Cyber and STEM Badge Program

Cadet Cyber and STEM Badge Program Guidance

This guidance replaces CAPP 60-41 dated October 2021.

INTRODUCTION

To promote cadet career exploration and learning in STEM, CAP offers two recognition opportunities: the Cadet Cyber Badge and the Cadet STEM Badge.

Each badge level has three primary requirement sections:

LEARN: Cadet completes a learning component
LEAD: Cadet completes a leadership component
LAUNCH: Cadet completes a career exploration component

Wear of the Badge and Eligibility

The Cadet Cyber and STEM Badges are authorized for wear on the CAP cadet uniform, effective 1 October 2018. See CAPR 39-1, CAP Uniform Regulation. This guide outlines the eligibility rules for cadets participating in this elective program. The program does not serve senior members.

Process for Requesting and Approving Badge Awards

Cadets complete the requirements on the following pages to become eligible for the Cadet Cyber Badge or Cadet STEM Badge.

When the cadet believes he or she has fulfilled all requirements, a CAPF 2a is completed to request the badge at the appropriate rating. The unit AEO, cyber officer, deputy commander for cadets or unit commander verifies that the cadet has fulfilled all requirements and endorses the form as the requestor. Cyber or STEM-focused National Cadet Special Activity Directors may also act as a verifying official. The badge is awarded upon approval by the unit commander. For each badge level completed, the unit commander forwards the completed CAPF 2a to Personnel at lmmeforms@capnhq.gov, for entry into the cadet record in eServices.

Note for adult leadership: Data entry for badge achievement by unit leaders directly into eServices is in development. An update is to be communicated as this feature becomes available

Badge Modular Format

Both the Cadet Cyber Badge and Cadet STEM Badge use a modular format. Recipients obtain a single, basic badge, and affix the appropriate star to denote their level of achievement. A blue star indicates the Basic rating, a silver star indicates the Intermediate rating, and a gold star indicates the Advanced rating. As cadets earn ratings, they may remove the old star and install the new, while keeping the same basic badge.

CADET CYBER BADGE

Purpose: Encourage cadet participation in CAP cyber education programs. Learn more about available education programs at cyber.cap.gov/education--awareness

Design: The Cadet Cyber Badge (above) follows the tradition of the Air Forces Cyber organizational emblem (below). It includes a globe to suggest the worldwide reach of the cyber domain. The two gold lightning bolts at the base of the CAP triangle represent computer science and national defense, while the intertwined pair of bolts atop the triangle represents excellence and the future. The badge’s black field represents the cyber domain’s hidden nature. Read as a single, visual text, the iconography proclaims that cadets are developing their scientific knowledge in a field vital to the national defense, thereby contributing to an excellent future for themselves and their nation.

Award Criteria:

BASIC CADET CYBER BADGE

LEARN: Complete one of the following learning components

Compete in a CyberPatriot season as a participant (Recommended option)
Complete the following Cisco Netacad Academy Courses:
- Introduction to Cybersecurity Course
- Computer Hardware Basics
- Operating System Basics
Complete a cybersecurity course from Cyber.org, as facilitated by a unit AEO
Complete all activities in Intro to Cybersecurity. The modules are designed as a squadron-level project for weekly meetings and one or two weekend days.
Successfully graduate from National Cyber Academy - Cyber Foundations, a National Cadet Special Activity (NCSA) course

AND

Submit one (1) paragraph on skills and knowledge learned from course or competition participation.

LEAD: Minimum C/Amn in the CAP Cadet Program

LAUNCH: Submit a 1-2 page Career Exploration Overview. Research and write about a cyber-related occupation (civilian, government, or military). Submit the document to the unit AEO, cyber education officer, deputy commander for cadets or unit commander for review and a brief discussion.

INTERMEDIATE CADET CYBER BADGE

LEARN: Earn the Basic Cadet Cyber Badge and complete one of the following learning components

Compete in a CyberPatriot season as a participant, since earning the Basic Cyber Badge (Recommended option)
Participate and complete a cybersecurity course from Cyber.org, as facilitated by a unit AEO. (Should be a different course if one was completed at Basic Cyber Badge)
Complete the following Cisco Netacad Academy Course:Networking Basics Course
Successfully graduate from a Civil Air Patrol Cybersecurity (NCSA). (Foundations not eligible)

AND

Submit one (1) paragraph on skills and knowledge learned from course or competition participation.

LEAD: Complete all requirements below

Minimum C/SSgt in the CAP Cadet Program
Teach a 30-minute squadron class on a Cybersecurity Awareness topic approved by a unit leader

LAUNCH: Submit a 1-2 page Career Exploration Overview on a different occupation, following the same guidelines as in the Basic Cyber Badge.

ADVANCED CADET CYBER BADGE

LEARN: Earn the Intermediate Cyber Badge and complete of one of the following learning components

Participation in CyberPatriot Semifinals. (Recommended option). Submit one (1) paragraph on skills and knowledge learned from competition participation.
Participation in a Collegiate Cybersecurity Competition or the Collegiate Level of a Cybersecurity Competition. (e.x. CCDC, Hivestorm, CPTC, National Cyber League). Submit one (1) paragraph on skills and knowledge learned from competition participation.
Complete two Cisco Netacad Academy Courses:
- Endpoint Security
- Cyber Threat Management
Successfully graduate from a Civil Air Patrol Cybersecurity National Cadet Special Activity. (Should be a different NCSA if used to earn the Intermediate Badge)

LEAD: Minimum C/2dLt in the CAP Cadet Program and complete one of the following

Instructing at a Cybersecurity weekend or longer activity at any level (squadron, group, wing, region or national)
Service as a unit’s Cadet Cyber Education officer for a minimum of three months
Participation in CyberPatriot as a team captain

LAUNCH: Complete one of the following

Submission of a professional resume that highlights the cadet’s technical and computer skills.
Current or past job experience in a cybersecurity, computer science, or information technology related field.

The cybersecurity industry continues to experience rapid evolution. If you have questions about equivalency for any requirement, please submit your questions to cyberbadge@capnhq.gov.

CADET STEM BADGE

Purpose: Encourage cadet participation in CAP non-cyber, non-rocketry STEM learning programs.

Design: The Cadet STEM Badge (above) follows the tradition of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s organizational emblem (below). It depicts the CAP triangle emblem cutting through the unknown, represented by a black field. The triangle emblem is aimed upward, suggesting progress, toward an atomic icon, representing the physical sciences that are STEM’s domain. The atomic icon’s blue signifies the Air Force and aerospace themes in the CAP STEM curriculum, while the icon’s gold color represents excellence. Read as a single, visual text; the iconography proclaims that cadets are exploring cutting-edge technologies that advance human knowledge, ultimately leading to personal and scientific excellence.

Eligible Activities

CAP promotes STEM education through several activity programs, and the portfolio of opportunities is always growing. Astronomy, robotics, model aircraft, flight simulators, satellites, remote sensors, hydraulics, meteorology, and AEX activities are just some of the thematic areas available to cadets. See GoCivilAirPatrol.com/AE for more information.

For the purposes of the Cadet STEM Badge, all aerospace activity programs offered by CAP/AE for grades 6-12 are eligible to fulfill the badge’s requirements, except cyber defense and rocketry activities, as those thematic areas are recognized with the Cadet Cyber Badge and the Model Rocketry Badge, respectively.

Cadet participation in STEM competition programs endorsed by or operated by CAP are also eligible hours toward any STEM badge level. Current competition programs include:

High Altitude Balloon Challenge
StellarXplorers
UAS4STEM
CAP/NASA Missions
First Lego League
First Tech Challenge

Visit gocivilairpatrol.com/qcua and look under the STEM Team category for the most current list of endorsed or operated activities. Reminder that rocketry and cyber teams are not eligible for STEM Badge hours.

Cadet Log

To earn a Cadet STEM Badge level, cadets maintains a log and complete a minimum of 12 hours of participation in eligible STEM activities. The unit AEO, deputy commander for cadets or unit commander validates the cadet’s log. If a cadet attends a STEM-related NCSA, the Activity Director provides a memo or other written documentation of the cadet’s completion of the activity in lieu of a log. For a suggested log in Excel format, see GoCivilAirPatrol.com/STEMlog. See below for further criteria for each STEM Badge level.

BASIC CADET STEM BADGE

LEARN: Participate in at least 12 hours of eligible STEM activities (see above). The 12 hours’ participation may be in a single thematic area or multiple areas. Provide the unit AEO, deputy commander for cadets or unit commander with a log of these accomplishments. For a suggested log in Excel format, see GoCivilAirPatrol.com/STEMlog.

LEAD: Minimum C/SrA in the CAP Cadet Program. This results in the cadet completing two modules in the Aerospace Dimensions series.

LAUNCH: Complete a Career Exploration Overview. Research and write about a STEM-related occupation (civilian, government, or military). Submit the 1-2 page document to the unit AEO, deputy commander for cadets or unit commander for review and a brief discussion.

INTERMEDIATE CADET STEM BADGE

LEARN: Earn the Basic Cadet STEM Badge and complete one of the following

Participate in 12 hours of eligible STEM activities, beyond what was completed for the Basic badge.
Complete 9 hours of eligible STEM activities as a student and complete 3 hours as a tutor or assistant instructor on STEM activities previously completed.
Successfully graduate from a STEM-related Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Special Activity (NCSA)

LEAD: Complete all the following requirements

Minimum C/MSgt in the CAP Cadet Program. This results in the cadet completing four modules in the Aerospace Dimensions series.
Teach a squadron class on a STEM topic and/or activity for a minimum of 30 minutes

LAUNCH: Complete a Career Exploration Overview. Complete a 1-2 page document, this time on a different occupation, following the same guidelines as used for the Basic Cadet STEM Badge.

ADVANCED CADET STEM BADGE

LEARN: Earn the Intermediate Cadet STEM Badge and complete one of the following

Participate in 12 hours of eligible STEM activities, beyond what was completed for the Intermediate badge
Complete 6 hours of eligible STEM activities as a student and complete an additional 6 hours as a tutor or assistant instructor on STEM activities previously completed.
Successfully graduate from a STEM-related Civil Air Patrol NCSA, since earning the Intermediate badge

LEAD: Minimum C/2dLt in the CAP Cadet Program and complete one of the following

Serve as a unit’s cadet Aerospace Education Officer for a minimum of three months
Instruct at a STEM-related activity at any level (squadron, group, wing, region, or national)
Serve as team captain on one of the competition teams outlined under Eligible Activities above.

LAUNCH: Complete one of the following:

Submission of a professional resume that highlights the cadet’s scientific, technical, engineering and/or math skills.
Current or past job experience in a STEM-related field.stembadge@capnhq.gov.

Technology and STEM opportunities continue to experience rapid evolution. If you have questions about equivalency for any requirement, please submit your questions to stembadge@capnhq.gov.

CAREER EXPLORATION OVERVIEW

The Career Exploration Overview requirement helps cadets explore careers in cyber and STEM fields. A downloadable template is available, but that format is not required. A narrative or essay format is acceptable, provided the minimum number of content sections are included in the final document submission. Cadets should include content from a minimum of 10 out of 12 sections in their overview document. The Resources section is required. This information can be found using multiple sources, including, but not limited to:

Bureau of Labor and Statistics career data
Industry association websites
Interviews with industry professionals

Requirements to earn a passing grade on the Career Exploration Overview

Cadet name and grade included in the document
Be free of spelling and grammar errors
Use proper and correct English language and punctuation
Include appropriate formatting and professional appearance for readability
Be your own personal work
Include your sources of information in the Resources section