Unique Opportunities

Cadets are young leaders who think seriously about their futures. They may not yet know exactly what they want to do in adult life, but they're test-flying potential career interests.

Cadet activities are akin to electives at school, and CAP schedules them mostly as "Saturday" and "school vacation" programs. Some of the most popular career fields among cadets are Aviation, Military, Technology and Leadership. Cadets remain free to mix-and-match to their liking. 

Emergency Services

Civil Air Patrol conducts 90% of inland search and rescue in the U.S. as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and other agencies. During 2021, North Carolina Wing was tasked with 8 search and rescue missions, with 3 lives saved and 9 finds. Qualified CAP members from squadrons across the state volunteer to assist in these missions.

Through Emergency Services training, CAP members can earn qualifications to assist in providing aerial assessment evacuations, support communications between ground and air-based resources, transport supplies, help search for missing persons and aircraft, and patrol the skies as needed for homeland security. Although there is a magnitude of opportunities for cadets to gain these skills and qualifications, one of the most unique opportunities is through the Black Spade Training School Weekend.

Let’s Go Flying

Let’s Go Flying is the young person’s introduction to aviation. Topics include what to look for on your first airline flight, fundamentals of aviation science, fun things young people can do to grow their interest in flying, and interviews with aviation professionals who discuss career opportunities.

Rocketry Badge Program

The CAP rocketry program is based on traditional model rocketry that has general wide acceptance throughout the United States (there are alternate rocketry projects for those who live in areas where model rocketry is not permitted). The structure of the CAP model rocketry program is to have cadets build three model rockets of increasing difficulty.   Our cadets build and launch rockets throughout the year to earn their rocketry badge.  Additionally, we work to incorporate other CAP activities into our launch day such as search and rescue techniques and drone search patterns.

Cyber Patriot

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. ​At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation's largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks. Our Cyber SAR Devil team begins training in May and continues throughout the year.  The results are awesome, we've been in the top 15% of all teams nationally (over 3500 teams) 4 of the last 5 years!

Cadet Orientation Flights

The cadet orientation flight program shares with cadets the thrill of flying. Every CAP cadet under age 18 is eligible for five flights in a powered aircraft (usually a single-engine Cessna), five flights in a glider aircraft, and an unlimited number of backseat flights when conditions allow. Orientation flights are always free to cadets. Survey data has repeatedly shown that the #1 reason youth become CAP cadets is an interest in flying.

Aerospace Education

A core component of Civil Air Patrol is educating our members in Aerospace disciplines and STEM activities.  This includes supporting local schools and organizations with lesson plans and access to STEM kits such as flight simulators, robotics kits and quadcopters (Drones).  At Iredell we focus on the hands on aspects of aerospace education including building rockets, bridges and hovercraft.  We also host an overnight astronomy course complete with multiple telescopes.

Wreaths Across America

The Wreaths Across America event at the Salisbury VA National Cemetery each December is one of the most meaningful public service events that NC-162 participates in annually. Our cadets provide the color guard as well as holding each of the military service flags as gold star families and others place wreaths in front of the flags for each branch of service during the ceremony. Following the ceremony the squadron joins the community in placing wreaths throughout the cemetery.

Honor Guard

Although Honor Guard units may be mistaken as “drill teams,” Honor Guardsmen are “Ambassadors for Civil Air Patrol.” It is their duty to assist in recruiting and retention, to assist any ceremonies, to present the colors when the unit color guard is not available, and to assist in funerals when requested. To be part of the Unit Honor Guard, members must have high standards in appearance, education, conduct; an aptitude for ceremonial duty, professionalism; and the will to make a difference to the future of America.

The one thing that all Honor Guards do have in common is Honor and Pride. The Honor Guard of Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, takes pride in, and is honored to, represent our nation as the Air Force’s auxiliary.

Cadet Leadership Program

Today's cadets are tomorrow's aerospace leaders.  CAP introduces youth to Air Force perspectives on leadership through self-paced study, classroom instruction and hands-on opportunities to apply leadership principles to real-world challenges.  As cadets advance through the program in-residence leadership schools give them a space to explore increasingly complex concepts and skills associated with leading others.