Cadet Program
Civil Air Patrol builds strong citizens for the future by providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women, ages 12 to 21.
Fullerton Composite Squadron 56 has been a composite squadron for most of its history. We continue that tradition in training Cadets who want to make themselves leaders in their personal and professional lives for years to come.
We have had many former Cadets from 56 go into a variety of career fields ranging from teachers, pilots, and business managers in both the public and private fields to military officers and government leaders. It begins at 56 where the Best Lead the Rest in learning the skills of being future leaders.
Regardless of the path a Cadet chooses to take later in life, they have helped continue a love of flying and personal excellence in becoming quality people for themselves and their communities.
Our mission is simple:
We seek to bring out the finest in our Cadets who choose to better themselves through realistic and practical experiences by providing hands-on opportunities, activities, and training that will last a lifetime. Our unit will accept nothing but personal best. This does not always mean being first, but presenting a positive attitude, sportsmanship, dedication, and skill in the individual and group effort. To put it quite simply: The Best Lead the Rest.
Civil Air Patrol offers more than $200,000 in college scholarships each year, and about 35 percent of this year’s freshman class (Class of 2012) at the U.S. Air Force Academy is comprised of former or current CAP cadets.
From the International Air Cadet Exchange to Orientation flights and beyond, Civil Air Patrol as an organization is the foundation for the many young Americans who wish to learn and hopefully lead in their communities, business, the military, or just as better individuals.