Joining the Air Force

[notaNCO forever]

 So I've decided to join the Air Force. Do to how backed up everything is I probably will not be going to basic training until December. I'm hoping to squeak out my Earhart award before going away. I have one question when will I have to become a senior member in CAP? Can I wait until I finish my tech school training or do I have to convert to the dark side before then? I'd love any advice you guys with military experience have.   

[Hawk200]

So I've decided to join the Air Force. Do to how backed up everything is I probably will not be going to basic training until December. I'm hoping to squeak out my Earhart award before going away. I have one question when will I have to become a senior member in CAP? Can I wait until I finish my tech school training or do I have to convert to the dark side before then? I'd love any advice you guys with military experience have.

If you're going active duty, then pretty much as soon as you join the Air Force. If you're doing the Guard or Reserve, then when you turn 21.

As initial entry active duty, it would be pretty busy for a cadet. Senior member, not so bad.

[Eclipse]

As soon as you achieve "active duty" status, you will no longer be a cadet, regardless of whether you convert to Senior Member status.

Except for the National Guard or a Military Reserve basic training is considered "active duty".

2-5. Upon Joining the Armed Forces. Cadets who join any branch of the active duty Armed Forces (this does not include military service academies) will furnish NHQ CAP/LMMR written notification along with a CAPF 12 and fingerprint card, at which time they will be automatically transferred to senior membership status. Additional membership dues are not required for the duration of the current membership year; they will be billed as senior member renewals. NOTE: Cadets who join the National Guard or Reserves are not required to become seniors upon attending "basic training. " Regardless of the wording of the orders, "basic training" is not interpreted by CAP as "extended active duty." However, National Guard or Reserve members who enter "extended active duty" are not eligible to be cadets and must become senior members. Individuals who join the Armed Forces under the delayed enlistment program are not required to become senior members until such time as they actually report for duty.

[notaNCO forever]

So I've decided to join the Air Force. Do to how backed up everything is I probably will not be going to basic training until December. I'm hoping to squeak out my Earhart award before going away. I have one question when will I have to become a senior member in CAP? Can I wait until I finish my tech school training or do I have to convert to the dark side before then? I'd love any advice you guys with military experience have.

If you're going active duty, then pretty much as soon as you join the Air Force. If you're doing the Guard or Reserve, then when you turn 21.

As initial entry active duty, it would be pretty busy for a cadet. Senior member, not so bad.

I'm going active duty, so I'll probably transfer to senior before leaving and whenever I get the chance to start CAP again, whenever that will be, I'll be all set.

[Hawk200]

I'm going active duty, so I'll probably transfer to senior before leaving and whenever I get the chance to start CAP again, whenever that will be, I'll be all set.

Try to get your Eaker first. You could be eligible for some advanced senior rank  based on that.

Congrats on the Air Force. What are you planning to do?

[citizensoldier]

Congrats on your choice to serve and good luck!  You can work to be an NCO again.

[notaNCO forever]

Congrats on your choice to serve and good luck!  You can work to be an NCO again.

I plan to.
I'm going to be doing security forces.

[DC]

I'm going active duty, so I'll probably transfer to senior before leaving and whenever I get the chance to start CAP again, whenever that will be, I'll be all set.

Try to get your Eaker first. You could be eligible for some advanced senior rank  based on that.

Congrats on the Air Force. What are you planning to do?

The Eaker doesn't confer any advanced rank as a SM, only the Mitchell, Earhart and Spaatz do.

Per CAPR 35-5, Para. 3-7:
Mitchell = 2d Lt or FO
Earhart = 1st Lt or TFO
Spaatz = Capt or SFO

[Hawk200]

The Eaker doesn't confer any advanced rank as a SM, only the Mitchell, Earhart and Spaatz do.

Per CAPR 35-5, Para. 3-7:
Mitchell = 2d Lt or FO
Earhart = 1st Lt or TFO
Spaatz = Capt or SFO

I always get confused on the "E" awards. I should review it more regularly.

[AlphaSigOU]

I'm going active duty, so I'll probably transfer to senior before leaving and whenever I get the chance to start CAP again, whenever that will be, I'll be all set.

Try to get your Eaker first. You could be eligible for some advanced senior rank  based on that.

Congrats on the Air Force. What are you planning to do?

The Eaker doesn't confer any advanced rank as a SM, only the Mitchell, Earhart and Spaatz do.

Per CAPR 35-5, Para. 3-7:
Mitchell = 2d Lt or FO
Earhart = 1st Lt or TFO
Spaatz = Capt or SFO

Eaker = confers the same advanced grade special appointment as the Earhart (1st Lt/TFO). NHQ has never updated CAPR 35-5 to reflect the added milestone.

In addition, the following CAP senior member professional development requirements are credited upon request of the squadron commander and on completion of Level I:

Mitchell = 2d Lt/FO
Earhart = 1st Lt/TFO; technician rating in Cadet Programs
Eaker = 1st Lt/TFO; same as Earhart but adds credit for Level II (SLS and AFAIDL 13)
Spaatz = Capt/SFO; same as Eaker but adds Senior rating in CP and credit for the Yeager Award.

If you go over to the 'dark side' without a break in membership (less than three years) you get credit for the Foundations Course for Level I if you've earned a Mitcherll or higher milestone award. OPSEC and CPPT must still be taken (they're not waived).

[notaNCO forever]

 I already have OPSEC and CPPT, and I should have my Earhart. If I'm correct I really won't have much to do for transferring to senior member status, unless their is something I'm forgetting. 

[MIKE]

CAPF 12 and paw prints?

[arajca]

If you can hold off until you renew as a cadet, you'll save some money. When a ceadt comes over to the dark side, they do not have pay the difference between cadet and senior dues until they renew. Cadets typically renew at $35-$40, while senior renew at $60 and higher.

Across the top of the CAPF 12, write "CADET to SENIOR"

[PHall]

To sum it up, you DO NOT have to turn Senior while you're in the DEP Program, you WILL have to turn Senior when you ship to Lackland.

The Earhart does not get you anything with the Air Force.

If you can, renew your membership as a cadet and then transfer to senior status. The transfer is free and you will save about $60 or so depending on which wing you're a member of.

[Stonewall]

Out of curiosity, why did you choose Security Forces?

[MIKE]

They haz gunz... and cool hats.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Probably because the CAP Cadet Corps has good troops and Security Forces is one of the few AF specialties that actually launch ordnance at enemies of the United States!

[Pylon]

If you can, renew your membership as a cadet and then transfer to senior status. The transfer is free and you will save about $60 or so depending on which wing you're a member of.

Heck, if you can, opt for the 3-year renewal package (do cadets get that option?) and once it pings, drop the free CAPF 12 "Cadet to Senior" packet on them.   

[notaNCO forever]

If you can, renew your membership as a cadet and then transfer to senior status. The transfer is free and you will save about $60 or so depending on which wing you're a member of.

Heck, if you can, opt for the 3-year renewal package (do cadets get that option?) and once it pings, drop the free CAPF 12 "Cadet to Senior" packet on them.   

Cadets can only renew one year at a time. As for security forces it seemed to apeal to me over the rest of the careers.

[MIKE]

Because they haz gunz... and cool hats.

[PHall]

Let me guess, your Recruiter is a Cop.

[flyguy06]

What difference does it make if you turn SM now or after Tech school? You will be so busy during basic and tech school,. you wont even be thinking about CAP.

[SarDragon]

He becomes "not a cadet" upon entry onto active duty. He becomes a senior member after submitting the paperwork. The intervening period is basically limbo.

The idea is to convert to SM at the most advantageous point before entering onto AD.

[Stonewall]

They haz gunz... and cool hats.

Probably because the CAP Cadet Corps has good troops and Security Forces is one of the few AF specialties that actually launch ordnance at enemies of the United States!

Let me guess, your Recruiter is a Cop.

Now that we have three other answers, I am still curious "notaNCO forever", why are you choosing Security Forces?

[MIKE]

He did:

... As for security forces it seemed to apeal to me over the rest of the careers.

[Stonewall]

He did:

... As for security forces it seemed to apeal to me over the rest of the careers.

Well, [darn].  I obvsiouly didn't see that while reading the thread on my Crackberry.

Well, if you have any questions about Security Forces, perhaps I can answer them.

[notaNCO forever]

He did:

... As for security forces it seemed to apeal to me over the rest of the careers.

Well, [darn].  I obvsiouly didn't see that while reading the thread on my Crackberry.

Well, if you have any questions about Security Forces, perhaps I can answer them.

I don't really have any questions currently, but if I have any questions later I'll ask. Thamks for the offer.

Let me guess, your Recruiter is a Cop.

Nope he's not a cop. 

[RADIOMAN015]

Congrats on your choice to serve and good luck!  You can work to be an NCO again.

I plan to.
I'm going to be doing security forces.

WOW!!!  Got to wonder what other AF careers were made available to you   How well did you score on the AFASVAB?   

Difficult career field; lots of nights, weekends & holiday duty -- Your exposure to danger will be significantly more than other career fields in the AF! 

Hopefully your selection was made after considerable thought of what your long term career goals are weighing the risks as well as the benefits.  I'd strongly encourage you to talk with others that are currently on active duty in that career field.
RM     

[Eclipse]

He becomes "not a cadet" upon entry onto active duty. He becomes a senior member after submitting the paperwork. The intervening period is basically limbo.

The idea is to convert to SM at the most advantageous point before entering onto AD.

If the forms are submitted properly, he'll save on his membership costs the first year and if he's deployed his dues will be waived.

If they aren't handled properly he could well become one of the far too many who simply fade away from CAP and never return.  Becoming "not a cadet" is automatic by regulation, becoming a senior member isn't without some attention.

[SarDragon]

Isn't that what I said? 

[notaNCO forever]

 Just an update, I got a 91 on my ASVAB, passed my, physical, and got sworn into the United States Air Force. Instead of doing SF, which I've been warned is a lousy job, I'm going to do something in the intelligence area. After I decided to not do Security Forces I decide to try to try for being a PJ, or other special operations, but the hearing in my left ear at a certain frequency wasn't good enough, so I can not do that.

[Cecil DP]

He becomes "not a cadet" upon entry onto active duty. He becomes a senior member after submitting the paperwork. The intervening period is basically limbo.

The idea is to convert to SM at the most advantageous point before entering onto AD.

Your last day of Cadet Membership is the day before you get leave for basic training. fill out the Senior Membership papers and than mail them following your last meeting.

[Airrace]

Good luck and congratulations on your choice to serve! Enjoy the time you have left as a cadet.

[Ford73Diesel]

Good luck and congratulations on your choice to serve! Enjoy the time you have left as a cadet.

Good Luck.  Have fun at basic training.

[RADIOMAN015]

He becomes "not a cadet" upon entry onto active duty. He becomes a senior member after submitting the paperwork. The intervening period is basically limbo.

The idea is to convert to SM at the most advantageous point before entering onto AD.

Your last day of Cadet Membership is the day before you get leave for basic training. fill out the Senior Membership papers and than mail them following your last meeting.

Frankly, I would think this projected "former" cadet would have a lot to do in his AF career as far as upgrade training etc.  I'd also highly recommend he work on his associates degree upon arrival at his first permanent duty station.

I wouldn't recommending putting  "active" CAP membership as a high priority until appropriate USAF upgrade training is completed & as well as obtainining an AS degree.
RM   

[Spike]

^ RM.....

Keeping Active CAP Membership opens this new Airman up to the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.  I don't know how Air Force does promotions, but wouldn't having that medal equal more points (or whatever they use) toward being promoted??

   

[Stonewall]

Instead of doing SF, which I've been warned is a lousy job,...

Probably warned by non-SF types who have no experience in the field.  I'm glad I didn't listen to all the folks who warned me about the Infantry when I first enlisted in the Army.  Couldn't imagine doing anything else in the Army.

[Short Field]

Might be a recent change but last time I looked, USAF promotion points started at one point for the Achievement Medal.   The MOVSM is not listed.