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What is Civil Air Patrol?
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a private, non-profit (501C) humanitarian organization and is the auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP was created on Dec 1, 1941, six days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, to provide air support such as border and coastal patrols to aid the war effort. CAP members are civilian volunteers though the organization and uniforms are modeled after the US Air Force.
CAP has evolved from that war effort beginning and now performs three US Congress chartered missions: emergency services that conduct a majority of air search and rescue within the contiguous 48 states; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for youth. CAP supports the US Department of Homeland Security as well as other State and Local Government entities and NGO in search and rescue and airborne photography.
CAP is not a flying club. With some limited exceptions, CAP does not train adult individuals to become a pilot, though limited scholarships are available for cadets. We do provide qualified pilots training in search techniques, mountain flying clinic, and overall safety in flying and crew resource management (CRM).
Who can join CAP senior squadrons?
Adults, at least 18 years old, US citizens and permanent residents (green card holder) are welcome to join us. Other non-citizens legally admitted to the country must request a waiver of the citizenship requirement. Our members come from all walks of life, many have an interest in aviation, though about a fifth of all members are pilots. Just about any career or background can find useful contributions to the missions of the Civil Air Patrol. CAP members assist as aircrew and ground team, communication personnel, administrative staff, financial managers, logistics personnel, teachers, and public affairs, to name a few.
All active adult members are screened by National Headquarters. The screening process requires a FD 258 fingerprint card for FBI criminal records check. Felony convictions or patterns of arrests and/or convictions may be the basis for rejection of membership. There are no waivers for the fingerprint card requirement. All active CAP members undergo a cadet protection program training (CPPT) whether they regularly interact with cadets or not.
Do I have to be a pilot?
No. There are numerous areas for service, including communications, administration, ground teams and Incident Command Post. Non-pilots who wish to fly participate as scanners, observers, airborne photographer, and other special equipment operators on board our aircrafts. .
How much does it cost to join?
National CAP dues are $65 per anniversary year. Falcon adult annual squadron dues are $60 due Oct 1st of each calendar year.
What is expected of me?
All CAP members are expected to adhere to the core values of Integrity, Volunteer service, Excellence in all we do, and Respect as the ethical framework for CAP’s service to America. We stand in attention and pledge allegiance to the US Flag at every meetings and ceremonies.
Members are required to wear uniforms when participating in CAP activities. CAP uniforms range from casual corporate style: blue CAP polo shirts, grey slacks, and black dress shoes, to USAF style: flightsuit, ABU, class A or class B uniform with USAF-approved CAP insignia.
New members are expected to complete the basic Level I training and cadet protection program training (CPPT), equal opportunity (EO) within 6 months. Level I and CPPT are online courses, followed by a summary conversation with the squadron commander, or her/his designee, to ensure full understanding of the material.
Only after completion of Level I training will new members participate in CAP training, missions, or flying in CAP aircraft.
Squadron members are expected to assist in a staff position in the squadron. It takes a lot of work to run a successful squadron and many hands make light work.
What do I get out of CAP membership?
As is true with any volunteer organization, what one gets out of the experience is in proportion to what efforts one is willing to put into the endeavor.
Besides the satisfaction of serving your community and country and the camaraderie with other members interested in aviation, there are numerous opportunities for personal achievements such as classes in leadership and management techniques, search and rescue missions related skills such as aircrew, ground team, radio communications, mission base (Incident Command Post) staffing, sUAS (small unmanned aerial systems, a.k.a. drones), or classes offered by the USAF Air University.
How to Join
1. Contact the Squadron Commander to arrange visits to at least three meetings.
2. Complete the Membership Application (CAP Form 12) and a Fingerprint Card (FD 258)
Click here to Download a CAPF 12
Annual national membership due is $65 (12 months starting end of anniversary month), and squadron dues are $60 per calendar year.
