Using the Officer Development System as its foundation, the program allows cadets to apply their knowledge and experience in the military environment they’ll experience as officers in the Air Force.

The CMETP carefully integrates the Officer Development System, cadet roles and responsibilities with other Academy experiences to equip cadets with the attitude, knowledge and leadership skills necessary to excel as Air Force Officers. The CMETP follows a developmental approach throughout the duration of a cadet’s tenure at the Academy. Course content addresses four core areas: profession of arms, leadership studies, military studies, and communication studies.

There are four distinct Cadet Professional Military Education (CPME) courses of the program, based on cadet year groups (classes):

Fourth-Class Year

The fourth-class CPME provides you with an initial foundation of the Officer Development System and focuses on developing personal leadership and followership skills.

Focus on developing your appreciation for the qualities of a professional officer and individual professional values such as:

• Self-discipline
• Teamwork
• Duty
• Commitment

When you've completed the fourth-class year, you'll feel accomplished and self-confident. Moreover, you'll have the sense of responsibility, self-discipline, and duty required of a third-class cadet.

Third-Class Summer

Going through Global Engagement as a third-class cadet, you will find out what it takes to support the aircraft you may someday fly. From contingency-experienced officers and enlisted personnel, you will acquire skills in:

• Expandable, modular tent setup
• Contingency utilities
• Passive defense
• Force protection
• Security force individual and team movement
• Mortuary affairs
• Contingency food service
• And much more

We'll explain concepts and you will receive personal experience as part of an Air Expeditionary Force deployment, employment and redeployment.

Third-Class Year

The third-class CPME concentrates on the transition from a follower to a leader.

As a third-class cadet, your main goal is to become an effective military role model or coach for the fourth-class cadets as you learn and apply effective teaching, training, and ultimately mentoring skills.

You will use the Academy Training Philosophy to:

• Establishing expectations
• Providing skills
• Exchanging feedback
• Ensuring the professional growth of your subordinates

The third class cadet program prepares you for increased levels of responsibility, helps you internalize standards essential for success (both at the Academy and in the operational Air Force), and equips you with training and skills required of leaders.

Second-Class Summer

During your third summer at the Academy, you'll apply your leadership skills and increase your knowledge of the rest of the operational Air Force.

• You'll practice leadership principles while serving as cadre members in BCT, Global Engagement (GE), or as instructors in parachuting, soaring, or navigation.
• You'll have the chance to practice your leadership style while directly contributing to the professional growth of other cadets.
• You will visit and interact with members of an operational unit during Operation Air Force, a three-week program during which you'll experience firsthand the mission and lifestyle of Air Force airmen, noncommissioned officers (NCOs), and company grade officers.
• Cadets are sent all over the world to operational Air Force bases.
• Operation Air Force is one of the most rewarding experiences cadets receive during their four-year education.

Second-Class Year

The second-class CPME will prepare you for your responsibilities as the primary trainers of third-and fourth-class cadets. You'll receive instruction in practical leadership and supervisory skills as you serve in senior NCO positions within your squadron chain of command:

• You will be a technical expert in drill and ceremonies, personal appearance, and room inspections.
• You will train the third- and fourth-class cadets.
• You'll be taught specific leadership and organizational improvement skills needed by junior officers and examine how to apply these skills correctly when you run the cadet wing as a first-class cadet.

First-Class Summer

As first-class cadets, you and your classmates will take command of the cadet wing. The positions of responsibility you will hold and your leadership skills will contribute to the success of the Academy's military training programs during your final summer at the Academy. BCT, GE, aviation, and airmanship programs will all rely upon you for meaningful training and learning.

This is your chance to put the finishing touches on your leadership style and skills as you prepare to be commissioned a second lieutenant.

First-Class Year

As a first-class cadet, you'll serve as a cadet officer in leadership positions throughout the cadet wing. You'll practice your leadership skills by leading and supervising the professional development of the lower three cadet classes. Your leadership experiences will be invaluable when assuming the responsibilities of a second lieutenant.

The first-class CPME is designed to prepare you for commissioning as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Thus, you'll learn basic, "need-to-know" information for prospective officers.