Suffolk Cadet Squadron VII

Through Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Programs, young people develop leadership skills, investigate the fundamentals of aerospace science, acquire the habit of exercising regularly, solidify their character, and participate in exciting hands-on activities that prepare them to become responsible citizens.

The major components of Cadet Programs are Leadership, Aerospace Education, Physical Fitness, and Emergency Services.  In most of the programs, the more experienced Cadets (with the help of the Senior Members) teach the newer Cadets. Classes in Moral Leadership and Safety are mostly taught by the squadron's Senior Members.

The Leadership Manual [included in the initial cadet package] consists of a chapter for each achievement. They must be tested in sequence. 

The Aerospace Manual [included in the initial cadet package] consists of six chapters which can be studied and tested in any order. Once all six chapters have been tested, two chapters are tested at a time starting with chapters 1 & 2 then 3 & 4 and finally 5 & 6. For the Mitchell award [required for promotion to C/2nd. Lieutenant], the test covers all Aerospace chapters.

Once a month there is a Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) meeting at LI Group Headquarters where representatives from our squadron go to discuss what's happening in Long Island Group and Civil Air Patrol. At these meetings, activity planning and/or problems which would affect all squadrons can be brought up and solutions discussed. A senior member [usually the LIG Cadet Programs Officer] will sit in as adviser. After the meeting, each squadron's CAC representatives report back to the squadron what was covered and any recommendations.  Click here for this month's CAC report.

Mentoring

All new cadets are assigned a mentor (a cadet who has achieved the rank of C/Staff Sergeant or above) who will help the new cadet become familiar with basic information and requirements. They continue to monitor the new cadet, offering encouragement and assistance when needed, tracking their progress until they complete Phase 1 and are promoted to C/Staff Sergeant.

click to view cadet program news

This is the biggie for most of the cadets - getting a chance to fly for free.

There are two kinds of Orientation flying.  The first and the one they are able to do most often, is the flight they earn in our Cessna 172 and C182 aircraft (the same as used for Search and Rescue).  As soon as a cadet joins, he/she becomes eligible for their first flight in our 4 place, single engine aircraft flown whenever weather permits.  To see photo's view the (photo gallery).

The second type of orientation flying is in AF military aircraft (flown when the Air Force permits )   such as the recent flights in a C130 and Pave Hawk helicopters. To see photo's view the (photo gallery).

Cadets must be in uniform and have their CAP ID cards for both types of flights.

After the first flight, all additional Orientation Flights in our aircraft are earned by promotions. Each subsequent promotion earns another flight until all five flights [powered and sailplane] have been earned.  Cadets can complete earned flights any time aircraft and pilots are available.

CAP announced late in 2007 that cadets would now be allowed to take flight training in our C172s paying only for the aircraft at a "wet" hourly rate.  This is a privilege which must be earned and is granted only at the discretion of the Squadron Commander.

Click to listen to the Oshkosh control tower during the Annual EAA Convention

Bivouacs and Encampments

Bivouacs are usually scheduled to start on Friday evening or Saturday morning and end on Sunday afternoon [usually about 3-4PM]. They usually concentrate on one subject: Aerospace, Emergency Services or Leadership. They are generally held at one of Long Islands many park facilities.

Encampments are scheduled for a period of 9-10 days usually starting on a Friday night or Saturday morning and ending on Sunday the following weekend. In NY state, we are currently using Scotia Air Force base for our Leadership encampment. Information on the currently scheduled annual Leadership Encampment is available on the NY Wing Cadet website.

To view recent activities in which our squadron participated, click on Activities.

National Cadet Special Activities (NCSA's) are encampments cadets can apply for after completing an initial Leadership encampment. See below for more information.

Members of Long Island Group regularly participate in the Long Island Ground Search and Rescue Academy (LIGSAR).  The purpose of the training is for Cadets and Seniors to complete requirements for Ground Team qualifications. 

The courses taught include land navigation, compass and map reading, ELT search techniques, building emergency shelters, communications, Directional Finding and field first aid. to name a few . Cadets trained on challenging land navigation course and participated in numerous sorties to search for a training ELT unit hidden in the dense brush of the park.  They were under the supervision of the academy staff and Cadets who were training as ground team leaders.

Jones Beach Air Show

During the Jones Beach Air Show, the USAF Blue Angels are assisted in their Republic Airport Operations by several squadrons of CAP LI Group. Senior and cadets provided security and flight line duty for the event. To view pictures of this event visit the photo gallery.

Flight Safety Tour

Coast Guard Enlistment Incentives:

As of 22 June 2006 the United States Coast Guard (USCG) matches United States Air force (USAF) incentives for cadets.

     From the CG Recruiting Manual:
          4. U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol (CAP).
              a. Applicants with two years of experience are eligible to enlist in pay grade E-2.
              b. Applicants with three years of experience or cadets who receive the General Billy                          Mitchell Award are eligible to enlist  in  the pay grade of E-3. 24 Apr 07

Parents' Guide in Spanish:

"Guia Para Padres" is now a link on the Parents' section of the cadet web page. 23 Apr 07

Beginning on January 1, 2007, CAP will provide new cadet officers with the educational materials they will need during Phases III & IV, at no charge to the cadets.

Individuals who join the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) sometimes ask, "Why does CAP have strict regulations regarding wearing the uniform and personal grooming standards? After all, I'm here as a volunteer, and this isn't the real military."

As the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF), CAP is in fact a representation of the United States military to the general public.  The great majority of citizens see CAP Seniors and Cadets in the USAF-style uniform, and not knowing what CAP is exactly, assume us to be members of the USAF.  As such, the USAF asks that whenever we interact with the general public, the standards for our professional behavior and appearance in uniform meet those established for USAF personnel.

Within CAP, it is also a straight-forward way of determining if CAP members (both Cadets and Seniors) see themselves as an enthusiastic part of the organization.  Failing to meet the CAP uniform and grooming regulatory standards on a continual basis indicates to leadership that the individual is less than a team player.  Additionally, the same behaviors required to meet CAP uniform and grooming standards, such as teamwork, attention to detail, and planning ability, are also highly valued in the civilian work-place.

"If we can't trust you with the little things, why would we entrust you with the big issues?"

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