Did you know that the CAP has a ready-made program for schools?
That's right! The CAP Cadet program can be incorporated into schools!
The CAP School Program has gone through several revisions in the last several years and it is currently being done in many schools across the country.
Since the CAP is such a versatile organization, the manner in which a school program is implemented can take many forms. The usual way it is done is each school becoming its own stand alone squadron, however, there are other alternatives!
One alternative (and one that has been very successful for us) is:
1. Rebuild the community unit in Gallup (that's us). We call our unit "GallupCAP". In GallupCAP, (Home Unit) you will find all the required command and support staff to operate (Commander, Logistics, Administration/Personnel, Finance, Training, etc.). Anyone can join the "Home Unit" and this unit will be the nucleus for all other subordinate units.
2. The next step would be to establish a "Detachment" in each of the schools that wish to implement the program. Each school would have the option of incorporating the CAP Cadet Program as part of the regular School curriculum (usually offered as an elective). Since the CAP Cadet Program is loaded with Aerospace Science, Physical Fitness, Leadership and other subjects, many schools offer it as an alternative for the usual Science and/or Physical Education courses.
If it isn't possible to offer the CAP Cadet Program as part of the school curriculum, it can also be offered as an "after school" program similar to being part of a sports team.
Any school that has students in the age range to become Cadets (usually Grades 6-12) are eligible to start a CAP Cadet Program in their school.
3. Each "Detachment" would need have a teacher or other faculty member to act as the "Detachment Commander" and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations/instruction of the detachment.
The difference in this method of implementing the CAP School Program is the support each school "Detachment" would have from the "Home Unit". This support can be an enormous help in ensuring that each "Detachment" receives the support it needs to be successful. In addition, all the members if each "Detachment" would not only belong to their respective School Detachment, but they would ALSO be full members of the home unit GallupCAP and be eligible to participate in all activities that that we offer.
For the local School District, there is virtually no cost to start a "detachment". The Cadets would receive all the books they would need for the program as part of the package any new CAP Cadet would receive and is included in their enrollment fees. (About $30.00)
The Cadets would also receive a free basic Air Force Blue Uniform (depending on funding from the USAF). Cadets would need to provide their own Camouflage BDU uniform in addition to other incidental expenses that may occur from time to time.
Schools would only need to provide appropriate classroom space in addition to access to an area where Cadets can do Physical Fitness training and military drill. That's all!
Of course, there are many details that need to be worked out for a school program to come to life, but it IS possible! We have done it before and it is being done all over the country. We are more than ready to discuss the possibilities with school officials at any time.
GallupCAP.com (2.0)
All the pictures on this page show REAL GallupCAP Cadets and some of the things we do in Gallup!
