Resources for Cadet Programs

This page provides a curated list of resources that support all of the components of the cadet program. There is an overwhelming amount of information available to CAP units, so this is our attempt to highlight the most important things.

Upcoming Deadlines

Cadet Wings: Funding for cadet flight training! Application season for 2025-2026 opened July 1 and closed Sept. 1 at noon Central Time (CT). To find out more about the program, visit the NHQ Cadet Wings page at Cadet Wings | Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters.

Cadet Encampment Assistance Program (CEAP): Summer CEAP typically is open 15 March to 15 April. 

Encampments: Application deadlines vary with each encampment. Visit the encampment page for a list of encampments and links to their websites.

Region Cadet Leadership School (RCLS): Required to earn the Ira C. Eaker Award. Cadets in the grade of C/MSgt through C/Maj are eligible to attend. MAR hosts several opportunities, with information posted on the activity pages.

Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) is able to provide limited financial aid to MAR cadets who need assistance to attend RCLS this fiscal year. This is a needs-based assistance similar to Cadet Lift provided by NHQ for NCSAs. Cadets must be a member of the Mid-Atlantic Region (DC/DE/MD/SC/NC/VA/WV Wings). This is not limited to a MAR-hosted RCLS, but only MAR cadets are eligible. Cadets must have applied for an RCLS in FY26 (start date before 1 Oct 2026). Those cadets who have been slotted and applied for assistance by the deadline will be considered. Assistance is limited to the registration fee but may be less, depending on available funds. Priority will be given to students, financial need, and need for the course (i.e. time remaining to be eligible for the Eaker Award, based on CAP grade). RCLS-South applicants must apply NLT 1 May 2026 at Mid-Atlantic Region RCLS Financial Assistance Application – Fill out form. Those applying to another region's RCLS can apply at any time up until two weeks prior to the payment due date.

General Information

• NHQ Cadet Resource Library. This is the first place to look for cadet programs resources published by CAP National HQ. We highlight several of the best publications on this page in the categories below.

• NHQ Cadet Blog. Keep up to date on the latest cadet programs developments by subscribing to the cadet blog. New publications and draft versions are announced there, as well as new scholarship opportunities and other items of interest to leaders of cadets.

Leadership

• Learn to Lead (L2L). CAP’s four-phase leadership curriculum for cadets. All of the textbooks are downloadable. These are the books that the online tests are based on. For squadron meetings, CAP offers good supplemental materials for hands-on learning.

  • L2L Curriculum Guide. This is a short handbook for leaders of cadets giving them the “sight picture” of leadership training in the cadet program, and how to use the L2L textbooks and concepts in your instruction.

  • L2L Activity Guide. This guide is filled with hands-on activities that can be done at the squadron level, both on weeknights and at weekend training days.

  • L2L Lessons Plans – Volume I & Volume II. Don’t reinvent the wheel! NHQ puts out solid lesson plans to incorporate L2L concepts into classroom activities at squadron meetings.

  • Squadron 24-month training plan. An entire two-year cycle of suggested meeting activities. This is a great resource for an incoming cadet commander to use to plan squadron meeting activity on a quarterly basis.

• Cadet Staff Handbook. This should be required reading for all new CP senior members and cadet staff members. Explains how to structure a cadet staff in different size squadrons, and what the roles are for each cadet staff position.

• Leadership Expectations & Feedback. Lays out the philosophy for how we are to evaluate cadets on their development as leaders, including a chart explaining what the expectations are for cadets in each phase of the program.

• Stripes to Diamonds. Guide for specific requirements for each achievement and milestone in the cadet program.

Aerospace Education (AE)

• Aerospace Education Officer (AEO) Resources

• Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) program. Hands-on AE activities squadrons can use to reinforce the self-paced learning in Aerospace Dimensions. You should allow 3-4 weeks for the books to arrive after you order them, so plan accordingly.

• Model Rocketry Program. An overview of CAP’s rocketry program with links to all of the material needed to run it at the squadron level.

• AE Achievement Award. Recognition for squadrons who have excelled in AE for the year (1 Sept - 31 Aug), as measured by several goals for internal and external AE activities and program management.

Character Development & Drug Demand Reduction (DDR)

• Character Development Instructional Resources. The Values for Living 2.0 character curriculum is designed to instill the virtues of ethical leadership in cadets through a facilitated learning environment. The lessons run on a two-year cycle starting with the January lesson on Integrity. The lessons build on each other and are intended to be done in order, so every squadron will be doing the same lesson the same month.

• Drug Demand Reduction Excellence (DDR-x) Guide. The DDR-x program consists of completing a minimum of six DDR-related activities in a 12-month period. This is an optional program but is also an easy way to encourage a drug-free lifestyle at your regular squadron meetings.

• National Character Day. A leadership- and DDR-themed activity day to be held in September of every year.

• Red Ribbon Leadership Academy. This is an excellent program that can be used to promote drug-free choices in middle schools, to showcase outstanding cadet officers, and to spread the story of CAP in the community. It’s a three-hour workshop run by high-school-aged cadets in a middle school with non-CAP members.

Fitness

• Cadet Physical Fitness Program. Information on CAP’s fitness program, including video demonstrations of each of the fitness test components. Remember that CAP’s fitness program is about more than just the test; we should be promoting a healthy lifestyle, of which the tests are merely one part.

• Couch-to-5K. An example of a simple training program to get going. A lot of cadets struggle with the mile run, and this 3x/week run/walk regimen is a great way to help. You don’t need to download the app or pay money for it; you can just use the free PDF chart and follow along. 

Cadet Programs Officer Information

• Cadet Programs Officer Handbook and Specialty Track Guide. This guide describes how to manage the various responsibilities of a Cadet Programs Officer and what senior members have to do to earn ratings in the Cadet Programs specialty track. It should be one of the first places a new senior member looks for information on their CAP duty assignment. Also see the NCWG presentation posted in the Documents section on this MAR page.

• Cadet Protection Training. Page includes information on the Cadet Protection Basic and Advanced Courses, as well as other resources to implement the program.

  • Basic is required for all members age 18 and older, both senior members and cadets.

  • Advanced is required for adults entrusted with leadership responsibilities in the Cadet Program. Members must complete Cadet Protection Advanced Course before being assigned to the following positions: commanders, deputy commanders, chief of staff (wing or higher), director of cadet programs (group or higher), legal officers, and inspector general. Further, encampment commanders, commandants of cadets, and NCSA directors and deputies are also required to complete the Advanced Course. 

  • Must take one of these courses, or a renewal course, every 12 months to remain active. Those requiring the Advanced Course must take it every 12 months, which will meet the basic requirement.

• Cadet Programs Officer Training. Supplemental training resources available for adults who work with cadets.

• Training Leaders of Cadets. Training Leaders of Cadets is the premiere venue for Cadet Programs Officers to learn how to become better mentors of cadets and more effective managers of cadet squadrons. The 3-course program is a component of the Cadet Programs Officer Specialty Track. 

  • The Basic course is a one-day course that prepares senior members to work in cadet programs at the squadron level.

  • The Intermediate course is a one-day course that prepares senior members to lead the squadron's Cadet Program.

  • The Advanced course is offered by National Headquarters and targeted for wing directors of cadet programs and region deputy chiefs of staff - cadet programs.

  • Most courses will be listed in Registration Zone. Courses are typically offered by Groups, Wings, Region, National, and the Chaplain Corps. This course is only available to senior members.

  • TLC On Demand is a self-paced, online course that provides continuing education on youth development and the cadet program. Members take 10 modules to earn TLC credit. Some in-person sessions may be available, such as at the National Conference. It counts towards the regulatory requirement for each unit with cadets to have at least two graduates of TLC. It also counts towards the Quality Cadet Unit Award (QCUA) category to have three graduates. At this time, it does not count towards the specialty track requirements, as those have specific course objectives related to the rating.

  • For TLC to count towards QCUA and the regulatory requirement (SUIs), it must have been completed in the last 36 months (changed from 48 months as of 1 Jan 2026).

• Wing DCP Guide. Written for wing directors of cadet programs, but a good resource for Cadet Programs Officers.

• Cadet Programs Pamphlets. Lots of resources for cadets and Cadet Programs Officers. All Cadet Program resources are in the "60" series (number starts with "60-"). 

• Quality Cadet Unit Award (QCUA).  An annual award that can be earned by all units with cadets.  The award can serve as a helpful management tool. Local leaders can use its award criteria to gauge the relative health of their Cadet Program. Wing leaders can use the program data to identify squadrons that are flourishing and perhaps use leaders of those outstanding units to mentor leaders in nearby units that did not earn the award.