Podcast Name: ROTC Scholarships
Episode Name: 5. The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program
In this episode of ROTC Scholarships, host and retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland talks about the
Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program with Lieutenant Colonel John Lierenz, Director of Cadet Programs for
Delaware Wing. John is a 40-year member of Civil Air Patrol; in his current role he oversees the
education and training of over 150 cadets in seven squadrons. Robert and John talk about what Civil Air
Patrol is and why it's important for someone who's considering the ROTC scholarship.
0:55 - Robert introduces John Lierenz.
4:42 - John explains how he got involved over the years in Civil Air Patrol. He served as a cadet and then
a senior member--the adult members in Civil Air Patrol. There's so much opportunity in Civil Air Patrol, not
just for the cadets but for senior members also.
7:31 - John lays out the three main missions of the Civil Air Patrol: emergency services, aerospace
education and the cadet program.
9:20 - John reviews the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program and the advantages it holds for ROTC Scholarship
program. There is synergy in these two programs and getting a start in high school can help prepare a
candidate for college ROTC.
11:38 - John explains how the program is different in each area of the country and how Civil Air Patrol
has been proven many times over the years to be very cost effective for the nation.
13:25 - John talks about his experience in Civil Air Patrol and the various activities that he led and the
various positions that he has held.
19:24 - John lays out the four phases to the cadet program: learn to be part of a team, learn how to lead
others, become an officer, and finally the executive phase where will the cadet becomes the commander
of the squadron and guides the squadron as a whole.
21:30 – John emphasizes that the cadet program includes various types of activities: proper wearing of
the inform and drill and ceremony and some fun activities like obstacle courses, repelling and
computerized weapon simulators.
28:29 - John emphasizes that the more time you give to this program, the more benefit you receive out of
it.
30:39 - Almost every place in the country has a Civil Air Patrol cadet program. The Civil Air Patrol website
shows you where your closest squadron is to your home.
33:34 - For those who are interested in attending one of the squadron's meetings, John recommends
contacting the squadron commander or the contact person on the website before showing up at the
meeting.
34:00 -The squadron meeting lasts two or two and a half hours and John discusses the various activities
that take place at weekly meetings.
36:42 - At bare minimum, it takes three and a half years to get through the entire Civil Air Patrol Cadet
Program.
37:15 - Applicants have no pressure to try and make it all the way through the program, but if the
applicant 12-13 years old, then he/she basically has plenty of time to make it through the entire program
before they graduate high school.
38:41 - John encourages the junior in high school to join the CAP program and continue it through his/her
college years to complete the entire program.
40:35 – Those that participate in Junior ROTC in high school have the potential of actually getting to the
Mitchell Award (cadet officer) in as little as eight months.
44:10 - John warns of the downsides of joining at 16 and 17 and advises candidates to be ready to learn
to check their ego at the door because there may be cadets who are younger than them who will be their
leaders.