For Potential New Members Thinking of Joining CAP:

If you are considering joining Civil Air Patrol, then here are some resources to assist you with learning about CAP and getting in touch with a local squadron:

Squadron meetings and training: Find a squadron near you!

Wing activities: Check out the Wing Calendar!

Prospective Member Questionnaire - DOC

CAP National Website: http://gocivilairpatrol.com

Step-by-Step Guide for New Senior Members Who Have Recently Joined CAP:

The following New Member Guide is designed as a Step-by-Step reference that will assist you with the numerous tasks which you need to complete as a new member of CAP, as well as preparing you to participate in Emergency Services missions. It complements the material in the Great Start material referenced below concerning CAP Professional Development, etc. The things you need to accomplish are listed more or less in the order in which it is recommend you complete them, but you can alter the order of some things if necessary. NOTE: As a caution, these processes do change over time, and if you ever have any questions, your local squadron Personnel Officer or Commander is the best place to get clarification and answers to your questions. *Cadets should check with their squadron's Cadet leadership for guidance.*

1. Sign up for access to CAP eServices

The first thing you will need to do as a New Member of CAP is to get signed up to use CAP eServices, the online service which CAP uses to maintain almost all member information. eServices will allow you to update your email address or phone number so we know how to contact you, keep track of which training classes you have taken, what specialties you are qualified in, and many more items. It is ‘One Stop Shopping’ for managing your information within CAP. (And you won’t get far without it!)

• Sign-on to the National HQ eServices web site, request a password and ID. Just click on the link where it says "First time eServices users click here to activate your account". (If you get a Security Warning in your web browser, allow an Exception to trust this site.)

• If you are having trouble then contact your squadron’s Personnel Officer for assistance.

• Once you receive your temporary password, Sign On to eServices and set a new password.

• Update your personal and contact information in Review/Edit My Member Info (Be especially sure that you include an email address which you check regularly!)

• Upload your picture (review the submissions guidelines first) to eServices. This photo will be used for your ID card and CAPF101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card. Once you have uploaded the photo email your squadron’s Personnel Officer or Commander team to let them know, they will then go into eServices and validate it.

2. Level 1 – Foundations, Cadet Protection, EO, Intro to Safety and OpSec

Level I of the CAP Professional Development Program consists of several courses and training modules. An overview of these is available online here:

www.gocivilairpatrol.com/cap_university/level_i_foundations.cfm

a. The Level I Orientation/Foundations course provides the new member with general information about CAP: our history, our organization, and our Service to our Communities. The material is presented online or through video, and is followed by discussion and quizzing with a staff member of your local squadron. This course is available online here: www.gocivilairpatrol.com/cap_university/level_i_foundations_course.cfm

b. The Cadet Protection Program training (CPPT) is similar in format and is required for the transition to active membership in the CAP unit. This training must be completed before a member may work with cadets AND before you may participate in any emergency services training, wear the AF-style uniform, request a promotion, etc. This training is available online through eServices, simply look for Cadet Protection in the left side main menu.

c. The Equal Opportunity Briefing educates you on CAP’s commitment to equal opportunity and treatment for all. This briefing is available online here: https://tests.cap.af.mil/EO_Training/Index.cfm

d. Introduction to the CAP Safety Program for New Members is a short but informative online module which introduces new members to the basic concepts of the safety program within CAP. This course is available to take online within eServices. Just look for Online Safety Education in the left side main menu, the Introduction course is listed within.

e. The Operations Security (better known as OPSEC) training educates you on the responsibilities and methods for securing Civil Air Patrol information which may not be suitable for release to outside parties. This training is required before you can participate in many of CAP’s missions. It is available online here: https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec/main.cfm

 

Keep in mind that you cannot do much more than participate in squadron meetings until you complete Level I. You should also look at the Great Start material and review it with your assigned mentor. If you don't have a mentor assigned, ask your squadron’s Personnel Officer to assign you one.

 By completing Level I of the CAP Professional Development program you earn the Membership Ribbon. The first of many you may earn as part of CAP!

3. Get Connected

Visit the Louisiana Wing Website (you're probably already here!) and bookmark it for future reference. The website is one of the primary ways in which the Wing communicates information about upcoming events.

Also be sure that your email address is correct in eServices!

4. Get in Uniform

Get an appropriate CAP Uniform. The regular Senior Member duty uniform for attending unit meetings at most squadrons in Louisiana Wing is the blue CAP golf/polo shirt and gray trousers. Vanguard Civil Air Patrol Store is the source for the golf /polo shirt. To start, get the less expensive blue golf shirt with screened CAP seal as you don't have an aeronautical rating yet to have embroidered on the Polo Shirt.

• 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 full name and aero rating in order comments)

• Medium Gray Trousers (not denim)

• Black shoes/black socks

• Black Belt

5. Customs and Courtesies

Your decision to join Civil Air Patrol (CAP) reflects a dedication and commitment to support 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 should read CAP Pamphlet 151, Respect On Display, to provide you with guidance on uniform types, uniform wear, wearing of awards, saluting, and reporting to a senior officer. This pamphlet will be included in your CAP Binder that you receive from National Headquarters as a new member.

6. Complete the Charles E. ‘Chuck' Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award

Seniors may participate in the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members (AEPSM) and earn the Charles E. ‘Chuck' Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award (pictured below). Click Here for more information at the Yeager award website. The textbook used to study for the Yeager award is available as a free download within eServices, or you can order a hardcover copy from Vanguard. Most squadrons also have a few copies they can loan out.

7. Apply for CAP Driver Permit

In order to operate a CAP corporate vehicle you need to have a CAPF 75 CAP Driver Permit issued to you. This allows you to drive one of the CAP owned vans or 4WD vehicles to transport cadets or on missions. Provide a copy of your driver's license, driving record and LAWG Form 49 to your squadron Transportation Officer.

• Complete Online Request for Own Driving Record (Please note that this link takes you to the LA OMV, which charges ~$17 for a copy of your driving record)
• Complete LA Wing Form 49 - Request for CAP Drivers Permit
• Photocopy of your Driver's License

8. Complete FEMA ICS Courses

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides online courses which cover the fundamental aspects of the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS is the standard Federally-mandated system which all agencies use in the US to coordinate, manage, control, and run all significant incidents, accidents, or emergencies. CAP has adopted the ICS system in order to allow us to interoperate with other agencies as needed.
In order to understand the ICS and be able to operate using it as a guide, you must be trained on the various aspects of ICS. For most persons within CAP, there are four FEMA ICS courses which you will need to take. All of these courses are available online from the FEMA University website at no charge.

• FEMA Test Site
• Take FEMA ICS course IS-100.b
• Take FEMA ICS course IS-200.b
• Take FEMA ICS course IS-700.a
• Take FEMA ICS course IS-800.b

Once you have taken each FEMA ICS course and completed it successfully, enter the accomplishment in your Operations Qualifications in eServices and give a photocopy of the course certificate to your squadron’s Personnel Officer to be placed in your member file.

9. Obtain General Emergency Services (GES) rating

The requirements for obtaining the General Emergency Services Rating (GES) are that you complete CAP Test 116, the FEMA IS-100.b online course and have completed Level I training.

• Download and review CAPR 60-3 "CAP Emergency Services Training and Operational Missions".

• Review National HQ CAP General ES material.

• Take CAP Test 116 General ES Questionnaire Part 1 - (25 Questions) by selecting the course on the pull down menu

• Take FEMA IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System. Enter your completion of this online course using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->Single Person by clicking the check box to the left of IS100 - IS-100, entering the date of the exam and clicking submit at the bottom of the page.  Upload the scanned copy of the IS-100.b using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->101 Card->View/Upload Documents->Emergency Services Tab and select IS100, and email the Personnel Officer for validation.

10. Print your CAPF 101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card

• Print your Emergency Services Card: login to eServices > Utilities > My Operations Qualifications > Emergency Services > 101 Card > Print 101 Card, and bring this with you to all training and missions.

11. Obtain Mission Scanner Emergency Services rating

**The Mission Scanner qualification is required of all CAP aircrew members before they attain any other aircrew qualifications. Requiring this same level of training of all flight crew members helps to ensure that CAP crews are able to work together effectively, efficiently, and most importantly, safely.**

• Description and Overview:

  Scanning is a systematic method of looking for objects such as downed aircraft or missing persons. The primary responsibility of a Mission Scanner (MS) is to maintain constant visual contact with the ground while over the search area. This responsibility makes each scanner a key member of the search aircrew. In addition, the Mission Scanner assists with general flight safety by assisting the Mission Pilot and Mission Observer as needed. Training includes the fundamentals of flight, aviation weather concerns, cockpit and crew resource management, search and rescue methodologies, and visual scanning techniques.

  Prerequisites:

  1. General Emergency Services - GES

  2. Age Requirement - 18 years of age or older - Enter this data on the MS SQTR.

  3. Obtain Commander's Approval for Prerequisites - Enter in MS SQTR and Commander will approve online.

  Familiarization and Preparatory Training:

  1. Download the following training materials:

     1. Mission Scanner Slide Deck - Powerpoint

     2. Mission Scanner Task Guide - PDF

     3. Mission Aircrew Reference Text - Volume I - Mission Scanner - PDF

     4. Mission Scanner SQTR - PDF

  2. Complete all of the tasks as discussed in Training and Qualification Process Guide for an Emergency Services Specialty Rating - PDF

  3. Obtain Commander's Approval for Familiarization and Preparatory Training - Enter in MS SQTR and Commander will approve online.

  Advanced Training:

  1. Tasks that can be completed online:

     1. CAP Aircraft Ground Handling Video - Once signed in to eServices go to CAP Multimedia then Video Courses

     2. FEMA IS-700a Course - Save Completion Certificate and enter completion online in IS-700a SQTR

     3. FAA Courses on "Maneuvering: Approach and Landing" and "Normal Approach and Landing"

     4. CAPT117 ES Continuing Training Exam Part 2

  2. Complete all of the tasks and exercises as discussed in Training and Qualification Process Guide for an Emergency Services Specialty Rating - PDF

• Important Note:  You cannot act as a Scanner Trainee until you have completed all of the Pre-requisites and Familiarization and Preparatory training tasks on the SQTR-MS and the Commander has approved the "Commander approval" tasks for completion of both the "Prerequisite" and the "Familiarization and Preparatory" training sections of the SQTR.

• Enter completed tasks into eServices.  Once you have completed all of the Pre-requisites and the Familiarization and Preparatory tasks in the SQTR-MS you need to enter your completed tasks.  Login to e-Services, click on the following successive links > My Operations Qualifications > Emergency Services > SQTR Entry/Worksheet > Achievement = Mission Scanner.  Enter the trainers CAP ID, date of completion and mission number (if completed as part of an Air Force Mission).  Then print out a new CAPF101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card with your trainee Mission Scanner rating listed on it (it will say *MS on the card).

• Participate as a Trainee in a minimum of two sorties (exercises, actual mission or even on proficiency flights) and record your participation on the SQTR. Request the Mission Pilot or Mission Observer sign you off on those advanced training tasks you demonstrated proficiency in. Once all Advanced training tasks are completed, go back into e-Services and fill them in online using the steps above (add the Mission Number), and notify your ES Officer for validation. Keep a copy of the SQTR for yourself. Once approved by the Squadron and Group ES Officer online, you should then be approved as a qualified Mission Scanner.

• Print out a new CAPF101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card.  This will show your qualified Mission Scanner rating listed on it.  You will need to present this card during SAREX's or Real World Missions. 

• Congratulations!

12. Obtain Urban Direction Finding Team (UDF) Emergency Services rating

• Description and Overview:

  UDF Teams are comprised of two or more people, Electronic Direction Finding (DF) gear and a vehicle. Locating accidentally activated ELT's is by far the most common mission we are called to do. These missions are an excellent training opportunity for the real thing. All aircrew members in Louisiana Wing are expected to cross-train and qualify as a UDF team member since it is not unusual to DF a signal to an airport, land, deploy as a UDF team and then use the portable DF gear to locate it on the ground. The principles airborne and on the ground are very similar.

  Prerequisites:

  1. General Emergency Services - GES

  2. Obtain Commander's Approval for Prerequisites - Enter in UDF SQTR and Commander will approve online.

  Familiarization and Preparatory Training:

  1. Download the following training materials:

     1. Ground Team Slide Decks

     2. Ground Team & UDF Task Guide - PDF

     3. Ground Team Member & Leader Reference Text - PDF

     4. Urban Direction Finding Team SQTR - PDF

  2. Complete all of the tasks as discussed in Training and Qualification Process Guide for an Emergency Services Specialty Rating - PDF

  3. Obtain Commander's Approval for Familiarization and Preparatory Training - Enter in UDF SQTR and Commander will approve online.

  Advanced Training:

  1. Tasks that can be completed online:

     1. Basic Communication User Training (BCUT)

     2. FEMA IS-700a Course - Save Completion Certificate and enter completion online in IS-700a SQTR

     3. CAPT117 ES Continuing Training Exam Part 1

  2. Complete all of the tasks and exercises as discussed in Training and Qualification Process Guide for an Emergency Services Specialty Rating - PDF

• Download and print the UDF Specialty Qualification Training Record (SQTR-MS).  Login to e-Services, click on the following successive links > My Operations Qualifications > Emergency Services > SQTR Entry/Worksheet > Achievement = Urban Direction Finder -> Print SQTR Worksheet.  Bring this with you to all training and missions to obtain task sign-offs. 
  Important Note:  You cannot act as a UDF Trainee until you have completed all of the Pre-requisites and Familiarization and Preparatory training tasks on the SQTR-UDF and the Commander has approved the "Commander approval" tasks for completion of both the "Prerequisite" and the "Familiarization and Preparatory" training sections of the SQTR.

• Enter completed tasks into eServices.  Once you have completed all of the Pre-requisites and the Familiarization and Preparatory tasks in the SQTR-UDF, enter the CAPID, date of completion and mission number (optional) into e-Services.  Login to e-Services, click on the following successive links -> My Operations Qualifications -> Emergency Services -> SQTR Entry/Worksheet -> Achievement = Urban Direction Finder.  Then enter all of the information for each task completed. Then print out a new CAPF101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card with your trainee UDF Team rating listed on it (it will say *UDF on the card).

• Participate in a minimum of two sorties on an exercise and/or actual mission and record your participation on the SQTR. Request the UDF / Ground Team Leader sign you off on those advanced training tasks you demonstrated proficiency in. Once all advanced training tasks are completed, go back into e-Services and fill them in online, notify your ES Officerfor validation. Keep a copy for yourself. Once approved by the Squadron and Group ES Officer online, you should then be approved as a qualified UDF Team Member.

• Print out a new CAPF101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card with your qualified UDF rating listed on it. 

• Congratulations!

• UNIFORM: Louisiana Wing UDF Teams respond to ELT's in the blue golf/polo shirt and gray slacks uniform or in BDUs/BBDUs.

13. Obtain CAP Pilot rating (for pilots)

Contact your Stan/Eval Officer to ask about the requirements to become a CAP Pilot.

14. Pick a job to do - Choose a Staff Position to fill in your Local Squadron

Please review the job descriptions in the Great Start guide as well as the Specialty Track guides. Send your squadron’s Commander a list of three duty assignments you would be interested in.  It's extremely importatn for active squadron members to be assigned to a duty assignment. You will normally start out assisting someone already performing that function, if possible, to mentor you.  Don't worry, you won't be stuck doing that assignment for your entire CAP career -- we like to move people around periodically.

15. Apply for an Airport Ramp badge

Some squadrons meet at locations on airports which require Ramp Access Badges for easy access. Check with your local squadron to see if you must request a Ramp Badge, or if you should request one for easier access to the squadron’s facilities or aircraft.

16. Get promoted

Click Here for more information from CAP Regulation 35-5 or email your squadron's Personnel Officer team for more information.

17. Complete Level II of the Professional Development Program

Click Here for more information from CAP University.

18. Obtain an Advanced Emergency Services rating

• Mission Pilot - Ask your Stan/Eval Officer

• Mission Observer - Ask your ES Officer

• Ground Team Member - Ask your ES Officer

 

LA Wing New Senior Member Guide Everything You Need to Know.PDF

LA Wing New Cadet Membership Guide Everything for New Cadets.PDF

 

CAP Cadet Great Start Pamphlet PDF

CAP Senior Member Fast Start Handbook PDF

 

Links to Online Resources

CAP University - Professional Development Courses (Level 1, CPPT, OPSEC): http://www.capmembers.com/cap_university/
AFIADL: http://www.au.af.mil/au/afiadl/