24 Top Cadets Headed to Nation’s Capital for Civic Leadership Academy

MAXWELL AIR FOR BASE, Ala. — Twenty-four of Civil Air Patrol’s outstanding cadets are gathering in Washington, D.C., this weekend for the 2018 Civic Leadership Academy.

“Interested in politics or a career in public service? This is for you,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, CAP’s national commander and chief executive officer.

Smith described the Civic Leadership Academy as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” afforded to CAP’s very best cadets. “The 24 cadets chosen for the academy get to visit the nation’s capital for a whole week while getting a well-rounded understanding of government leadership, public service and the principles that guide us as American citizens,” he said.

Scheduled from Feb. 24-March 3, the academy is a real-world, hands-on activity long recognized nationally as a top-notch educational experience.

“This select group of cadets participates in behind-the-scenes tours and briefings at the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, Pentagon, White House, CIA, Arlington National Cemetery and other notable places in Washington,” said Lt. Col. John Erickson, director of this year’s academy.

In addition to a blend of lectures, seminars and assigned readings from historic and current sources, the cadets also visit the National Archives, legislative offices and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, as well as the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam Veterans, Women in Military Service and Lincoln memorials.

At each of these locations, they hear from VIPs who provide insights designed to deepen their understanding of government in action. Their tasks culminate with a final project — a presentation on their CLA experience to their peers in their home squadrons and wings.

“The final project allows everyone back home to experience some of what these cadets experienced,” Erickson said.

Now in its 13th year as one of CAP’s National Cadet Special Activities, CLA allows participants to experience the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government firsthand. It’s an academically intense, interactive study of U.S. government in action, providing participants the opportunity to grow as citizens and young leaders through lessons in persuasive leadership, federal government, public service careers and American heritage.

In recognition of CLA’s outstanding academic value, the National Association of Secondary School Principals has again placed it on the National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2017-2018. The NASSP’s National Committee on Student Contests and Activities annually evaluates the educational value and organizational structure of school-related program opportunities nationwide and recommends those considered worthwhile to principals, teachers, parents and students. CLA has made the organization’s National Advisory List each of the past 10 years.

“CLA is a great value,” Erickson said. “It gives our cadets an opportunity to interact with government, where they often get to see firsthand the power of persuasive leadership.”

On March 1, cadets attending this year’s academy will participate in CAP’s annual Legislative Day, where they will meet with their elected leaders on Capitol Hill. As part of the event, the cadets will assist their region and wing commanders in briefing their representatives and senators on how CAP’s primary missions of emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs have benefited their communities.

“Our cadets make a favorable impression on the Hill,” Smith said. “Dressed in their CAP uniforms, they are always well-received by our congressional leaders. They truly are our greatest ambassadors, always eager to explain what Civil Air Patrol is all about and what our volunteers have done over the past year.”

Smith said CLA is one of CAP’s most important activities because the cadets chosen for the experience represent America’s future.

“Our hope is that these cadets will be greatly inspired through their experiences in Washington,” he said. “We want them to always remember the civic lessons they learned here, and be willing to put them to work in their own communities.

Participants in the 2018 academy:

Alabama WingTuscaloosa Composite Squadron

California WingFullerton Composite Squadron 56

Colorado WingMontrose Composite Squadron

Georgia WingWest Georgia Composite Squadron

DeKalb County Cadet Squadron

Hawaii WingWheeler Composite Squadron

Kansas WingLawrence Composite Squadron

Maryland WingFort McHenry Composite Squadron

Mount Airy Composite Squadron

St. Marys Composite Squadron

Michigan WingRochester-Oakland Cadet Squadron

Montana WingFlathead Composite Squadron

Nevada WingNellis Composite Squadron

Tahoe Truckee Composite Squadron

New Jersey WingBayshore Composite Squadron

Curtiss-Wright Composite Squadron

New York WingPhoenix Composite Squadron

Ohio WingMedina County Skyhawks Composite Squadron

South Carolina WingCamden Military Academy Cadet Squadron

Texas WingGeorge H.W. Bush Composite Squadron

Nighthawk Composite Squadron

Utah WingThunderbird Composite Squadron

Virginia WingAugusta Composite Squadron

Lynchburg Composite Squadron