For Parents
Welcome, Parents!
This page is here for you to get information about Civil Air Patrol and about what your child is doing every Tuesday evening. If you don't see something that you want to see or know about, please use the "Contact Us" page to send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!
What Civil Air Patrol Can Do For Your Child
The cadet program transforms youth between the ages of 12-21, into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders. CAP accomplishes its Congressionally mandated Cadet Program through a curriculum of leadership, aerospace, fitness and character development.
JOINING
Prior to approving the application, we will need to see some type of ID for your cadet such as a US Passport, state ID, birth certificate or social security card. (Cost to join is $47). All part of CAP policy. Visitors to the unit will need to attend three meetings before they can apply for membership.
Below is the online link to fill out an application for future reference. Insert this information in the e-application: Wing – Florida, Unit # - 171
LINK to the ONLINE APPLICATION
UNIFORMS
Cadets will wear the ABU’s (Airman Battle Uniforms). The ABU’s have to be purchased by the cadet. Below are links to the ABU’s on Vanguard, the CAP vendor site. You don’t have to purchase the uniforms on Vanguard. Just as long as the uniform is in regulation. Many choose to purchase it from other places such as a post exchange, eBay, or other online military surplus sites.
Cadets can start wearing their ABU once they have membership with CAP. However, they need to ensure they are following uniform regulations before they attend a meeting
ABU’s
- Ensure you are buying the proper ABU’s. They must be USAF ABU’s. See below. (Purchased by cadets and senior members)
- No Reverse US Flag on ABU’s
- The undershirt has to be tan in color.
- Boots have to be black. (Military type boots)
The dress uniform, known as "Blues", can be ordered after a cadet gets their first promotion. They will need the below items. Vanguard (the uniform distributor) will email a voucher link to you if you elected financial assistance in your cadet's application process. You then have an opportunity to select in “ala carte” style on the website the things you need for the uniform. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get everything listed below with the uniform voucher.
Those who do not indicate a need for assistance will need to purchase their whole uniform on their own.
Note on the dress shoes: You can always look for dress shows somewhere else, they don’t have to be the ones from Vanguard.
- Dress blue shirt for Males or Dress blue shirt for females
- Hat Device (that needs to go on their hat)
- Dress Shoes (Can be purchased on Amazon, just make sure it’s within regulations)
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask any of the senior members.
Cadet Activities
We are involved in several activities throughout the year. Cadets will have an opportunity to attend encampments and bivouacs (camping), orientation rides in a civilian plane, Wing events, and community events. Being involved in our activities is part of their promotional progress. So, they will need to be involved in order to get their next rank. Not only will they have opportunities locally, but national activities will be available to the cadets as well.
Costs may include activity fees, which can range from around one hundred and fifty dollars (wing-level encampments, for instance) to over three hundred dollars for special national activities.
NOTE: The activity fees usually include lodging and meals for the duration of the activity (usually a week or more). Also note that smaller, squadron and group level activities usually cost no more than twenty five to thirty dollars, if anything at all.
All are optional.
Other Opportunities Within Civil Air Patrol
Cadet and senior members can participate in so many more activities than just weekly meetings. Cadets can attend activities throughout the year such as leadership encampments and high adventure activities. Here is a short list of some activities cadets can attend:
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Encampments- CAP holds leadership encampments, which are kind of like basic training for CAP, every summer and winter. These events are held on a military base and consist of a week of intensive training in all things CAP. Cadets must attend an encampment to become a cadet officer.
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National Blue Beret- This is one of CAP's National Cadet Special Activities. During this activity, cadets attend the nation's largest air show and conduct flight line marshalling, participate in flight line security, and conduct emergency services missions. It is two weeks long.
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Pararescue Jumper Orientation Course- This activity lets your child spend a little over a week with Air Force Pararescue Jumpers, being trained in what they do and getting shown what day to day life for an Air Force Pararescue Jumper entails.
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Honor Guard Academy- This is an activity entirely dedicated to drill and ceremonies. Cadets will learn all the ins and outs of a Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard, and upon graduation become a member of the Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard.
Squadron Communication
The Squadron communicates through several platforms. These platforms include email, GroupMe, and Facebook. The platforms are utilized as indicated below.
Email: General communication to the squadron and individual members. Senior members and cadets MUST follow cadet protection policy by ensuring two senior members are ALWAYS included in the email that involves a dialogue between cadets and senior members.
GroupMe: This application is used for general communication, cadet testing and/or drill request, pinning requests, color guard team updates, cadet staff updates and senior member communications.
Facebook: This social media platform is used to share the squadron activities and any other general announcements available to the public.
FAQ’s
How old does my child have to be to join?
You child can join CAP as a cadet if they are at least 12 years old and before they turn 19. Cadets can stay in the program until they turn 21 as long as they have not entered active duty and are enrolled in a school.
How much time will they have to give each week?
To get the most out of the cadet program they should participate regularly. Like any other activity, they’ll get out of CAP only what they put into it. We meet every Tuesday from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. CAP also emphasizes that school comes first. We instill in our cadets that school work comes first. Much of cadet promotion requirements can be done online, so good time management is helpful to your cadet.
How much does it cost for membership?
Annual membership for the State of Florida is $47. Cadets will receive a voucher for their first Air Force style uniform called blues after their first promotion. That purchase will be made through Vanguard, which a link is provided at the end of this document. They will also receive a new member kit with learning materials.
Who leads and supervises the cadets?
CAP takes its responsibility to safeguard youth very seriously. The adult volunteers who interact with cadets (known as CAP senior members) have been fingerprinted and screened by the FBI. All adult members also take a Cadet Protection course as part of their initial training.
How do cadets advance and earn promotions?
Cadets advance at their own pace through self-study and group study. To progress, cadets must (1) participate actively; (2) pass a written leadership test; (3) pass a written aerospace test; (4) pass a physical fitness test; (5) participate in character development forums; and most of all, (6) demonstrate they have the maturity to accept increased responsibility. (In some stages of the Cadet Program, these requirements differ slightly.)
Can I be involved in CAP with my teen?
Absolutely! Some opportunities to share in the CAP experience are:
Cadet Sponsor Member -- Just like any other youth organization, CAP relies on parents to help support the program. Parents do have to undergo the same background screening process and cadet protection training as the other adult members and first year dues are just $30 and renewals are only $20. As a parent sponsor, you'll be able to help chaperone the kids, ride or drive in the CAP vehicles, and otherwise help the other adult volunteer members. You will not be required to wear the Air Force-style uniform. (We encourage parents to be involved)
Senior Member -- If you are more interested in taking a leadership role in the Cadet Program, or want to participate in CAP's aerospace education and emergency services missions, you should join as a senior member. Talk with your child’s squadron commander about joining as a senior member. You will need to submit and complete a membership application, fingerprint card and complete an orientation course. Annual membership dues vary by state.
What do they wear every week at the meetings?
Each meeting varies, but typically the first week of the month the cadets will wear their blues. If they do not have their blues yet they are allowed to wear their Airman Battle Uniforms (ABU’s). After attaining the rank of Airman, cadets will receive a voucher to Vanguard to purchase a portion of their uniform, typically the blues attire. *ABUs are purchased by the cadet, and not provided by CAP.
Can they learn how to fly?
Your son or daughter will have the opportunity to fly in a CAP plane and possibly a military aircraft. Cadets can compete to attend a CAP Flight Academy.
Can I observe my child at the meeting?
Absolutely! We encourage that you come and see what we do. In many of our presentations, we get parent involvements and that is something we want to see.
How do I know what they need for their first rank?
When they get their membership, the cadets will have access to their account called “e-services” where their records are kept and where they access the necessary testing modules. They will be assigned a cadet mentor who can help guide them through the online modules. They can always ask a senior member to check what they need for their next rank.
Helpful Links
