The Civil Air Patrol (CAP)

Since December of 1941, there has been a new organization tasked by congress to train America’s youth, educate people on the aerospace community, and responding on a moment’s notice to help search for people and planes that go missing across the country. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) acts as a volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force and stands as one of the four components that make up the United States Air Force’s Total Force. Although every aspect of the organization presents extraordinary merit, one stands especially important to the advancement of America: The Cadet Program. Made up of the youth of America, the cadet program strengthens leadership, character, friendship, and bonds. It helps the next generation of leaders evolve

In 1946, President Truman officially signed the public law which incorporated the Civil Air Patrol and tasked them with their three missions we focus on to this date: Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services. (“Introduction”, 2003, p. 16). Following 1948 and the creation of the United States Air Force, Civil Air Patrol was officially incorporated as their civilian auxiliary. Since then, the program has been evolving, with the Cadet Program being no exception. The Cadet Program is open to any child aged 12-18 and has evolved to not only be a premilitary program, but one to develop skills in every cadet regardless of if they ever wish to serve in the military. Across the nations, squadrons, or units, meet weekly to train their cadets to succeed both now and in their future. The CAP Cadet Program introduces its members to a wide variety of career paths. As everyone knows, one day all kids grow up. As such, it is crucial that programs oriented at the youth of the country excel in providing a foundation to help guide members on path to succeed later in life. Unlike many youth organizations, CAP does not solely focus on one avenue to pursue. Instead they focus on providing activities and lessons to meet any path that a cadet wishes to investigate. From flying a plane to flying a desk, CAP teaches important skills necessary to

As we are an auxiliary of the Air Force, a lot of time and money is spent on developing pilots and cadets interested in flying. As such, exposure to flying is a huge aspect of the cadet program. Upon joining cadets are granted five free powered orientation flights and five free glider orientation flights. These flights allow cadets to go up with qualified pilots and actually fly a plane. I, myself, am able to say that at the age of 12 I was able to take the controls of an actual aircraft flying some 3000 feet above the ground. This aspect is one few know is possible to do. Furthermore, CAP provides paths to achieve one pilot’s certificate should they choose to. At the age of 16, a cadet can be admitted into a flight academy where they can work towards soloing, or flying alone, in a CAP aircraft. Only a small number of people can say that they successfully flew a plane from takeoff to landing while still in high school, myself included. All of these skills aim at educating cadets on what they will need to know should they pursue any aviation related path from avionic engineering to aircraft managers to pilots and everyone in between. All of these programs come at a low cost to the cadet and provide a wonderful introduction into an industry many might not have considered feasible to