CAP vs Army JROTC

[ChickenNuggets]

This is a quick question.
Does the Air Force Academy prefer that candidates do CAP or Army JROTC?
I am fine with doing either and they both seem like good fun.


And yes I will do my best to and to take on leadership skills and positions.

 

[Academician]

No preference. Both will do well. CAP tends to give you more flexibility with your schedule (in my opinion), but I think it is more important to look at both and see which one is the best fit for you. Some of my students have had issues with JROTC and playing school sports, but you may be able to find out more details as you explore the programs.

 

[futurefalconmom_11]

My DS has done both AFJROTC and CAP and has excelled in both. He his currently Captain and Cadet Commander for CAP and Cadet Captain in AFJROTC and Honor Guard Commander in his Senior Year of HS. He did have to sacrifice any leadership positions the past three years due to scheduling conflicts with Varsity Wrestling. He gave up wresting his senior year to get the leadership position in JROTC. Both CAP and AFJROTC has been very benificial to him. He did a Flight Academy with CAP and got his first solo flight done. He also got a JROTC Flight Scholarship in which he got his PPL, all free! Cap is more flexible and besides the weekly meetings you can choose to do as many activities as you want. AFJROTC is a little more demanding if you want to be a part of the extras like Honor Guard. I would suggest doing both.

 

[DomerDad]

My DD did CAP and not JROTC (not offered at her school). CAP is great, but I would look into JROTC as a possible nomination source. CAP is not a source for service academy nominations. My guess is that they are looked at similarly by the academies. My DD has MANY friends at USAFA who did CAP.

 

[MDRDV]

My DD did CAP and not JROTC (not offered at her school). CAP is great, but I would look into JROTC as a possible nomination source. CAP is not a source for service academy nominations. My guess is that they are looked at similarly by the academies. My DD has MANY friends at USAFA who did CAP.

Yep. Nom source for JROTC is huge. If congressional noms fall through you'd still be in the running. Army JROTC is a little different. Your unit must be designated as a honor unit to get a nom for cross service to USAFA.

 

[Stormbird]

This is a quick question.
Does the Air Force Academy prefer that candidates do CAP or Army JROTC?
I am fine with doing either and they both seem like good fun.


And yes I will do my best to and to take on leadership skills and positions.

At my son's H.S., JrROTC took up valuable academic periods that restricted how many AP classes he could take. AP classes are vital to academic success at the Blue Zoo. (success does not equate to hanging on by your fingernails)

My son instead joined the CAP (which is now a DOD affiliate), learned valuable leadership lessons, won the nationally recognized
Billy Mitchell Award (moved thru the enlisted ranks to be a CAP officer), and learned how to march.

Totally agree with aforementioned comments about flexibility. Plus, if the unit has an airplane, many future advantages that go along with that.

 

[Stormbird]

This is a quick question.
Does the Air Force Academy prefer that candidates do CAP or Army JROTC?
I am fine with doing either and they both seem like good fun.


And yes I will do my best to and to take on leadership skills and positions.

One more thing. I'm not sure you are asking the right question. Frankly, I don't think the Academy cares one way or the other, JrROTC vs CAP.
What you should be asking is, does your nominating source have a preference. I will be sitting on a nominating board in 2 weeks, and I will be looking at the whole/big picture.

I will say, from what I have heard, there's nothing in Army JrROTC that's going to help you get a pilot training slot. CAP flying...that's a whole different animal.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

This is a quick question.
Does the Air Force Academy prefer that candidates do CAP or Army JROTC?
I am fine with doing either and they both seem like good fun.


And yes I will do my best to and to take on leadership skills and positions.

I think the above posts are most informative regarding the JROTC nomination source potential, and opportunities to get flight hours/ training through both CAP or JROTC organizations. I'll expand a bit below - feel welcome to skip or read on...

CAP also has a Cadet WINGs program which CAN provide training to some toward their PPL - interest/ demand at times exceeds supply/ availability of planes, instructors but if you can get it - great program. CAP further has a great SUPFAM course out in Mississippi that provides additional training for those interested in flying/ aviation. Lastly, CAP has a cyber academy and competition which I think having that on your C.V. would be great for both AFROTC and USAFA applications. At a minimum the CAP o-flight program is a great way to get up in a small craft *cessna-172 and learn some flying basics.

CAP is the auxiliary of the US Air force, and some of their flight programs are funded by the air force. Overall, Air force cadets interested in a rated pilot slot can get hours through eithe program (which count/ weigh in for those cadets) when it's time for service selection. Potential for more hours I believe rests with CAP over JROTC because it has more programs that you can do sequentially/ before you graduate or age out. These hours matter more for the Air Force than they do with Navy/ Army/ Marines for those who want to fly..

Both are youth led programs, so your experience may vary greatly based on a handful of youths and the other volunteers participating in those groups. It's a bit like lord of the flies at times as new leaders "learn" at times at the expense of their peers (similar to scouts if you know people in those programs) but I find in the end water rises to it's own level and people do fine. Even your experience with YOUR JROTC or CAP squadron may vary based on another 10 miles down the road, and may also vary year over year as people graduate/ new people join, etc.

Have seen a number of JROTC top dogs stumble in ROTC and SA officer training where they came in overconfident. Swagger/ cockiness/ self assuredness replaced with overwhelmed energies, panic, defeat, tail-between legs quitting within days. But many others thrive and the foundation in marching, courtesies, customs, chain of command, and advancing leadership experience can be great.