P
roposal to Align the CAP Cadet Fitness Program with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program
1
. Purpose
To obtain authorization to align the cadet fitness program test with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program,
t
hereby fulfilling CAPs Strategic Plan objective 6.5.1.
2
. Background
In 2003 CAP aligned its Cadet Physical Fitness Test with the Presidents Challenge, the nations premier measure
o
f youth fitness at the time. The Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition discontinued the Presidents
Challenge in 2012 and replaced with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP). By adapting our fitness test
to align with the updated program, CAP will adopt the latest evidence-based practices and stay in the forefront
o
f youth fitness.
3
. Discussion
a. Comprehensive Program. The proposed Active Cadet Fitness Program (ACFP), is a fully redesigned,
comprehensive program to increase cadets physical fitness and motivate them to develop a lifelong habit of
regular activity. While there are multiple facets to the ACFP, the assessment portion has received the vast
majority of the feedback.
b. Fitness Testing & Retention. Current standards require cadets to pass an increasingly challenging fitness
test to advance in the cadet program. We hear frequently from members who have cadets that are discouraged
because the fitness standards are out of reach for the cadets fitness level. In a survey 75% of respondents
agreed with the statement, CAP fitness standards have held back cadets who I felt were ready for promotion.
These cadets frequently leave the program since theyre unable to have their needs met.
The Active Cadet Fitness Program seeks to solve this problem in two ways. The new PYFP standards are
health-related, rather than normative. This means that they will be more attainable for cadets that arent
athletically gifted. In addition, cadets are not required to meet the standard immediately upon joining. In Phase I
they fully participate in cadet life, advancing while improving their physical conditioning. As they transition to
the leadership phase, only then do we require them to model the behaviors theyll be encouraging in their
subordinates.
c. Fitness in the Cadet Regulation. The National Cadet Team is currently working on reengineering the
Cadet Programs regulation. The change to the fitness program would be announced through this regulation in
the spring. We would like to move quickly on this as we know the field is eager to receive the updated
materials. At least a dozen squadrons have asked more than once for an update.
d. Field Tests. There are currently over 275 units across the country participating in the beta test of the
Active Cadet Fitness Program. These units are engaging cadets in fun activities, teaching lessons on fitness and
nutrition, working on personal goal-setting, offering quarterly formal assessments and recognizing cadet
achievement. More than 75% of these units report that they are satisfied with the new program and believe that
its a step in the right direction for cadet fitness.
e. Field Test Support. The main complaint of units participating in the field test is the challenge of tracking
cadet assessment scores and credential timing manually. We have a comprehensive fitness tracking module
Cadet Staff Duty Analysis Program
Sample Advocacy Papers
Begin with the end in mind. The
“Purpose” statement immediately
answers the reader’s first questions,
“Okay, what am I looking at? What
are we trying to do here?”
Paragraphs begin with topic
sentences that state the paragraph’s
main idea.
Paper is organized
logically. Here, a thematic pat-
tern is used, as each facet of the
main idea is give its own para-
graph(s) in the discussion.
The subject matter is explained
accurately. There are no techni-
cal errors in the paper.
The “Background” section provides
context, explaining how the proposal
relates to the larger picture.
The argument appeals to reason
throughout, never emotion.
Statistics and references to PYFP
standards add credibility.
Example 1, page 1
Layout
Margins set at 1”on all sides
Font is simple and easy to read, here Whitney 10 pt.
Line spacing set a bit more than “single,” here 14 pts.
(Rule of thumb: 4 points more than type size)
Headings are boldfaced, and subheadings are formatted
in a consistent style
Title identifies topic, and the word
“Proposal” communicates that the
document will ask for the reader to
make a decision.
designed in eServices to remove this burden from the units. Fitness officers will simply enter the quarterly test
scores and the software will do the rest. However, IT cannot begin to program and test this module until they
k
now that the ACFP is approved. Once assured that the effort will not be wasted, they can begin work on this
crucial tracking architecture, making the fitness program viable for general rollout.
f. Alternative Views.
A wing commander, Col. Curry, brought up some feedback on the Active Cadet Program including 20+
q
uestions, objections, and suggestions. The bulk of these issues were easily resolved by our providing more
background information in the training materials.
One remaining substantive concern regards the switch to quarterly testing, versus the current programs
monthly testing. Our consulting professors advise that right now were operating only a
testing
program, not a
developmental
program. They recommend youth be tested twice per year; any more is overkill.
A second substantive concern regards the whole idea of fitness performance standards being tied to cadet
promotions altogether. It was suggested that cadets should participate regularly in fitness activities, and that
alone would qualify them for promotion. We do this with the character program. Cadets participate in character
activities, but there are no performance standards. Theres merit to that idea, but we suggest that move would be
too big a change to consider at this time.
4. Conclusion
This proposal is
1) based on the latest evidence-based, scientific understanding of youth fitness, as required by the BoG-approved
strategic plan;
2) adapted to work in CAPs environment without departing from the core PYFP; and
3) answers a very real problem with first-year cadet retention.
5. Action Recommended
CAP/CC approve the proposal to align the cadet physical fitness test (CPFT) with the Presidential Youth Fitness
Program test. In turn, CAP/CP will publish the updated fitness program in the next edition of the
Cadet
Programs Management
regulation.
JOANNA LEE
Program Manager
National Cadet Team
Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters
cadets@capnhq.gov
(877) 227.9142 x 413
Documents are digital, so why not
include a hyperlink?
How will we know if the program
actually works? In the future, we
c
an compare actual results
against at least two claims in the
paper. (1) Do the eServices fea-
tures satisfy the field’s expecta-
tions in making the program
easy to administer?
(2) Do the new standards
improve first-year cadet
retention?
The proposal conculdes with a
specific request for action. The
commander need only say, “Go!”
The intended audience (the national commander) knows what “eServices”
and “IT” means. If the paper had been written for a more general audience,
that jargon would need to be defined or somehow avoided.
The document is kept as brief as
possible, especially considering
that cehanging the cadet fitness
program is a huge endeavor. This
2-page proposal addresses only
the biggest matters. If necessary,
further details could be included
as attachments. Here, that might
include the actual language
being inserted into the regula-
tion and a copy of the new train-
ing materials.
The paper is grammatically correct
and free of spelling errors, thanks to
careful proofreading and help from
peer reviewers.
Example 1, page 2
Author’s name and contact information is
included. This document is formatted for
email, so this section is presented at the
end, as a signature block.
A good proposal acknowledges alternatives, pres-
ents them as fairly as possible, and explains why
the author discarded them.
Aligning the Cadet Physical Fitness Program
to the Latest Evidence-Based Standards
Proposal for the CAP Cadet Community
CAP National Cadet Team
August 2016
[email protected]
1. Introduction
The stated goal of the cadet physical fitness program is to make you physically fit and to motivate you to develop a lifelong
habit of exercising regularly. Squadrons have been left mostly to their own devices in trying to meet this goal. Many
squadrons  perhaps most  do little beyond administering the Cadet Physical Fitness Test to all cadets once a month,
every month.
The cadet fitness program should be more than just testing. Squadrons can offer a variety of enjoyable exercises and games
t
o help cadets reap the benefits of physical activity. We need to emphasize fitness training and education, which means
giving squadrons help so they can do more than administer the CPFT. Squadrons will need recipe-like activity guides that can
be implemented in the modest facilities (not full-service gyms) where they hold their weekly meetings. Further, theyll need
access to equipment and resources for fitness games.
In the end, the goal is to have a program that convinces cadets that regular exercise is (1) fun, (2) a pre-requisite for an
airworthy body, and (3) a norm of cadet life.
2. Our Proposal
To modernize the physical fitness program we recommend the following changes:
• Replace the current CPFT with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, an updated version of the now obsolete
Presidents Challenge
• Rewrite CAPP 52-18 with practical ideas for squadron fitness activities, nutrition information, and testing protocols
• Move to quarterly CPFTs and allow results to count for six months
• Gain appropriated (AF) funding for fitness equipment and activity kits
3. Presidential Youth Fitness Program
The PYFP is the successor to the familiar Presidents Challenge that the current CPFT stands upon. Still, PYFP aims to
promote health and regular physical activity for Americas youth. That goal is very close to our traditional goal, to develop
in cadets a habit of regular exercise.
Test events remain about the same. We would still have a 1-mile run, push-ups, curl-ups, and a sit-and-reach, though the
rules for the latter have changed slightly.
Cadet Staff Duty Analysis Program
Sample Advocacy Papers
Example 2, page 1
Title identifies topic, and the word
“Proposal” communicates that the
document will ask for the reader to
support a concept or contribute to
an ongoing discussion.
Author’s name and contact informa-
tion is included. Here, authorship is
attributed to a team (CACs might
take this route). Unlike Example 1 on
the previous pages, this document
is formatted as a paper, with the
author’s information up top, not
formatted as a signature block.
The “Introduction” section provides
context, explaining how the proposal
relates to the larger picture.
Paragraphs begin with topic
sentences that state the paragraph’s
main idea.
This section clearly states the
specific actions being proposed.
How will we know if the program
actually works? In the future, we
can compare actual results
against these three claims.
One big difference is that the shuttle run is replaced by an event called the pacer. The pacers objective is to run as long as
p
ossible across a 15 meter field (e.g. long hallway) at a specified pace that gets faster over time. Like the mile run, the pacer
measures aerobic activity, and like the shuttle run, the pacer is especially useful during extreme weather.
H
ealthy Fitness Zone & Needs Improvement Zone
T
he real difference to the test is in the scoring and interpretation of results. Performance is classified in two general areas:
Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) and the Needs Improvement zone. Attaining the HFZ for a test indicates that the cadet has a
sufficient fitness level to provide important health benefits. The Needs Improvement zone should be interpreted as an
indication that the cadet may be at risk if that level of fitness stays the same.
Because we have cadets come off the couch and join our ranks, we need to be careful that our fitness expectations in Phase
I dont demotivate newcomers. Standards for airmen need to be more aspirational and less high stakes.
Accordingly, the standard for Phase I cadets would become active participation in at least one fitness activity per
achievement, augmented by lots of encouragement and instruction. Not until attaining the Wright Brothers, when cadets
become NCOs and accountable as leaders, would HFZ performance become a pre-requisite for promotion.
Less Testing, More Activity
Another difference between todays CPFT and the new PYFP is the frequency of testing. Squadrons would offer the test
q
uarterly, rather than monthly. Even then, a cadets HFZ credential would count for six months, giving extra leeway for
cadet absences. In short, the less time spent testing cadets fitness, the more time may be spent doing fun, motivational
activities.
4. Alternative Views
In our talks in the cadet community, we often encounter a seemingly simple question suggesting an alternative to our
proposal. Why not adopt the Air Force standard? Of course, the Air Force fitness program is built for warfighters, not youth.
The service has zero resources for cadet-aged youth who are as young as twelve. The Air Force fitness program simply isnt a
good fit on biological / developmental grounds.
A second alternative we also encounter regards the mix of CPFT events. Some cadets suggest that swimming be an option in
the CPFT. Others suggest the push-up norms deviate from PYFP instructions. Cadets want to knock-out as many push-ups as
fast as they can, not abide by the strict 3-second cadence demanded by the PYFP. Innumerable other ideas are voiced once
the conversation turns to tinkering with the CPFT events. Theres a simple reason none of these potential modifications can
be considered. Once we depart from PYFP norms, we have no objective standard. If we allow swimming, for example, what
distance, what stroke? And what performance standard is appropriate for a 16 year old male? A 13 year old female? Either we
align our program with a nationally-recognized, evidence-based standard, or we create our own based on subjective hunches
instead of science.
5. Conclusion
In the final analysis, the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, being an evidence-based, nationally-recognized standard, is the
best potential benchmark for CAPs cadet fitness program. In fact, there is no serious alternative to the PYFP in youth fitness
today.
A good proposal acknowledges
alternatives, presents them as
fairly as possible, and explains
why the author discarded them.
Headings are boldfaced, and
subheadings are formatted in
a consistent style
Layout
Margins set at 1”on all sides
Font is simple and easy to read, here Whitney 10 pt.
Line spacing set a bit more than “single,” here 14 pts.
(Rule of thumb: 4 points more than type size)
Headings are boldfaced, and subheadings are formatted
in a consistent style
Overall, this document’s visual format differs from what was used in
Example 1. That’s okay. Content is king, so questions like, What am I
trying to say? Who am I saying it to? should guide you in selecting a
typographical format. Worry more about content than slavishly follow-
ing a visual template..
Still, keep in mind that some documents, like college term papers,
require writers to follow a certain typographical style.
The “HFZ” is jargon. Usually you
want to avoid jargon, but here it’s
a
n essential element of the
proposal, so the term is used and
quickly defined.
The paper is grammatically correct
and free of spelling errors, thanks to
careful proofreading and help from
peer reviewers.
Example 2, page 2