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You do not have to be a pilot! Many of the opportunities CAP has to offer do not require any knowledge of flying at all!
We
have a place for you . . . Mission Pilot, Mission Observer, Ground Team member, communications specialist,
media relations, personnel, safety, and many
more.
CAP Membership Requirements
All applicants for Senior membership must:
- possess the desire, willingness, and capability to promote the objectives and purposes of Civil Air Patrol;
- be at least 18 years old (unless an active duty members of the Armed Forces, who may join at any age);
- be a United States citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the US;
- have no felony conviction by any court of record whether federal, state, or military;
-
have no pattern of arrests and/or convictions including but not limited
to sex offenses, child abuse, driving under the influence of alcohol
(DUI), dishonesty, or violence;
- Former members of active duty military must have been discharged under honorable conditions.
Squadron Membership Requirements
Prospective officers are required to attend at least three
squadron meetings before we process your membership application. This
way, you have the chance to determine for yourself if CAP is a good fit for you
before you pay the membership dues. During these first three meetings,
you will be introduced to the other officers and the Membership Committee.
Once you have decided to join, submit TWO COPIES of your
membership application AND one completed FBI fingerprint card, along with a
Membership Dues check for $79.00 made out to, "Civil Air Patrol," and
an initial Squadron Dues check for $60.00 payable to “Civil Air Patrol – SQ188”.
You will also be required to bring TWO forms of photo ID for inspection.
All prospective new members must be screened by the squadron
membership board. Once the membership board approves you as a new member,
then your application and FBI fingerprint card are sent to national
headquarters for final processing, which includes an FBI background
check. Assuming you pass the FBI background check, you should expect to
receive your membership card in the mail three to four weeks after we send your
application to national headquarters. You can still participate in
squadron meetings while waiting for your membership card, but until your FBI
background check comes back to us "clean," your interaction with the
Squadron will be limited.
Once national headquarters sends you your membership card,
you will complete Level One training, which includes various computer based
training. Click here to learn more about Level One.
Every squadron has many jobs that need to be performed to
make the squadron function. You will be expected to hold one of these
jobs. For example, you might decide that you would like to train to be
the Communications Officer, Finance Officer, Personnel Officer, Administrative
Officer, Recruiting and Retention Officer, etc. The list of
available positions is large (there are many more than are listed here).
Don't worry if you don't have any experience with a job you might be interested
in, we will train and mentor you to perform well in the job of your
choosing. Visit this link, and scroll down to the publications P200 -
P229 to see all of the available squadron jobs and what they entail: Click here.
Aside from your squadron job, you can also train and become
qualified to perform emergency services missions as aircrew, ground team, or
mission base staff. This is exciting, rewarding service, often performed
directly on behalf of the U.S. Air Force. Ask us about it!
Finally, you must stay current with monthly Safety
requirements and attend the Squadron twice per month for the first year
training, and the monthly All Hands Meeting.
A note to pilots: pilots are required to perform at
least one non-flying job within the squadron (see above). All new pilots
will be expected to begin training up to mission pilot qualification as soon as
possible. No pilot who wishes to serve as a pilot in CAP should
expect to join who is not able and willing to become a mission pilot.
Membership Benefits, Rewards, and Recognition - General Information
As
a CAP volunteer, your rewards are not monetary, but they are as
tangible as money in the bank. Nothing compares to the sense of
satisfaction that comes with a job well done, particularly if that job
is saving lives or aiding communities. As a CAP member, you will be
recognized as a vital member of a national team with a tremendous
heritage of serving those in need - and doing it well. Advancement in
Civil Air Patrol is clearly visible to your friends, family and
business associates by the distinctive CAP uniforms with their
military-style grade insignia, ribbons and badges. Some members choose
to quietly serve and not wear a uniform.
Training:
Civil Air Patrol offers aerospace education and a wide variety of
leadership and technical training opportunities for all CAP members,
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 from around the country. These new skills, and the
self-confidence that goes with them, make you even more valuable in the
workplace and in other community activities.
Uniforms:
Civil Air Patrol members are easily recognized in the community since
they wear a variety of distinctive uniforms. Since CAP is the official
US Air Force auxiliary, members are also authorized to wear the Air
Force uniform with distinguishing CAP badges and insignia. Wearing Air
Force blue is a tremendous way to publicly demonstrate support and
affiliation with this branch of our Armed Forces.
Meetings and Conventions:
CAP members gather regularly at meetings and conventions around the
country. There is also a national convention held in a different city
every year. Air travel to and from the convention may be provided by
the Air Force if available.
CAP Supply Depot: Civil Air Patrol
operates a depot in Amarillo, Texas, which carries a large stock of
aircraft parts and equipment at discount to members for their own
aircraft. Communications equipment of all kinds is also available.
CAP Credit Card: Earn points with the freedom to redeem for cash back or other rewards.
The Civil Air Patrol Platinum Plus® MasterCard® credit card with
WorldPoints® rewards gives you the flexibility to choose from different
types of rewards – Cash, Travel, Gift Certificates, Merchandise and
much more.
Tax Benefits:
As a Federally chartered non-profit 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. These
include
- membership dues;
- expenses for uniforms and training materials;
- out of pocket expenses while participating in CAP activities;
- mileage on personal vehicles;
- travel and living expenses while participating in CAP activities.
For more information on how to become a Senior member of CAP, please visit the CAP National recruiting page, which will provide you with general information and an online form to request additional material.
Once
you have received the information packet (or before, if you wish)
please contact us to arrange to visit the Oakland CAP Squadron (local map).
If you are interested in membership or have further questions, please contact us or call 510-877-7620.
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