Civil Air Patrol offers aerospace curriculum, cadet programs for Oak Ridge students

Captain Steven Millard of the Civil Air Patrol told the Oak Ridge Board of Education on June 9 that his squadron — one of the area’s oldest — offers free aerospace curriculum, hands‑on STEM kits and cadet leadership programs that the district’s educators and students could use.

Millard outlined Civil Air Patrol history and its three missions — aerospace education, emergency services and cadet programs — and said Oak Ridge’s unit was formed by Manhattan Project workers in the 1940s. He described educator membership (a $35 lifetime fee Millard said provides access to a U.S. Air Force‑provided curriculum), free classroom kits and opportunities for hands‑on out‑of‑school activities such as museum or airport visits.

On the cadet side, Millard said the program accepts youth age 12 to 18 and can provide a JROTC‑style experience beginning in middle school without a military service obligation. He noted cadet leadership camps and summer training; he said eight cadets from the local squadron were attending a leadership training the following week.

Board members thanked Millard and indicated they would pass the information to schools that might be interested.