Cadet Protection as a Force For Change: Year of Ownership Webinar Recap

In Civil Air Patrol, safety and leadership go hand in hand. Whether on a mission, in the field, or during a weekly squadron meeting, cadets and adult leaders are called to step up, not just when things go right, but especially when challenges arise. This mindset is rooted in the principle of Extreme Ownership, a cornerstone of effective leadership that reinforces accountability, trust, and mission success. CAP is currently engaged in a Year of Ownership targeting four key areas: Airworthiness, Safety, Stakeholder Experience, and Cadet Protection. 

During a recent Year of Ownership webinar in our Cadet Protection series, we focused on the first two steps of the “Five Effective Steps of Ownership,” a practical framework for taking responsibility and fostering a culture where cadets, senior members, and their stakeholders (i.e., parents, friends, community members, etc.) thrive. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways.

Why Extreme Ownership Matters

The session opened by highlighting CAP’s deep commitment to youth protection and leadership development. These values are not just aspirational, they’re lived out every day through programs that prioritize safety and personal growth.

Extreme Ownership, popularized by Echelon Front, teaches that it's not enough to simply say, “It’s my fault.” True ownership requires a structured response; one that begins with Explaining the Problem and Describing the Impact to the Team and Mission.

These steps also align with the 5 Cs of Positive Youth Development (PYD):

• Competence – Recognizing and articulating challenges clearly and constructively.
• Confidence – Feeling empowered to speak up and take meaningful action.
• Connection – Building trusting relationships through open communication and shared responsibility.
• Character – Demonstrating integrity and accountability when facing mistakes or setbacks.
• Caring – Expressing empathy and concern for how problems affect others and the mission.

Step 1: Explain the Problem

Why it matters: A well-defined problem is easier to solve. It prevents misunderstandings, finger-pointing, and missed opportunities for learning.

Key strategies:

• Stick to the facts—keep emotions and blame out of it.
• Be specific and concise.
• Focus on what success looks like, not just what’s going wrong.

Panel highlights:

• Creating a safe environment for cadets to raise concerns is essential.
• Clear communication is a leadership skill we can model and mentor.

Leaders shared strategies for making sure cadets feel heard, and that their concerns are addressed constructively.

Step 2: Describe the Impact to the Team and Mission

Why it matters: Understanding why a problem matters reinforces the importance of each team member’s role. It connects the dots between individual actions and mission outcomes.

Key reflection questions:

• How does this affect team trust?
• How does this impact safety or mission success?

Panel discussion highlights:

• We shared a moment when a near-miss safety incident was quickly reported and used as a learning opportunity. That transparency built more trust than if nothing had gone wrong at all.
• The power of storytelling to help cadets connect the “small stuff” to big-picture outcomes.

Final Takeaways

Do it scared. That is one of my favorite quotes - it’s okay to be scared, and you can still be courageous in the face of adversity. Speaking up, asking questions, holding people and systems accountable, especially those we love can all seem overwhelming at times. And more than just seeming overwhelming, it is overwhelming! But you’re not alone. Whether you’re a first year cadet or a 50 year member, there is an incredible network of people devoted to embodying our values as servant leaders, here at CAP. 

Whether you're a cadet just beginning your leadership journey or a seasoned senior member mentoring the next generation, these two steps (1) explaining the problem and (2) describing its impact can transform our culture.

We hope you’ll join us for our next Year of Ownership Cadet Protection webinar, on June 8, 2025 at 7 PM CT! Questions? Please reach out to cadetprotection@capnhq.gov and we will get you squared away.