Responsible Citizens Through Aviation and Leadership
CAP’s cadet program trains young men and women in teamwork, moral leadership, aerospace education, technical skills to support emergency services, and military history and customs. Through national encampments, a college and flight training scholarship program, and the International Air Cadet Exchange, CAP cadets broaden their horizons, learn to assume responsibility, feel self-confidence and set goals for their lives.

Civil Air Patrol builds strong citizens for the future by providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women, ages 12 to 21.

Civil Air Patrol offers more than $200,000 in college scholarships each year, and about 10 percent of each year’s freshman class at the U.S. Air Force Academy is comprised of former CAP cadets.

Thousands of young people have their first orientation flights through the cadet program, and hundreds have soloed in gliders and powered aircraft. Tens of thousands have attended CAP encampments throughout the nation. At a national encampment, CAP cadets gather from throughout the nation. They may learn techniques for search and rescue and disaster relief. They may sample possible career choices by studying with a university engineering or technology department. They may learn teamwork and leadership through competitions in problem-solving and physical endurance.

Cadets can enjoy overseas travel through the International Air Cadet Exchange, and CAP families can welcome foreign exchange students into their homes here in the states.

For non-CAP members, the CAP School Program fills the gap between elementary school DARE and high school ROTC. CAP members, including cadets, volunteer their time in public schools, teaching respect, manners and personal accountability in a drug-free environment.

Through Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Program, young people develop leadership skills, investigate the fundamentals of aerospace science, acquire the habit of exercising regularly, solidify their character, and participate in exciting hands-on activities that prepare them to become responsible citizens.

Youth between the ages of 12-18 may join the CAP Cadet Program and remain in cadet status until they turn 21. Middle school students may join before turning 12, if  their school participates in the CAP School Program.

Phase-In. All cadets who join after 1 April 2010 will receive a copy of Learn to Lead, Modules 1 and 2 in their New Cadet Kit. Phase I and II cadets who joined prior to that date may remain in Leadership for the 21st Century or opt to switch to Learn to Lead. 

Written & Drill Tests. New tests will serve the Learn to Lead cadets, via the new online testing system. Learn to Lead cadets will demonstrate their proficiency in drill through a performance test during every achievement in Phases I and II.

Aerospace Dimesions
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Scholarships for school and flying
It doesn't get any simpler than that!  Each year, Civil Air Patrol provides academic and flight scholarships to deserving cadets and seniors who meet the eligibility requirements. Combined with our college partners, we offer over $350,000 in scholarships. Apply today!

Cadets After School
Through partnerships with middle and high schools, Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Program is fulfilling its mission of developing tomorrow’s aerospace leaders.

CAP offers schools an exciting form of character education that uses the students’ enthusiasm for aviation, space, and technology as a motivator. An Air Force-affiliated after school program*, high schools find Civil Air Patrol a low-cost alternative to Junior ROTC. Middle schools find that the challenge of cadet life provides the structure early adolescents need. A middle school CAP squadron can be a great complement to a high school JROTC program.

Cadet Advisory Council
The mission of the National Cadet Advisory Council (NCAC) is to identify fresh new ideas that will enhance and improve every cadet's experience through articulation of ideas and thoughts surrounding the development of cadets in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.

Cadet Advisory Councils have Three main purposes:

In addition, Cadet Advisory Councils function to Provide a means of reciprocal communication for cadets for the sharing of announcements, developments, and other official information.

Cadet Flying
The cadet orientation flight program shares with cadets the thrill of flying. Every CAP cadet under age 18 is eligible for five flights in a powered aircraft (usually a single-engine Cessna), five flights in a glider aircraft, and an unlimited number of backseat flights when conditions allow.

Drug Demand Reduction
Education, Training & Community Outreach

The Civil Air Patrol Drug Demand Reduction program assists squadrons, groups, wings, and regions to instill an agressive, positive, drug-free attitude in Civil Air Patrol members, Air Force families, DoD civilians, and school-age children through a comprehensive program that:

This section includes:
■ Dates
■ Locations
■ Points of Contact
■ Web Information

This section includes:
■ Dates
■ Locations
■ Points of Contact
■ Web Information

This section includes information about:
■ Pararescue Orientation
■ Space Command and Pilot Training
    Familiarization
■ National Blue Beret
■ National Flight Academies
■ Cadet Officer School and IACE
■ and more