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Cadet Programs
There are almost 24,000 cadets across the country, and over a thousand in New York alone. Cadets take part in a program "from stripes to diamonds" that involves aerospace, flight, leadership, character, drill, emergency services, and physical fitness. Cadets will be pushed to live by the Civil Air Patrol core values (integrity, respect, volunteer service, and excellence) as a set of moral standards within and outside of their cadet life. They will be encouraged to become the leaders among their peers, moving on to become the leaders of America. Cadets are offered a wide range of experiences on a local, state, region, and national level in everything from aerospace to emergency services, cyberspace, or engineering. |
The Rockland Cadet Squadron color guard present the colors at a Rockland Boulders Game on Memorial Day in 2015.
Cadet Life
Cadets attend Rockland Cadet Squadron meetings once a week and participate in a variety of activities. Each month, there are required classes that the squadron must hold such as: physical fitness, emergency services, aerospace education, character development, and leadership. These often include hands-on activities; for example, cadets have access to flight simulators in which they will receive instruction from a Senior Member pilot to fly a route. Team leadership problems present challenging tasks to groups of cadets and require a variety of skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, or communication to complete.
There are several military aspects of cadet life as well. Customs and courtesies are the foundation on which cadets will interact with each
other and senior members, addressing each other by the appropriate
rank, saluting when appropriate, and treating all with dignity and respect. Cadets also have the privilege to wear two Air Force style uniforms: the Airman Battle Uniform and a dress uniform, which they are expected to maintain and wear properly. Cadets move through a system of grades and ranks, starting at Cadet Airman Basic. Cadets progress to Non-Commissioned Officer grades and then Officer grades (up to Cadet Colonel). Promotions can be completed every 2 months and usually involve a leadership, aerospace, drill, and physical fitness test which become progressively more difficult as cadets advance through the program.
Activities Outside of Weekly Meetings
Cadets participate in Civil Air Patrol outside of meetings, too. Cadets can do a wide variety of activities such as work at air shows, participate in community events, march in parades, or go on trips to cities like Washington, D.C. or air museums. Cadets can participate in emergency services (search and rescue) missions if they have the appropriate qualifications or are training to receive a qualification.
Every wing, including New York Wing, hosts an annual leadership encampment. New York Wing Leadership Encampment is a 7-day activity at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, NY which includes leadership classes, sports, team exercises, drill, base tours, and a flight in an Air Force LC-130 aircraft. The staff is composed of both cadet and senior staff. Encampment is required to achieve Cadet Second Lieutenant and attend national activities.
Cadets attend Rockland Cadet Squadron meetings once a week and participate in a variety of activities. Each month, there are required classes that the squadron must hold such as: physical fitness, emergency services, aerospace education, character development, and leadership. These often include hands-on activities; for example, cadets have access to flight simulators in which they will receive instruction from a Senior Member pilot to fly a route. Team leadership problems present challenging tasks to groups of cadets and require a variety of skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, or communication to complete.
There are several military aspects of cadet life as well. Customs and courtesies are the foundation on which cadets will interact with each
other and senior members, addressing each other by the appropriate
rank, saluting when appropriate, and treating all with dignity and respect. Cadets also have the privilege to wear two Air Force style uniforms: the Airman Battle Uniform and a dress uniform, which they are expected to maintain and wear properly. Cadets move through a system of grades and ranks, starting at Cadet Airman Basic. Cadets progress to Non-Commissioned Officer grades and then Officer grades (up to Cadet Colonel). Promotions can be completed every 2 months and usually involve a leadership, aerospace, drill, and physical fitness test which become progressively more difficult as cadets advance through the program.
Activities Outside of Weekly Meetings
Cadets participate in Civil Air Patrol outside of meetings, too. Cadets can do a wide variety of activities such as work at air shows, participate in community events, march in parades, or go on trips to cities like Washington, D.C. or air museums. Cadets can participate in emergency services (search and rescue) missions if they have the appropriate qualifications or are training to receive a qualification.
Every wing, including New York Wing, hosts an annual leadership encampment. New York Wing Leadership Encampment is a 7-day activity at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, NY which includes leadership classes, sports, team exercises, drill, base tours, and a flight in an Air Force LC-130 aircraft. The staff is composed of both cadet and senior staff. Encampment is required to achieve Cadet Second Lieutenant and attend national activities.
New York Wing Leadership Encampment is held every year at Scotia Air National Guard Base in Schenectedy, New York
(Photo Courtesy of NYWG Encampment, 2016).