FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does CAP stand for?
CAP stands for Civil Air Patrol. Civil Air Patrol was conceived in the late 1930s by legendary New Jersey aviation advocate Gill Robb Wilson, who foresaw aviation's role in war and general aviation's potential to supplement America's military operations. With the help of New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, the new Civil Air Patrol was established on December 1, 1941, just days before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
CAP is the official Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation. CAP has more than 58,000 members, including 27,000 cadets ages 12- 20. CAP is made up of eight geographic regions, 52 wings, 1,700 units. CAP's National Headquarters is located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., which contains 160 support staff. The CAP boasts the world’s largest fleet (550) of single-engine, piston aircraft and the Nation’s most extensive communications network and 1,000 emergency services vehicles. To see the CAP National website click here.
How Do I Join CAP?
We recommend that you talk to someone first before making a decision, but after that initial talk, should you decide to join, we are confident you will enjoy the experience while learning in a whole different environment. Connecticut Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has 13 places where you can participate. The Connecticut Wing Headquarters is located in Middletown with 12 squadrons located around the state. You may opt to stay at Wing and serve in any one of several departments or may opt to stay local to your home or work at a squadron and perform the valuable work of executing the missions of CAP. Click here for further information.
Where Can I Find My Local Squadron?
There are 13 squadrons around the state - some located directly at airports. Please visit our Squadron Information page
When I Join Would I Be Considered a Senior or a Cadet?
There are two levels of membership with CAP; Senior or Cadet. If joining CAP for the first time and you are over 18 years old, you will be considered an Senior member. If you are under 18 upon entering CAP you will enter as a Cadet, however, once you are a member of CAP as a cadet, you can stay a cadet until 21.
What Do Seniors Do While in CAP?
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) offers a wealth of professional education and training for our adults so those members can effectively accomplish CAP's missions. Senior Members come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. As a result, their professional development takes them from a strong foundation of education and training for new members, while allowing more experienced members to become experts in their chosen fields. Senior members who engage in CAP professional development become eligible to receive special awards signifying their achievements, as well as satisfy requirements for promotion within the CAP organization.
What Do Cadets Do While in CAP?
Cadets participate in leadership, aerospace education, physical fitness and moral leadership portions of the cadet program. Cadets advance in rank after milestones in all these facets are completed. As gain experience and confidence and as they advance in rank, they can assume positions within Cadet leadership, even becoming Cadet Commander for your squadron.
Parents of cadets (or cadets-to-be) please click here to view more information on the CAP National Website regarding the Cadet program.
What activities is CAP involved in?
The following is a direct quote from the CAP National Website:
AEROSPACE EDUCATION
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100 aerospace education workshops each year
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Aerospace classroom materials, grades K through college
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Nation’s premier annual aerospace education conference
CADET PROGRAMS
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Multi-step leadership training
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Cadet glider and powered orientation flights, flight training scholarships
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International Air Cadet Exchange program
OPERATIONS
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95% of nation’s inland search and rescue
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100 lives saved per year
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Aerial reconnaissance for homeland security
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Disaster-relief and damage assessment
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Transport for time-sensitive medical materials
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Counter-drug missions
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These are the three areas that were included in the Congressional charter for CAP and are the backbone of CAP efforts.
Last Edited 22 APR 22