sorry if everythings not perfect..i'm on my itouch, so its hard to type stuff like this out perfectly. i'm 13 & want to join CAP badly. My dad told me to go to a meeting, but what am i supposed to get from it & how do i join? is there an amount of meetings i have to go to?
First you have to locate a CAP squadron near you and find out where their meetings are. Then you go to their meeting and usually you are given the forms to join after attending 2-3 meetings. We do this to make sure that you are dedicated.
If you go to the meeting and ask these questions, the squadron will most likely be very helpful in answering.
Everyone has a different set of rules for how long until you can join, but you'll probably have to go to about 3 meetings before they'll allow you to join- just to make sure you know what you're getting into and you like CAP. The squadron you go to will explain the application process and everything, if you ask.
As far as what you should get from the meetings, watch what's happening- the things the cadets are doing and the way the meetings runs is exactly what you will experience if you join. Do the cadets seem to be having fun? Are they acting mature? Sometimes you want to check out a few squadrons before joining, if there is more than one around.
Feel out the atmosphere of the unit- if you like what you see and how things work, go for it!
okay, thank you both for your help..it's 3 meetings to be allowed..& i found the one i want to join
Quote from: BTCS1* on June 26, 2010, 03:40:03 PM
We do this to make sure that you are dedicated.
We do it to make sure CAP is really what you are looking for and that you will not be disappointed after attending several meetings
AFTER you joined.
Quote from: juicedude10& how do i join?
If your prospective squadron has a set number of meetings you must attend before they will allow you to join, once you're done with those, they will give you the membership form for you to fill out, and either have you return it back to them with your initial membership dues, or have you send both of those on to National Headquarters yourself.
From there, it will take a few weeks before you receive your membership ID card and your materials (binder w/ aerospace and leadership books). You cannot participate in any CAP activities until you are in posession of your ID card.
Depending on what your squadron does for initial training, you may also be put into a structured training program for new cadets (usually between 5-8 weeks). This could be done as a group, or simply as a small "study group" (i.e. you and a cadet staff member).
Good luck, and welcome to CAP!
-PC
Quote from: PhoenixCadet on July 25, 2010, 04:26:30 AM
You cannot participate in any CAP activities until you are in posession of your ID card.
You should show up on the membership roster with a CAP ID number in two to three weeks after sending in your application. You can fully participate once you are on the roster as you can print out a temporary membership card if needed.
QuoteTemporary Membership Cards: Temporary membership cards are now available in eServices for members who require proof of membership before their new permanent card arrives in the mail. To print yours, log-in to eServices and open the Review/Edit My Info link in the "My Info" box. This will open the View/Change My Information section where you will find the gray "Print Temporary Card" selector
Quote from: Short Field on July 25, 2010, 06:07:32 AM
Quote from: PhoenixCadet on July 25, 2010, 04:26:30 AM
You cannot participate in any CAP activities until you are in possession of your ID card.
You should show up on the membership roster with a CAP ID number in two to three weeks after sending in your application. You can fully participate once you are on the roster as you can print out a temporary membership card if needed.
QuoteTemporary Membership Cards: Temporary membership cards are now available in eServices for members who require proof of membership before their new permanent card arrives in the mail. To print yours, log-in to eServices and open the Review/Edit My Info link in the "My Info" box. This will open the View/Change My Information section where you will find the gray "Print Temporary Card" selector
Ask your Personnel Officer to check the Membership listings on E-Services. The computer is updated immediately after input and the Personnel Officer can e-mail the ID number so you can enroll in E-services and print out your temporary membershop card, and also download the "New" Leadership books from the Cadet web pages. That will allow you to get a headstart in your training.
Another good website for the basics is here:
http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/cadet_programs/new_cadet_help/
While you cannot take advantage of the Free Uniform Voucher until your membership goes through, just about everything else is knowledge-based, and can help you study for your first promotion / answer questions you may have.