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Cadet Achievement Awards
To develop dynamic, young,
aerospace leaders..."
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program
is a program for youth ages 12-20 who are interested in aviation and leadership.
The program has four phases through which cadets are expected to progress.
Cadets are expected to learn aerospace and leadership skills, military
drill, customs & courtesies, be physically fit, participate in CAP
activities, and actively participate in the squadron's Moral Leadership
program. However, the CAP cadet program is not for everybody. CAP cadets
must learn to have strong self-discipline, good moral character, honesty,
and many other traits that require hard work and dedication. Those who
are not willing to strive to live up to these values are not destined to
be successful cadets.
Phase
One || Phase Two || Phase Three
|| Phase Four ||
The Spaatz
Award
The Four Phases
Phase
One-The Beginning Phase
This is the first phase after
initial membership for a CAP cadet. During this phase cadets are often
either put into a separate "Phase One" flight or are assigned a personal
"tutor" so they may begin learning the ins and outs of being a cadets.
During this time the cadet will receive their first uniforms as well as
their books. Teachings in basic military drill, customs, and courtesies
begin. Cadets leave this phase once they earn their first achievement,
the General Curry Achievement. This achievement carries with it the grade
of Cadet Airman (or Cadet).
Grades of this phase:
Cadet Basic, Cadet Airman, Cadet Airman First Class, Cadet Senior Airman,
Cadet Staff Sergeant
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Phase
Two-The Learning Phase
The next phase in the cadet
program is much longer than Phase One. Cadets during this phase begin to
learn the more complex drill maneuvers, and eventually learn to give the
commands and to command flights in drill maneuvers. Cadets begin this phase
as flight members, but as they progress in rank so can they progress in
responsibility. Cadet move up through Element Leader (responsible for 4-5
cadets), to Flight Sergeant (responsible for 10-15 cadets), and even to
First Sergeant (administrative duties for 30-40 cadets). These jobs are
no easy tasks and require many hours by the cadet. They are critical components
of the squadron staff and relied upon heavily. Not every cadet earns a
staff position, but the adult leadership tries to see that those who deserve
it get their fair chance. This phase ends when the cadet earns the first
of three major awards in the Cadet Program, the General Billy Mitchell
Award. The Mitchell Award is earned by earning a passing score on the Mitchell
Exam which is a comprehensive examination of what the cadet has learned
from their Aerospace and Leadership texts and training to this point. Upon
National recognizing this award the cadet earns their "commission" and
joins the ranks of cadet officers. Cadets who earn the Mitchell Award are
eligible for the grade of E-3 if they later decide to enlist in the Air
Force.
Grades of this phase:
Cadet Technical Sergeant, Cadet Master Sergeant, Cadet Senior Master Sergeant,
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant, Cadet Second Lieutenant
After completing Phase
II cadets are awarded the Mitchell Award
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Phase
Three-The Leadership Phase
The third phase of the cadet
program focuses less on followership and more on developing strong leadership
principles and abilities. Cadets in this phase usually serve in squadron
staff positions and are commonly responsible for 20-30 cadets at a time,
a major squadron project or area, or all of these. Examples are Flight
Commanders who are responsible for keeping their cadets informed about
activities and for helping them with problems or questions they have. Another
cadet may be assigned to "support staff" position like Administration where
they must update and maintain squadron records, or the Activities Officer
where they must keep track of Wing and Squadron activities, help cadets
sign up for them, and even plan squadron activities. Added to the study
areas for the cadet during this phase are Staff Duty Analysis packets.
The SDA is a chance for the cadet officer to learn more about each staff
position in CAP and to learn the manuals and regulations that come with
each. This phase ends when the cadet earns the second major award, the
Amelia Earhart Award. This is another 100 question, comprehensive examination
which the cadet muss pass to continue progressing.
Grades of this phase:
Cadet First Lieutenant, Cadet Captain
After compelling Phase
III cadets are awarded the Earhart Award
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Phase
Four-The Executive Phase
The final phase of the cadet
program is involved in getting the cadet ready for their transition to
senior status, and with teaching them the "big picture" of leadership.
Cadets at this level have been in the program a minimum of two years (usually
longer) and have served in many different capacities in CAP. These cadets
are often serving as Cadet Commanders for their units (responsible for
10-50 cadets) or have already served as Cadet Commanders and are now advisors.
Some cadets even serve at higher levels such as Group or Wing Headquarters
to coordinate major Wing cadet activities. These cadets often run large
projects with assistance and have developed in strong leaders. This phase
concludes once the cadet has earned the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel
marking the completion of Achievement 15. Cadets receive a letter from
National Headquarters and are authorized to wear a silver triangular clasp
on their Earhart Ribbon to denote this achievement. However their career
does not always stop here...
Grades of this phase:
Cadet Major, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel
After completing Phase
IV cadets are awarded the Eaker Award
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The
General Carl A. Spaatz Award-The Final Award
The third of the three CAP Cadet
awards is the Carl A. Spaatz Award. To receive this award a cadet must
pass a 60 question comprehensive Aerospace examination, a 60 questions
comprehensive Leadership examination, run a mile in a specified time, and
write a judged essay. These exams as a group can only be taken three times,
those who do not pass after the third time will never receive their Spaatz
Award. For this reason the Spaatz Award is extremely difficult to earn.
Cadets who do earn it are typically 5 year or more "veterans" of CAP and
have served in many areas and run many projects. To date only about 1,400
cadets have ever earned their Spaatz Award. Brooks AFB has had three of
those 1400, and Texas Wing has had only 18 Spaatz cadets in its history.
Cadet who earn this prestigious award are promoted to grade of Cadet Colonel.
The Spaatz award is similar to the Boy Scout's Eagle Award, but is MUCH
harder to achieve.
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