Civil Air Patrol

[Dealey Joe]

In the late 1930s, more than 150,000 volunteers with a love for aviation argued for an organization to put their planes and flying skills to use in defense of their country. As a result, the Civil Air Patrol was born one week prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Thousands of volunteer members answered America's call to national service and sacrifice by accepting and performing critical wartime missions. Assigned to the War Department under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Corps, the contributions of Civil Air Patrol, including logging more than 500,000 flying hours, sinking two enemy submarines, and saving hundreds of crash victims during World War II, are well documented. After the war, a thankful nation understood that Civil Air Patrol could continue providing valuable services to both local and national agencies. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 incorporating Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. On May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing Civil Air Patrol as the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. Three primary mission areas were set forth at that time: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF).[3] CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth. In addition, CAP has recently been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36. While CAP is sponsored by the USAF, it is not an operating reserve component under the Air Force or the federal government. Since CAP is not a reserve component of a uniformed service of the military and its membership is made up of volunteer civilians, CAP members are not subject to the laws governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to 20 years of age, and senior members 18 years of age and up. These two groups each have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of pursuits; the Cadet program contributes to the development of the former group with a structured syllabus and an organization based upon United States Air Force ranks and pay grades, while the older members serve as instructors, supervisors, and operators. All members wear uniforms while performing their duties.Nationwide, CAP is a major operator of single-engine general aviation aircraft, used in the execution of its various missions, including orientation flights for cadets and the provision of significant emergency services capabilities. Because of these extensive flying opportunities, many CAP members become licensed pilots.The hierarchical and military auxiliary organization is headed by the National Headquarters (with authority over the national organization) followed by eight regional commands and 52 wings (each of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico). Each wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that comprise the basic operational unit of the organization.Civil Air Patrol's first cadet program was started during World War II as a way to provide training for future pilots. Since then, the program has flourished, combining Aerospace Education with Leadership and Career training.Today, CAP cadets are those members who join from age 12 through age 18. Cadets who turn 18 may either become a Senior Member or remain a cadet until their 21st birthday at their own discretion. Cadets who join the military must become senior members when they begin active duty. Cadets who join the National Guard or Reserve may remain cadets until they are activated for a purpose other than training.As a Cadet progresses through the cadet program, they earn various achievements by successfully passing both Leadership and Aerospace Education tests. Test questions are derived from reading materials supplied to cadets, but the program is also designed to allow cadets to fill ever increasing leadership roles that are pertinent to their Leadership Studies questions.As cadets advance through the ranks, they also progress through four stages of development. The first phase, The Learning Phase, introduces cadets to the CAP program, and cadets who pass all requirements receive the Wright Brothers award. The second phase, The Leadership Phase, begins placing more responsibility on cadets as leaders of newer cadets. Cadets who complete The Leadership Phase receive their Mitchell Award, and are eligible for advanced promotion upon enlisting in the military. The third phase, The Command Phase, places cadets directly in command of other cadets, allowing cadets to accomplish tasks through their staff members for the first time. Cadets who complete The Command Phase are awarded the Earhart Award. The Executive Phase is the last phase of the cadet program, and focus cadets on the operations of an entire unit. Cadets completing the command phase are awarded the Eaker Award. The highest cadet award is the Spaatz Award and is awarded upon passing an extensive cumulative test.As cadets progress through the program, they are placed in charge of lower ranking cadets. Cadets aren't given full reign over the others, but instead are expected to instruct classes and mentor each other. Senior Members, the adults of the program, also play a large role in mentoring and evaluating cadets. The numerous awards, achievements, and opportunities available to Civil Air Patrol cadets allows them to foster their leadership in an academic and forgiving environment.Civil Air Patrol also has several cadet squadrons located in middle schools. CAP's School Enrichment Program (formerly known as Middle School Initiative) is a ready-to-use program for teachers and other mentors conduct leadership training through Aerospace Education classes.[19] Students are introduced to the principles of flight, model rocketry, and also leadership. CAP's SEP program is similar to a Junior ROTC program.[20] CAP has 47 units located in Middle School classrooms throughout the country.

[capt777737]

I'm in this organization, and am our Squadron Aerospace Education Officer

[Dealey Joe]

can you add any additionL info for some of us who are not familiar with CAP?Also what do you think about the LCAP in the 50's?

[Bob]

Lee Harvey Oswald, David Ferrie, Charles Rogers, Barry Seal, James R. Bath and John Ligget were all in the LCAP (Louisiana Civil Air Patrol). Joe annd I also believe that Porter Bledsoe was a member as well. The LCAP was founded by D.H. Byrd who also just happened to own the Texas School Book Depository on 11/22/1963 and was also close friends with LBJ. Byrd was also a member of the Dallas Petroleum Club, that also had members such as David Atlee Phillips, George DeMohrenshildt and Poppy Bush. Interesting coincidences eh?

[capt777737]

JoeGo to www.gocivilarpatrol.comclick on join, and you'll be hooked up with a squadron near you.Depending on where you are, dues are roughly $55-$60 the first year. You will be given an application and a fingerprint card which you have to be fingerprinted by the sheriff, then it along with your paperwork goes to national, within 30 or so days you should receive your membership but you have to pass the FBI check which is snap course. We do this to keep felons out.You can go any military surplus store to buy the uniforms, but you have to send thru CAP's Vanguard to get the name tags etc to put them on.Sporty's Pilot shop has a Chinook 47 Helicopter for about $70 including shipping with a radio to fly it, which I regularly let the cadets and seniors do, and it does fly 'long as it's charged up.www.sportys.comlook up helicopters and you wil find it.We be glad to have you aboard.LCAP I'll ask BJ about it. Not sure what it is.Dealey Joe wrote:can you add any additional info for some of us who are not familiar with CAP?Also what do you think about the LCAP in the 50's?

[capt777737]

My guess if these guys were alive today, they would be kicked out of CAPI wouldn't think Byrd was involved just cause he owned the Depository, but investigation would have found out either wayBob wrote:Lee Harvey Oswald, David Ferrie, Charles Rogers, Barry Seal, James R. Bath and John Ligget were all in the LCAP (Louisiana Civil Air Patrol). Joe annd I also believe that Porter Bledsoe was a member as well. The LCAP was founded by D.H. Byrd who also just happened to own the Texas School Book Depository on 11/22/1963 and was also close friends with LBJ. Byrd was also a member of the Dallas Petroleum Club, that also had members such as David Atlee Phillips, George DeMohrenshildt and Poppy Bush. Interesting coincidences eh?

[capt777737]

Actually you can trust this:Civil Air Patrol had nothing to do with the JFK Assassination.Maybe a hand full of members did, but if they had been convicted of the murder,their membership would have been revoked instantly.