Cadet Programs
Todays Cadets...Tomorrow's Aerospace Leaders
| CAP Cadet Program - At A Glance* |
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| 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 |
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* All figures are estimates that will vary from year to year
**School-based squadrons may have different expectations for participation
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