Medal Of Honor Recipient  To Address 119 Participants From 36 CAP Wing During College-Level Leadership Training

It’s one of the top professional development opportunities available to America’s youth, but you have to be a high-achieving Civil Air Patrol cadet to participate.

It’s Cadet Officer School, which began Monday at Maxwell Air Force Base — site of CAP National Headquarters and home of Air University and professional military education for the U.S. Air Force. That makes it the ideal venue to develop the leadership skills of CAP’s top cadets. “This is a premier leadership opportunity that is afforded to our very best cadets,” said Lt. Col. James Scott, activity director for Cadet Officer School, or COS. “Only the top 15 percent of CAP’s cadets are accepted to attend.”

This year, 119 cadets from 36 CAP wings are participating in the 10-day, college-level course.

On Thursday morning, the cadets will hear from Medal of Honor recipient, retired U.S. Army Capt. Florent “Flo” Groberg (pictured), who received America’s highest valor award for heroic actions in Afghanistan four years ago as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Groberg, Task Force Mountain Warrior personal security detachment commander for the Army’s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was severely injured during an escort mission to the provincial governor’s compound in Asadabad, Kunar, Afghanistan. His quick actions disrupted two bombs from detonating as planned, saving the majority of lives he was charged with protecting. “This will be a rare opportunity for our cadets,” said Scott. “It’s not every day they get to hear about true leadership from a real American hero.”

Learning to lead is the focus of Cadet Officer School, which is patterned after Air Force Squadron Officer College. “This is a popular destination for our cadets because of the rigorous academic curriculum and the caliber of instruction offered by the Air Force and CAP officers,” said Scott. “The leadership skills they acquire here will lead them to exciting careers in both the military and the private sector.”

Through this week and into next week the cadets participate in a variety of lectures and supporting discussions to explore leadership topics. They practice what they learn through a series of comprehensive writing and speaking assignments, culminating with graduation ceremonies on July 21.

CAP and its cadet program have built strong citizens throughout its 75 years of service, providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women ages 12 to 20. Activities like Cadet Officer School give CAP cadets the opportunity to improve their skills in a variety of areas, including search and rescue, flight and emergency services, science, leadership fundamentals, citizenship and military courtesies, and to explore aerospace technology and aviation careers.

This summer, more than 5,000 youth are participating in CAP-sponsored summer activities.

(Source: CAP news release. U.S. Army image)

FMI: www.capvolunteernow.com