Weeklong Academy One Of America's Leading Civic Education Activities

Twenty-four of the Civil Air Patrol's top cadets from across the nation are gaining a head start in their public service careers by participating in one of America's leading civic education activities, the Civic Leadership Academy, from Feb. 20-27 in Washington, D.C.

The CLA, an academically intense, interactive study of U.S. government in action, provides participants the opportunity to grow as citizens and young leaders through lessons in persuasive leadership, federal government, public service careers and American heritage.

"Civic Leadership Academy provides cadets an unrivaled opportunity to gain a well-rounded understanding of leadership, public service and the principles that guide our nation," said Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP's national commander and CLA's founding director. "This activity empowers our cadets to apply those principles in their own lives and to be thoughtful participants in our nation's future."

There is a real career thread running throughout the program, according to Lt. Col. Bill Brockman, CLA activity director and founding faculty member. In addition to a blend of field trips, lectures, seminars and assigned readings from historic and current sources, the cadets will visit the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court; the State Department; Arlington National Cemetery, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the Central Intelligence Agency; the Pentagon; legislative offices; and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, as well as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Women in Military Service and Lincoln memorials. They will also encounter VIP speakers at these locations who will provide insights designed to deepen their understanding of government in action. Their CLA tasks will culminate with a final project - a presentation on their CLA experience they will give to their peers in their home squadrons and wings.
 
"The success of CLA has been to keep the cadets engaged in activities they could not do on their own," said Brockman. "The cadets are not just learning about government, but also, how to interact with government, how they can be involved to make a difference and how to look for internship opportunities."

In recognition of the program's outstanding academic value, The National Association of Secondary School Principals has again placed CLA on the National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-10.

The CLA cadets also will participate in CAP's 2010 Legislative Day on Feb. 25 by working alongside their wing commanders to brief Capitol Hill legislators on how CAP's primary missions - search and rescue, emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs - have benefited their communities.

Legislative Day will be held in conjunction with CAP's Winter National Board meeting, which is slated for Feb. 26-27 at the Crystal City Marriott, Arlington, Va. The CAP National Board consists of 69 members representing each state, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia within the organization's eight regions. The board is CAP's policy-making arm and in conjunction with the CAP Board of Governors, proposes amendments to the governing constitution and bylaws.

FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com