Information for Cadets
Purpose of the Cadet Program
The purpose the Cadet program is three-fold. One is to teach leadership. CAP views leadership skills as very important. Leadership is taught through drill and practice, preparation and planning of Cadet activities, briefings by Senior and Cadet members, at emergency training activities, and textbook. The second purpose is expose them to aerospace. The Cadets learn about aerospace through o' flights (CAP sponsor flights in airplanes, gliders, and jet air craft. Trips to the planetarium are also available to learn about space and space flight. The squadron also provides lessons in rocketry. Textbooks are also available on the subject. Finally, the Cadets are taught about emergency support services. They are taught how to locate fallen air craft, use short-wave radios, and provide support at the mission posts.
Promotions
Most rank promotions occur through testing. Cadets need to pass a physical training test, leadership test, and aerospace test. About two weeks after submitting an application to join, the Cadet receives a CAP notebook with a leadership book and six aerospace dimension manuals. To be promoted, Cadets need to be able to pass a test on a chapter from the Leadership book, a test from about one of the Aerospace Dimensions manuals, and a physical fitness test. Some of the promotions also require a demonstration of the drill capabilities. Cadets can be promoted once every 60 days. Testing occurs every second Tuesday of the month. It is recommended that they take a leadership test one month and the aerospace test the next month. Rules for promotion are located in the Cadet Programs manual. The other links provide support to the Cadet in preparing for the promotion testing and evaluations.
Cadet Programs Manual
Cadet Ranks: This web page has links to all of the ranks with a detail description of what is needed for promotion.
The Basics: This set of lessons teaches new cadets the basics about Civil Air Patrol. Manuals, practice flashcards, and practice test are available to assist new cadets in the promotion process. (This link does not work right now. When I can find a replacement, I will update this link.)
Leadership Program: This website provides the manuals, a crossword puzzle to practice with the vocabulary, and a practice test for the leadership. The study materials are provided by the Wyoming Wing. Scroll to the bottom to see the leadership quizzes.
Aerospace Education: This website provides the manuals, a crossword puzzle to practice with the vocabulary in aerospace, and a practice test for the aerospace education. All of these study materials are provided by the Florida Wing.
Physical Fitness Video Demonstrations
The following links are video demonstrations of how to properly perform the fitness test exercises. For more information on the Cadet Programs Physical Fitness Program, review CAPP 52-18.
Sit and Reach
Curl-Ups
Right Angle Push-Ups
Shuttle Run
Mile Run
Uniforms
Cadets are expected to maintain two types of uniforms. The first type is the service dress. This uniform consist of the light blue shirt and dark blue pants. Cadets are expected to keep this uniform pressed. They wear a white t-shirt under the blue shirt with black socks and black dress shoes. They also need a blue belt with silver buckle and a flight cap. Cadets can order their first uniform for free from Vanguard as part of their membership. This free uniform has a flight cap, light blue shirt, dark blue slacks, belt, buckle, flight cap, and black shoes.
The second type of uniform is battle dress uniform called BDU for short. This is a camouflage uniform that is worn with black socks and boots. Under the shirt, Cadets are suppose to wear a black or brown t-shirt. They can wear a ball cap with the squadron emblem or a camouflage cap.
The Cadets are to wear the CAP tags and name tags or taps, and wear CAP patches. All of these items are available through the squadron store. We also have a seamstress that knows the regulations and can put the patches on the BDUs for a $1 a patch. She donates that money to the Boy Scouts.
Click on Schedule to find out which uniform the Cadets are to wear to various activities. Make sure to click on details for the information about the meeting.
For more information about the uniform follow the link below.
USAF Style Uniforms
Below is a name of a person that has been trained in how to put the patches on our uniforms. She charges a $1 per patch and donates that money to the Boy Scouts.
Stitchin'
Debbie Baker Robinson
Cell# 954-614-2030
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Encampment
Encampment is a program that new Cadets are strongly encourage to attend. This experience is similar to the Air Force boot camp. The Cadets learn about the CAP program and develop their leadership skills. Encampment is a great experience for all Cadets. The program is offered two times a year. Once in the summer and once during Christmas break. Cadets can attend more that once. The first time the Cadet participates in the activities. The second time, they are the leaders of the Encampment. Follow the link below to learn more about Encampment.
Encampment: You will need to look for the link. It is labeled Encampment approximately in the middle of the page.
Application for CAP Encampment or Special Activity
Emergency Notification Form
Special Activites Board
In order to attend a special activity a Cadet must have completed and graduated from an encampment. When a Cadet chooses to attend an activity, they must first go through a process that every cadet in the nation participates in. The process begins at the Wing or state level where Cadets compete against each other in a series of different competitions consisting of a document review of application, a formal interview, a knowledge test, a uniform inspection, and a mile run. Once cadets are evaluated they are then ranked. Wing evaluators then select Cadets that will participate in the different activities.
To be competitive, Cadets should study everything in the leadership text and aerospace text. Supplementary material such as special outside readings are helpful because it is very important to stay updated with the latest events that take place at NASA and in other areas.
Cadets can participate in different opportunities because they competed and attended special acts. Special activities include powered or glider flights schools where a Cadet will have the opportunity to receive a pilot’s license in either form of flight. In another activity, Cadets may be able attend the International Air Cadet Exchange Program. Other activities range from Air Command Familiarization Course or National Blue Beret.
Below is a link to the special activities that are available for summer 2009. Check out what cadets can be doing this summer!
National Special Activites
Emergency Services
Cadets are given the opprotunity to receive the same training as the Senior members in emergency services. When natural disasters occur, trained Cadets play a vital role in meeting CAP missions. For more information about emergency service training. Follow the link from the list to the left.
More Information
Investing in America's Youth: A Strategic Overview of Civil Air Patrol Cadet Programs
Cadet Programs: This page is a portal to information cadets can use to learn more about CAP, the organization, and promotional instructional and pre-testing material.
Cadet Program Management: This is the most important manual for cadets. It summarizes the processes and organization issues that all cadets need to understand to be successful in CAP.
Cadet Protection Policies: This manual informs cadets of safety procedures when participating in CAP functions and activities.
Ribbon Rack Builder: This is a great tool to assist in building the ribbon rack for the service dress uniform.
Cadet Library: This web page has links to a variety of resources that your Cadets can us.
