Cadet Officers (C/O1-6)
Cadet officers serve as strategic command and planning staff members within the Cadet Detachment, providing direction and vision for program implementation throughout the echelons.
Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2d Lt) — C/O-1
Cadet Second Lieutenant represents a cadet's accomplishment of completing their second milestone in the CAP Cadet Program: promoting into the cadet officer corps and achievement of the General Billy Mitchell Award for their completion of Phase 2 of the Cadet Program. Cadets at this grade are assigned to leadership and staff roles in command management of training and support functions. By promoting to Cadet Second Lieutenant, cadet officers may find themselves as a newly appointed Flight Commander; although, the position may be eligible to certain senior cadet non-commissioned officers in times of needed.
Expectations: At this grade, cadets are learning to manage administrative programs and provide command oversight of flight-sized groups (up to 17 subordinate cadets). Cadets are developing their command techniques and are learning to build strategic plans to accomplish goals tasked by higher headquarters. Cadets must be diligent in wanting to expand their knowledge of related subject matter but must also be patient, as newly-promoted Cadet Second Lieutenants may often feel as if the grade is a demotion after having been a senior Cadet NCO for more than 6 months prior to becoming a cadet officer
Eligibility: Cadets promote to this grade upon the completion of two closed-book, comprehensive exams on leadership (Learn to Lead, Chapters 4-8) and aerospace (Aerospace Dimensions Modules 1-7). Cadets must have satisfactorily scored in the Cadet Physical Fitness Test for their age and gender. Cadets must also have completed their student training experience at a Civil Air Patrol Cadet Encampment.
After two months following promotion to Cadet Second Lieutenant, cadets must complete a Learn to Lead, Chapter 9 review and present a Staff Duty Analysis on a related cadet staff officer area of responsibility. Cadets must also complete a review of Aerospace: The Journey of Flight (3-chapter block) and have satisfactorily scored on a Cadet Physical Fitness Test within the previous 180 days for their age and gender.
Feedback Session / Review Board: Before being promoted to Cadet Second Lieutenant, cadets must have sat in a review meeting with superiors to review that they meet the following leadership expectations:
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ATTITUDE: Maintains a positive attitude and encourages good attitudes in others; does not flaunt rank or authority.
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CORE VALUES: Displays a commitment to the Core Values; promotes team spirit, professionalism, and good sportsmanship as a team leader.
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COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Proficient in informal public speaking (i.e., in giving directions to and training junior cadets).
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SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY: Enforces standards; trustworthy in supervising a small team and leading them in fulfillment of a series of simple tasks; given a plan, is able to carry it out.
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INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Guides and coaches junior cadets; recognizes when junior cadets need help; leads by example; is not a "boss."
Minimum Time in CAP: 20 months.
Cadet First Lieutenant (C/1st Lt) — C/O-2
Cadet First Lieutenant represents a cadet's continued advancement through the cadet officer corps, to include their continued development of command-level and strategic management principles.
Expectations: At this grade, cadets are acting as "fully qualified" cadet officers and are no longer expected to receive a large amount of "new" or "fresh" training subject matter. Instead, cadets should be refining their strategic skills. Additionally, cadets at this grade are involving themselves less in the direct management of Cadet Airmen and are, instead, relying greatly on Cadet NCOs to assist in the oversight and mentoring of junior cadets. Cadet First Lieutenants should be learning the technique of employing Cadet NCOs to manage interpersonal disputes within the lower echelon and involve themselves in disciplinary matters only as they start to become severe concerns.
Eligibility: Cadets promote to this grade upon the completion a Learn to Lead, Chapter 10 review and presentation of a Staff Duty Analysis on a related cadet staff officer area of responsibility. Cadets must also complete a review of Aerospace: The Journey of Flight (3-chapter block) and have satisfactorily scored on a Cadet Physical Fitness Test within the previous 180 days for their age and gender.
After two months following promotion to Cadet First Lieutenant, cadets must complete a Learn to Lead, Chapter 11 review and present a Staff Duty Analysis on related cadet staff officer area of responsibilities. Cadets must also complete a review of Aerospace: The Journey of Flight (3-chapter block) and have satisfactorily scored on a Cadet Physical Fitness Test within the previous 180 days for their age and gender. After completion of this next achievement, cadets will spend the next two months working toward their next promotion to Cadet Captain.
Minimum Time in CAP: 24 months.
Cadet Captain (C/Capt) — C/O-3
Cadet Captain represents a cadet's accomplishment of completing their third milestone in the CAP Cadet Program and their progression through the initial cadet officer grades. Cadets at this grade are taking on greater command and staff officer responsibilities, and are preparing to take command of squadron-sized organizations (up to or, sometimes, greater than 37 subordinates cadets). Cadet Captains are closely involved in headquarters affairs, to include interfacing the unit's strategic vision with its tactical plans for execution. Upon achieving the grade of Cadet Captain, cadets earn the Amelia Earhart Award.
Expectations: At this grade, cadets are expert instructors and command supervisors during training operations, working closely with senior Cadet NCOs to ensure the success of training programs. Cadets should possess a fine attention to detail and are producing work with almost no need for correction. Cadet Captains should be mentoring junior cadet officers as they continue to progress while "road-mapping" their "final stretch" to complete the final cadet achievements in the Cadet Program.
Eligibility: Cadets promote to this grade upon the completion of a closed-book, comprehensive exam on leadership (Learn to Lead, Chapters 9-11). Cadets must have satisfactorily scored in the Cadet Physical Fitness Test for their age and gender.
In order to complete all remaining achievements (two) in the Cadet Captain grade, cadets must complete two reviews of Learn to Lead, Chapters 12 and 13 and present two Staff Duty Analyses on related cadet staff officer areas of responsibility. Cadets must also complete two reviews of Aerospace: The Journey of Flight, Chapters (3-chapter blocks each). Cadets must have satisfactorily scored in the Cadet Physical Fitness Test for their age and gender.
Feedback Session / Review Board: Before being promoted to Cadet Captain, cadets must have sat in a review meeting with superiors to review that they meet the following leadership expectations:
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ATTITUDE: Conscious of own performance; takes initiative to develop new skills; self-motivated and able to motivate others.
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CORE VALUES: Fair, just, and consistent in dealing with subordinates; exercises good judgment in knowing which matters should be referred up the chain.
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COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Writes and speaks clearly; presents ideas logically; wins through persuasion.
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SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY: Given an assignment, takes project from beginning to end; develops appropriate goals, plans, standards, and follows through in execution; demonstrates sense of ownership in all assignments.
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INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Actively mentors NCOs; resolves conflicts fairly; criticizes constructively; dissents respectfully when agreeing with superiors.
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CRITICAL THINKING: Thinks in advance and plans ahead to meet the unit's short-term needs; imaginative and not tied to old ideas.
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DELEGATION SKILLS: Delegates routine tasks effectively and works through NCOs; keeps people informed; makes expectations clear; supervises work of other leaders.
Minimum Time in CAP: 28 months.
Cadet Major (C/Maj) — C/O-4
Cadet Major represents a cadet as having reached their first field grade cadet officer grade and their strategic expertise in training program management. Cadets at this grade are becoming proficient in their executive management of squadron programs.
Expectations: At this grade, cadets are highly involved in squadron planning and the creation of strategic, long-term goals. Cadets are managing large-scale projects and are driving their respective teams to success with minimal involvement from the senior member Cadre. Subordinate cadets are being tasked to serve in roles that will improve their skills and allow them to develop deficient areas with the support of higher-level leaders mentoring them.
Eligibility: Cadets promote to this grade upon the completion of a Learn to Lead, Chapter 14 review and presentation of a Staff Duty Analysis on a related cadet staff officer area of responsibility. Cadets must also complete a review of Aerospace: The Journey of Flight (3-chapter block) and have satisfactorily scored on a Cadet Physical Fitness Test within the previous 180 days for their age and gender.
In order to complete all remaining achievements (two) in the Cadet Major grade, cadets must complete two reviews of Learn to Lead, Chapters 15 and 16 and present two Staff Duty Analyses on related cadet staff officer areas of responsibility. Cadets must also complete two reviews of Aerospace: The Journey of Flight, Chapters (3-chapter blocks each). Cadets must have satisfactorily scored in the Cadet Physical Fitness Test for their age and gender.
Feedback Session: Immediately before or upon promoting to Cadet Major, cadets will receive a casual, informal feedback session to discuss the cadet's strengths and weaknesses, and to outline a "roadmap" for their plan to progress through the remainder of the cadet officer grades. The session also discusses the cadet's visions for the future of the squadron and improvements that can be made based on the cadet's expertise at this level.
Minimum Time in CAP: 34 months.
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel (C/Lt Col) — C/O-5
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel represents a cadet's astute command-level leadership development and executive-level staff management. Cadets at this grade have completed all of the required training within the CAP Cadet Program's leadership and aerospace curricula. Upon achieving the grade of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, cadets earn the General Ira C. Eaker Award.
Expectations: At this grade, cadets model their role as servant leaders for all subordinate cadets. They display a passion for their life's accomplishments and expect junior cadets to continue to progress and, someday, share in the same or similar accomplishments. Cadets are capable of developing visions for large-scale activities and can manage a team of project leaders to deliver results.
Eligibility: Cadets promote to this grade upon the presentation of an essay on a related leadership topic. Cadets must have graduated from either a Region Cadet Leadership School or CAP's Cadet Officer School and have satisfactorily scored on a Cadet Physical Fitness Test within the previous 180 days for their age and gender.
Feedback Session / Review Board: Before being promoted to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, cadets must have sat in a review meeting with superiors to review that they meet the following leadership expectations:
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ATTITUDE: Resilient; shows mental discipline in working to achieve long-term goals; welcomes change; has habit of continual self-improvement.
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CORE VALUES: Uses empathy; recognizes how Core Values relate to new and unfamiliar situations; makes sound and timely decisions independently.
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COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Articulate; succinct; persuasive; varies message to fit audience; proficient in explaining complex issues.
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SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY: Completes large projects with little supervision; follows and sets a command intent; self-starter.
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INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Actively develops and mentors cadet officers; adapts leadership style to fit situation; calm under pressure.
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CRITICAL THINKING: Sets long-term goals for unit; imaginative and visionary; recognizes unit's long-term needs; mentally agile when faced with unfamiliar problems.
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DELEGATION SKILLS: Directs multiple teams and manages multiple tasks; assigns people to right jobs; delegates well and enables others to take charge.
Minimum Time in CAP: 40 months.
Cadet Colonel (C/Col) — C/O-6
Cadet Colonel represents a cadet's completion of the CAP Cadet Program's progression series through the grade-achievement system. Upon achieving the grade of Cadet Colonel, cadets earn the General Carl A. Spaatz Award.
Eligibility: To earn the grade of Cadet Colonel, cadets must complete two comprehensive, closed-book exams on Learn to Lead, Chapters 1-16 and Aerospace: The Journey of Flight, Chapters 1-18. Cadets must also submit an essay on an issue of moral character, which will be graded for spelling and grammar. Cadets must also satisfactorily pass the U.S. Air Force Academy's Candidate Fitness Assessment, modified to include a 1-mile run, push-ups, and sit-ups. The Spaatz Exam is administered at the Wing level and is coordinated with the Ohio Wing Director of Cadet Programs. The Spaatz Exam may be taken any time once a cadet promotes to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel.
Feedback Session: Before cadets may request to take the Spaatz Exam, they must receive a casual, informal feedback session to discuss the cadet's strengths and weaknesses, and to assess their readiness to conduct the exam.
