Overall Philosophy and Goals for the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program
Mission of Newman Academy Cadet Squadron, Civil Air Patrol
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Program at Newman International Academy (NIA) transforms youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders. CAP accomplishes its Cadet Program through a curriculum of leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. The program follows a military model and emphasizes Air Force traditions and values. The CAP Cadet Program at NIA is committed to excellence in academics and performance. We are dedicated to pursuing community service with Integrity, adhering to both NIA and CAP regulations and virtuous behavior, producing leaders in CAP and in life, and displaying the following traits of character: trustworthiness, respect, personal responsibility, respect toward all, and being good members of the community whether we are wearing our uniforms or not. Today’s Cadets are tomorrow’s aerospace leaders. We will model these behaviors as we come alongside our NIA colleagues in building the whole person for the whole world by raising Warriors of Wisdom, Stature and Favor.
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program at NIA is based on the premise that cadets are first and foremost students, and that program participation is a privilege rather than a right. NIA Cadets train not only to excel in service to their community, state, and nation, but also to handle success well and overcome adversity.
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program at NIA is structured with specific goals in mind for cadets at each level. All Cadets are required to properly represent NIA in and out of uniform in accordance with our Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, or they will not be afforded the privilege of representing NIA at CAP activities.
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program has five key traits of cadet life that inform the desired look and feel of how cadet activities should be conducted.
- The Uniform. Civil Air Patrol promotes teamwork and high standards of personal conduct through the cadets being granted the privilege of wearing an Air Force-style uniform. The uniform and the related traditions of rendering military customs and courtesies distinguish cadets from ordinary youth. These military aspects of cadet life are important motivators. Every activity should allow cadets to wear their uniform and properly render military customs and courtesies.
- Aerospace Theme. Civil Air Patrol members often hold in common a love of flying. Aviation is the thread that runs through all three CAP missions, and CAP’s affiliation with the Air Force underscores its identity as an air-minded organization. Whenever possible, every cadet activity should further cadets’ enthusiasm for aerospace, as “aerospace” is broadly understood. With a little imagination, even fitness and character activities can be shown to have an aerospace connection.
- Opportunity to Lead. Civil Air Patrol develops leadership skills in cadets by giving them opportunities to lead. This includes planning events, making decisions, and teaching and mentoring junior-ranking ca-dets, commensurate with their developmental progress and grade. The cadets’ grade structure and military-style chain of command reinforces this leadership concept. Every activity should allow cadets opportunities to lead, under adult leader supervision.
- Challenge. Civil Air Patrol challenges youth. It might be the physical challenge of conquering an obstacle course, an academic challenge to master aerospace and leadership concepts, a moral challenge to live the Core Values, or a personal challenge to know oneself better and gain self-confidence. Because of these challenges, the Cadet Program is intended for young adults, not children. Every activity should challenge cadets in one way or another.
- Fun. Civil Air Patrol should be fun. New friends and great opportunities are the hallmarks of cadet life. The cadets who work hard in CAP reap the most benefits, but the program should not be another form of school – it needs to be fun, hands-on, rewarding, and exciting. Proper adult supervision, an emphasis on risk management, and teamwork built upon mutual respect create a safe and fun environment. Every activity should be fun, for cadets and their adult leaders alike.
Cadet Program Elements
To fulfill its mission, the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is organized around four main program elements: Leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Cadets participate in activities relating to these program elements. To advance in the program and earn awards, they must complete one task for each element per achievement, with some exceptions.
LEADERSHIP
- Goal. The goal of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program’s leadership element is to develop in cadets the ability to think independently and lead others in an atmosphere of teamwork and mutual respect.
- Methods. Civil Air Patrol introduces youth to Air Force perspectives on leadership through self-paced study, classroom instruction, service learning, and other hands-on opportunities to apply leadership principles to real-world challenges. Adult leaders and ranking cadets acting as mentors and instructors help cadets develop their leadership potential.
- Resources. Civil Air Patrol cadets use the Learn to Lead textbook, Aerospace Dimension Modules, and CAPP 60-33, Drill and Ceremonies, as their main resources for completing promotion requirements. Adult leaders and experienced cadets act as instructors and mentors. Additional resources are available at GoCivilAirPatrol.com/Library.
- Test Instruments. Civil Air Patrol Cadets must pass interactive online modules and/or open-book multiple-choice tests of their leadership, aerospace, and cyber knowledge to complete most achievements. Completing milestone awards require passing a closed-book comprehensive multiple-choice test. Some achievements require cadets to pass a drill and ceremonies performance test, or complete speech and essay assignments. Cadet officers demonstrate their understanding of organizational leadership through oral and written communication projects in the Staff Duty Analysis program. Cadet performance is compared against leadership expectations, which are statements describing leadership norms for cadets during each of the Cadet Program’s four phases.
AEROSPACE
- Goal. The goals of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program’s aerospace element are to inspire in youth a love of aviation, space, and technology; provide them with a foundation in aerospace’s scientific principles; and introduce them to aerospace career opportunities. For cadets, the term aerospace combines and includes the separate domains of air, space, and cyberspace.
- Methods. Civil Air Patrol introduces cadets to aviation, space, cyber, and technology through self-study and group-study methods, classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and career exploration.
- Resources. Civil Air Patrol cadets study the Aerospace Dimensions modules during Phases I and II of the Cadet Program, and Aerospace: The Journey of Flight during Phases III and IV. Adult leaders and experienced cadets act as aerospace instructors and mentors. Cadets also have opportunities for hands-on learning through a wide range of curricula, activity programs, and orientation flights. A curriculum guide is also available: See GoCivilAirPatrol.com/Library.
- Test Instruments. Civil Air Patrol cadets must pass an online interactive module or an open-book multiple-choice test of their aerospace knowledge for most achievements. Most milestone awards require passing a comprehensive closed-book multiple-choice test.
FITNESS
- Goal. The goal of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program’s fitness element is to develop in cadets a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Methods. The Active Cadet Fitness Program includes classroom academic instruction; fitness activities, drills, and games for individuals and groups; high adventure and outdoor programming; and mentoring. Physical exercise in the Cadet Program will be used only to improve cadets’ physical fitness. Fitness training will not be used as a form of punishment or as a vehicle to teach remedial discipline.
- Resources. The primary resource is CAPP 60-50, Active Cadet Fitness Guide. Additional resources are available at GoCivilAirPatrol.com/Library.
- Test Instruments. As new cadets join Civil Air Patrol, unit commanders assign them to the appropriate physical fitness category. CAP expects each cadet to exercise regularly and participate in the unit’s physical fitness program.
CHARACTER
- Goal. The goal of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program’s character element is to develop in cadets an ability to think critically about moral and ethical issues and to develop a commitment to live CAP’s Core Values.
- Methods. Civil Air Patrol develops character in cadets through academics, service learning, and mentoring.
- Key Content. Three topics receive special emphasis in the character element. (1) Civil Air Patrol challenges cadets to become ambassadors of a drug free ethic. (2) CAP encourages cadets to develop resilience in the face of adversity. And (3) CAP equips cadets with risk management skills so they can fulfill their goals while keeping risk as low as reasonably possible.
- Resources. A variety of resources are available at GoCivilAirPatrol.com/Library including the authorized lesson plans for monthly character forums, drug-free activity guides, Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation character resources, and a curriculum guide for the character development program as a whole. See GoCivilAirPatrol.com/Library.
- Evaluation Instruments. Civil Air Patrol cadet participation in character forums is monitored informally by the senior instructor. Moral reasoning skills are evaluated through speech and essay assignments for Achievement 8 and the Eaker and Spaatz Awards. Most importantly, leaders observe cadets' outward signs of moral character throughout their participation in the Cadet Program. The cadets' adherence to CAP’s Core Values is discussed during leadership feedback meetings.
Program Phases
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is organized around four phases of learning. The phases are progressive in that the subject matter gradually becomes more challenging and learning objectives become more exacting, while cadets grow from proficiency to mastery and a broader set of opportunities become available to cadets as they advance. Participation in the lower phases builds the foundation necessary for success in the higher phases. Table 1 outlines learning goals and content areas by phase.
Summary of Learning Goals & Content Areas in the Cadet Program's Four Phases
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Phase I
The Learning Phase
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Phase II
The Leadership Phase
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Phase Ill
The Command Phase
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Phase IV
The Executive Phase
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Leadership
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Followership &
contributing to a team
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Team leadership
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Officership & principles of indirect leadership
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Leadership issues in the strategic domain
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Service learning on a squadron cadet staff
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Service learning on a squadron cadet staff and leadership opportunities in group and wing special activities
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Advanced opportunities for service learning in group and wing special activities
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Aerospace
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Fundamental concepts of aerospace
Variety of hands-on STEM activities
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Fundamental concepts of aerospace
Variety of hands-on STEM activities
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Heightened understanding of aerospace fundamentals through a more comprehensive plan of study
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Heightened understanding of aerospace fundamentals through a more comprehensive plan of study
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Awareness of STEM careers
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Career exploration through NCSAs
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Career exploration through NCSAs
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Career exploration through NCSAs
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Fitness
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Learning why fitness is important & being motivated to exercise regularly
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Variety of fitness activities with the squadron
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Variety of fitness activities with the squadron
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Variety of fitness activities with the squadron
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Variety of fitness activities with the squadron
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Accountable for fitness performance & expected to lead by example
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Accountable for fitness performance & expected to lead by example
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Accountable for fitness performance & expect- ed to lead by example
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Benchmark assessment followed by mentoring
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Preparing to reach USAF Academy fitness expectations
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Character
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Introduction to the Core Values & a challenge to live up to those ideals
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Principles of moral reasoning & how Core Values impact everyday Iife
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Principles of moral reasoning & how Core Values impact multi- faceted moral problems
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Principles of moral reasoning & how Core Values impact multi- faceted moral problems
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Proper wear of the uniform and military customs and courtesies
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Proper wear of the uniform and military customs and courtesies
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Milestone
Award
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Wright Brothers Award
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Mitchell Award
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Earhart Award
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Eaker Award
Spaatz Award
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Table 5 This table is merely descriptive of common learning goals and content areas in the Cadet Program's series of progressively challenging phases. It is not intended to restrict learning opportunities.