Cadet Programs Newsletter - July 2026

A resource for cadets and parents

This issue is 999+ words and a 4 min 32 sec read

In this issue:

Celebrating June 2026 Milestone Awards

NCSAs This Month

Region Cadet Leadership School

Important Dates

Aviation First Steps: How to get an FAA Flight Medical

Cadet Wings Applications Now Open

Team Registration Open: StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot

Cisco Netacad Academy New Cohort Launches!

60 seconds with Cadet Programs

Congratulations to all cadets who earned a Milestone Award in June 2026!

Special shout out to our newest Spaatz Award recipients:

Karl Farynaz (MA)

Gavin Meelhuysen (AZ)

Lukas Iglesias (FL)

Gilberto Miranda Sanchez (FL)

David Delgado (PR)

Guiseppe Doran (TN)

Amaan Oliyath (MN)

Summer National Cadet Special Activity (NCSA) season is in full swing!

Here's what's happening in July:

• Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Training Familiarization Course (MS)
• Cadet Officer School
• Cyberspace Foundations (SD) - National Cyber Academy
• Cyberspace Foundations (TX) - National Cyber Academy
• Cyberspace Foundations (VA) - National Cyber Academy
• Cyberspace Advanced Administration (VA) - National Cyber Academy
• Cyberspace Networking (TX) - National Cyber Academy
• Cyberspace Networking (VA) - National Cyber Academy
• Cyberspace Operations Fundamentals Course - National Cyber Academy
• Digital Forensics Examiner Course
• Engineering Technology Academy
• Hawk Mountain Ranger School
• International Air Cadet Exchange
• MAR Honor Guard Academy
• Mid Atlantic Region Roland Butler National Flight Academy
• National Blue Beret
• NJWG Falcon Flight National Flight Academy 
• NYWG National Flight Academy 
• TXWG Medical Orientation and Training School (MOTS)
• UTWG National Flight Academy
• WAWG Desert Eagle National Flight Academy

Stay tuned to the Cadet Programs Facebook Page for updates throughout the summer.

Learn more about NCSAs at ncsas.com

Ready to dream big? Review the 2026 Summer NCSA Catalog and start planning for next year.

A region cadet leadership school (RCLS) is a course in officership, indirect leadership, and other themes consistent with CAP’s leadership expectations for Phase III and IV cadets. The vision of RCLS is to develop skilled, ethical, and dedicated cadet officers who excel as leaders within the Civil Air Patrol and beyond—bringing mission-driven leadership into their communities to shape a brighter future for all.

RCLS is one of the options that fulfills the special leadership requirement needed to earn the Eaker Award and promote to C/LtCol. This 40-hour course is typically offered annually in each Region.

Plan ahead for your cadet development goals so you can stay on track.

Learn more about RCLS here. Check the current list of upcoming RCLS here.

Aviation First Steps: Know How to Get an FAA Third Class Medical

Before you can fly solo, you need an FAA Third Class Medical.

🙋What You Need to Know

• FAA 3rd Class Medical is valid for 5 years (when < age 40)
• You must see an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
• Average cost nationwide is $100-$200 and can vary by region

💡 WHY This Matters

This is one of the MOST important early steps.

If you delay:

• You could discover a medical issue too late
• You may not qualify for certain aviation careers

Many pilots recommend getting a medical early in training to avoid surprises later.

🧠 Career Tie-In

If you want to be:

• Airline pilot → First Class Medical
• Military pilot → Even stricter standards

Starting early protects your future.

Learn more: https://pilotinstitute.com/faa-medical-certificates-everything-you-need-to-know/

Cadet Wings Applications Now Open

What is Cadet Wings?

Cadet Wings is a merit-based program for cadets pursuing a Private Pilot Certificate (PPC). Selected cadets have up to 60 hours of funded flying to complete their training at a local flight school or with CAP flight instructors using our CAP Cessna 172 aircraft.

Funding for this program comes from the United States Air Force and other funding partners such as the James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship with the goal of developing tomorrow's aerospace leaders. To learn more about how to become a pilot with the Civil Air Patrol please watch this video. 

Planning to apply? Review CAPP 60-43 Cadet Wings Guide. Everything you need to know to apply is contained in this guide.

Application Window:

• NOW OPEN: July 1 | 8:00 AM CT
• Closes: September 1 | 12:00 PM CT

Learn more about the Cadet Wings program here

Questions about Cadet Wings? Email cadetwings@capnhq.gov

Team Registration for StellarXplorers 13, the National Space Design Competition, is now open!

Join this program where your team competes to determine orbits, design satellites and select launch vehicles to accomplish a space mission. Learn skills used in the real world of the space industry, where careers are in high demand.

If you dream of working on space missions - this is the competition program for you!

Talk to your unit leaders about forming team. Competing in StellarXplorers also counts toward your unit's annual Quality Cadet Unit Award in the STEM category.

Cadet Programs would love to see 100 CAP teams participate this coming season!

We know CAP cadets want to be in the forefront of the space industry, learning these skills.

Learn more about StellarXplorers at stellarxplorers.org

Curious about CyberPatriot?

Test drive this competition with registered team coaches during the Summer Exhibition Round through Aug 24. Team Registration for CyberPatriot 19 is open now!

​CyberPatriot, the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, is the nation's largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks.

Ready to form a team of cyber defenders? Talk to your unit leaders about forming team. Through the support of the Air & Space Forces Association, CAP teams participate in this program at no charge. Competing in CyberPatriot also counts toward your unit's annual Quality Cadet Unit Award in the STEM category.

Learn more at uscyberpatriot.org

Cisco Networking Academy Cohort 2 Courses Launched!

Civil Air Patrol has partnered with Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) to make cybersecurity support, training and curriculum resources available for free to cadets and all CAP members.

Cadets can complete Cisco courses, earn Cisco digital badges and, if they choose, prepare for Junior Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path or Cisco Certified Support Technician certification programs.

Courses available include:

• Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer
• Introduction to CyberSecurity
• Introduction to Data Science
• Data Analytics Essentials
• Computer Hardware Basics
• Operating Systems Basics
• Networking Basics
• Networking Devices and Initial Configuration
• Networking Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting
• Network Support and Security
• Endpoint Security
• Network Defense
• Cyber Threat Management
• Introduction to IoT & Digital Transformation
• Exploring Internet of Things with Cisco Packet Tracer
• Exploring Networking with Cisco Packet Tracer
• Python Essentials 1
• Python Essentials 2
• Computer Hardware Basics
• NEW! AI Fundamentals with IBM SkillsBuild

Every completed course earns a Credly certified badge that can be used on LinkedIn, Indeed, Degreed, and more. These badges are recognized credentials across the industry to show the value of your earned knowledge and skills obtained through Cisco Networking Academy courses.

Cohort 2 runs from July 1-December 31.

Visit the CAP Cisco Netacad page to get started.

Learn more about this program at cyber.cap.gov

Ah, summer.

The time to sit by pool, hang out with friends, go on vacation, go to graduations and weddings, enjoy school break (and maybe do a CAP activity or two.)

It's easy to "take the summer off" from CAP.

Don't do it.

Keep up your momentum so you can reach the goals you have for yourself.

Want the best chance at getting slotted to the NCSA of your choice for 2027?

Continue advancing in the cadet program.

Review the points chart below and all the information at NCSAs.com.

The same advice applies if you aim to apply for 2027 CAP Scholarships.

Learn more about Scholarships and Scholarship Application Procedures.

Check out the objective criteria that applies to all candidates.

Know what you need to do to maximize your opportunities so you can be the most competitive candidate for these exceptional programs. Then make a plan to achieve your goals.

As cadets, you are the next generation of world leaders.

Do the work so you can be the very best the world can have. 

National Cadet Programs

Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

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