Is The Civil Air Patrol still worth it?

[04Hopeful]

Pookie2,

I think now might be a great time to join depending on where you live in the US, apparantely CAP is going back to its roots and is getting heavily involved in Homeland security. It has proposed several reports to the USAF on how to do this and has just received from Congress 7 mils to buy new night vision cameras, according to my latest issue of Aviation Week. Its worth making a visit to your local squadron and see what you think. I wouldn't really take anyone's experience as a guideline, since squadron are so different, some are great and yes some are nothing more then babysitters. It'll cost you one evening to find out. Good luck!

 

[Pookie2]

04Hopeful,

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear CAP is getting more involved in Homeland Security. That's really good news. I live in NJ so there's definitely a lot going on around here to keep us busy. I contacted a squadron near where I live and am going to a meeting next week. Wish me luck!

 

[04Hopeful]

Pookie2,

Best of luck! and also if you are a pilot it is a great way to get some cheap seat time.

 

[Pookie2]

Unfortunately, I'm not a pilot. I wish I could afford lessons! I hear CAP will let senior members learn to fly gliders, but will not pay for a PPL.

 

[NozeMan]

Jreb,

To answer your original question about whether or not CAP helps you with NROTC. I can tell you from my experience that there is a "bubble" for CAP on the NROTC Scholarship application. I'm not sure what it's worth as far as the scholarship goes, but its right next to the Boy Scouts "bubble". I wouldn't think that CAP could be harmful as far as getting into NROTC. There is a guy in my unit that was former CAP and he got his scholarship out of high school.

Back to your pilots license Q. You dont need a PPL for anything in NROTC, not even to qualify for flight school. The Navy bases getting into flight school on your GPA, Military Aptitude, and ASTB score. ea6bflyr would a be a good resource if you wan to learn more about getting into flight school out of NROTC (since he's an instructor). Hope that helps your decision!

Nozeman

Let's not compare the CAP to Boy Scouts, where I came from the Boy Scouts did some pretty great stuff for our town/community. I'd rather be an Eagle Scout than whatever in the CAP!

 

[NeoCortex]

quick question, yes I'm going back and rethinking CAP. I am getting my PPL and am looking into CAP. Can someone tell me what is involoved in joining, and what has to be done.

Ben

 

[nk2985]

If you go to a squadron they will have all the forms and information necessary to join.


To tell you about my experiences in the CAP, I have been a cadet for over 7 years. I have been on the Cadet Advisory Council, First Sergeant, Cadet Commander, etc. You get out of Civil Air Patrol what you put into it. Not trying to sound arrogant but I was able to set up interesting classes for cadets, hands-on learning, field trips, and made the meetings more interesting in general. I know each squadron varies but if you want to gain leadership abilities and make things better, then you can. Anyone can quit because they dont like something.

I have learned so much in CAP that helps me in NROTC it is unbelievable. I know that being in CAP helped me gain favorable status in NROTC. For example, I was able to be a squad leader at 4/C drill and that looked good on my evaluations. Any questions just send me mail.