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Thinking about joining Civil Air Patrol? |
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| Cadet | Senior |
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As a CAP Cadet, your life will take on new and meaningful challenges. Cadets have many roles to perform and duties to fill once they sign on. Honesty, integrity, hard work and dedication are all hallmarks of a successful cadet. Since CAP is voluntary, attendance is also voluntary, but cadets soon find that "you get out what you put in". . . .but you will not be alone. The CAP cadet unit is a team. It has cadet leaders and teachers whose success will be judged by how successful you are. Dedicated senior (adult) officers administer the program and help the cadet leaders guide and mentor you in your cadet career--until you move up into a leadership role yourself. The cadet program is multi-faceted, presenting several areas of knowledge and skill to equip you for a successful future. You will be heavily exposed to the wonder and intrigue of aerospace science and its history. You will learn about Air Force drill and ceremonies (marching) and proudly wear the Air Force uniform. You can also volunteer to help with CAP's Emergency Services mission and participate in Search and Rescue exercises, Ground Team Exercises, and (depending on age) you may even go on real life search and rescue missions! · Aerospace education is a mission of the Civil Air Patrol. Here you will learn from trained aerospace instructors about the fundamentals of aircraft and rocket flight. You will learn about cockpit instrumentation and aviation Weather. You will also learn about the history of aerospace, from the early efforts of pioneers like Orville and Wilbur Wright and Dr. Robert Goddard, to modern day aviation heroes. · Moral Leadership gives needed balance to your growing capabilities by presenting the concepts of authority and responsibility. CAP is one of the few youth organizations that stresses and teaches the ethics and moral principles of followership and command responsibility. · Physical Fitness rounds out the moral and command leadership training by encouraging physical wellness. Cadets are required to run one mile and perform sit-ups as part of their advancement in rank. Don't worry, though. It starts out easy with ever-shortening mile time requirements. Of course, cadets who are unable to perform the physical fitness course for medical reasons are exempt. · Emergency Services are another vital CAP mission. Although not required as part of a cadet's career, many cadets desire to participate in this CAP fundamental. Once per month, basic ES training is provided and can cover topics ranging from basic first aid and CPR, to advanced airborne search-route planning. Special activities occur several times per year give you experiences that are simply unavailable in any other organization. CAP, in conjunction with the Air Force sponsors many activities that broaden a cadet's experience. Orientation flights on CAP and military aircraft, summer encampments, Parachute Jump Orientation courses, Cadet Officer School, Cadet Leadership School, and more are available to all who join. CAP training can lead to appointments at military service academies, such as the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Being a member can also lead to CAP funded college and flight training scholarships.
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All uniform items must be genuine Air Force issue. BDUs may be Army issue since Air Force uses the same.
Uniforms may be obtained, after you receive your CAP ID card, at the Military Clothing Store |
located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta. Used uniform items can be substituted to reduce costs. There are many military surplus stores that carry used uniform items. When purchasing, make sure to check for clothing labels that say are non-commercial looking. Consult with unit administration personnel for recommended military surplus retailers. |
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Battle
Dress Uniform (BDU)
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REQUIRED CADET UNIFORM INSIGNIA |
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These items must be ordered by the new cadet by filling out the order form that is included in the membership application packet and by sending in the order |
form to the Civil Air Patrol Bookstore. Alternately, the order can be placed over the phone using a credit card. |
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To become a Gwinnett cadet you must:
You will no doubt see we require you to attend three meetings, first. This is so you can see what we do, week by week, and be able to decide if CAP is really for you. When you sign up you will not be expected to wear your uniform right away since it will take a little time to gather all the required pieces. But you should make an effort to obtain your items as soon as possible. To find out more about our exciting and fun program, please come to any weekly meeting. The cadet meeting is held every Thursday evening at 7:00 pm (1900 hours). See the menu on the left called "Visit Us" for a map and directions on how to find us Dues and Expenses Dues
With your first year dues you will be mailed a large packet containing your aerospace textbook, Aerospace, the Challenge, a book on CAP drill and ceremonies, a book on CAP customs and courtesies, and other items. Uniform items must be purchased individually but some items are available from our own supply and can be issued at no cost. A complete list of required uniform parts and accessories is provided with the application form. You can also click HERE for an online list of required items. Other expenses will occur, such as fees and costs for special events, classes and the like. You will be told what anticipated costs are prior to signing up for special events. Contact
Lt. Col.
Deborah Schmid |
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Being a CAP senior member is, for many, one of the most enriching parts of their lives outside of church, family, and work. Like most clubs and organizations, CAP will introduce you to new endeavors and you will make many new acquaintances--some of whom will become friends for life. However, unlike most organizations, CAP has a life saving mission, and fulfilling that mission provides our members with a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. As a CAP senior member you will be joining a highly motivated, all volunteer team. You will find that the other senior members of your unit are civic-minded, like yourself, and that professionalism, dedication and national patriotism are characteristics they have in common with you. A phrase often heard from CAP seniors, when asked why they joined is, "I wanted to give something back to my country. . . ." We are a composite squadron, which means we support the Emergency Services mission of CAP with an all-adult, or senior program, and we support the Cadet Programs mission of CAP with a cadet squadron, which is dedicated to helping young people learn about leadership and aerospace. Most seniors choose to join either the senior "side" or the cadet "side". Some even do both!
Staff Position
(your CAP job) Corresponding to your staff position, you will also have a specialty track. Some specialty tracks are Operations, Logistics (supply), Administration, Chaplain, and Public Affairs. There are also specialty tracks for CAP's three missions: Cadet Programs, Emergency Services, and Aerospace Education. There are many other specialty tracks (you can choose more than one!) and you will receive text material, ample practice, and in some cases, testing to refine your specialty skills. Emergency Services, besides being one of our main missions, is an exciting part of your CAP experience. . . .and you don't have to be a pilot to help out! While ES training is an optional part of your overall CAP duties, it is encouraged to help with our unit's effectiveness. With few exceptions, all CAP senior members are qualified at the basic emergency service level. Emergency services has numerous different duty positions, much like the specialty tracks. They have precise skill sets that you can learn and practice at your own pace. You can learn the fine arts needed to locate downed aircraft, learn how to operate specialized equipment such as communication and direction finding gear, and many others. As your experience level increases, you will get the chance to plan search and rescue missions and even be the officer in charge. To sign up as a CAP senior member you must:
Note that there are no physical fitness requirements (or tests) to be a CAP senior member. Also, there are no educational requirements to join--in fact, six months after you sign-up, you will be promoted to second lieutenant! CAP is the Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. However, all our members are civilians. As a member, you will not be required to purchase a uniform, but if you wish to support the cadet program, you will be urged to follow US Air Force grooming standards and wear the Air Force uniform (CAP version) or wear an authorized CAP corporate uniform (Air Force grooming standard optional). Members who support the senior side may wear either uniform, or appropriate civilian attire. To find out more about our exciting and enriching program, please come to any meeting, senior or cadet. The senior meeting occurs on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 pm (19:30 hours). The cadet meeting is held every Thursday evening at 7:00 pm (19:00 hours). Dues
$57.00 per year for subsequent years
$35.00 per year for subsequent years Contact Maj.
Jim Weed
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