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About The Civil Air PatrolThe Civil Air Patrol is the official civilian auxiliary component for the US Air Force. CAP provides an excellent environment for adults (Senior Members) and teens (Cadets) alike to develop important skills and seek both professional and personal development. Members receive training in a chosen specialty and progress in rank and responsibility as they earn qualifications and experience.
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History |
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has its roots in pilots who flew rescue missions during the 1930s. It was officially founded in 1941 from over 150,000 pilots who wanted to contribute to national defense. During WWII, they helped protect civilians, including rescuing numerous plane crash victims, and destroying two enemy submarines.
Four years later in 1946, President Truman officially declared CAP the civilian auxiliary for the US Air force and gave it non-profit status. |
Missions
Aerospace Education
The Civil Air Patrol aims to have both CAP members and the general public know more about aerospace and become more interested in the topic. Aerospace is an integral part of cadet training and forms a base for senior member training as well. CAP also helps put on numerous workshops each year with many different materials to spread information about aerospace to countless people in the wider community each year.
CAdet Programs
The cadet program helps teenagers ages 12-21 to build life skills and self-confidence through CAP training, education, aerospace knowledge, and leadership, as well as more specialized studies depending on a cadet's specific interests. The program consists of 16 steps, with cadets progressing through Air Force ranks, and those who become cadet officers can enter the military at an E-3 rank instead of an E-1. There are also a variety of extra activities like trainings and activities at both the local and national level.
Emergency Services
Search and Rescue
Many CAP members volunteer to train in search and rescue, both in aircraft and on the ground. CAP handles 85% of the missions managed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and saves more than 75 people each year.
Disaster Relief
CAP also participates in disaster relief efforts across the country, including providing extra personnel to relief efforts and flight transportation for officials. It also has official agreements with several federal agencies to provide support as needed, such as the American Red Cross and FEMA.
Humanitarian Services
Sometimes CAP is called upon to help with humanitarian tasks, most often providing transportation to urgent medical cases where CAP is the only method available.
Air Force Support
As the Air Force's auxiliary, CAP provides support to it's operations in various capacities. Joint training for search and rescue between the Air Force and CAP helps hone people's skills and offers more realistic conditions so emergency services members are better prepared for real-life missions.
Counter-Drug
CAP has been part of the effort to reduce the demand for drugs in the US since 1986. CAP signed an agreement that year with the US Customs Service and the Air Force that gave it recourses to help with the government's mission to lower the volume of drugs in the country.
Many CAP members volunteer to train in search and rescue, both in aircraft and on the ground. CAP handles 85% of the missions managed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and saves more than 75 people each year.
Disaster Relief
CAP also participates in disaster relief efforts across the country, including providing extra personnel to relief efforts and flight transportation for officials. It also has official agreements with several federal agencies to provide support as needed, such as the American Red Cross and FEMA.
Humanitarian Services
Sometimes CAP is called upon to help with humanitarian tasks, most often providing transportation to urgent medical cases where CAP is the only method available.
Air Force Support
As the Air Force's auxiliary, CAP provides support to it's operations in various capacities. Joint training for search and rescue between the Air Force and CAP helps hone people's skills and offers more realistic conditions so emergency services members are better prepared for real-life missions.
Counter-Drug
CAP has been part of the effort to reduce the demand for drugs in the US since 1986. CAP signed an agreement that year with the US Customs Service and the Air Force that gave it recourses to help with the government's mission to lower the volume of drugs in the country.
What This Means To Me
I joined the Civil Air Patrol looking for leadership experience. I'd done a lot of volunteer work in high school, but I hadn't had very many opportunities in college to really lead a group. CAP intrigued me because of the structure and that I could learn valuable skills. I chose emergency services (search and rescue ground team) as my specialty and I've loved the training. I get to spend my time with CAP doing something important. Learning how to save lives, taking on that kind of responsibility, has given me a strong confidence in myself and what I'm capable of. A couple years ago, I never could have dreamed I'd been learning to do the kinds of things I have been. I feel like I'm much more adult now than I was even last year, like I'm ready to take on the next phases of my life and whatever comes with them. The further I progress in my training, the more responsibilities I take on, and the more capable I feel. I recently got assigned to be my squadron's transportation officer, in charge of the tracking and upkeep of our cars, which also means I get good practice finding my way around a car engine. Next month, I start training to become a search and rescue ground team leader. I'm really glad I joined and I'm looking forward to whatever comes next.
For more information visit: http://gocivilairpatrol.com
Organizational information is taken from http://gocivilairpatrol.com.