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Help for New Senior Members

Senior Members (SM) play an important role throughout the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and in our squadron. Therefore, they are responsible for managing the various operational and functional areas within our volunteer organization. The purpose of this guide is to serve as an introduction for prospective adults interested in contributing to the CAP mission, their local community, and special activities in the United States. 

As a new member in the Civil Air Patrol, the first thing you should do is meet with your Professional Development Officer (PDO) and Commander to lay out a plan of action for your CAP career. Your next task is to complete the Level 1 Orientation Course. The Orientation Course will help you gain a breadth of knowledge that will serve you well in this journey and through your entire career. The PDO will be your mentor as you proceed through the course and is there to provide guidance and advise.

Furthermore, the course focuses on the operational specialty qualifications to participate in Emergency Services missions and, thus, complements the material in the Great Start guide referenced below regarding CAP Professional Development (PD). There is no set order in which these activities need to be completed, but as a professional member of our organization, you are encouraged to progressively acquire skills and knowledge based on the amount of time you dedicate towards self-directed learning.

Step 1

  • Visit the CAP National Headquarters e-Services website
  • Under "First Time Users?" click the registration link to request a password and ID
  • Complete the Operational Security (OpSec) course

* Note: If you are having trouble or need additional assistance contact our squadron Professional Development Officer or Squadron Commander

  • Update your personal and contact information in eServices by clicking your name and visiting each section (General Info, Addresses, Contacts, Characteristics) to update your information.

Step 2

Level I Orientation Professional Development training. During this particular online course you will complete three Level I training blocks:

  • What We Value
  • Our Culture
  • Your Future

Visit CAP University to complete these online training requirements, also be sure to reference CAPR 50-17: CAP Senior Member Professional Development Program. When completed, contact your Professional Development Officer (PDO) for approval and to develop your "Plan of Action". 

*Note: Completing the Level I Orientation is a critical component of the Senior Member onboarding process and the first of CAP's five professional development program levels. Throughout the learning experience, you will be exposed to the history of our organization and familiarize yourself with the general policies and procedures. For this reason, there will not be much for you to do until the completion of your training. Thus we recommend that you finish it as soon as possible. Conversely, you should use this time to go over the Great Start material and discuss any questions or concerns with your assigned mentor. If you do not have a mentor assigned, contact the squadron PDO or Commander for mentor assignment.

The Membership Ribbon will be awarded to you after completing Level I

Customs and Courtesies

Your decision to join CAP reflects dedication and commitment to supporting this charitable, benevolent, nonprofit corporation. As a member of an Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, you are expected to follow the traditions, standards, customs and courtesies agreed to and accepted by the Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol. These apply to all of us and reflect our pride and professionalism as members of the Civil Air Patrol.  You will be required to attend a short class to learn about uniform types, uniform wear, wearing of awards, saluting, and reporting to a senior officer. As you progress through the professional development levels you will attend Squadron Leadership School (SLS) for an in-depth exploration of these topics. Review the Customs and Courtesies Pamphlet if you have any questions concerning courtesies: Customs and Courtesies Pamphlet

Selecting a Career Path

Please review the job descriptions in the Great Start guide as well as the Speciality Track guides. Afterward, provide the Professional Development team a list of three duty assignments that interest you. It is mandatory for active 216th Composite Squadron members to serve in an assigned duty position. Normally you will start out assisting another Senior Member performing that function, in most instances, to mentor you as well. Do not worry, most members are not stuck doing the same assignment throughout their CAP career -- People and positions are periodically rotated as new members join and move to other squadrons. Review this page to see the different Specialty Tracks available. You can go directly to the online listing at Specialty Tracks: Choose a Specialty. Finally, send an email to the Squadron Commander to be added to the 123rd Composite Squadron email list. Include your full name, CAPID, email address and primary phone number.

Our Uniform

The standard Senior Member duty uniform is the Blue CAP Golf/Polo shirt and Gray trousers. Currently, the Vanguard Civil Air Patrol Collection is the sole source supplier for the Golf/Polo shirt. However, some uniform items can be purchased from our local AAFES Military Clothing & Sales store and other online retailers. Initially, we recommend buying the less expensive Blue Polo shirt with screened CAP seal as you do not have an Aeronautical Rating for it to be embroidered.

  • Blue Golf Shirt/Polo Shirt (Vanguard) Blue Golf Shirt w/Screened CAP Seal -or- CAP Blue Polo Short with embroidered CAP Seal -or- Personalized CAP Blue Polo Short with embroidered CAP Seal (enter the full name and aeronautical rating in order comments)
  • Medium Gray Trousers (not denim) Tactical or Polyester Material is acceptable
  • Black Shoes
  • Black Socks
  • Black Belt

CAP Driver Permit Application

To operate a CAP corporate vehicle, you need to have a CAPF 75 CAP Driver Permit issued. The latter allows you to drive our CAP van, transport cadets or to conduct official mission business. Complete the following process:

Senior Member Progression Chart*

References

CAPR 35-5, CAP Officer & Non-Commissioned Officer Appointments & Promotions, 1 January 2014

CAPR 35-5, CAP Officer & Non-Commissioned Officer Appointments & Promotions, 14 August 2014

CAPR 50-17, CAP Senior Member Professional Development Program, 19 August 2013

*Notes:

*Does not include NCO, Flight Officer, or Professional Appointments

1 “…or approved Professional Military Education (PME) equivalent” listed in CAPR 50-17, Attachment 2

2 Approved Courses & Activities are listed in CAPR 50-17, Attachment 3

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