Cadet Programs

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 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

Annual Flying Hours:  25,000 hrs in single-engine aircraft; 12,000 glider sorties

* All figures are approximations that will vary year-to-year
** School-based squadrons may have different expectations for participation