Civil Air Patrol Senior Program

CAP History
The Civil Air Patrol was formed on Dec. 1, 1941, on the eve of America's call to national service as we entered World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. While logging more than 500,000 flying hours, CAP's original Everyday Heroes sunk two enemy submarines and rescued hundreds of crash victims. After the war, a thankful nation recognized CAP's value to local and national agencies dedicated to homeland security.

On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 incorporating Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. On May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing Civil Air Patrol as the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force and provided for three primary missions - aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services.

Civil Air Patrol Today
In addition to homeland security, today's CAP members conduct search and rescue, counterdrug reconnaissance and disaster relief missions. Many of our 33,000 senior members also nurture the leadership skills of more than 22,000 youth enrolled in cadet programs. In addition, CAP broadens the horizons of hundreds of thousands of students and more than 1,000 teachers annually through our aerospace education programs.

Resources
CAP's assets and resources include, but are not limited to, over 500 corporate owned aircraft, almost 4,000 member-owned aircraft, 950 ground vehicles and the most extensive communications system in the world. However, CAP's most valuable assets are its volunteers. Including training, members log in excess of 100,000 flying hours each year.

Opportunities
As a member, a unique aspect of CAP is the training made available to you to help fuel our "Missions for America" in the following ways:

Administration, Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, Chaplain, Communications, Drug Demand Reduction, Emergency Services, Finance, Flight Operations, Historian, Information Technology, Inspections, Logistics, Moral Leadership, Operations, Personnel, Professional Development, Public Affairs, Recruiting and Retention, Safety, School Enrichment Program, Standardization/Evaluation.

There is something to meet most every individual's needs and interests.

Membership Categories:
Senior Membership
CAP senior membership is open to adults at least 18 years of age. To prepare adult members for CAP's special missions, extensive training and education in more than 20 different specialized fields is provided. In addition, technical training is offered in related areas, such as flight operations, emergency services and communications. Training in management and executive leadership is offered, as members progress in CAP's professional development.
If you are currently in Air Force Active Reserves, you may be able to earn points toward retirement in the CAP-RAP program. Please call 334.953.5225 (commercial) or 493.5225 (DSN) for more information.
A patron member is a financial supporter who maintains current membership through payment of annual membership dues and participates in a limited capacity.
A business member is any U.S. corporation, partnership, proprietorship, or organization which applies for CAP membership in the name of the corporation, partnership, proprietorship or organization. This category of membership is designed for members of the business community who demonstrate a desire to financially support CAP's missions and programs.

Cadet Membership
CAP cadet membership is open to youth 12 to 18 years old. Cadets can opt to change to adult membership at age 18, or stay in the cadet program until age 21. See www.cap.gov/cadets for more details.

Cadet Sponsor Membership
Cadet Sponsor is a special membership category that allows parents, grandparents and legal guardians to participate with their young relatives who are cadets. Cadet sponsors serve as chaperons and provide transportation during squadron activities. They are offered discounted membership dues and have a limited volunteer commitment. To become a Cadet Sponsor Member, write "Cadet Sponsor Member" at the top of your membership application.

Aerospace Education Membership
This membership category is designed for teachers and others who are interested in aerospace education. Aerospace Education members (AEMs) receive free educational products for grades K-12 including lesson plans, teaching strategies and a newsletter. See www.cap.gov/ae for more details.

Member Benefits:
Life and Health Insurance
Members are eligible to participate in a guarantee issue 10-year level term life insurance with no rate increase due to health conditions. Pilots receive the same rates as non-pilots. Members are also eligible for a hospital indemnity plan, cancer policy and a supplemental health care program.

Training
All CAP members can take advantage of aerospace education, leadership and technical training, including Air Force correspondence courses. Special training is also conducted for those participating in search and rescue as mission pilots, observers or ground team members. Communications training is highly specialized and presents unique opportunities to network with other communicators throughout the country.

Meetings and Conferences
CAP members gather regularly at meetings and conferences around the country. A national convention is held in a different city each year.

Rental Car Discounts
The Hertz Corporation offers rental car discounts to CAP members for both business and pleasure travel. A special Hertz identification card is furnished to each member upon request. Rates and discounts may be obtained by calling Hertz at 800.654.3131.

Exxon Mobil
Members can purchase top of the line lubricants for their personal aircraft at a discount directly from Exxon Mobil.

Civil Air Patrol Credit Card
The CAP affinity credit card offers senior members and the parents of cadets a credit card that supports CAP. Each time the card is used in a transaction, a donation is made by the bank to support CAP. The CAP emblem and the member's grade are embossed on the front of this distinctive credit card. Contact Membership Development at 334.953.2828 for an application.

Tax Benefits
As a federally chartered nonprofit organization, Civil Air Patrol is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. This entitles members to claim various expenses as charitable contributions to the extent allowed by the law. These include the following: Membership dues, expenses for uniforms and training materials, mileage on personal vehicles, travel, living and out of pocket expenses while participating in CAP activities.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Q How much does membership in CAP cost?
A Annual membership dues are broken down in three levels: national, wing/region and squadron. The national dues are $35 for seniors and $25 for cadets. Wing/region dues as well as squadron dues may apply. The cost of Cadet Sponsor Membership is $25 per year. Total dues to join CAP in Virginia are $55 for Seniors, $28 for Cadets.

Q Do members have to wear a uniform?
A Cadets must wear a uniform with special CAP insignia. The cadet membership application contains information on how to order one free uniform. As long as funds are available, the USAF provides a basic blue uniform for the cadets at no charge. Call 334-953-1501 for more information.
Senior members who meet the prescribed height/weight standard may wear the USAF style blue uniform. All senior members may wear one of the distinctive CAP uniforms. A CAP uniform is required in certain instances such as flying in a CAP aircraft or working with cadets.

Q What will I get out of membership in CAP?
A In addition to valuable experience and training in such areas as leadership, communications, aviation and aerospace education - that will be an asset to you throughout your life - you will receive the more tangible benefits listed under "Member Benefits"

Q Do CAP members have access to military installations?
A You will only have access to military installations when participating in CAP events. You will be allowed to shop at the Exchange (BX or PX) only when on official orders and billeted on the base. Authorized uniform items can be purchased any time at the Military Clothing sales store.

Q Are non U.S. citizens allowed to join? A Aliens admitted for permanent residence are eligible. Other noncitizens - who are able to read, write and understand English - must request a waiver of the citizenship requirement through the wing and region commander.

Q I'm not a pilot. What am I going to do in CAP?
A Whatever your talent or area of interest, there is a need for you. Please refer to the section titled "Specialty Tracks" to find a listing of duties necessary to help a squadron succeed. For a list of what is available at the unit, contact your commander or your mentor.

Q What criteria must a pilot meet to fly corporate (CAP) aircraft?
A To be eligible to fly a corporate aircraft, the pilot must possess a valid FAA private, commercial or airline pilot certificate, be an active CAP member at least 17 years of age and possess a valid and current medical certificate. The member must have completed a flight check in the aircraft within the preceding 12 months as well as an annual written examination and an annual aircraft questionnaire for each aircraft authorized to fly. The pilot must have 200 PIC hours and 50 cross-country PIC hours to serve as a mission pilot.

Q How do a senior squadron, a cadet squadron, a composite squadron and a flight differ?
A A senior squadron is open only to senior (adult) members. A cadet squadron is primarily for cadet members, but it must have at least three senior members. A composite squadron is one that is made up of both senior and cadet members. A flight is a smaller version of a squadron and may have its own charter or be part of a squadron. A group oversees and supports several squadrons in a given area. A wing is a state, commonwealth or district headquarters. There is a wing in each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. CAP's eight regions are made up of several wings or states.

Specialty Tracks/ Job Opportunities for Senior Members:
Administration Officer
Maintains master publications library. Prepares correspondence, reports, schedules, inventories and requisitions. Operates centralized correspondence and message distribution center. Reviews locallydeveloped publications to ensure they are administratively correct prior to publication. Provides management assistance when required.

Aerospace Education Officer
Implements aerospace education activities and duties involving cadets, seniors, aerospace education members, communities and schools. Develops materials and activities and promotes aerospace education programs for the local community. Assists the commander in making aerospace education related policy decisions.

Cadet Programs
Officer Conducts cadet training in aerospace education, leadership, physical fitness, moral leadership and other activities. As special assistant to the commander, implements and monitors programs in cadet personnel and administration, cadet activities, aerospace education or leadership laboratory.

Chaplain
Provides worship, liturgies, rites and religious observations. Conducts pastoral counseling, spiritual nurture and ethics and values instruction. Provides group pastoral care and spiritual renewal. Gives advice on religious, ethical and quality of life concerns and maintains ecclesiastical and clergy relations.

Communications Officer
Maintains and operates radio equipment. Familiarizes communications trainees with the basic concept of CAP communications operations. Operates CAP radio stations. Develops and implements communications plans, programs and directives. Plans and conducts communications conferences, meetings and workshops.

Drug Demand Reduction Officer
Coordinates CAP's role in support of the President's National Drug Control Strategy under the guidance available through CAP's national headquarters. Implements and administers the DDR program at the unit level. Promotes drug awareness to CAP members through lesson plans, events, activities, educational materials, bulletins, newsletters and the web. Gives drug awareness presentations to outside organizations. Manages reporting requirements.

Emergency Services Officer
Assists the commander by managing and directing emergency service activities. Establishes working relationships with local agencies responsible for search and rescue, disaster relief and other local emergencies. Develops emergency service plans, training programs and standard operating procedures, and maintains a rapid alerting system to assemble emergency service resources as needed.

Finance Officer
Assists the commander and finance committee in proper management of unit funds. Ensures approved bills and deposit details are forwarded to wing, finance committee meeting minutes are recorded and fundraising activities are conducted appropriately.

Flight Operations Officer
Is responsible for the management and control of unit aircrews, aircraft and flight operations. Understands CAP flight management policies and procedures and the administrative procedures governing flight operations. Assists in the preparation of plans, programs and directives to govern the unit.

Historian
Is responsible for unit historical program. Collects and preserves historically significant material. Publishes general and special histories, monographs and studies. Publishes material to inform the general public about CAP history. Attends meeting of historical and other learned societies.

Information Technology Officer
Manages and directs all information technology related activities. Serves as the unit Web Security Administrator (WSA) responsible for assigning and editing permissions for assigned members.Oversees the development and maintenance of the unit's website. Provides help desk support functions for the unit to include network administration, and hardware and software installations. Develops and implements training programs for unit members to ensure efficient use of all IT assets.

Inspection Officer
Performs inspections when required. Prepares inspection checklists for all areas of inspection and prepares written reports of inspection as required. Reviews publications, plans, policies and statistics to determine areas of special interest. Briefs commander and staff on inspections and recommendations.

Logistics Officer
The logistics officer is responsible for receipt, storage, distribution, recovery and proper disposal of all CAP property held by the unit. Recommends allocation of motor vehicle records. Responsible for vehicle maintenance, marking and painting. Ensures aircraft are painted and identified in accordance with current directives and makes sure aircraft are maintained in an airworthy condition in accordance with FAA requirements.

Moral Leadership Officer
Gives moral leadership classes and may assist a chaplain at their request (Talk to the senior program officer and wing chaplain if you are considering this specialty).

Operations Officer
Develops the operations policies and procedures to ensure mission accomplishment and provides guidance to unit personnel. These activities include developing standing operating procedures, evaluation methods and accident prevention programs, and reporting procedures. Requests transportation and mission authorizations.

Personnel Officer
Performs duties related to processing unit personnel actions such as membership applications, promotions and charter changes. Establishes and maintains up-todate personnel files and ensures all regulations, policy letters and forms required to administer the unit's personnel program are available and up-todate. Develops local unit personnel policies and procedures, provides assistance and guidance to the unit commander and other staff members on all personnel matters, and monitors the overall personnel program within his or her jurisdiction.

Professional Development Officer
Plans, coordinates and schedules professional development training activities. Maintains unit training records and training library, and operates audio-visual equipment. Prepares documentation in support of professional development awards for the commander's review. Coordinates member training accomplishments with other staff members. Instructs at training courses. Advises the commander on training required to meet unit staffing needs.

Public Affairs Officer
Assists the commander on all media relations and internal information matters. Plans, develops and implements a public affairs program based on media relations, community relations, and internal information activities. Acts as liaison with other organizations and agencies as required in the performance of these activities

Recruiting and Retention Officer
Is responsible for the membership development of the squadrons or wing by recruiting new members into CAP and working to retain the current members. Develops recruiting programs and activities and works with the public affairs officer to promote CAP. To encourage membership renewal, is also responsible for communicating with new members about their expectations.

Safety Officer
Manages the safety program. Develops safety plans, programs and directives. Coordinates with other staff agencies to develop accident prevention procedures and collects data to determine safety program effectiveness. Conducts accident investigations.

Standardization/Evaluation Officer
Performs duties as a CAP instructor pilot and check pilot; responsible for flight and ground instruction as well as flight evaluation in CAP aircraft. Performs duties as a CAP check pilot; administers check flights and written examinations and maintains pilot training folders. Administers check flights and written examinations, and develops wing training and evaluation procedures.

Available senior member training includes: