COS

COS 2024

Congratulations on being slotted to attend Cadet Officer School! 

COS is a rigorous, academically challenging leadership course patterned after the USAF’s Squadron Officer School. This program provides an in-depth academic and practical study of leadership and critical thinking. COS draws on a range of executive guest speakers, including many of the same professionals that train Air Force Officers at Air University in Maxwell AFB. CAP’s strong partnership with the Air Force is also evident at COS by using an experienced dyad of Air Force Officers and CAP Senior Members to facilitate seminars and enable a positive leadership laboratory learning experience.

Travel

Cadets should arrive at Maxwell Air Force Base on July 15 (between 1000-2200 Eastern) and depart on July 26 (between 0500-1200 Eastern). You cannot arrive early, depart early, or depart later without the Activity Director's approval. The travel uniform is civilian clothes. Our COS staging area is the Maxwell AFB Visitors Center, Bldg. 502, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112 (located at the Maxwell Boulevard Gate).

There are several methods of getting to and departing from Cadet Officer School: 

Commercial Airline 

Fly directly into Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) – COS will provide pick-up/drop-off services at this airport. 

Fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and secure your own transportation to/from our staging area (Maxwell AFB Visitors Center, Bldg. 502, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112). If you fly into and out of ATL, we recommend Groome Transportation. Many cadets used this service last year. The cost is $83 one way, and the shuttle goes to/from Maxwell AFB's lodging where COS staff in-process the cadets.

Bus

Use Montgomery, Alabama, as your destination. COS will provide pick-up/drop-off services only from this station. If you opt for other stations, you must secure your own transportation to the COS staging area. 

Driving 

Drivers should drop off cadets at the COS staging area. Cadets are not permitted to use their vehicles during COS (their car will be parked at Maxwell AFB). Drivers with military IDs should still drop off the cadets at the COS staging area. If you are interested in carpooling, please email us at cadetofficerschool@gmail.com (We'll help connect you with others who share your interest).

Government ID Required

COS takes place on a military installation. To gain access, all participants must have a government-issued ID card. Acceptable examples include:

- Driver’s License
- Passport
- Dependent military ID
- Government ID card

Please note that school IDs, CAPIDs, and Social Security Cards do not qualify. If you lack a federal or state-issued ID, contact your state’s driver’s license department promptly to secure a government-issued ID card. For any issues, reach out to us at cadetofficerschool@gmail.com.

Lodging

You will be staying on base at Maxwell AFB. Most of the rooms are single occupancy and have a private bath. Each room has linens, towels, a clock radio, a hair dryer, a microwave, and a refrigerator. There are laundry facilities in the building and the COS staff will provide your laundry detergent. You will not be able to charge incidentals to the room.

To secure your slot

To secure your slot, make a nonrefundable $100 deposit by 31 March 2024. 

Visit eServices > Cadet Programs > Registration and Payment System > Event Administration > Online Payment to find your invoice for the COS activity fee. Please follow the payment or refund directions provided on the site.

The final $300 payment is due by April 30. 

If you choose not to attend, please contact us promptly. This allows us to offer the opportunity for another cadet. 

Your activity fee covers lodging, meals, and course materials. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide a transportation reimbursement. However, we have lowered the COS activity fee to $400 to help offset your overall costs. 

Limited scholarships Available

COS can be a significant expense, but we have some good news!

Thanks to generous donors to the Cadet Character & Leadership Foundation, we can offer a few scholarships for cadets in need of financial assistance. If you require support, email us at cadetofficerschool@gmail.com to discuss your situation. Scholarships are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Join the Google Classroom now

Join the 2024 COS Student Dashboard by clicking the hyperlink and the code: 6yxb67z.

If you encounter issues logging in with your CAP domain email (any address ending with cap.gov), consider using a non-CAP email address instead. Should the problem persist, please contact us at cadetofficerschool@gmail.com.

In the months prior to COS, the activity staff will send you pre-arrival assignments:

- Whenever an assignment request is made, we will email you and also post the assignment in Google Classroom.
- All pre-arrival assignments must be submitted via Google Classroom.
- Unexcused missed or late deadlines will involve your Squadron CC and Wing DCP.
- Repeated missed or late deadlines may result in disenrollment from COS.

Graduation requirements

To receive COS graduation credit, you must meet the spirit and intent of COS: be a team player, grasp the curriculum, apply the lessons learned, and exhibit professionalism as a CAP Cadet Officer. Failing to meet critical requirements of the COS curriculum or having other disciplinary issues may result in your dismissal from the program without credit and at your own expense. The Activity Director is the final authority on all matters relating to these graduation requirements: 

1) Participate actively in at least 80% of the course’s activities, including being attentive during lectures and contributing meaningfully and regularly to seminar discussions, as judged by the instructors  
2) Turn in / complete ALL assignments on time (including any pre-arrival assignments before COS)
3) Achieve passing grades on COS assignments: 
•    Satisfactory (70) or higher on speeches 
•    Satisfactory (checkmark) or higher on essays 
•    Proficient (80) or better on the CAPSTONE Essay 
•    Pass the final written exam with 70% or higher  
4) Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and commitment to the core values throughout the course, as judged by the instructors.

At the discretion of the Activity Director, cadets who violate any school rules (such as personal integrity, lights out, off-limits areas, fraternization, safety, or academic non-participation) or exhibit a lack of professionalism will be sent home. The expenses incurred in such cases will be borne by the cadet or their parents.

Thank you for maintaining the highest standards of conduct during COS!

Supporting each other

The Cadet Officer School is an intensive 10-day course that demands mental and physical participation. While challenging, rest assured that we have resources in place to assist you. COS is committed to ensuring that all cadets are set up for success:

- A CAP Chaplain and a Health Services Officer will be available on staff to provide support as needed.
- We respect and reasonably accommodate medical, academic, religious, and cultural considerations. However, to adequately address these needs, we require advanced knowledge. Contact us at cadetofficerschool@gmail.com if you have specific requests or considerations, such as:
     - Educational IEP on file with the school system.
     - English as a second language.
     - Religious or cultural observances during COS.
     - Dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose intolerance, allergies, diabetes, low-sodium, vegan, kosher, or halal).

Thank you for your proactive approach, and we look forward to supporting you during COS!

Important medical considerations

As you prepare for COS at Maxwell AFB, please be aware of the following:

Medical Conditions: If you have any existing or newly developed medical conditions that might impact your ability to complete the full activity, please notify us at cadetofficerschool@gmail.com. Examples include:

- Physical limitations due to current treatment for broken bones or sprains.
- Frequent headaches.
 - Regular nosebleeds.
- Seizures.
- Severe allergies.
- Needing crutches or a wheelchair.

Disclosure and Integrity: Before arriving at COS, it is crucial to disclose any relevant medical information. Failure to do so puts staff at risk when caring for individuals with unreported medical needs. If a condition is discovered during COS and was not previously disclosed, you can be dismissed for lack of integrity.

Use of Medical Accommodations: If adequate medical accommodations are provided, it is essential that cadets utilize them. Choosing not to use provided accommodations that lead to an inability to participate fully may also be grounds for dismissal.

Note on Substances: Maxwell AFB is a federal military facility. It strictly prohibits federally illegal substances, including medical marijuana or other cannabis products, even if prescribed by a physician.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining the highest standards!

Contact us!

The entire COS Staff looks forward to sharing this challenging learning experience with you in person! You can contact us at cadetofficerschool@gmail.com. 

ROBERT B. SMITH, Lt Col, CAP
MELANIE GOLLADAY, Maj, USAF
COS 2024 Activity Directors