Minnesota Cadet Competition

The Cadet Competition is a traditional display of precision, excellence, and discipline.  Color guards from around Minnesota travel to compete for the title of Minnesota Color Guard.  From practical indoor presentations to highly standardized outdoor ceremonies, the cadet competition is designed to select the only the best of the best.  Each year, the top two teams at the Minnesota Wing competition advance to the North Central Region competition.

Team Requirements

Squadrons may send more than one team, but each team must provide the following:

• 6-member team (see the manual for details on smaller teams)

• 1-2 senior escorts

• Permission slips for each cadet 

• Health History form for each cadet

Included Events

The following events will be evaluated at the Minnesota Cadet Competition:

• Indoor Posting of the Colors

• Outdoor Posting of the Colors (we'll provide the flag)

• Standard Drill

  • Color Guard Standard Drill

  • Element Standard Drill

• Team Leadership Problem

• Written Exam

• Uniform Inspection

  • Uniform Preparation

  • Uniform Spot Inspection

• Cadet Physical Fitness Test (done at the squadron*)

• Pre-Competition Service Project

*The Cadet Physical Fitness Test will be done at the squadron, with the two senior members verifying the results.  Test scores after 01 October 2022 will be accepted.  The Cadet Competition does NOT use the CPFT from CAPP 60-50, but retains events from the previous CAP fitness test, as laid out in CAPP 60-75, section 2-7 (linked above). It consists of push-ups, curl-ups, the sit-and-reach, and a one-mile run.  Two cadets from each team must complete each of the exercise-based events (two cadets will complete push ups, two different cadets will complete curl ups, and the final two cadets will complete sit-and-reach), and all cadets (unless medically excused) must complete the run. The exercises are performed as laid out in CAPP 60-75, section 2-7c (linked above).  Push-ups are performed at 3-second cadence until failure.  Curl-ups are performed elbow-to-thigh, max within 60 seconds.  Sit-and-reach is measured in centimeters, but otherwise according to CAPP 60-50.   Raw scores will be sent to the competition staff as directed, at least one week in advance of the competition.

Arrival information

Directions

Required forms

Please ensure you have the following forms & documents with you for each participating cadet. These will need to be verified by a staff member at check-in. 

• CAPF 60-80 (Cadet Activity Permission Slip)

• CAPF 160 (Member Health History Form)

• CAPID

Uniform and equipment

Competitors should wear Class B Blues in accordance with CAPR 39-1.  Senior members may wear any uniform combination listed in CAPR 39-1 (exception: no flight suits).

Teams should bring the following equipment to the competition.  This equipment is not provided.

• Web belts

• Flag holsters

• Gloves

You do not need to bring additional equipment, but you may do so for warm-up or non-competitive purposes.  For all applicable competition events, flags, rifles, and stands will be provided to you.

Food (lunch)

Your team will have a designated lunch block integrated into your schedule, which includes a meal provided to you in the Bethel Cafeteria. This will be the only meal provided, so please consider bringing additional food, water, and snacks to keep you and your team sustained throughout the day. 

Parking

Once on campus, navigate to the West Parking Lot, shown in this parking image.