Senior Program

Ranks>>>

Getting Started In Civil Air Patrol

All members who at the time of joining CAP are 18 years of age or older join as a "senior member" in Civil Air Patrol.  Members between the ages of 12 and 17 join as a "cadet member" in CAP.  When a cadet turns 18 they have the choice to convert to senior member at that time, or remain a cadet until their 21st birthday at which time they must convert their membership to senior member.

Members in CAP have two tracks of training.  The first track is either the cadet program or senior program and the second track for both membership categories is operations training.  Operations training encompasses all CAP mission related qualifications.  Examples of these qualifications are mission pilot, mission observer, mission scanner, ground team leader, ground team member, urban direction finding, mission radio operator, etc.  These qualifications can be obtained by any member satisfying the requisite training for that specialty.

The senior program is designed as a means of educating seniors through professional development training in leadership and managerial skills, Civil Air Patrol program understanding and administration, and training in a technical unit specialty.  The purpose of this training is to produce a knowledgeable, skilled, and productive member that contributes to the operation of the squadron thus enabling the unit to conduct its operations’ missions.  Without members trained in the operation of the squadron, the unit is unable to satisfy its operational duty.