Cadet Programs

Integrated Leadership Program

The Integrated Leadership Program (ILP) is a program designed to impart progressively improved cadet skills in followership, leadership, and teamwork.

The ILP consists of ATS (Airmen Training School), NCOS (Non-Commissioned Officer School), BCOC (Basic Cadet Officer Course) and the ACSS (Advanced Cadet Staff Seminar). 

Lt Col Douglas Kilian
Director of Cadet Programs

Airman Training School (ATS) / Encampment Preparatory School (EPS)

The Airman Training School/Encampment Preparatory School provides the first stepping stone in the ILP program.

The primary purpose of the ATS/EPS is to teach newer CAP cadets the basics of cadet followership, history, and the basic expectations of CAP cadets. The purpose of this training is to provide a foundation from which to build uniform training across the cadet corps of Minnesota Wing.

At ATS/EPS, cadets will develop important followership skills such as discipline and responsibility. Additionally, cadets will improve their skills in drill, uniform wear, and CAP Knowledge. Finally, cadets may also have an opportunity participate on other activities on post.

ATS/EPS is not meant to replace basic cadet training at the unit level, but is instead designed to augment it.

ATS/EPS is a great way to prepare an inexperienced cadet for Cadet Encampment. Wing Encampment is an intense week of training and some cadets do not feel comfortable in that environment. To prepare for Wing Encampment, it is recommended that prospective cadets attend ATS/EPS.

An EPS can be sponsored by any squadron or group in Minnesota Wing. Typically, Wing HQ may also sponsor one ATS per year. ATS will typically be 3-4 days long and an EPS will be 2-3 days long.

Non-Commissioned Officer School (NCOS)

The goal of the Noncommissioned Officers School is to provide the cadet with a foundation for the intermediate phases of the cadet training in Civil Air Patrol. NCOS stresses the fundamental aspects of instructional techniques, evaluation methods and intermediate leadership laboratory skills.

The graduates of Noncommissioned Officers School will be able to demonstrate:

1. The ability to instruct a class or make a presentation on a CAP related subject.

2. The ability to drill a flight.

3. The ability to evaluate another cadet in drill and in inspection.

Basic Cadet Officer Course (BCOC)

The Basic Cadet Officer Course is designed to develop important professional skills in Phase III officers.

The BCOC will introduce cadet officers to their new role in the command structure and provide them the management skills to be successful at the flight and squadron level.

Some topics that will be covered include Project Management, Evaluating Subordinate Cadets, and Principled Leadership. The Basic Cadet Officer Course requires substantial reading and critical thinking, but the rewards are worth it.

The course has four areas of concentration, namely:

Organizational and Program Overviews

Project Management Concepts and Skills

Leadership Styles and Principles

Professional Military Education and Enrichment

As part of the course, participants work together to as a "cadet staff" of a fictitious squadron to develop a program plan for a calendar year, in which they apply the skills they learned and share the activities and programs that they currently implement in their respective knowledge.

Advanced Cadet Staff Seminar (ACSS)

The Advanced Cadet Staff Seminar (ACSS) provides an opportunity for Phase IV and other select cadets to put their problem-solving skills to use. Convened at the direction of the Director of Cadet Programs, the ACSS tackles one or more issues that are facing the cadets of Minnesota Wing.

As a group the ACSS studies, discusses, and proposes solutions to the issue(s). Based upon these recommendations the Director of Cadet Programs utilizes those recommendations appropriately.

Typically the ACSS is held during the Wing Conference, but can be convened at any other time as well. The event is usually only open to Phase IV cadets and select Phase III cadets who extended a specific invitation by the Director or his/her designee.