|
The Freeper Canteen spotlights Civil Air Patrol
Information found here. Much more at the link. 
The U.S. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was created on 1 December 1941 by Administrative Order 9, with Maj. Gen. John F. Curry as the first CAP national commander. Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking at least two German U-boats during World War II. Today, CAP is no longer called on to destroy submarines, but is instead a benevolent entity dedicated to education and national service. It is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services (including search and rescue), aerospace education for youth and the general public, and cadet programs. In addition, it 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. During World War II, the Civil Air Patrol was seen as a way to use America's civil aviation resources to aid the war effort instead of grounding them (as was the case in Great Britain). The organization eagerly assumed many missions including anti-submarine patrol and warfare, border patrols and courier services. The Civil Air Patrol sighted 173 enemy submarines and sank two. Despite being a volunteer force that was largely untrained in combat and military science, the organization's performance far exceeded expectations. After the end of World War II the Civil Air Patrol became a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The incorporation charter declared that CAP would never again be involved in direct combat activities, but would be of a benevolent nature. CAP still actively performs search and rescue missions within the United States. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Civil Air Patrol aircraft provided the first aerial pictures of the World Trade Center site, and also flew transport missions bringing donated blood to New York City.
Missions
The Civil Air Patrol has three key missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and the Cadet Program.
 Civil Air Patrol members practice searching for an emergency locator transmitter at the National Emergency Services Academy. The member in front is using a device known as an L-Per, which is the primary piece of equipment used to home in on ELTs.
|
Emergency Services
There are several Emergency Services areas that the Civil Air Patrol covers. The principal categories include Search and Rescue missions, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Services, and Air Force Support. Others, such as Homeland Security and Counterdrug Operations, are becoming increasingly important. Search and Rescue Civil Air Patrol is arguably best known for its search activities in conjunction with Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. CAP is involved with approximately 60% of the inland SAR missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Outside of the continental United States, CAP directly supports the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. CAP is credited with saving an average of 100 lives per year.[6] |
Disaster relief CAP is particularly active in disaster relief operations, especially in hurricane-prone areas such as Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. CAP air crews and ground personnel provide transportation for cargo and officials. CAP aircrews often provide aerial imagery to emergency managers in order to help them assess damage. In addition, squadrons and Wings often donate manpower and leadership to local, state and federal disaster relief organizations during times of need. In late 2004, several hurricanes hit the southeastern part of the United States, Florida being the worst damaged. CAP was instrumental in providing help to areas that were hit.[6] Humanitarian service The Civil Air Patrol conducts Humanitarian Service missions, usually in support of the Red Cross. CAP air crews transport time-sensitive medical materials, such as blood and human tissue, when other means of transportation (such as ambulances) are not practical or possible. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, all general aviation was grounded. The first plane to fly over the destroyed World Trade Center was a CAP aircraft transporting blood.[6] Air Force support CAP performs several missions that are not combat-related in support of the United States Air Force. Specifically, this includes damage assessment, transportation of officials, communications support and low-altitude route surveys.[6] Homeland security As a humanitarian service organization, CAP assists federal, state and local agencies in preparing for and responding to homeland security needs. Assistance to other agencies The Red Cross, Salvation Army and other civilian agencies frequently ask Civil Air Patrol to transport vital supplies such as medical technicians, medications and other vital supplies. They often rely on CAP to provide airlift and communications for their disaster relief operations. CAP also assists the United States Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Aerospace Education Program
Civil Air Patrol's Aerospace Education Program serves the CAP cadet and senior member population as well as the general public. Education for members includes formal, graded courses about all aspects of aviation, including flight physics, dynamics, history, application and others. Courses cover the space program as well as new technologies that make advances in aviation and space exploration possible. There are several programs for CAP pilots to improve their flying skills and earn FAA ratings. Through outreach programs, CAP helps school teachers integrate aviation and aerospace into the classroom, providing seminars, course materials and sponsorship of the National Congress on Aerospace Education. CAP members also provide their communities with resources for better management of airports and other aviation-related facilities and promote the benefits of such facilities. Aerospace education for cadets The CAP Cadet Program has a mandatory aerospace education program; in order to progress, a cadet must take courses and tests relating to aviation. Cadets also have educational opportunities through guest speakers, model building and actual flight. Aerospace education for senior members Senior members of the CAP may study aerospace through the Senior Member Professional Development Program. CAP encourages its senior members to learn about aviation and its history, although this is not mandatory. Those who complete the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members may earn the Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager Aerospace Education Award. Aerospace education for non-members The purpose of the External Aerospace Education program, defined in CAP's 1946 congressional charter, is to "encourage and foster civil aviation in local communities". CAP has focused on providing schools and teachers with materials and help for educating youth about aerospace. CAP members visit schools, host field trips, science competitions and fairs, and participate in other related activities. In addition to schools, CAP reaches out to other organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of the USA and 4-H.[7]
Cadet Program
Concept
Civil Air Patrol's cadet program is a traditional military-style cadet program. CAP cadets wear modified versions of Air Force uniforms, hold rank and grade, and practice military customs and courtesies. They are also required to maintain physical fitness standards and are tested on their fitness and their knowledge of leadership and aerospace subjects for each promotion. This program is similar to that of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) primarily because the Air Force JROTC program was 'cloned' from the CAP Cadet Program in the 1960s. However, there are several key differences between the two programs. The current CAP Cadet Program was designed by John V. "Jack" Sorenson who held the position of Civil Air Patrol's Director of Aerospace Education in the 1960s. This program is composed of four phases (Learning, Leadership, Command, and Executive) each of which is divided into several achievements. Achievements generally correspond to grade promotions while phases are tied to levels of responsibility. The Cadet Program operates at a local unit (squadron) level with weekly meetings and weekend activities but also has national and wing-sponsored week-long and multi-week summer activities, of which encampments are an example. One of the strongest features of the CAP Cadet Program is that as Cadets progress, they are given additional responsibility for scheduling, teaching, guiding and commanding the other cadets in their units. They also assist their Senior Staffs in executing the Cadet Program. It is not unusual for a nineteen year-old Cadet officer to command an encampment of hundreds of junior Cadets. This, coupled with the fact that Cadets may also participate in CAP Emergency Services missions, sets CAP's Cadet Program even further apart from other cadet programs. In CAP, cadets are given ample opportunity to lead and to follow. There is actually less interference by senior members than one might think. In CAP, cadets not only hold command positions at squadron and wing activities, they also plan them. Cadets are the ones who fill out the paperwork, command other cadets, and teach at weekly meetings and weekend and summer events. When someone says something about the Cadet Program, they are talking about what the cadets do, not what the senior members tell them to do.[8]
Organization
The Cadet Program is overseen and administered by senior members who generally specialize in the Cadet Program. At the squadron level, the Cadet Commander's chain of command passes through the Deputy Commander for Cadets before reaching the squadron commander. There are 'Director of Cadet Programs' positions at all command levels above squadron. In addition to the Deputy Commander for Cadets, squadrons also have a Leadership Officer, a Senior Member whose job is to see to the military aspects of the Cadet program, such as uniforms, customs and courtesies. Cadets have a grade structure similar to the United States Air Force enlisted and officer ranks (excluding those of general officers). A Cadet starts as a cadet airman basic and then is promoted as he or she completes each achievement. To complete an achievement, a cadet must pass a physical fitness test as well as two written tests, one for leadership and one for aerospace education. The only exceptions to this rule are the promotion to cadet airman and cadet staff sergeant which have no aerospace test. For some achievements, an additional test of drill proficiency is required. The achievements and their corresponding grades are listed in the table; the C/ prior to each grade is read as 'Cadet', so C/AB is read as "Cadet Airman Basic".
Cadet Oath
Cadets ascribe to the following oath during their membership:
| “ |
I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, and that I will attend meetings regularly, participate actively in unit activities, obey my officers, wear my uniform properly, and advance my education and training rapidly to prepare myself to be of service to my community, state, and nation. |
” |
Cadet Honor Code
The Air Force Academy Cadet Honor Code - "I will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God." - is mentioned in Cadet Program materials and some units use it as an additional standard of behavior. However, it is not an official part or requirement of the CAP Cadet Program and even varies from unit to unit. One version of this is "A cadet will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate any among us who do so."
Thank you, Ms.Behavin, for the idea to highlight the Civil Air Patrol!
Please remember, the Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. As such, we ask that you check your politics at the door and come on in!
Thank you, Troops, for all you do for us - you are NOT forgotten! |
