National Cadet Special Activities of the Civil Air Patrol
Encyclopedia
National Cadet Special Activities are Cadet Programs conducted by Civil Air Patrol
. NCSAs are designed to give cadets direct hands on experience with various aspects of the Civil Air Patrol program and provide meaningful insight into several aviation-related careers. There are approximately 30 different special activities that a cadet may attend. Each activity is approximately a week long, and all but two are offered during the Summer.
The variety of NCSAs offered by CAP gives cadets a diverse experience. Activities focus on career exploration, leadership development, search and rescue skills, aeronautical training, Air Force familiarization, government, and a variety of other topics.
On 16 January, each wing headquarters will process the applications from that wing. Beginning in 2009, cadets will be assigned to one of three categories: Green-Light, Approved, and Red-Light. At least one and up to 10% of cadets from each wing will be given the Green-Light, with the remaining cadets being slotted as approved. Cadets can be assigned to the Red-Light category because of poor conduct or an unsatisfactory attitude, and are thus ineligible to attend NCSAs.
Some wings hold selection boards to determine NCSA eligibility. Prior to 2009, these selection boards would rank and stack each cadet, producing a numerical order for cadets. However, in 2009, CAP has implemented a new Objective Scoring System to standardize the process across all wings. Wing selection boards now meet to determine whether a cadet will be slotted as green-light, approved, or red-light.
The Objective Scoring System was designed to evaluate cadets in a fair, impartial, and standardized manner. Cadets earn points based on their age, rank, years of service, and prior activities. Ties between cadets with the same score are broken by age. These scores are calculated on February 18, so changes made after February 18 (such as promotions or birthdays) are not accounted for.
After cadets are scored, they are grouped together by their category. The highest scoring Green-Light cadet is assigned to his or her highest desired NCSA, followed by the second highest scoring Green-Light, and so on, until all green light cadets have been assigned. After Green-Light cadets have been assigned, the highest Approved cadet is assigned, followed by the second highest approved cadet, and so on.
Cadets are automatically assigned to their most desired activity that has space available. Although all cadets have a chance to be assigned, not every cadet will be assigned because of a limited number of spaces. If, after all cadets have been assigned, any activity has vacancies, a second round of slotting begins. This second round begins with the highest ranking Green-Light cadet, and proceeds accordingly, adding a cadet to a second activity if the cadet wishes to attend the activity, the activity has space available, and the second activity does not conflict with the dates of the first activity. This process continues until no other vacancies can be filled.
CAP National Headquarters does not handle alternates. Instead, individual activity directors are responsible for alternative rosters, and are recommended to give preferential treatment to cadets who are not attending other NCSAs.
Due to the high rank requirements and vast differences in curriculum, the selection process for International Air Cadet Exchange and Cadet Officer School may be significantly different from the selection process outlined above.
Additionally, activity directors should contact their participants by 1 April and provide further information about the activity. Cadets must pay activity fees by 15 April or risk losing their slot to an alternate.
On 10 November, Civil Air Patrol released a list of activities for 2009.
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
. NCSAs are designed to give cadets direct hands on experience with various aspects of the Civil Air Patrol program and provide meaningful insight into several aviation-related careers. There are approximately 30 different special activities that a cadet may attend. Each activity is approximately a week long, and all but two are offered during the Summer.
The variety of NCSAs offered by CAP gives cadets a diverse experience. Activities focus on career exploration, leadership development, search and rescue skills, aeronautical training, Air Force familiarization, government, and a variety of other topics.
Selection Process
The popularity of NCSAs has led CAP to implement a selection process for cadets. Cadets must be approved to attend NCSAs by their Squadron and Wing commanders. Cadets must also achieve a certain age and rank before attending an NCSA (varies) and have completed a Basic Encampment.Announcement of NCSAs
National Cadet Special Activities for the following year are announced each November via the CAP Website. NCSAs for 2009 were announced on 10 November 2008.Selection Process for NCSAs
After the list of NCSAs for the upcoming year is published, interested cadets must file their application online at Civil Air Patrol's e-Services website. Cadets have until the 15th of January to file their applications. If a cadet wishes to attend more than one NCSA, the cadet should indicate each activity he or she wishes to attend, and rank them in order from highest to lowest. Cadets should indicate any activity in which they wish to participate, even if the dates overlap.On 16 January, each wing headquarters will process the applications from that wing. Beginning in 2009, cadets will be assigned to one of three categories: Green-Light, Approved, and Red-Light. At least one and up to 10% of cadets from each wing will be given the Green-Light, with the remaining cadets being slotted as approved. Cadets can be assigned to the Red-Light category because of poor conduct or an unsatisfactory attitude, and are thus ineligible to attend NCSAs.
Some wings hold selection boards to determine NCSA eligibility. Prior to 2009, these selection boards would rank and stack each cadet, producing a numerical order for cadets. However, in 2009, CAP has implemented a new Objective Scoring System to standardize the process across all wings. Wing selection boards now meet to determine whether a cadet will be slotted as green-light, approved, or red-light.
The Objective Scoring System was designed to evaluate cadets in a fair, impartial, and standardized manner. Cadets earn points based on their age, rank, years of service, and prior activities. Ties between cadets with the same score are broken by age. These scores are calculated on February 18, so changes made after February 18 (such as promotions or birthdays) are not accounted for.
| Age | Achievement | Longevity | Prior Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ = 10 points | Spaatz = 20 points | 5+ years = 15 points | None = 15 points |
| 17 = 8 pts | Eaker = 16 pts | 4 years = 12 pts | 1 Activity = 10 points |
| 16 = 6 pts | Earhart = 14 pts | 3 years = 9 pts | 2 activities = 5 pts |
| 15 = 4 pts | Mitchell = 12 pts | 2 years = 5 pts | 3+ activities = 0 pts |
| 14 = 3 pts | Wright Bros = 8 pts | 1 year = 2 pts | |
| <14 = 0 pts | None = 0 pts | <1 years = 0 pts |
After cadets are scored, they are grouped together by their category. The highest scoring Green-Light cadet is assigned to his or her highest desired NCSA, followed by the second highest scoring Green-Light, and so on, until all green light cadets have been assigned. After Green-Light cadets have been assigned, the highest Approved cadet is assigned, followed by the second highest approved cadet, and so on.
Cadets are automatically assigned to their most desired activity that has space available. Although all cadets have a chance to be assigned, not every cadet will be assigned because of a limited number of spaces. If, after all cadets have been assigned, any activity has vacancies, a second round of slotting begins. This second round begins with the highest ranking Green-Light cadet, and proceeds accordingly, adding a cadet to a second activity if the cadet wishes to attend the activity, the activity has space available, and the second activity does not conflict with the dates of the first activity. This process continues until no other vacancies can be filled.
CAP National Headquarters does not handle alternates. Instead, individual activity directors are responsible for alternative rosters, and are recommended to give preferential treatment to cadets who are not attending other NCSAs.
Due to the high rank requirements and vast differences in curriculum, the selection process for International Air Cadet Exchange and Cadet Officer School may be significantly different from the selection process outlined above.
Notification of Selection
On or about 1 March, cadets will be notified of their selection (or not) for each NCSA they applied for. Cadets are notified via the e-Services website.Additionally, activity directors should contact their participants by 1 April and provide further information about the activity. Cadets must pay activity fees by 15 April or risk losing their slot to an alternate.
List of NCSAs for 2009
- For a full list of National Cadet Special Activities, including activities no longer offered, see List of National Cadet Special Activities
On 10 November, Civil Air Patrol released a list of activities for 2009.
| Activity | Location |
|---|---|
| Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course | Columbus AFB, Mississippi Mississippi Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi... or Laughlin AFB, Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... |
| Air Force Pararescue Orientation Course | Kirtland AFB, New Mexico New Mexico New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S... |
| Advanced Air Force Pararescue Orientation Course | Kirtland AFB, New Mexico New Mexico New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S... |
| Air Force Space Command Air Force Space Command Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations.... Familiarization Course |
Patrick AFB, Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... or Peterson AFB, Colorado Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... |
| Activity | Location |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Manufacturing & Maintenance Academy | Independence, Kansas Kansas Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south... |
| MKS Aviation Business Academy | McMinnville, Oregon Oregon Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern... |
| National Blue Beret | Oshkosh, Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... |
| National Flight Academy (Powered and Glider) |
Varies by Region |
| Aviation Challenge | Huntsville, Alabama Alabama Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... |
| EAA Air Academy | Oshkosh, Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... |
| Space Camp United States Space Camp U.S. Space Camp is owned and operated by the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission d.b.a. U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "Space Camp" refers to both the actual camp and a family of related camp programs offered year-round by the facility. The camp provides residential and... |
Huntsville, Alabama Alabama Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... |
| Activity | Location |
|---|---|
| Cadet Officer School | Maxwell AFB, Alabama Alabama Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... |
| Hawk Mountain Ranger School Hawk Mountain Ranger School Hawk Mountain Ranger School is a Search and Rescue school operated by the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol . The school, located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, is a National Cadet Special Activity operated by Pennsylvania Wing; it is the only NCSA not operated by National... |
Kempton, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... |
| Honor Guard Academy (Years 1, 2, and 3) | Westminster, Maryland Maryland Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east... |
| International Air Cadet Exchange International Air Cadet Exchange The International Air Cadet Exchange is an annual student exchange program designed to promote character, good-will, and cooperation among the world's civilian auxiliary aviation programs... |
Worldwide |
| National Cadet Competition Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Competition The Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Competition is the highest echelon of competition for Civil Air Patrol Color Guards and Drill Teams including all 52 Wings and 8 regions of the Civil Air Patrol. The National Cadet Competition is typically rotated every two years to a new aerospace venue... |
McMinnville, Oregon Oregon Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern... |
| National Emergency Services Academy | Camp Atterbury Camp Atterbury Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, Indiana, USA, is a training base of the Indiana National Guard. It was planned just months before the U.S. entry into World War II. Originally surveyed and researched by the Hurd Company, the present site was recommended to Congress in 1941. Construction commenced... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... |
| Activity | Location |
|---|---|
| Advanced Technologies Academy | Peterson AFB, Colorado Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... |
| Engineering Technologies Academy | Auburn, Alabama Alabama Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... |
| Engineering Technologies - Neutral Buoyancy Lab | Flint, Michigan Michigan Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake".... |