Serve Your Community & Country as a Volunteer
in the C.A.P./U.S. Air Force Auxiliary!
Command Section Org Chart
Operations Section Org Chart
Functional Org Chart
Senior Member Program
Adult members of Civil Air Patrol, known as senior members, take pride in being able to help their friends, neighbors & country through CAP programs and activities.
At the same time, they also are able to obtain comprehensive training which is applicable to many every day occupational and vocational pursuits.
Senior membership begins at 18 years of age. One does not have to be a pilot to be a Civil Air Patrol member but must meet certain other senior member qualifications.
Training and education
Civil Air Patrol's five-level, structured training and education program is designed to prepare senior members to accomplish CAP objectives, including leadership and operational functions within each unit.
Adult members can learn about flight and air navigation, command and management, public affairs, first aid, emergency services, communications, logistics and supply, personnel, administration, cadet programs, and other specialties.
They also can upgrade their job skills through officer training and home study courses which cover writing and speaking, principles of learning, methods of managing and teaching, and related subjects.
Initially, senior members are enrolled in Level 1 training in which new members learn CAP fundamentals. These include organization history and structure, proper wear of the Air Force style uniform, military courtesy, and human relations.
In Level 2, a senior member chooses one or more specialties in which he or she is interested in receiving training. These will include both organizational and mission functions.
Although Civil Air Patrol is an aviation-oriented organization, there still is plenty of activities for non-pilots. On a CAP mission, for example, it is estimated that at least five persons in ground based jobs are required for each aircraft that is launched.
In Levels 3 through 5, senior members learn how to perform leadership positions and to train others. During this period, seniors study a wide variety of topics, ranging from mission coordination to public speaking.
Senior members earn and wear Air Force officer style grade as they progress through the training programs. The primary significance of these officer grades is to indicate a member's capabilities and experience in the Civil Air Patrol.
