WHAT IS CIVIL AIR PATROL?
Since Civil Air Patrol’s formation during the earliest days of World War II, this vigilant organization of women, men, girls, and boys has been committed to service to America. Founded December 1, 1941 to mobilize the nation's civilian aviation resources for national defense, CAP evolved into a premier public service organization that still carries out emergency service missions when needed in the air and on the ground.
As a Total Force partner and auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol is here to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster, and work to keep the homeland safe. Our members selflessly devote their time, energy, and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace/STEM education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.
Mission
Supporting America's communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development, and promotion of air, space, and cyber power.
Vision
Civil Air Patrol, America's Air Force auxiliary, building the nation's finest force of citizen volunteers serving America.
Core Values
Integrity, Volunteerism, Excellence, and Respect
What does all of that look like in practical terms? For cadets:
There are also a surprising number of opportunities for adult members:
See the Getting Started page for your next steps!
Note: You may not know how you want to get involved, and that's ok; join and go with the flow until you find something that suits you. There is plenty of fun to be had, and the cadets are inspiring!
As a Total Force partner and auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol is here to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster, and work to keep the homeland safe. Our members selflessly devote their time, energy, and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace/STEM education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.
Mission
Supporting America's communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development, and promotion of air, space, and cyber power.
Vision
Civil Air Patrol, America's Air Force auxiliary, building the nation's finest force of citizen volunteers serving America.
Core Values
Integrity, Volunteerism, Excellence, and Respect
What does all of that look like in practical terms? For cadets:
- Experience up to five 45-minute orientation flights in airplanes and up to five in gliders. These are not just "sight-seeing" flights; cadets get to work the controls under close supervision after the plane has stabilized
- Earn promotions by learning leadership and character concepts, aviation history, and drill movements
- Explore aviation and technology through experiments, rockets, robotics, videos, and occasional field trips
- Learn to plan and execute presentations
- Interact with community leaders, EMS, law enforcement, medical, and military professionals while volunteering at local, state, regional, and national events
- Learn organizational skills with professional adult mentors
- Volunteer for official duties as a cadet officer, shadowing one or more adults in a duty listed below
- Learn communications and incident command structure by participating in emergency services training
- Attend optional encampment in Indiana or elsewhere
- Attend optional advanced training schools or national cadet special activities (usually encampment first)
- Earn your private pilot license through the merit-based Cadet Wings program before you can even drive
- Learn cyber security through the CyberPatriot program
- Get free online ground training from Sporty's excellent Learn to Fly home study course
- Get a free flight lesson after finishing Sporty's course
- Get free admission to over 400 science and technology museums
- Get free glider adventure flights via the local Soaring Society of America in Alexandria, IN
- and more; see https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/activities/
There are also a surprising number of opportunities for adult members:
- Hang around and work with inspiring people
- Train for emergency services
- Optionally, plan, organize, or facilitate member and/or cadet activities such as those above
- Optionally, choose an officer track (or two!) from this list of duty assignments:
- recruiting and retention
- public affairs (public relations, marketing, networking, photography, videography, etc.)
- science educator (aviation, aerospace, technology, engineering, robotics, cyber)
- chaplain
- character development instructor
- professional development
- administration
- personnel
- fundraising (with restrictions; see Lt Nardoni for details)
- outdoors & emergency services instructor
- communications (mainly radio)
- logistics
- operations
- technology (troubleshooting, planning, integration, research, training, CyberPatriot, etc.)
- legal
- medical (requires professional credentials; see Lt Mast)
- financial management
- historian
- standardization/evaluation
- inspector general
- commander / deputy commander / deputy commander for cadets / group, region, or wing commander
- parent liaison (not an official duty, but crucial for cadet engagement)
See the Getting Started page for your next steps!
Note: You may not know how you want to get involved, and that's ok; join and go with the flow until you find something that suits you. There is plenty of fun to be had, and the cadets are inspiring!
