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RecruitingPlease take the time to watch the following video:
Civil Air Patrol CAP was founded in December 1941, one week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, by over 150,000 citizens concerned about the defense of America's coastline. Their efforts were led by Gill Rob Wilson, writer and aviator, and supported by General Henry "Hap" Arnold. In 1943, CAP was assigned to the War Department under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces. Assisting the War Department, CAP pilots flew over one-half million hours, were credited with sinking two enemy submarines, and rescued hundreds of crash survivors during World War ll. On July 1, 1946, President Truman established CAP as a federally charted benevolent civilian corporation. On May 26, 1948 Congress passed Public Law 557, which made CAP the auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP was charged with three missions: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services.
The Three Missions of Cap: Aerospace Education Aerospace Education provides our members and the community with the classroom materials, teacher training and other educational aids which promote the understanding of aviation and space programs. Each year, CAP supports workshops for thousands of educators at colleges and universities across America. Educators are taught how to incorporate aerospace into the education of America's youth. CAP develops, publishes and distributes aerospace teaching materials for classroom grades K through college. Over 10,000 of these teaching tools which include activity books, fact sheets, text books, study and instructor guides, and activity materials are distributed annually, free of charge. Each spring CAP sponsors the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education (NCASE). More than 1,000 teachers attend seminars, assemblies and workshops conducted by national and international aerospace experts, practicing test pilots and astronauts. Yearly, CAP provides aerospace education instruction to more than 19,000 youth members and offers aerospace education opportunities to over 30,000 adults. CAP through its linked Web Page serves as an aerospace resource center for educators. In our squadron, the cadets learn a tremendous amount about aerospace. Our cadets study their aerospace texts, take tests on aerospace every two months and are tutored by senior cadets. CAP provides flight scholarships for those cadets who wish to pursue a pilot's license and those who are majoring in aerospace in college. Each cadet receives five orientation flights with a CAP pilot, where the cadet actually gets to fly the plane! Aerospace education may also help you in your later careers. Our squadron also participates in statewide competitions: Display, Model and Essay. This way cadets get a chance to apply what they have learned. It's a lot of hard work but a lot of fun! The reward is not only in winning a trophy, but competing against your peers. Cadet Programs The Cadet Program develops the potential of youth ages 12-21, through aerospace education, leadership and physical training. More than 20,000 youth from the United States and Puerto Rico participate and progress through a 15-step program with exciting aviation and aerospace activities occurring on a local and national level. CAP adult members help inspire and encourage cadets interested in aviation industry or military careers. Parents and educators credit the cadet program for communicating the importance of integrity, self-discipline and trust in their children's personal and professional success. Ten percent of all students enrolled in the U. S. Air Force Academy are former CAP Cadets. More than 200 former cadets attend West Point and about 150 attend the Naval Academy. Three of the four women accepted as the first to attend the formerly all male Virginia Military Institute are CAP cadets. Cadets who earn the General Bill Mitchell Award are eligible to enlist in the Air Force (or any other branch of the armed services) at a higher pay grade. Our squadron offers a well rounded program. We compete in various Mass. Wing competitions: Aerospace, Safety, and Speech. Our unit has won many awards for our efforts. We emphasize drill, discipline and leadership, but that doesn't mean we have no fun.:) At our meetings, cadets train and learn new skills in drill, aerospace, emergency services and leadership. Our unit activities (outside squadron meetings) are numerous. We participate in Wing SAR (Search and Rescue) Evaluations, ranger schools, encampments, and leadership schools. We visit military instillations and work as staff members at local air shows. You may have seen us working at say, the Westover air show. We also have a unit color guard which performs in local parades. As you can see, our squadron provides youth with excellent extracurricular activities, unavailable anywhere else. Emergency Services CAP is mostly associated with the mission of emergency services. CAP volunteer pilots fly 85% of all inland search and rescue (SAR) missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley AFB, Virginia. More than 90 lives were saved last year through CAP search and rescue efforts. CAP volunteer members provide disaster relief support, including air and ground transportation and aerial reconnaissance, to agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). For example, CAP flew blood to the New York City after the world trade center attacks. Cap's extensive communications network is available to local, state and national disaster relief agencies free of charge. CAP transports time-sensitive medical materials in support of humanitarian organizations. CAP counter drug operations through formal agreements with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Customs Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency .The U.S. Forest Service provides aerial reconnaissance, airborne communications support, and airlift of law enforcement personnel in support of our nation's war on drugs. Here is the most necessary information you will need to learn more about The Civil Air Patrol:
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Web Administrator: Gerald Loughman