Aerospace Education Officer

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The Civil Air Patrol seeks volunteers with an interest in assisting our units in Aerospace Education.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide. In its Air Force Auxiliary role, CAP performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief, and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP's Cadet Program. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

The Civil Air Patrol- Group 3 has fourteen units in the Tampa Bay area. Our units are dedicated to assisting our local community through a myriad of emergency services and operational missions. We also focus on teaching a new generation about aerospace and its impact on our future. A variety of other positions are available as well.

The aerospace education officer’s mission is simple: develop in cadets an enthusiasm for aviation, space, and technology. AEOs do not need to be pilots; they can be mere aerospace enthusiasts with a willingness to share their excitement with cadets. The AEO conducts classroom training, leads hands-on aerospace activities, mentors cadets, organizes aerospace outreach events, and manages the cadet orientation flight program. AEOs need to be familiar with the following publications:

1. CAPP 15, Aerospace Education Officer’s Handbook
2. CAPP 52-7, Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus
3. CAPR 60-1, Cadet Program Management, (chapters 1 through 5)
4. CAPR 280-2, CAP Aerospace Education Mission
5. Aerospace Dimensions (6 modules with leader guide & student guide)
6. Aerospace: The Journey of Flight, with teacher guide
7. Stem Kit Programs and related activity guides

Time Commitment:

This is a good position for a volunteer who wants to serve for two or three meetings per month plus an occasional Saturday or more.

Key Duties & Best Practices:

1. Teach & Inspire Cadets. The AEO shares his or her enthusiasm for aviation, space, and technology with
cadets, acting as a classroom teacher or activity leader. AEOs need a working knowledge of the topics covered in the cadets’ textbooks, especially the Aerospace Dimensions modules. But more than leading the occasional lecture to explain an aerospace concept, the AEO should lead hands-on activities using the dozens of activity resources available through the CAP website, especially the Stem Kit Program. AEOs should also work with cadet officers and NCOs, giving them opportunities to serve as aerospace instructors.

2. Mentor Cadets. In support of the cadets’ achievement tests and milestone award exam programs, the AEO should mentor cadets who are having difficulty passing tests. This can be accomplished by personally mentoring cadets and/or working with cadet officers and NCOs.

3. Lead Outreach Activities. As "dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders," CAP cadets are poised to share their knowledge of and enthusiasm for aerospace with the general public. The AEO should plan aerospace outreach activities, such as having cadets lead Cub Scouts in hands-on AEX projects, inviting young people to the cadets’ model rocket launches, supporting static displays at airshows, etc.

4. Manage the Cadet Orientation Flight Program. Of course, the best part of aerospace education is flying.
The AEO coordinates cadet orientation flights with wing headquarters, which is responsible for developing a plan that serves the squadrons. It is especially important that the AEO arrange for new cadets to receive their first flight as soon as possible after joining. See CAPP 52-7, Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus, for details.

The Aerospace Education Officer (AEO) at the technician level is expected to:

• Possess a basic knowledge of the Aerospace Education Programs.
• Know the duties and tasks associated with CAP’s squadron and group AEO and assistant AEO positions.
• Implement aerospace education programs for cadets and senior members at the squadron level and promote AE in local schools.
• Develop into a highly motivated and trained AEO who will conduct and promote effective internal and external aerospace education programs.

Qualifications:

• Age 18 or older.
• Aerospace background preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
• Willingness to become a member of the Civil Air Patrol and comply with all internal regulations and procedures.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Enthusiasm for community service and working with youth.

Benefits:

• Access to leadership training and opportunities.
• Formal recognition of training, qualification, and experience through CAP's AE Specialty Track.
• Training and mentoring available from Wing, Region, and National members.
• Networking and training at Wing, Region, and National Conferences.

In addition to position-specific duties, all members are encouraged to participate in Civil Air Patrol’s Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Program missions. A wide variety of Emergency Services and other training opportunities are available if desired, though participation is not required.

To apply, please email a letter of interest to 2nd Lt. Craig Hormes at CHormes@flwg.us with the subject line "CAP-AE".