Cadet Programs

We have over 50 cadets organized into two flights.

Cadets progress through 4 phases and 21 achievements with 5 milestone awards along the way. Each achievement brings new responsibilities as cadets promote from Cadet Airman up to Cadet Colonel. Each achievement consists of training and testing in Leadership, Aerospace, Character, and Fitness. JROTC cadets have the opportunity for accelerated promotions. 

See the attached Cadet Super Chart for a visual depiction of the cadet program.

The cadet program is led by cadets and supervised by adult officers and NCOs. As cadets progress, they can serve in leadership roles as element leaders, flight sergeants, flight commanders, and squadron commander. They are also able to serve in various support roles and on group and wing advisory councils.

There is a wide range of development and leadership opportunities for qualified cadets from encampments, leadership schools, flight academies, orientation courses, emergency services schools, and a host of others. See the National Cadet Special Activities page for more information.

Cadet Flying

Cadets have several flying options in Civil Air Patrol from orientation flights, flight schools, and options to earn a private pilot's license.
Check out the national cadet flying page for information and the Youth Aviation Initiative page for more funded flying opportunities.

Cadet Library

CAPF 60-91 Cadet Leadership Feedback - Phase 1

CAPF 60-92 Cadet Leadership Feedback - Phase 2

CAPF 60-93 Cadet Leadership Feedback - Phase 3

CAPF 60-94 Cadet Leadership Feedback - Phase 4

CAPP 60-33 Drill and Ceremonies

CAPP 60-34 Drill and Ceremonies Practical Tests

CAPP 60-50 Active Cadet Fitness Guide

Learn to Lead Volumes 1 through 4

Aerospace Dimensions Module 1 - Introduction to Flight

Aerospace Dimensions Module 2 - Aircraft Systems and Airports

Aerospace Dimensions Module 3 - Air Environment

Aerospace Dimensions Module 4 - Rockets

Aerospace Dimensions Module 5 - Space Environment

Aerospace Dimensions Module 6 - Spacecraft

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Cadet Individual Awards

In addition to the ribbons each cadet earns as they promote, cadets can earn other activity based ribbons. You can find ribbon criteria in CAPR 39-3.

Recruit two new members to earn the Cadet Recruiter Ribbon.
 

Complete an encampment to earn the Encampment Ribbon.
 

Attend a National Special Activity and earn the Cadet National Special Activity Ribbon.
 

Complete a term on the Cadet Advisory Council and earn the Cadet Advisory Council Ribbon.
 

Represent your wing in the region color guard competition to earn the National Color Guard Competition Ribbon.
 

Represent your wing in the region cadet competition to earn the National Cadet Competition Ribbon.
 

Complete 60 hours of community service and earn the Community Service Ribbon.
 

Complete two years of membership to earn the Red Service Ribbon.
 

There are additional ribbons available for advanced cadets and for acts of service or valor.

See the Emergency Services section of our website for ES related ribbons.

Cadet Unit Awards

There are two awards that represent high performing cadet units, the Quality Cadet Unit Award (QCUA) and the Squadron of Merit. Each earns the squadron a certificate and streamer for the unit flag. The QCUA is available to each squadron that meets the criteria while the Squadron of Merit is awarded to the squadron in each wing that has the highest numbers of each criterion. See below for those award requirements.

QCUA (based on squadron numbers on 31 August each year) earn 6 out of these 10 criteria.

 

• *Enrollment: Unit has at least 25 cadets listed on its roster

• Onboarding: 70% of all new cadets from 31 August 2021 earned Achievement 1 in 8 weeks

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• Cadet Achievement: 45% of cadets on roster have attained the Wright Brothers Award

• Orientation Flights: 70% of cadets on roster have first flight credit

• *Encampment: 50% of cadets on roster have graduated encampment

• Emergency Services: 60% of cadets on roster have GES certification

• *Outside Activities: Unit participated in a Red Ribbon Leadership Academy, AE ACE+ Adopt Program, or a STEM competition listed here: CyberPatriot, StellarXplorers, The American Rocketry Challenge, UAS4STEM, High Altitude Balloon Challenge

• Aerospace: Unit has submitted a Aerospace Excellence Award (AEX) Completion Report or sent in an AAR after ordering a STEM Kit during this award cycle

• TLC Graduates: Unit has at least 3 current Training Leaders of Cadets graduates on its roster

• Specialty Track: Unit has at least 2 Senior Members with a Cadet Programs Specialty Track rating
  
  * new or adjusted for 2023

Squadron of Merit (based on numbers on January 1st.)

• Starting Strength

• Ending Strength

• New Cadets

• Total Renewed

• Number of Wright Brother's Awards

• Number of Mitchell Awards

• Number of Earhart Awards

• Number of Eaker Awards

• Number of Spaatz Awards

• Number of First Time Encampments

• 70% of Cadets Complete an Orientation Flight

• % of Cadets with Back Seat Orientation Flights