How to Join Civil Air Patrol, Career Near Me
How to Join Civil Air Patrol, Career Near Me
The Civil Air Patrol is the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, similar to what the National Guard is to the U.S. Army. There are two wings of the CAP that you can join, depending on how old you are. The Cadet Program is for youth, whereas the Active Adult wing is for anyone older than 18. Whether you are a teenager and thinking about a career in aviation, or an adult who wants to support CAP missions and operations, joining is pretty simple! Just locate the squadron closest to where you live, attend the required number of meetings as a guest, and apply for membership to start your journey as a Civil Air Patrol Cadet or Senior Member.
Method 1 Joining the Youth Cadet Program.
1. Choose the CAP Cadet Program if you are 12-18 years old. The CAP Cadet Program is the youth program of the Civil Air Patrol. The program accepts youth who are under 19 years old and at least 12 years old.
It’s important to note that you must also be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to join the Civil Air Patrol.
Tip: If you are over the age of 18, then you can still join the Civil Air Patrol as part of its Active Adult Program.
2. Join the program if you dream of a career in aviation, the military, or space. The CAP Cadet Program is a good start towards a career in one of these fields. As a cadet, you'll learn how to fly, but you'll also learn about leadership, camping, hiking, and physical fitness.
Cadets typically attend meetings once a week for 2 weeks and on 1 Saturday a month as well. There are also additional activities such as leadership camping trips, career academies, and other summertime activities.
3. Search the CAP index for a local CAP Cadet or Composite Squadron. Enter your address and a radius in miles in the CAP index search box to find the squadron closest to where you live. The index is online here: http://hosted.where2getit.com/civilairpatrol/index.html.
There are approximately 1,500 squadrons across the United States.
4. Contact the squadron and arrange to attend a meeting with your parents. Call the number listed on the index for the squadron that you want to join and ask to speak with the unit contact that is listed. Arrange to visit one of the weekly meetings accompanied by your parents.
Attending meetings will allow you and your parents to meet other members, ask questions, and see if the squadron is a good fit for you.
If you can’t reach the contact by phone, there is also a contact email listed in the index for each squadron.
5. Go to 3 or more weekly meetings to qualify to apply for membership. You must attend at least 3 weekly meetings before you can submit an application to join the squadron. This will give you a chance to see how the weekly meetings are and be sure that you want to join.
Each weekly meeting has a different topic or emphasis.
6. Fill out an online or paper application form. Ask the squadron leader if applying online is an option or if you need to fill out a paper application. Your squadron leader will provide you with an application form or tell you how to fill out an application online.
The online application form is available in PDF form here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/F015_Fillable_Apr_16_D078EC7EFF996.pdf.
7. Submit your application and membership dues online, by fax, or by mail. Submit your application form online following the directions your squadron leader gave you if you are eligible to apply online. Send your application form by fax or mail if you filled out a paper application.
The addresses for faxing or mailing your application form are listed at the bottom of the page here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/join/youth-in-cadet-program/how-to-join---cadet.
You will need to include credit card details on your application to pay your membership dues or send a check by mail.
Annual membership costs vary from state to state. You can see how much it costs in your state here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/join/membership-dues.
Method 2 Joining as an Active Adult.
1. Join as an active adult to support CAP missions or the CAP Cadet Program. The Civil Air Patrol accepts adult members, also known as Senior Members, as pilots, aircrew members, and as personnel to fill many non-aviation roles. Join this wing of the CAP if you are older than 18 and have a desire to support CAP missions or the youth program in some capacity.
For example, CAP ground teams need professionals such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical professionals to aid in ground rescue missions.
The CAP also need communications professionals, administrative staff, financial professionals, and supply and logistics personnel, among other things. The organization can find a use for people with almost any background or career.
The CAP also accepts adults who want to work with the youth Cadet Program as mentors.
Tip: Less than 20% of CAP members actually fly, so don’t be discouraged from joining if you have no experience in aviation!
2. Search the CAP index for a local CAP Senior or Composite Squadron. Enter your address and a radius in miles in the online index search box to find the Senior or Composite Squadron closest to your home. The CAP index is found online here: http://hosted.where2getit.com/civilairpatrol/index.html.
There are CAP units in every state and about 1,500 local squadrons in total.
3. Contact the squadron and arrange to attend a meeting. Call or email the unit contact listed on the CAP index for the squadron closest to where you live. Tell them you are interested in joining and ask when you can come visit a meeting.
Most squadrons meet weekly for at least 2 hours, with additional monthly meetings on weekends.
4. Go to at least 1 meeting to qualify to apply for membership. Attend your first meeting as a guest to see what the squadron is like, meet other members, and ask any questions you have. You will be allowed to apply for membership after you attend your first meeting.
Keep in mind that you must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to join. You must also have a background clean of any felony convictions or crimes related to sex offenses, child abuse, driving under the influence, dishonesty, or violence. Active and former members of the Armed Forces are permitted to join.
5. Fill out the membership application and fingerprint card. The squadron will provide you with a fingerprint card to fill out. They will also give you a paper application or direct you to download one online.
The downloadable application for Senior Members is available here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/F012_Fillable_Mar_17_052D10F8D1B5D.pdf.
6. Submit your application, fingerprint card, and dues by mail. The application for senior members must be submitted through the mail. Include payment details for your credit card if you want to pay by card or send a check along with the application.
The address to mail your application form to is listed at the bottom of the page here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/join/active-adult-in-cap/active-adult.
Annual membership costs are different in each state. Check how much it costs in your state here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/join/membership-dues.
