National Cadet Special Activities

Once you have an encampment under your belt, it’s time to take a look at all of the NCSA’s available to you.  It is now required that you attend an encampment before you may apply to attend an NCSA.  National Emergency Services Academy (NESA) is one exception to this rule.  You must attend an encampment before attending NESA, but you may apply for NESA before attending encampment.  If, upon registering for NESA, you have not yet graduated from an encampment, but you plan to attend one before the dates of NESA, you will be required to submit proof that you attended an encampment when you arrive at NESA.  (You will be awarded a certificate upon graduation from encampment). 

For a list of the NCSA’s available, you can visit the National Headquarters NCSA web page at: 

http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/cadet_programs/activities/national_special_activities/ 

This page is updated in the fall, to include all activities which will be offered the following summer. 

When National HQ sends a bulletin that the NCSA’s for the coming year are posted, we will forward this information via the squadron e-mail list, and announce it at squadron meetings. 

Currently, we have cadets and seniors in our squadron who have attended: 

National Honor Guard Academy (NHGA)

National Emergency Services Academy (NESA)

Air Education and Training Command Familiarization Course (AETC-FC)

National Flight Academy (NFA) – Glider Track

International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) 

So, ask around, and get briefed on the opportunities out there.

Better yet, map out your own path, and come back to tell us about it! 

How does the NCSA application process work? 

Before applying, check prerequisites for the course(s), to make sure you meet all criteria (i.e. age, CAP grade, experience).   

#1 -  Complete the on-line CAP Form 31, and get required signatures

Go to National Headquarters e-services at https://www.capnhq.gov. You will be prompted to enter your user name and password. If you do not have a user name and password, follow the instructions to create an account.

E-Services is for all CAP members and is an important site for members to be aware of and use. At this time, you will use it to register for National Cadet Special Activities.

Once logged in, you will see a column in the left margin marked “CAP Utilities.”

Under “My Favorites,” select “NCSA Main Menu” from this column.

You are now in the “National Cadet Special Activities Main Menu.”  You will begin by selecting “Form 31 for Summer Activities” under the “Activity Information” menu. NOTE: If you do not see this under the “Activity Information” menu, try clicking the white circle with the down arrows next to the menu title.

Now that you are in the on-line CAP Form 31 page, follow the 5 step instructions. You will notice some information already completed. This information comes from the National database.  Once you complete and review the form, it will automatically be sent to National HQ for preliminary registration, where you will be listed as an alternate for the activity until Maryland Wing submits results from their selection and ranking process, and National HQ completes final ranking.  At that time, if you are selected for the activity, your status will change from “alternate” to “primary.”

Once you have electronically submitted your registration, print several copies of this document for your records, and for submission to Maryland Wing. 

The Squadron Commander AND the Group Commander will need to sign this form.  Wing will only accept originals in your application package.  Get it in early, so there is time to forward forms and get the required signatures.

National HQ will announce a deadline for applying to NCSA’s.  This deadline will be forwarded via squadron e-mail, posted on the calendar, and announced at squadron meetings.

# 2 - Compose a resume highlighting your CAP and outside Accomplishments. 

This can include academic, extracurricular, community service, and employment, if applicable.  If you need assistance or guidance in regard to your resume, ask a cadet officer or senior member. 

# 3 - Request a completed CAP FORM 50 (Cadet Evaluation) with signatures from your Squadron Commander or their designee. 

Please do this early, so your Commander, or their designee, has time to find something nice to say.  It would be preferable to get this done BEFORE, NOT DURING the holidays!

A CAP Form 50 can be found on the National Headquarters website.  From Mt. Airy Squadron’s Home Page, click on the National Headquarters link, or click here.  Log in, and click on “CAP Pubs and Forms” in the left margin.  Again, in the left margin, you can click on “Forms (Word)” or “Forms (PDF).” 

Word will allow you to populate the form from your keyboard, so you can fill in your personal information prior to printing.

PDF will give you a blank form you can print out and fill in by hand. 

Once in the forms area, scroll down to find “ *F50-    ” and click on the form for the appropriate phase:

C/Amn through C/SrA – Phase 1                   

C/SSgt through C/CMSgt – Phase 2    

C/2Lt through C/Capt – Phase 3                     

C/Maj through C/Col – Phase 4

When you have completed the personal information portion of the form, turn it in to your Squadron Commander, or their designee, so they can complete and sign your evaluation.

# 4 - Mail the complete package to:

Maryland Wing HQ/CP
ATTN: Special Activities
P.O. Box 18341
Baltimore, MD 21240-8341

It is good practice to make sure you have copies of everything for your own records before mailing this off.

A deadline will be set by Wing each year for the postmark of the application package.  This date will be forwarded via squadron e-mail, and announced at squadron meetings.

# 5 – Attend the Maryland Wing NCSA Selection Board

The Maryland Wing NCSA Selection Board is an annual event that cadets take part in for the purpose of being ranked within the Maryland Wing for National Cadet Special Activities (NCSA’s) and peer-to-peer evaluation.  Cadets will be expected to appear at Wing HQ in Glen Burnie, MD for a Board of Review in their Class B Blues.  If cadets do not participate, they will not receive a ranking, which can eliminate their chances of being selected for any NCSA by National HQ. 

Maryland Wing will announce the date of the Selection Board around November.  Typically, it is planned for a Saturday in January.  This information will be forwarded via squadron e-mail, and announced at squadron meetings.

# 6 – Check back with National HQ’s NCSA Main Menu to review your status.

National HQ will announce dates when final acceptance status will be posted.  This information will be forwarded via squadron e-mail and announced at squadron meetings.

If you are selected as a “primary” for any NCSA, you will be given a deadline for payment of the activity fee, and directions regarding how to accept your slot in the activity.  If you do not meet the deadlines on these two items, you will forfeit your slot, and it will be offered to a cadet “alternate.”

Any further information regarding your activity, should you be selected as a “primary,” will come from the Activity Director, or their designee, via e-mail or snail mail.  Many NCSA’s incorporate web sites into their programs, so you may be sent a link where you can find out final plans and arrangements.

You will receive an NCSA ribbon upon graduation from your first activity.  Additional NCSA participation will be indicated by bronze or silver stars placed on your ribbon. 

Any comments and/or suggestions: webmaster@mtairy-cap.org.