Welcome to the Cadet Programs section of the Oregon Wing website! 

Please peruse all the many pages of this website to see all the resources available to you! The goal of the Cadet Programs Directorate is to provide consistent opportunities for CAP cadets to achieve. Through events that focus on Leadership, Aerospace, Emergency Services, Drill and Ceremonies, and Character Development, members can explore and learn ways to hone their skills to better themselves and our community. Some of the events we hold to facilitate this exploration include Encampments, Cadet Competitions, Search and Rescue Exercises, Flight Academies, and special cadet sessions at our annual Wing Conference.

Cadets, challenge yourself to do all you can to prepare to be a leader and to make a difference. Seniors, help provide a safe environment to assist cadets in their growth and achievements. This can happen when YOU participate in the program, so sign up or volunteer and let’s do this together. Hope to see you at an event soon.

The information provided in the section will be updated periodically.  It is here so that the membership can always be informed as to what is going on in their Oregon Wing Cadet Program.

 

Justin W. Baugh, Capt, CAP
Director of Cadet Programs
Oregon Wing

CAP’s cadet program is designed to inspire the country’s youth to become leaders and good American citizens through their interest in aerospace. Cadets work their way through a series of achievements by completing studies and other activities. As they progress, they earn higher rank, awards and ribbons, or certificates. Some of the achievements include aerospace education, moral leadership, physical fitness, drill and ceremonies, leadership laboratory, and other special activities. They may become eligible for national or international special activities and academic or flying scholarships. Although membership in Civil Air Patrol does not obligate anyone to join the military when cadets complete their initial training phase, they earn the General Billy Mitchell Award, which entitles them to enter the Air Force at a pay grade of E-3, should they choose to enlist.

One of the most popular activities of cadets is the flying program. Cadets are eligible for orientation flights in military and CAP aircraft. Other activities include search and rescue, first aid, CPR, radio communications, summer encampments, cadet officer school, survival training, model rocketry, and the like. Advanced cadets may participate in the International Air Cadet Exchange where about 120 cadets and their adult escorts travel to one of some 20 foreign countries. In return, cadets from foreign lands visit the United States as guests of Civil Air Patrol and the US Air Force. These trips promote goodwill and understanding among the world’s youth who share a common interest in aviation.

Cadets Program Overview                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Mission:  Transform youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders

Established:  1942

Age to Join:  12 through 18

Content Areas:   Leadership, Aerospace, Fitness, Character

Total Cadets in Oregon:   273

Locations:  McMinnville, Tillamook, Hillsboro, Aurora, Salem, Eugene, Grants Pass, Medford, Klamath Falls, Portland

Time Commitment: Ideally, cadets participate in a 2-hour squadron meeting each week, plus one "Saturday" event monthly and one week-long encampment in summer, but of course, school and family obligations take priority**

Costs:  Annual dues of $37 for Cadets; some assistance is available with uniform costs and overnight activity fees; a fully-active cadet could incur $300 to $600 in costs during the first year, less any financial assistance

Military Obligation:   None, but 8% of USAF Academy cadets are former CAP cadets