National Cadet Special Activities of the Civil Air Patrol

The following includes Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program national activities as of 2008. [http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=6521&audienceID=4 Civil Air Patrol National Special Activities internet page] ] Civil Air Patrol's National Cadet Special Activities offer a broad range of largely aviation-related summer activities. Most are a week long and they are located throughout the country. This list highlights many, but not all, current and more longstanding activities.

CAP / USAF sponsored (exclusively)

Air Force Pararescue Orientation Course

In this physically demanding activity, Cadets work with actual Pararescuemen learning land navigation, wilderness survival, climbing and rappelling and other Pararescue-related skills.

Air Force Space Command Familiarization Courses

Designed for Cadets with an interest in space-related careers, this course provides an in-depth look at the Air Force Space Command, including missile operations, space command and control and orbital mechanics.

Air Force Weather Agency Familiarization Course

For Cadets interested in meteorology, this provides a chance to work with members of the Weather Agency and see how weather is forecast and interpreted using state of the art equipment.

National Flight Academy (Powered & Glider)

Cadets who are at least 14 years old for glider and 16 for powered are eligible for the week-long National Flight Academy (NFA). Here, cadets go through high intensity instructive training both on the ground and in the air. Academies for powered flight (operating CAP Cessna 172 models) and glider flight (operating CAP LET L-13 Blaník models) are separate, so students may choose to apply to and attend either or both.

Cadets are paired with instructors and take daily flight lessons based on lessons learned in daily ground school sessions, as well as nightly homeowrk readings. In addition, students are required to be prepared for any emergency that may threaten the aircraft or crew.

The pupose of NFA is to guarantee 10 hours of quality flight instruction to the students. However, due to the high intensity training, most students, pending their instructors permission, will be given the opportunity to solo, or pre-solo in the case of gliders, the aircraft. Depending on the academy, anywhere from 50-80% of student will graduate with their solo rating.

Cadet Officer School

Based on the Air Force's Squadron Officer's School, Cadet Officer School is CAP's keystone leadership school. Open to cadet officers, it is held at the Air University at Maxwell AFB and teaches critical thinking, active decision making, operational and strategic leadership, and air power theories, as well as directly relating all of the above into real life situations.

Civic Leadership Academy

Held in Washington, D.C., this course explores the functions of our government and political processes.

Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Courses

A glimpse of the training that makes an Air Force pilot. Includes heavy academics, flight facilities tours and may include full-motion simulator time and flight time with an instructor pilot in a T-1A Jayhawk jet trainer. Formerly the Air Education and Training Command Familiarization Course.

CAP sponsored

Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Orientation Course

Co-sponsored by Cessna Aircraft, this activity shows aircraft construction and maintenance techniques and includes tours of the Cessna Aircraft factory.

Airline Careers Exploration

A hands on activity where cadets learn about careers within the airline industry including pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and flight attendants.

Hawk Mountain Ranger School

The Colonel Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility at Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania, is the oldest continually operated school of search and rescue in the United States. This activity teaches basic and advanced CAP SAR techniques as well as survival, rope work, first aid and leadership.

Honor Guard Academy

This activity teaches Air Force Honor Guard techniques and provides instruction on creating an Honor Guard at a Cadet's home unit. Cadets are also taught military discipline and protocol of the type required by a Honorguardsman, as well as the four elements of the Honor Guard: the Ceremonial/Demonstration Element, the Colors Element, the Funeral Element and the Drama Element (which involves plays and skits promoting a drug-free lifestyle and depicting the consequences of abusing illegal substances).

National Blue Beret Activity

Participants help conduct EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the world's largest airshow. This is a 'working vacation' and duties include aircraft marshaling, crowd control and ELT deactivation.

National Emergency Services Academy

An in-depth SAR school teaching all aspects of the CAP Emergency Services mission.

Privately sponsored

= EAA Air Academy =

In addition to orientation flight time, Cadets study the flight, weather, navigation and aircraft construction.

= Space Camp / Aviation Challenge =

Conducted at the United States Space & Rocket Center, this course focuses on space exploration, and features flight simulation, physiology, crew equipment and more.

International Air Cadet Exchange

Perhaps the premier National Cadet Special Activity, IACE is an opportunity for two weeks of international travel to countries around the world and meet cadets of other organizations, such as the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. A CAP Cadet must have earned the Amelia Earhart award and have a minimum grade of C/Capt to apply for IACE. Cadets from 19 nations are sent to either Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States or the United Kingdom. CAP, the U.S. Air Force, and the host country cover the cost of meals, lodging, and airfare. Each participant is responsible for the cost of his/her IACE uniform, an activity fee, and other incidentals.

Purpose

The aim of the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) is to foster inter-national understanding, goodwill, and friendship among young people who have a common interest in aviation. Civil Air Patrol represents the United States in the International Air Cadet Exchange Association.

Scope

For approximately 3 weeks each summer, hundreds of cadets from more than a dozen nations broaden their understanding of aviation and different cultures through the Exchange. Hundreds more youth, families, aerospace professionals and community leaders benefit from the Exchange by serving as hosts, tour guides and escorts, or simply by participating in local activities alongside the international cadets. IACE cadets enjoy special access to factories, airports, engineering labs and cockpits around the world, as host nations showcase their cutting-edge aerospace technologies. Activities designed for the cadets promote a true sharing of ideas and enthusiasm for aviation, and tap into this excitement to advance global friendship.

Eligibility

To travel abroad through IACE, cadets and senior members must meet the criteria below.
* Cadets must be at least 17 years old by 1 July of the year in which they hope to participate in IACE, and must have earned the Earhart Award by 31 December of the previous year.
* Senior Members must be at least 25 years old by 1 July of the year in which they hope to participate in IACE, and must have earned the senior-rating in the Cadet Programs Officer Specialty Track by 31 December of the previous year.
* Special Requirements. Host countries may impose additional eligibility rules and restrictions.
* Application & Selection. See www.cap.gov/iace for information about the application and selection process

References