I want to introduce you to the Civil Air Patrol, established on December 1, 1941. Today, CAP continues to serve the nation with over 60,000 volunteers performing missions that include search and rescue, disaster relief, counterdrug operations, and youth development. We are the largest private fleet of airplanes in the world which is overseen by the US Air Force.
As stated, we are part of the US Air Force and follow a military style structure to support educating youths in discipline, responsibility, military customs and courtesy. One of our core missions is to teach kids 12 to 18 years old about aerospace, leadership, cybersecurity, and emergency services.
We take kids flying and have flight academies for which they can learn to fly. We have classes in engineering, medical introductions, drones, search and rescue plus many more.
But that’s not all we do.
We help prepare young adults for the future. We do this through volunteers as in youths, adults, prior military service members and even educational teachers to continue Civil Air Patrol’s legacy. Volunteers learn and teach others. A cadet who is qualified in radio may teach other cadets or even adults in proper radio procedures.
Volunteers can become part of an aircrew as an observer, scanner, or photographer for missions. We have so much to offer and so many opportunities for youths and adults to learn.
We need qualified pilots as well. Volunteer pilots for missions and instructor training. To be able to fly missions such as orientation flights for cadets, community support, search and rescue.
We also have an educator’s program. This program is for teachers and homeschool parents. CAP can supply teaching materials to help educate students with STEM Kits.
The Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flies Teachers. The Aerospace Connections Education (ACE) program k-6 has lesson plans for aerospace, physical fitness, and character education, and the Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) program has 6 lessons for the aerospace award program.
We don’t want to forget about our Chaplain and Character Development Instructor program. You can volunteer to teach cadets about our core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Respect and Excellence. You can also provide caring and appropriate crisis response counseling, be there for our members going through challenges and ensuring the religious liberty of every person. During disaster relief, you can provide support to individuals going through disaster.
As you can tell, Civil Air Patrol offers a lot of opportunities for children to learn about different careers and prepare them for their futures. We offer opportunities for adults to learn and help.
If you are interested in our program, go to www.gocivilairpatrolcom and check our program out. You can put your zip code in and find a squadron near you to visit. It will also provide you with squadron meeting days and times, where they meet and person to contact if you have questions.
Lt Col Michael McEntyre
Alabama Wing Recruiter
Civil Air Patrol
michael.mcentyre@alwg.us
