Civil Air Patrol

TrackStarFalcon

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2012
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Anyone in Civil Air Patrol? So I am a junior and I just learned about Civil Air Patrol a few days. Is it hard? I heard about this Billy Mitchell Award is it too late for me to reach this achievement? How many of these CAP encampments happen each year? I'm going to a meeting for the first time how do I talk to the squadron commander? Should I adress him military style or talk to him like a civilian?

Thank you :) GOD BLESS
 
Anyone in Civil Air Patrol? So I am a junior and I just learned about Civil Air Patrol a few days. Is it hard? I heard about this Billy Mitchell Award is it too late for me to reach this achievement? How many of these CAP encampments happen each year? I'm going to a meeting for the first time how do I talk to the squadron commander? Should I adress him military style or talk to him like a civilian?

Thank you :) GOD BLESS

My DS's CAP Squadron required attending at least three consecutive weekly meetings to sit in and observe. Afterwards, a squadron shirt is issued and you can join in on the activities such as formation, drills etc. You procure an older BDU and black combat boots. An official Dress Blue uniform is issued by the USAF afterwards. Once a month, they do PFT which is pretty similar to CFT. Encampment opportunities vary, There are Drill Schools and Seminars throughout the year. My DS wrote how CAP provided valuable training in military courtesy, marching drills and how to wear/iron the uniform ( BDU and dress blues uniform inspections strictly adhere to USAF standards.) was such a tremendous help for him during the first phase of BCT. Don't worry too much about the Billy Mitchell award. Rank advancement could be had every two to three months, depending on your motivation. My DS only did it his senior year but it still proved very helpful and useful for a doolie at the academy. Good luck to you and may your journey towards appointment be as fun and enjoyable as ours had been.
 
My DS's CAP Squadron required attending at least three consecutive weekly meetings to sit in and observe. Afterwards, a squadron shirt is issued and you can join in on the activities such as formation, drills etc. You procure an older BDU and black combat boots. An official Dress Blue uniform is issued by the USAF afterwards. Once a month, they do PFT which is pretty similar to CFT. Encampment opportunities vary, There are Drill Schools and Seminars throughout the year. My DS wrote how CAP provided valuable training in military courtesy, marching drills and how to wear/iron the uniform ( BDU and dress blues uniform inspections strictly adhere to USAF standards.) was such a tremendous help for him during the first phase of BCT. Don't worry too much about the Billy Mitchell award. Rank advancement could be had every two to three months, depending on your motivation. My DS only did it his senior year but it still proved very helpful and useful for a doolie at the academy. Good luck to you and may your journey towards appointment be as fun and enjoyable as ours had been.


Thank you Icarus for answering my questions about CAP. It really helps. Yes I can't wait to apply soon for the academy. I am really excited and looking forward to it
 
CAP

My DD was a member of CAP for about five years. I totally agree with Icarus. It provides a strong foundation for any military service. My DD was fortunate to achieve the rank of C/2d Lt and the Billy Mitchell Award along with being selected for several leadership positions during her time with CAP. DD is now at USAFA Prep School. CAP had also provided her with a recommendation to attend the Prep School when she applied to USAFA. You have to first learn to be a follower, before becoming a leader and CAP will provide you with that education. Best of Luck to you.
 
Hopefully no one will read into this wrong. I have quite a lot of respect for cap, JrROTC, and scouts. But for those who aren't into those, don't believe for a second that they are the only activities that best prepare you for the academy or military service. They aren't. You can gain just as much following, leadership, team building, and other traits the military is interested in from many other activities. The 2 sport varsity player, marching band member, club leader, class officer, etc... Can learn and experience just as much. And the academy knows this; which is why they don't give you more points for being in cap or JrROTC than they do the president of the national honor society, class vp, athletes, etc..

I'm not writing this to down play cap. I'm writing it because there are those who will join certain activities believing that it is better or helps them more than a different activity. It won't. It doesn't take years in cap or JrROTC to learn military specific things like discipline, marching, saluting, following, etc... 80%+ of new cadets learn this quite easily and have never been in cap, JrROTC, or scouts. So definitely join cap if that's what you want. Join the marching band if you want. Definitely do sports. But whatever u do, Excel at it and attain leadership positions in it. Best of luck.
 
I totally agree with you Christcorp. Just like driving to the store, there are several ways to get there but the ultimate goal, is getting to the store! CAP was only part of my DD's portfolio...which also included sports, ASB, honor society, very good grades, leadership positions, etc.
 
Hopefully no one will read into this wrong. I have quite a lot of respect for cap, JrROTC, and scouts. But for those who aren't into those, don't believe for a second that they are the only activities that best prepare you for the academy or military service. They aren't. You can gain just as much following, leadership, team building, and other traits the military is interested in from many other activities. The 2 sport varsity player, marching band member, club leader, class officer, etc... Can learn and experience just as much. And the academy knows this; which is why they don't give you more points for being in cap or JrROTC than they do the president of the national honor society, class vp, athletes, etc..

I'm not writing this to down play cap. I'm writing it because there are those who will join certain activities believing that it is better or helps them more than a different activity. It won't. It doesn't take years in cap or JrROTC to learn military specific things like discipline, marching, saluting, following, etc... 80%+ of new cadets learn this quite easily and have never been in cap, JrROTC, or scouts. So definitely join cap if that's what you want. Join the marching band if you want. Definitely do sports. But whatever u do, Excel at it and attain leadership positions in it. Best of luck.

Quoted because it bears repeating. This statement is as true as they come.
 
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