Quote:
Originally posted by carnation
My oldest son is planning a military career after college and I've always wondered if that might benefit him. We didn't want him doing CAP if it wouldn't help him because he's involved in so much-- sports, Scouts, church, and a hard school curriculum.
The CAP here in town has found the wreckage of 2 planes in recent years after they crashed on a nearby mountain.
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I highly recommend it. As a cadet, I topped off at cadet major, earning the Billy Mitchell and Amelia Earhart awards. College and other interests kept me from finishing the cadet program and achieving the pinnacle of the CAP cadet program - the General Carl A. Spaatz (pronounced: 'spots') Award. Only 1500 or so have been awarded since the award's inception in 1964. Very tough test covering all aspects of the cadet program, including a physical fitness test. One can only attempt to take the test no more than three times; after that, one is permanently disqualified from testing.
Cadets who earn the Mitchell Award can enlist in the Air Force at the grade of airman first class (E-3), which is what I did.
Because of insurance reasons, cadets can only participate as ground teams in search and rescue missions authorized and funded by the Air Force - only senior members may be mission-qualified aircrew.
Cadet meetings are usually once a week, with wing, regional and national special activities (which are very competitive) lasting up to two weeks in the summertime. If it's available, cadets may be transported on USAF aircraft (transports only
) to national activities.
I also recommend that he also explore opportunities in Junior ROTC, ROTC in college or pursue an appointment to the service academies.
Hope this helps, any other questions, feel free to reply in this thread or via PM.