Cadet Program

Civil Air Patrol cadets are youth ages 12-21, who participate in a year-round program that focuses on leadership and character development, aerospace education, and fitness. Through weekly meetings (held each Tuesday), training activities, and hands-one experiences, cadets advance through a series of achievements earning promotions and increased responsibilities along the way. The cadet program focuses on topics such as aviation, science, technology, and cybersecurity, the program provides exceptional learning and development opportunities.

These Cadets are better prepared to achieve their life and career goals through the leadership skills, self-confidence, and discipline they gain as CAP members. Civil Air Patrol’s approach combines the organization’s core values of integrity, volunteer service, excellence, and respect into cadet training programs. Adult leaders serve as role models, however cadets plan and manage activities and take on more leadership responsibility as they progress through the program.

Cadets are not obligated to join the military. However, wearing Air Force-style uniforms, observing military customs and courtesies, and learning drill and ceremonies are important features of the cadet experience that contribute to the enjoyment. For young people considering joining the military, joining Civil Air Patrol will help advance a military career (by entering at a higher grade) and can help with admissions to a military academy.

Interested in Joining?

Here are three easy steps to join the Civil Air Patrol cadet program:

1. Contact the squadron nearest you to arrange a visit. If Fox Cities Composite Squadron (Appleton, WI) isn't the closest squadron, you can visit gocivilairpatrol.com and use the unit locator to find the nearest squadron! Parents should accompany their children to the first meeting.

2. Attend three weekly meetings. Fox Cities Composite Squadron holds quarterly cohorts that begin with an info meeting; cohorts are small groups that join together to encourage camaraderie and early friendships amongst cadets at the same level. Please see the "Special Notice" on our homepage for the next informational meeting date!

3. Complete the online application (after meeting #2). Cadet membership fee at the National level is $35 and is paid via a secure payment during the online application. Please note, you will need the following pieces of information in order to fill out the application:

   a. Social Security Number
   b. Unit number: 055

Some of the requirements to become a cadet member of Civil Air Patrol are:

• Be at least 12 and not yet 19 years of age. 

• Attend at least three squadron meetings.

• Be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. (A lawfully admitted noncitizen residing in the U.S. may have this waived by National Headquarters.)

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Cadet promotion requirements:

The cadet program is broken into four distinct phases that focus on different aspects of followership and leadership. Each phase ends with a milestone award that includes proctored testing in leadership, aerospace, and fitness. Each achievement also requires cadets to participate actively at the unit level, attend character development classes, and work towards developing their leadership skills (leadership expectations).

Cadet Oath: 

The Cadet Oath symbolizes how serious cadets are about becoming leaders. All cadets are expected to be able to recite the Cadet Oath from memory, which is a requirement for Achievement 1 (their first promotion). More importantly, you will need strength of character to live up to its noble tenets.

"I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, and that I will attend meetings regularly, participate actively in unit activities, obey my officers, wear my uniform properly, and advance my education and training rapidly to prepare myself to be of service to my community, state, and nation."

Fox Cities Members work hard, promote regularly, and we even have some fun in the process!