Civil Air Patrol

C

Craig

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2010
Messages
522
My son has asked about Civil Air Patrol in the past. I notice when we went to the Directorate of Admissions page it list CAP as an external link. Does the AF considered CAP a big plus? One might think the link imples that. He is currently on path for Eagle Scout within the next few months and is working towards his Private Pilot license. Is there any value or experience CAP would add beyond what he is doing know?
 
Craig said:
My son has asked about Civil Air Patrol in the past. I notice when we went to the Directorate of Admissions page it list CAP as an external link. Does the AF considered CAP a big plus? One might think the link imples that. He is currently on path for Eagle Scout within the next few months and is working towards his Private Pilot license. Is there any value or experience CAP would add beyond what he is doing know?
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Hi!

If he's a "senior" in HS, then there's really no value at all for him to join CAP unless it's something he just wants to do FOR HIM!

If he'd been in CAP for several years, gone to an encampment or two, earned the Billy Mitchell Award or higher, then yes, it's viewed pretty highly, roughly on par with the Eagle award in BSA. BUT...it's not like one gets more points than the other, rather they're viewed at as OUTSTANDING examples of leadership potential! (Okay, in reality one might score more points than the other but I don't know which and I truly doubt its a player).

If I were his ALO, I would have him focus upon his Eagle project and get that done BEFORE the end of 2011. And if he gets his PPL, more power to him!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
CAP member for...:eek: 36 years
 
Thanks. He is a freshman and should (hopefully before the fumes kick in) get his Eagle before end of 2011. He loves flying. Ever since he got a ride in an AT-6 he talks about it all the time. He spoke briefly with the CAP at the Dobbins Air Show last year but put it on the back burner due to schedule. We are fortunate to have a friend who is a flying instructor so he gets some hours in. He starting to think ahead about what he wants to do. I think that is because he sees his older sister doing the college search thing. So we've started talking about options (mostly flying).
 
Craig,

If I understand correctly. Your DS is a freshmen in HS. The earlier he starts the better.

RGK
 
Craig said:
Thanks. He is a freshman and should (hopefully before the fumes kick in) get his Eagle before end of 2011. He loves flying. Ever since he got a ride in an AT-6 he talks about it all the time. He spoke briefly with the CAP at the Dobbins Air Show last year but put it on the back burner due to schedule. We are fortunate to have a friend who is a flying instructor so he gets some hours in. He starting to think ahead about what he wants to do. I think that is because he sees his older sister doing the college search thing. So we've started talking about options (mostly flying).
Click to expand...

I am in CAP and am Girl Scout about to get the Gold Award (sending in final paperwork).
This is what I suggest if he is really motivated and likes to move up quickly in an organization: finish Eagle, and start CAP right afterwards. You can promote every two months (move up in grade/rank) in CAP, so if he is really motivated he'll do that.
If he likes to get the hang of things first, and then move: I say join CAP, and spend a bit of time getting used to it while he finishes up his Eagle, then go full swing into CAP.

Personally, I found it difficult to be working constantly on my Gold Award project, while promoting every two months in CAP, on top of a pretty heavy coarse load/working full time over the summer.
In the end, it is definitely worth it to join CAP. There are free flights that he'll get (5 powered and 5 glider), and summer camp type flying things he could do, as well as aerospace lessons. Besides the flying side of it, CAP offers leadership and emergency services training. Emergency services includes a lot of woodsy stuff.
CAP is looked at well by the academies, but just as other extra-curriculars. It gives you a small idea of the military, but mainly just the drill and uniforms. Since he loves flying, my guess is he will like CAP. I should warn you, CAP cadets tend to make fun of scouts, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying both.
Hope that helps!
 
I joined the month July during the summer before my sophomore year. I've enjoyed it. I've gone to two encampments, gone to Colorado, won several awards, and much more.

It really depends on many factors though. I've seen some disfunctional squadrons, cadet/senior issues. It also depends on how much you put into the program (as any other, of course). Some cadets I've seen have never done a thing and have been a cadet years longer than me.

There are great opportunities: encampments, national activities, aerospace, emergency services, etc. I would highly recommend it, but if it would really get in the way of your son's schedule then I would wait. Though on the flip side, I had a lighter schedule in my first few months of CAP, so it could go either way.


Good luck!
 
I joined up in February (2010) of my sophomore year, what they say about, what you put in is what you get out is very true with CAP. I have attended encampment, and this summer attended a National Cadet Special Activity. Which was SUPTFC or Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course. You spend a week down at Columbus AFB, MS for a week going through simulated AF pilot training. Alot of memorization, classwork, sim time, hanging out with "studs" ,and IP's. If you want to be a pilot in the AF I highly recommend it.
Here's a link to their site if you want to check it out.
http://suptfc.com/
I also am on a Ground Team , so there is a wide variety of activities CAP offers. I should be getting my Mitchell hopefully in February, and I've been in just a little over a year and a half.
 
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