The cadet program is designed to inspire the country's youth to become leaders and dynamic American citizens through an interest in flying. Young men and women who are American citizens or aliens "lawfully admitted for permanent residency" may become Civil Air Patrol cadets. They must have completed the sixth grade or be at least 12 years old to become members. The maximum age for entering the cadet program is 18.
Cadets take part in a number of programmed and special activities. From these they develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand the total impact of air and space operations on society. They learn discipline by studying leadership and by learning military drill and courtesies. They become physically fit through a special physical training program.
Through studies and other activities, cadets work their way through a series of 15 achievements. As cadets progress, they earn increased rank, ribbons or certificates and also become eligible for nationally sponsored special activities and may compete for academic scholarships.
Cadets are assigned to squadrons staffed by senior members who guide and assist them through the program. A popular activity is the flying program. It promotes an interest in aviation by providing orientation flights and scholarships to cover flying training through solo qualification.
The most sought-after activity of advanced cadets is the International Air Cadet Exchange. Each summer, about 120 cadets and their adult escorts travel to one or the other of some 20 foreign countries. In return, cadets from foreign lands visit the United States as guests of Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force. Such trips promote goodwill and understanding among the world's youth who share a common interest in aviation.
Additional activities include cadet summer encampments at nearly 75 U.S. military bases and a cadet officer school. There are also familiarization courses at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, and eight geographical regions, each with from five to nine wings. There are 52 wings in all, one in each state plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Wings are divided in groups, squadrons, and sometimes flights. There are about 1,700 individual units. Half of which are composite squadrons or squadrons that have both senior and cadet members.
The highest governing body of CAP is the National Board, chaired by a member of the CAP Corporation whose title is National Commander. This position is held by a CAP Brigadier General elected by the members. Other members of the Board include the eight region and 52 wing commanders.
This governing body also includes an elected National Vice Commander, Chief of Staff, Legal Officer, Finance Officer, and Controller - all civilian volunteers who have no active duty Air Force obligations or privileges.
There is one key position on the National Board that ties the CAP Corporation to the U.S. Air Force - the Senior Air Force Advisor.
The advisor's position is held by an active-duty Air Force Colonel who, in addition to serving as the Senior Air Force Adviser, is responsible for all active duty and DoD civilian employees who provide liaison oversight and advice to the CAP organization.
In this capacity, the Senior Air Force advisor is also the CAP-USAF Commander.
PERSONNEL
CAP has nearly 52,000 volunteer members. They include more than 17,000 teenage cadets and nearly 35,000 adult senior members. They wear a uniform similar to that of the Air Force but with special CAP insignia.
Members fly some 9,000 privately owned aircraft and nearly 600 aircraft owned by CAP. They drive some 1,700 trucks, jeeps, ambulances and sedans. They also maintain licensed shortwave radios as part of a network of fixed, mobile and airborne systems across the nation.
Nearly 11,000 senior members are FAA-licensed pilots. Thousands more are qualified observers and fly on various CAP missions.
Time served in CAP does not count toward military service--nor does it obligate members to any active military duty.