Civil air patrol

It's a civilian auxiliary of the Air Force and what you get out of it depends on what you put in (and somewhat on the squadron you join)
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets

It offers leadership training in the form of programs like encampment, drill competitions and leadership schools, aerospace education (rocketry, orientation flights, sometimes trips to aviation-related events and sites), and depending on where you live, emergency services opportunities. In Oregon, the search and rescue component of the civil air patrol is significant since we have a large number of lost hikers/climbers and the occasional missing private plane.

Go read about it on their site, find a squadron near you, and go check it out. They require you to attend a few meetings before you join anyway. I joined super late (end of summer before junior year), but it definitely helped my leadership skills and gave me a chance to see how I would do in a military environment, which was an important part of my decision process since my family is completely non-military (and Oregon isn't exactly a military hotspot). For me, it was a relatively low time commitment way to get some good, affordable experiences.
 
Remember, SAs will look for active engagement and quality of engagement for each applicant's ECs. Civil Air Patrol can be a good organization to help hone one's leadership skills, but it takes time and commitment. Don't join CAP (or any other organization) simply to add another "membership" line item to your résumé.
 
Do you have 4 or 5 days a month usually from 6pm-9pm to meet? You also need to do one weekend/additional activity every two months to get promoted. It takes about two years to make the Mitchell award if you are dedicated. I have a 12, 13,14 and 15 year old(two boys and two girls) in the program. They all love it! And if you are really dedicated and have the time you could go for the Spaatz award which takes about 4 years but you would have to start by the 8th grade to have that in time-less than .05% of USAFA cadets have won that. CAP "in my opinion" is the best EC for the money and skill set it provides.
 
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my daughter (rising sophomore) loves it. survived first encampment last month. like @USAFA10s PA has an active SAR component. Hawk Mountain is one of CAPs training centers. most SAs will equate Billy Mitchell to Gold Award/Eagle Scout but attaining higher is better (Amelia, Eaker, and truly Spaatz.) one cadet earned Spaatz at encampment and received standing ovation, as he should. definitely harder than Eagle because a LOT of testing/learning goes into the accomplishment.

check out a local squadron. no commitment until after attend 3 meetings.
 
addendum... on CAP master calendar, minimum time to earn Spaatz is 38 months.... but you have to stick to the time line of promotion every 2 months to even dream of that. my daughter could in theory achieve upon graduation pending no complications...yeah, right...
 
jaglvr said:
addendum... on CAP master calendar, minimum time to earn Spaatz is 38 months.... but you have to stick to the time line of promotion every 2 months to even dream of that. my daughter could in theory achieve upon graduation pending no complications...yeah, right...
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Never seen that done in 38 months. But yes the Cadet Super Chart says 38 months. We just had a Cadet win Spaatz also. Took her about 50 months and she was very dedicated since the age of 12. Started in 6th grade and is a rising junior this year. You truly stand out if you win the Spaatz!
 
Ew3081,

Bottom line is you need about 18 months to get meaningful rank ie the Mitchell Award. If you are a rising junior you still have time to get meaningful rank/leadership skills before your application in the spring if your goal is a service academy!
 
CAP is indeed a great activity, with some caveats: the squadron has to have good dedicated leadership or the whole thing is not worthwhile (IMHO only).
 
jeffinCharlotte said:
Ew3081,

Bottom line is you need about 18 months to get meaningful rank ie the Mitchell Award. If you are a rising junior you still have time to get meaningful rank/leadership skills before your application in the spring if your goal is a service academy!
Click to expand...

Would it be worth it for me to join it, going into my senior year? I just learned about it, my biggest weakness is leadership, I’m captain of the tennis team but that’s about it, trying to find activities to help that
 
Ew3081 said:
jeffinCharlotte said:
Ew3081,

Bottom line is you need about 18 months to get meaningful rank ie the Mitchell Award. If you are a rising junior you still have time to get meaningful rank/leadership skills before your application in the spring if your goal is a service academy!
Click to expand...

Would it be worth it for me to join it, going into my senior year? I just learned about it, my biggest weakness is leadership, I’m captain of the tennis team but that’s about it, trying to find activities to help that
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This is above my pay grade:) But I am sure it could not hurt. I assume you are about to submit your application in the next few months so CAP probably will not help you get in. My four kids have not applied yet so someone else please answer this.
 
Ew3081 said:
Would it be worth it for me to join it, going into my senior year? I just learned about it, my biggest weakness is leadership, I’m captain of the tennis team but that’s about it, trying to find activities to help that
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In a year's time at CAP, you will be a "follower" the entire time, not a leader of any sort. It is very likely you will be taking orders from a 13 or 14 year old rising Freshman. Get a job flipping burgers and work hard, get promoted. That will show leadership.

If you are interested in CAP, yes, join. But realize it is not your doorway to leadership
 
jeffinCharlotte said:
Never seen that done in 38 months. But yes the Cadet Super Chart says 38 months. We just had a Cadet win Spaatz also. Took her about 50 months and she was very dedicated since the age of 12. Started in 6th grade and is a rising junior this year. You truly stand out if you win the Spaatz!
Click to expand...

agree... my DD is determined but also highly involved in other ECs. We have dedicated her Tuesdays to CAP (forgoeing optional cheer practices because CAP was her original Tuesday priority). She will obtain Amelia but is determined at least Eaker... only time and dedication will tell. We get her there, she has to do the work. unlike Eagle/Gold award where many assist, the testing for these are all on her... Hence I truly believe Spaatz is a far greater accomplishment than a Scouting or Venture award. Don’t get me wrong. my DS achieved Eagle and DD wants Gold (already has her idea) but CAP will get her where she wants to be.
 
jaglvr said:
jeffinCharlotte said:
Never seen that done in 38 months. But yes the Cadet Super Chart says 38 months. We just had a Cadet win Spaatz also. Took her about 50 months and she was very dedicated since the age of 12. Started in 6th grade and is a rising junior this year. You truly stand out if you win the Spaatz!
Click to expand...

agree... my DD is determined but also highly involved in other ECs. We have dedicated her Tuesdays to CAP (forgoeing optional cheer practices because CAP was her original Tuesday priority). She will obtain Amelia but is determined at least Eaker... only time and dedication will tell. We get her there, she has to do the work. unlike Eagle/Gold award where many assist, the testing for these are all on her... Hence I truly believe Spaatz is a far greater accomplishment than a Scouting or Venture award. Don’t get me wrong. my DS achieved Eagle and DD wants Gold (already has her idea) but CAP will get her where she wants to be.
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No question by far a greater accomplishment to earn the Spaatz and much more rare. The leadership acumen is off the charts to get Spaatz. A very rare accomplishment. That is 4 or 5 years of you life! Other ECs have to take a hit if going for the Spaatz. Ameila vs Eagle are equivalent as far as time goes and energy goes. Eaker is very rare as well. To get the Eaker you have to travel to Maxwell Air Base and take a week long leadership Academy put on by CAP headquarters and the US Air Force! Let's finish strong with our DD's!!! All these EC's are killing me more than them:)
 
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jeffinCharlotte said:
jaglvr said:
addendum... on CAP master calendar, minimum time to earn Spaatz is 38 months.... but you have to stick to the time line of promotion every 2 months to even dream of that. my daughter could in theory achieve upon graduation pending no complications...yeah, right...
Click to expand...

Never seen that done in 38 months. But yes the Cadet Super Chart says 38 months. We just had a Cadet win Spaatz also. Took her about 50 months and she was very dedicated since the age of 12. Started in 6th grade and is a rising junior this year. You truly stand out if you win the Spaatz!
Click to expand...

Agreed - while it is common to see many Phase I and Phase II cadets promote every two months, we see tend to see cadet officers promote far less often than cadet Airmen/NCOs as their promotion requirements tend to get a bit harder and these cadets typically have more competing priorities/activities on their plates as they progress through high school.
 
Ew3081 said:
Would it be worth it for me to join it, going into my senior year? I just learned about it, my biggest weakness is leadership, I’m captain of the tennis team but that’s about it, trying to find activities to help that
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Maybe. It likely won't help your application at this point, but depending on the size of the squadron, it could still be a worthwhile experience. Depending on where you live, you could do a winter encampment this December which would be a good opportunity in itself. While what @fencersmother said is true about being a follower, I joined summer before Junior year and promoted every 2 months on the dot until I got to the Billy Mitchell. Due to the tiny size of our squadron, I held the second highest leadership position (we didn't really have a title because my rank was still officially not even a sergeant) within 4 months because the rest of the squadron was MUCH younger and struggling to promote (you have to pass some academic tests, which they were having trouble with). Because of my age, I ended up being somewhat of a mentor even though I was of the same rank (or even a little lower rank) as some other cadets. When you have enough posts, feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions.
 
My daughter loves her CAP. She learned a lot of followship and leadership skills from her CAP squadron. She was with CAP 3 years going from C/basic airman to C/2nd Lt until she graduated from HS. She had been to a lot of encampments all over the west coast. She got to live in the various AFBs, saw F-22 and F-35 in close range, and super sonic pass-by and flew a fighter simulator, talked to and make friends of a lot of AF pilots. She received the Billy Mitchell Award too. She got her appointment to USAFA class 2022 very early, not sure if it's due to the CAP experience but it's definitely fun for her. She loves it so much. She is now a Basic through the BCT in Colorado Springs -:)
I think getting yelled at and yelling at others in CAP definitely helps her survive the BCT in USAFA.
 
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usafadad2022 said:
My daughter loves her CAP. She learned a lot of fellowship and leadership skills from her CAP squadron. She was with CAP 3 years going from C/basic airman to C/2nd Lt until she graduated from HS. She had been to a lot of encampments all over the west coast. She got to live in the various AFBs, saw F-22 and F-35 in close range, and super sonic pass-by and flew a fighter simulator, talked to and make friends of a lot of AF pilots. She received the Billy Mitchell Award too. She got her appointment to USAFA class 2022 very early, not sure if it's due to the CAP experience but it's definitely fun for her. She loves it so much. She is now a Basic through the BCT in Colorado Springs -:)
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My DD’s dream... Congrats!
 
For anyone who cares, I am a Cadet Captain (only about 5% of all cadets get this promotion) in CAP and a rising senior. Joined in 2015 as a freshman. I was the Cadet Commander for all of junior year, attended PJOC, CLA, I have my solo wings, and now, have been selected to become my Wing's CAC Chairman. I am not trying to brag. I just want to hammer home the point @USAFA10s made about getting out what you put in.

The Civil Air Patrol is the program that absolutely changed my life. I have met so many amazing people, had incredible experiences, a learned so much.


I was proud to check off and write about these experiences on my candidate activities record. However, I would advise against just joining to slap it on your resume. It will be pretty obvious you are padding if you do.
 
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