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  #1  
Old 11-17-2005, 09:20 PM
AlphaSigOU AlphaSigOU is offline
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Civil Air Patrol

Just to see if anybody else is currently a senior member or former cadet here on GC.

For those that don't know, CAP is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, tasked with providing volunteer search and rescue and other missions for the Air Force within the United States. The cadet program is for boys and girls from 12-21, while senior members are 18 and older.

I was a former cadet from 1977-1984 in Georgia and Florida wings (each state, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are called wings, from the USAF organizational structure), then after I enlisted in the Air Force, converted to senior member status. As a senior member, I served in one of the overseas squadrons (CAP has squadrons in U.S. overseas military bases that report directly to National HQ at Maxwell AFB, Alabama), then after I got out I transferred to National Capital (DC) Wing. Other interests took priority and I let my membership lapse in 1988.

Story isn't over yet... fast forward 17 years later and I rejoined CAP here in Texas a couple of months ago. I work mostly with cadets (since I was a cadet myself) and just waiting right now to have my former senior member grade of first lieutenant reinstated. (Paperwork, paperwork...)
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Old 11-17-2005, 09:39 PM
carnation carnation is offline
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My oldest son is planning a military career after college and I've always wondered if that might benefit him. We didn't want him doing CAP if it wouldn't help him because he's involved in so much-- sports, Scouts, church, and a hard school curriculum.

The CAP here in town has found the wreckage of 2 planes in recent years after they crashed on a nearby mountain.
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  #3  
Old 11-17-2005, 10:14 PM
GeekyPenguin GeekyPenguin is offline
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I can't stop thinking about Lee Harvey Oswald now.
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  #4  
Old 11-17-2005, 10:29 PM
AlphaSigOU AlphaSigOU is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by carnation
My oldest son is planning a military career after college and I've always wondered if that might benefit him. We didn't want him doing CAP if it wouldn't help him because he's involved in so much-- sports, Scouts, church, and a hard school curriculum.

The CAP here in town has found the wreckage of 2 planes in recent years after they crashed on a nearby mountain.
I highly recommend it. As a cadet, I topped off at cadet major, earning the Billy Mitchell and Amelia Earhart awards. College and other interests kept me from finishing the cadet program and achieving the pinnacle of the CAP cadet program - the General Carl A. Spaatz (pronounced: 'spots') Award. Only 1500 or so have been awarded since the award's inception in 1964. Very tough test covering all aspects of the cadet program, including a physical fitness test. One can only attempt to take the test no more than three times; after that, one is permanently disqualified from testing.

Cadets who earn the Mitchell Award can enlist in the Air Force at the grade of airman first class (E-3), which is what I did.

Because of insurance reasons, cadets can only participate as ground teams in search and rescue missions authorized and funded by the Air Force - only senior members may be mission-qualified aircrew.

Cadet meetings are usually once a week, with wing, regional and national special activities (which are very competitive) lasting up to two weeks in the summertime. If it's available, cadets may be transported on USAF aircraft (transports only ) to national activities.

I also recommend that he also explore opportunities in Junior ROTC, ROTC in college or pursue an appointment to the service academies.

Hope this helps, any other questions, feel free to reply in this thread or via PM.
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Old 11-17-2005, 10:31 PM
AlphaSigOU AlphaSigOU is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
I can't stop thinking about Lee Harvey Oswald now.
Yes, he was a CAP cadet way back in the 1950s. There's a picture of him floating around wearing a CAP cadet uniform.

And, contrary to what some wags call us, we're not the 'Swivel Chair Patrol' nor does it stand for 'Coffee And Pastries'! (Being we're volunteers, we do occasionally call it 'Come And Pay'! )
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Causa latet vis est notissima - the cause is hidden, the results are well known.

Alpha Alpha (University of Oklahoma) Chapter, #814, 1984

Last edited by AlphaSigOU; 11-17-2005 at 10:35 PM.
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  #6  
Old 11-17-2005, 10:54 PM
DeltAlum DeltAlum is offline
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I was in CAP in high school.

The Professor of Military Science (head of ROTC) in college was impressed that I already knew the Manual of Arms before I got there. He called me out of formation to ask why and complimented me and told me he was going to try to get me in his old outfit -- the 82nd Airborne. I said thanks a lot. I didn't mean it.

Then he told me to get a haircut.
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  #7  
Old 11-18-2005, 06:24 AM
ragtimerose ragtimerose is offline
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My sister and her now-husband were in CAP in high school. In fact, that's how they met.
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  #8  
Old 11-18-2005, 11:32 AM
BBelleADPi BBelleADPi is offline
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Some close friends of ours told us last week that their son received the Amelia E. award, and that they had not realized what an accomplishment it was until they went to the banquet.
It is evidently quite an honor!
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  #9  
Old 11-18-2005, 02:36 PM
AlphaSigOU AlphaSigOU is offline
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Just to explainify...

Phase I - Wright Brothers Award (promotion to cadet staff sergeant)
Phase II - Billy Mitchell Award (promotion to cadet second lieutenant)
Phase III - Amelia Earhart Award (promotion to cadet captain)
Phase IV - Ira Eaker Award (promotion to cadet lieutenant colonel)

Carl A. Spaatz Award (promotion to cadet colonel, completes the cadet program)
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Causa latet vis est notissima - the cause is hidden, the results are well known.

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  #10  
Old 11-18-2005, 09:58 PM
alphaxikt alphaxikt is offline
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One of my middle schoolers is a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, so I'm glad to have a little more background now - it will help with that "developing a quality teacher-student relationship."
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  #11  
Old 01-01-2006, 02:04 AM
alum alum is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by carnation
My oldest son is planning a military career after college and I've always wondered if that might benefit him. We didn't want him doing CAP if it wouldn't help him because he's involved in so much-- sports, Scouts, church, and a hard school curriculum.

The CAP here in town has found the wreckage of 2 planes in recent years after they crashed on a nearby mountain.
This may be considered a "hijack."
If your son is thinking of the United States Military Academy at West Point let me know. Mr. Alum is an Old Grad and he was also a faculty member. He still is active duty...
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  #12  
Old 01-01-2006, 07:06 PM
tinydancer tinydancer is offline
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LOL @ Swivel Chair Patrol!!
Seriously, Chuck, congratulations on re-upping. I know it is something you enjoy.
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