Leadership Phase

The third phase of the cadet program focuses less on followership and more on developing strong leadership  principles and abilities. Cadets in this phase usually serve in squadron staff positions and are commonly responsible for 20-30 cadets at a time, a major squadron project or area, or all of these. Examples are Flight Commanders who are responsible for keeping their cadets informed about activities and for helping them with problems or questions they have. Another cadet may be assigned to "support staff" position like Administration  where they must update and maintain squadron records, or the Acitivities Officer where they must keep track of  Wing and Squadron activities, help cadets sign up for them, and even plan squadron activities. Added to the study areas for the cadet during this phase are Staff Duty Analysis packets. The SDA is a chance for the cadet officer to learn more about each staff position in CAP and to learn the manuals and regulations that come with each. This phase ends when the cadet earns the second major award, the Amelia Earhart Award. This is another 100     question, comprehensive examination which the cadet must pass to continue progressing. The Earhart Award is  similar to the Eagle Award in Boy Scouting.

Grades of this phase: Cadet Flight Officer, Cadet Second Lieutenant, Cadet First Lieutenant

Phase Four-The Executive Phase

The final phase of the cadet program is involved in getting the cadet ready for their transition to senior status, and  with teaching them the "big picture" of leadership. Cadets at this level have been in the program a minimum of two  years (usually longer) and have served in many different capacities in CAP. These cadets are often serving as Cadet Commanders for their units (responsible for 10-50 cadets) or have already served as Cadet Commanders and are now advisors. Some cadets even serve at higher levels such as Group or Wing Headquarters to  coordinate major Wing cadet activities. These cadets often run large projects with assistance and have developed  in strong leaders. This phase concludes once the cadet has earned the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel marking  the completion of Achievement 15. Cadets receive a letter from National Headquarters and are authorized to wear the Eaker ribbon upon the completion of phase 4. However their career does not always stop here...

     Grades of this phase: Cadet Captain, Cadet Major, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel

The General Carl A. Spaatz Award-The Final Award

The fourth of the four CAP Cadet awards is the Carl A. Spaatz Award. To receive this award a cadet must pass a 60 question comprehensive Aerospace examination, a 60 questions comprehensive Leadership examination, run a mile in a specified time, and write a judged essay. These exams as a group can only be taken three times, those who do not pass after the third time will never receive their Spaatz Award. For this reason the Spaatz Award is  extremely difficult to earn. Cadets who do earn it are typically 5 year or more "veterans" of CAP and have served in many areas and run many projects. To date only about 1,400 cadets have ever earned their Spaatz Award.

     Cadet who earn this prestigious award are promoted to grade of Cadet Colonel.



Cadet Special Activities and Opportunities

National Activities

Note: No National Activity is mandatory

Pararescue Jumping Orientation Course (PJOC)

This is a week long course that it operated by Air Force Pararescue Jumpers desgined to orientate cadets to the rigourous missions involved in Emergency Services. Cadets learn how to rappele down cliffs, search methods, physical endurance, first aid, and other ES skills. This training is reserved for C/SGT's and above only. Cadets who attend this are expected to be in good physical shape before attending.


Advanced Pararescue Jumping Orientation Course (APJOC)

More push-ups, more ES, more running, more bivouacs, more rappelling, basically lots more of what makes PJOC such an attraction.


Cadet Officer's School (NCOS)

Cadet Officer's School is a 10-day course held at Maxwell AFB, AL. The school is designed to teach young CAP cadet officers leadership tactics, group dynamics, teamwork, speaking, and writing skills. Classes are taught by both Air Force and CAP officials. Cadets are spearated into "clusters" with whom they work through the week with. COS activities include a speech compeition, volleyball competition, use of the Air Force Squadron Leadership School's Project X (a very challenging course), and many other unique and exciting events. A cadet must have earned their Mitchell Award by December 31 of the year prior to attending.


National Cadet Competition (NCC)

     National Cadet Competition is an activity where some of the best and brightest drill teams from around the country meet and compete. Each CAP Region holds its own Region Cadet Competition and the winners of these competitions go on to NCC at Maxwell, AFB, AL. Teams compete in seven events: Standard Drill, Innovative Drill, Uniform Inspection, Written Examination, Quiz Bowl, Mile Run, and a Volleyball Competition. Together these events are designed to measure the all-around quality of the team in each area of the cadet program.


Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course (AFSCFC)

This course is a week long aerospace activity where cadets learn about the Space Command of the United States Air Force. Space Command is the command that is tasked with maintain America's military presence in space. Cadets experience microgravity simulations, space preperations, and many other unique and exciting activities.  This activity is only two years old and is still being modified each year.


National Solo Encampment

National Solo Encampment is where cadets all over the country are given the chance for flight training through their solo certificate.


Blue Beret Encampment

This is a two week school that is held at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Blue Beret is an ES intensive training school where cadets learning many skills valuable to Emergency Services. Blue Beret is coupled with intense physical training and also with chance to work with and to see the arishow. The encampment has gone through some major reorganization in the past few years and has only recently been restored to its former status as a physically strenuous and challenging encampment. Cadets who attend this should be in good physical shape before attending.


International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE)

IACE is a foriegn exchange program that CAP has set up with aeroclubs and aviation organziations around the world. CAP cadets are selected to visit countries around the world and cadets from other nations visit the US as well. Cadets may only participate once in the program. The cost to the cadet is extremely low at around $200 for the uniform and $200+ for gifts and souveniers to take with you. Some countries that cadets visite are: Japan, Phillipines, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, and many others. Cadets must have earned their Earhart Award and be 17 years old to attend this activity.


Hawk Mountain Ranger School

"Pensy Rangers" as it is more commonly known is another high intensity Emergency Services school. This school is hosted by Pennsylvania Wing and has been attracting cadets from around the nation for years. Training is similar to that of PJOC but focuses more on survival in the wilderness, mountaineering, and Emergency Services in a rural/mountainous setting. Again, cadets should be in good physcial condition before attending this activity.