USAFA

GavenM

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Nov 29, 2019
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Hello, I am currently a sophomore in high school wanting to attend USAFA. I have good grades, play multiple sports and volunteer around my community, I am currently debating on if I should join Civil Air Patrol to further my resume. What are all of your thoughts on CAP and will it greatly benefit my chances of getting an appointment?
 
If you do something just to "tick the box," which is what it seems you will be doing CAP for, then you might as well not do it. The adcom will see through it very quickly.
 
Hello, I am currently a sophomore in high school wanting to attend USAFA. I have good grades, play multiple sports and volunteer around my community, I am currently debating on if I should join Civil Air Patrol to further my resume. What are all of your thoughts on CAP and will it greatly benefit my chances of getting an appointment?

As cadet commander of a 60+ cadet squadron I can say absolutely yes if your schedule allows it. CAP's fitness tests help keep you accountable for training, you will learn the basics of drill, wearing the uniform, the chain of command and the ranks, respect of the flag, and many other concepts crucial to succeeded at the Air Force Academy. If you would like to experience aviation before committing the next 10 years of your life to it, CAP gives you 5 powered and 5 glider flights for free. Want to become even more involved? I attended a powered flight academy for $800 (scholarships are available as well) where I flew for 10 hours and earned my solo wings. Want to become a part of something bigger than yourself without waiting till you graduate college? Train in search and rescue and participate in real world missions. (some states are more active than others in this regard.) Living in North Carolina, I have personally located an aircraft sending out a distress signal and received 3 SAR find awards. Thats 3 people who are now spending time with their families who otherwise would not be with us. You will grow phenomenally provided you have a good squadron and are active in events outside of the weekly meetings.

Also, the academy views CAP highly. (especially if you reach the officer ranks by promoting quickly) Sorry for the rant, I am just passionate about the program.
 
I joined CAP in the summer before my sophomore year and I literally did it to check a box for leadership for my application. I needed something I could get a leadership role in quickly and CAP had the opportunities I wanted. That being said, I stayed because it was fun and I loved it - I got my 5 powered flights, put together and flew a glider, was part of a SAR team and in general just enjoyed learning about the Air Force. I am from a very military light area, so it was a great chance for me to get a little exposure before heading to USAFA
 
Wow! Thank you so much for the info and I will definitely try to get in if my schedule allows for it thanks again for helping.
 
check local squadrons
we are fortunate to have 5 squadrons locally that my DD was able to choose one that worked with her schedule (at the time)... of course now it isn’t the best day of the week but she loves her fellow cadets too much to switch... and she is one of the highest ranked
 
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