About

BURKE CIVIL AIR PATROL

The mission of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is to transform youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders. The Cadets at School program brings the benefits of CAP's character education, fitness, leadership, and aerospace curriculum into middle and high schools as a weekly after-school program.

CAP offers schools an exciting form of character education that uses the students’ enthusiasm for aviation, space, and technology as a motivator. An Air Force-affiliated after-school program*, high schools find Civil Air Patrol a low-cost alternative to Junior ROTC. Middle schools find that the challenge of cadet life provides the structure early adolescents need. 

Air Force Affiliation
Cadets are never obligated to join the military, nor does CAP attempt to recruit cadets for the armed forces. However, the uniform, military customs and courtesies, and drill and ceremonies are important features of cadet life that contribute to individual self-discipline. Moreover, 10% of the cadets at the Air Force Academy got their start in CAP.