Frequently Asked Questions

CADET ORIENTATION FLIGHTS............ Fact Sheet for Moms & Dads Click here to get PDF fact sheet

Are members obligated to serve for a certain period of time?

Joining Civil Air Patrol is voluntary. There is no commitment.
Does it cost anything to join?
There is a membership fee for cadets and seniors. Cadet fee is $35.00. Seniors fee is $72.00

Are uniforms supplied?
Depending on funding from the USAF, cadets can get most of the dress blue uniforms (worth more than $100.00). Our Squadron may help to provide other uniforms but we expect a commitment from members and family. Ask the Commander about this.

What happens at the weekly meetings?
Cadets are taught about airplanes & flight (Aerospace Education), Drill & Ceremonies according to Air Force regulations, Search & Rescue, CPR & First Aid, Military customs, courtesies & discipline, Model Rocketry, Physical Training, Moral Leadership, Leadership classes, and more.

Cadets earn Grade (rank), according to Air force grades, starting from recruit through grades such as Cadet SGT, Cadet Master SGT, all the way to cadet COL. Cadets assume command positions such as Flight Sgt, Flight Commander all the way to Cadet Commander. Cadets learn leadership from commanding themselves with Adult officers guidence.

There are many activities outside the weekly meetings. Activities that non-members would never have the opportunity to experience.

If a cadet reaches a high rank (The higher the better) there are scholarships available and Cadets have a much better chance to be accepted into a military academy such as the Air Force Academy and Coast Guard Academy. Many have received a four year scholarship at a number of institutions and a large percentage of cadets in the Air Force Academy are former cadets in CAP. Another benefit for a Cadet that reaches 2ndLt is he/she is eligible for 2 stripes (E3) after boot camp if he/she joins the Air Force, Army, or Coast Guard. Talk to the Commander more about this because opportunities change.

All members, cadets and adult officers learn from being a member. But let's talk about cadets. Leadership & followership, discipline, respect, volunteerism, teamwork ...

Plus the many jobs such as communications (radio operators), all the Search & Rescue positions, etc. One great benefit is providing a program that builds a young cadet into a fine adult. Being a cadet in CAP builds esprit de corps. We save lives and run actual missions tasked by the USAF and others such as FEMA.

Candidates, 18 and over can join after an interview, finger printed, their application sent to Maxwell AFB and their finger print checked by the FBI. After that, they have to take a short (but very important) Cadet Protection Class, and agree to OPSEC (Operational Security). OPSEC is required for cadets also. There's more, so just come by and talk to us. We are friendly.

Exposed tattoos must not be excessive. Excessive is defined as any tattoo/brands that exceed 1/4 of the exposed body part and those above the collarbone and readily visible when wearing an open collar USAF style uniform. See CAPM 39-1 CHAPTER 2 – USAF-STYLE UNIFORMS Table 2-5

Note: Tattoos can be detrimental to future career options.

Short answer: No, with the exception of womens earrings, see limitations of these below. Hint: Otherwise must at least remove while in uniform.

Long Answer:

Yes, with the exception of conservative earrings for women, members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through the uniform).

CAPM 39-1 CAP Uniform Manual:

Table 2-5. Clothing/Accessory Standards
Item 6 Earrings. Men do not wear. Women may wear small spherical, conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver pierced or clip earrings. Fit tightly without extending below ear lobe except for connecting band on clip earrings. Only one earring per ear lobe.

Item 8 Body Piercing. Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through the uniform) when in uniform. EXCEPTION: Women are authorized to wear one small spherical, conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver pierced, or clip earring per ear lobe and the earring worn in each ear lobe must match. Earring should fit tightly without extending below the ear lobe.
(EXCEPTION: Connecting band on clip earrings.) Civilian Attire: (1) Official duty: Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing) when representing CAP in civilian attire. EXCEPTION: Women are authorized to wear one earring per ear lobe and the earring worn in each ear lobe must match. The type and style of earrings worn by women on a military installation should be conservative and kept within sensible limits. (2) Off duty on a military installation when there with CAP activities: Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing). EXCEPTION: Piercing of ear lobes by women is allowed, but should not be extreme or excessive. The type and style of earrings worn by women on a military installation should be conservative and kept within sensible limits.

Also see Air Force guidance on body piercing in Attachment 3, Item 7 (below) of AFI 36-2903 DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL

Item 7 Body Piercing
In Uniform: Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through the uniform). EXCEPTION: Women are authorized to wear one small spherical, conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver pierced, or clip earring per earlobe and the earring worn in each earlobe must match. Earring should fit tightly without extending below the earlobe. (EXCEPTION: Connecting band on clip earrings.) Civilian Attire: (1) Official duty: Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing). EXCEPTION: Women are authorized to wear one small spherical, conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver pierced, or clip earring per earlobe and the earring worn in each earlobe must match. Earring should fit tightly without extending below the earlobe. (EXCEPTION: Connecting band on clip earrings) (See notes 3 and 5). (2) Off duty on a military installation: Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing). EXCEPTION: Piercing of earlobes by women is allowed, but should not be extreme or excessive. The type and style of earrings worn by women on a military installation should be conservative and kept within sensible limits

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