Process of joining?

[KirkF22]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section, I tried to find a suitable section and this was the closest one I could find.

So I was wondering what the process of joining CAP. Like what will be covered when I go to my first meeting on Monday, and the other 2 joining meetings. Like what will I learn in each thing and how long till I'm officially in CAP?

[a2capt]

Can't tell you what you'll learn. The unit can do that.

As for how long? You turn in your application, if it's correct, and the unit sends it to NHQ promptly, it will be anywhere from a couple days .. had it happen that quick before, to 10-15 days. Depends.

We've signed up cadets on Tuesday evening and they've posted a CAPID on the next Tuesday.

[Angus]

It also depends on what you're joining as.  Are you a persepective Cadet or Senior?  If Cadet yes the process can be very quick, however if you're going to be a Senior, for everything to go through I'd say 15 - 25 days.  The extra time is for the Background Check. All depends on how many natioanl receieves at the same time.

[Thrashed]

Don't be too quick to join. Attend a few meetings and see if it is for you. We've had too many members quick right after they join (including my 12 year old son who was yelled at and cried his first meeting). Hopefully, they will take better care of you.

[Eclipse]

Go to your first meetings with few expectations and lots of questions - don't expect the full detail of every question to be answered
immediately, or that it will all make sense the first day.

expect to attend at least three meetings before you submit an application.

Listen more than speaking while you are getting the landscape.

[Garibaldi]

my .02 cents:

1. Go to 3 meetings just to see if you like the variety. One meeting is definitely not the same as another.
2. Ask questions. Lots of questions.
3. Don't show up in any sort of military gear whatsoever. Not even a pro-military hat. For some reason, that gets on people's nerves, and I don't know why. It just does.
4. Expect a lot of information to be thrown at you. Don't expect to absorb it all. It'll make sense at some point in the future.
5. Get your parents involved from day one. The sooner they understand, the less you'll have to explain with what little knowledge you have.
6. Don't expect to get involved until the paperwork is in. Insurance and liability reasons. Plus, it saves the cadet staff from wasting their time trying to train you if it's something you don't think you're going to like and are not going to come back.
7. Expect CAP to take up a good part of your life. It's up to you how much, but it will make a dent. Start figuring out how you will be budgeting your time.
8. Don't be afraid of your NCOs and cadet officers. They may seem harsh, but it comes with the territory. Show them respect and they will respect you.
9. It's not the military, but when you get your uniform WEAR IT WITH PRIDE AND RESPECT.
10. If you see a bunch of cadets acting up and goofing around, DON'T GET INVOLVED. They've been around for awhile and know what the limits are. You don't. You're liable to make a fool of yourself in addition to hurting your image and reputation.

These are things I've noticed that new/prospective members do and expect. It's not a perfect formula for success, but it's a start. The thing about showing up not wearing military stuff...I've seen plenty of 12 and 13 year old kids who show up in camo to their first meeting, thinking they'll fit in. You'll stick out like a sore thumb, even more so than if you showed up in civilian clothes.

[lordmonar]

The actual process of joining differs from unit to unit.

At my unit we want the new member to visit us for a couple/three meetings.  We talk about CAP, answer their questions, give them their paper work.

On their "join" day we take their paperwork, verify their identification, take their finger prints (we have our own finger print kit) and hold the membership board.

If the board approves we take your money and send it to national.  They ususall process it by the next meeting where you will meet with the PD officer and get started setting up your E-services account and start the level I training.

That ususally takes a week or two to complete (depending on the amount of time you spend at home).  You finish it off with the summary conversation for your Cadet Protection and going over the answers for the Foundations Course.

We produce a Form 11 and send it to NHQ...takes about a week for that to process....at that point you are ready to talk to your commander of deputy commander for seniors about job placement in the squadron, selecting a specialty track, assignment of a trainer/mentor and getting you started on your emergency services training.

Some units (ours does) also start getting your CAP driver's license processed at this time.

[Critical AOA]

Don't be too quick to join. Attend a few meetings and see if it is for you. We've had too many members quick right after they join (including my 12 year old son who was yelled at and cried his first meeting). Hopefully, they will take better care of you.

Ah, he must have had one of those "CAP is basic training" type of junior drill sergeant senior members.  Lovely.

[KirkF22]

I have another question. Will there by opportunities to fly? I've already confirmed that I can take flight lessons from one of the senior members, but will I be able to fly for CAP once I get my pilots lessons?

[Garibaldi]

I have another question. Will there by opportunities to fly? I've already confirmed that I can take flight lessons from one of the senior members, but will I be able to fly for CAP once I get my pilots lessons?

Yes and no. You will get orientation flights, about 5 of them, over the course of you career as a cadet...I'm assuming you're a cadet? If not, then if you're over 18, you can take flights as a Mission Scanner first then as a Mission Observer. Once that is done and you get your pilot's license, you will take a checkride with a qualified senior member and begin with being a Mission Transport pilot. Once you get some hours, you can take a Form 5 checkride and get qualified as a Mission Pilot.

There are PLENTY of opportunities to fly in CAP. We won't teach you to fly as a senior, but if you're a cadet there's always solo encampment.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong about all this, or add to it.

[KirkF22]

I thought the pilot license age was 16, or is it to be a CAP pilot is it 18?

[Eclipse]

Correct. With the exception of flight training academies, you must be 18 to be aircrew of any kind in CAP.

[Flying Pig]

For me the hardest part about joining was being beaten with a rubber hose and being told I needed to submit to their authority.  But after I was the commander it was a lot more fun.

[RogueLeader]

For me the hardest part about joining was being beaten with a rubber hose and being told I needed to submit to their authority.  But after I was the commander it was a lot more fun.

They promised me cookies.  Almost 8 years, and I'm still waiting. 

[Garibaldi]

For me the hardest part about joining was being beaten with a rubber hose and being told I needed to submit to their authority.  But after I was the commander it was a lot more fun.

RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH!

[lordmonar]

For me the hardest part about joining was being beaten with a rubber hose and being told I needed to submit to their authority.  But after I was the commander it was a lot more fun.

They promised me cookies.  Almost 8 years, and I'm still waiting. 

Did you fill out the CAPF ID10T?

[spacecommand]

I thought the pilot license age was 16, or is it to be a CAP pilot is it 18?

The age requirements are:

To become a "CAP pilot" you have to be at least 17. 
To become a "Transport Mission Pilot" or Search & Rescue/Disaster Relief Mission Pilot you need to be 18 or older.

The other requirements are as follows (from the CAP website):
http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/how_to_join/pilots_faq/  "HOW TO BECOME A CAP PILOT":

The general qualifications to become a CAP pilot are:

    Be an active CAP member at least 17 years of age (16 years of age for CAP glider pilots).
    Possess a valid FAA private, commercial, or airline transport pilot certificate.
    Possess a class III or higher medical certificate (not required for gliders).
    Possess a current flight review IAW FAR 61.56.
    Satisfactorily complete a CAP Form 5 flight check (similar to a BFR) in an aircraft (in an appropriate group) within the preceding 12 months.
    Complete an annual CAP Form 5 written examination and annual aircraft questionnaires for each aircraft authorized to fly.

The qualifications to become a Transport Mission Pilot are: During authorized Emergency Services missions, CAP Transport Pilots may transport CAP members, ferry aircraft, fly "high bird" communication sorties, and transport parts or equipment needed for missions.

    At least 18 years of age.
    Current and qualified CAP pilot in accordance with CAPR 60-1, with at least 100 hours pilot in command time including at least 50 hours of cross-country flying.
    Qualified General Emergency Services.

Qualifications to become a Search and Rescue/Disaster Relief  Mission Pilot  – Once becoming a CAP Pilot and attaining 175 hours PIC time with 50 hours of cross-country time one can start training to become a SAR/DR Mission Pilot. (50 hours X-C is the A to B, 50 NM or more, kind)

    Qualified Transport Mission Pilot
    At least 200 hours pilot in command time and 50 hours of cross-country flying 3. Qualified Mission Scanner
    Complete all requirements listed in the most current version of the Aircrew and Flight Line Task Guide for MP.

[KirkF22]

Ok so I'm 16 and a sophomore. When I graduate, will i most likely be flying for CAPif I'm following all the steps? I will be 19 when I graduate. And when I go to college, (hopefully USAFA), but if not, would I be able to do AFROTC but also transfer to the CAP squadron near my college? Sorry I have a lot of question.

[Eclipse]

If you have a squadron near your college you can be a member of both, assuming you have the time. They are affiliated organizations, and membership in both can have advantages in both directions but they are separate organizations.

[RogueLeader]

For me the hardest part about joining was being beaten with a rubber hose and being told I needed to submit to their authority.  But after I was the commander it was a lot more fun.

They promised me cookies.  Almost 8 years, and I'm still waiting. 

Did you fill out the CAPF ID10T?

I gave up after the 10th time.