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Cadet Programs

Todays Cadets...Tomorrow's Aerospace Leaders

CAP Cadet Program - At A Glance*
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: 25,000
Locations: 1,000 hometown squadrons
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 $25 - $60, depending upon location; some assistance is available with uniform costs and overnight activity fees; a fully-active cadet could incur $300 - $600 during the first year, less any financial assistance
Military Obligation: None, but 8% of USAF Academy cadets are former CAP cadets
Annual Flying Hours: 25,000 hours in single-engine aircraft; 12,000 glider sorties
* All figures are estimates that will vary from year to year
 
**School-based squadrons may have different expectations for participation
 

 

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