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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Civil Air Patrol?
Q: How many people are in CAP?
Q: What are the membership opportunities?
Q: How is the Civil Air Patrol organized?
Q: Who’s in charge of Civil Air Patrol?
Q: What exactly is CAP’s affiliation with the
military?
Q: Does this mean CAP conducts combat or
police-like operations?
Q: Are CAP Cadets obligated to military
service?
Q: Do CAP members get paid?
Q: Does the government fund CAP?
Q: Do CAP members wear a uniform?
Q: Do CAP members have ranks?
Q: What type of training do CAP members go
through?
Q: What is the Civil Air Patrol?
A: The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the official
civilian Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. We are tasked
with four primary missions: Aerospace Education, Emergency Services,
the Cadet Program, and assistance with Homeland Security. For more
information on our history please see the “History” section of this
website. (Return)
Q: How many people are in CAP?
A: Our membership is approximately 64,000,
nation-wide. This includes (approximately):
26,000 Cadets
31,000 Senior Members
1,400 Aerospace
Education Members
500 Cadet Sponsors
1,000 Patron Members
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Q: What are the membership opportunities?
A: The Cadet Program is open to any young
person between the ages of 12 and 18. If already a Cadet, an
individual may retain his/her Cadet status until the age of 21. The
Senior Member program is for any adult 18 years of age or older, and
there is no upper age limit. There are also other forms of
membership: Aerospace Education Membership (primarily geared towards
teachers), Cadet Sponsors (parents of Cadets), and Patron Members
(who contribute financially but do not actively participate).
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Q: How is the Civil Air Patrol organized?
A: CAP is led by our National Headquarters at
Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The Nation is divided into eight geographic
Regions consisting of 52 Wings, one for each State plus
Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Often the Wing is the further
divided into Groups and finally, the most basic CAP unit is
the Squadron (note that not all Wings contain Groups). The
Squadron is the “local unit” within the community. Here is our
chain:
Bayshore Composite Squadron -> Group 223 -> New
Jersey Wing -> Northeast Region
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Q: Who’s in charge of Civil Air Patrol?
A: A Commander is installed at the top of each
organizational level and staff officers hold key leadership and
administrative positions. The following is Pineland’s Chain of
Command, as well as key staff members of CAP.
Acting National Commander:
Brigadier Gen. Antonio Pineda
National Vice
Commander: vacant
CAP-USAF Commander*: Col. George
Vogt, USAF
National Chief of Staff: Col. Larry
Kauffman
Northeast Region Commander: Col.
Richard Greenhut
New Jersey Wing Commander: Col.
Robert Diduch
Group 223 Commander: Ret. Major
Denny Batemen
Bashore Squadron Commander: Lt.
Ulric Gordon-Lewis
*This is a US Air Force officer who serves as
the chief liaison between CAP and the Air Force.
(Return)
Q: What exactly is CAP’s affiliation with the
military?
A: Although Civil Air Patrol serves as the
official Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force we are made up of
civilians. Our “job” is to carry out our four missions, which does
sometimes include support and assistance to the U.S military and/or
law enforcement agencies. For example, CAP conducts about 95% of
inland search and rescue (SAR) missions as directed by the Air Force
Rescue Coordination Center. Also agreements with U.S. Customs, the
DEA, and other agencies have CAP involved in some counter-drug
operations. (Return)
Q: Does this mean CAP conducts combat or
police-like operations?
A: No. Civil Air Patrol is set up only as a
benevolent organization and does not perform any mission, which
involves the use of force or potential violence. At no time do CAP
members carry any weapons and we do not have any military or
police-like authority. As stated before we are civilians and our job
is to carry out our missions by educated people on the importance of
aviation, developing our nations youth in a moral and rewarding
environment, and saving lives by performing search and rescue and
disaster relief missions.
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Q: Are CAP Cadets obligated to military
service?
A: No. While many Cadets who join CAP do have
an interest in eventually entering the military, there is absolutely
no requirement for military service. Additionally, the military does
not view CAP as a “recruiting opportunity”.
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Q: Do CAP members get paid?
A: No. CAP is a volunteer organization and
members receive no compensation. We do it because of our personal
dedication to serving our community, state, and nation.
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Q: Does the government fund CAP?
A: CAP does receive some funding from the Air
Force but the majority of our funds come from membership dues
(approximately $40 per year) and private donations from individuals
and companies. (Return)
Q: Do CAP members wear a uniform?
A: Yes. Both Cadet (youth) and Senior (adult)
members are authorized to wear a modified U.S. Air Force uniform.
This includes the blue dress uniform, camouflage utilities uniform (BDU),
and green flight suit (for members who hold aeronautical ratings).
Each uniform is worn with highly visible CAP insignia to distinguish
us from actual military members. Additionally, Senior Members may
wear CAP-specific alternate uniforms if they are unable or do not
wish to wear the Air Force uniforms.
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Q: Do CAP members have ranks?
A: Yes. Senior Members hold Air Force officer
ranks (Captain, Major, etc.). Colonel is typically reserved for Wing
Commanders and above, and General ranks are reserved for the Nation
Commander and Vice Commander. Cadets progress through both Air Force
enlisted and officer ranks via the completion of achievements,
thirteen in all. For distinction, cadets carry the word “Cadet”
before their ranks (e.g., “Cadet Staff Sergeant”).
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Q: What type of training do CAP members go
through?
A: There’s a wide variety of training,
educational, and professional development opportunities available to
CAP members. Please see the “What Can I Do?” section of this website
to lean about all of CAP’s training opportunities.
(Return)
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