Emergency services
When disasters strike or people go missing, CAP helps. Members support search and rescue missions, disaster response, damage assessment, and other efforts to help communities recover.
What is CAP?
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a global volunteer organization where young people and adults develop leadership skills, explore aviation and STEM, serve their communities, assist in emergency services, and make a real difference.
Start hereFind your place in Civil Air Patrol
Ten questions, about two minutes, no account needed.
The basics
A volunteer organization that saves lives and shapes futures
Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization and the official civilian auxiliary of the Department of the U.S. Air Force with tens of thousands of members across the globe.
Members serve their local communities through emergency services, develping leadership skills, mentoring others, and promoting aviation and STEM education.
Volunteers come from every background and level of experience. Some bring decades of professional expertise, while others join as cadets at age 12. No prior aviation experience or military service is required, only a willingness to learn, serve, and grow.
- Who can join
- Cadets at ages 12 through 18. Adults at 18 and older, with no upper age limit.
- Where it happens
- At local squadrons in communities around the world.
- How often
- Squadrons meet on a regular schedule, usually one weeknight a week, plus optional activities.
- What it costs
- Annual membership dues vary by location and membership type. Financial assistance may be available.
What members do
Three ways members make a difference
Cadet programs
CAP helps young people ages 12-18 build leadership skills, confidence, and character through hands-on experiences, mentorship, aerospace education, and service.
Aerospace education
CAP inspires the next generation through aviation, space, and STEM education, both in local communities and in classrooms across the country.
Local Impact
It happens at your local squadron
Over 1,100 of them. Find the one closest to your home, school, or workplace.
What it looks like for you
Start where you are
If you are 12+ and not yet 19
You join as a cadet
Cadets learn by doing. They build leadership skills, gain confidence, and take on challenges that push them to grow. Along the way, they make friends, serve their communities, and discover what they’re capable of.
From learning leadership, experienceing aviation, and exploring STEM, cadets choose opportunities that match their interests and goals.
If you are an adult
You join as a senior member
Adult members serve their communities, mentor young people, and contribute skills in many meaningful ways. Many support emergency services, lead, fly, manage technology, or help keep local units sharp.
Most members are looking for a new challenge, a way to give back, or a place to belong. No aviation or military background is required.
Common misconceptions
Wide-ranging membership
You have to be in the military
CAP is a civilian volunteer organization, and most members have never served.
You have to be a pilot
Most members are not pilots, and no aviation experience is required.
There is only one type of member
CAP members come from every background, profession, and stage of life.
It is a huge time commitment.
It starts with one evening a week. Members do more when they want to and less when life gets busy.
Now that you know
Where would you like to go next?
There is no wrong order. Most people either look up the squadron closest to them or spend two minutes on the quiz first to see which parts of CAP fit them.
Find your place in CAP
Ten questions, about two minutes. You get the parts of CAP that match what you actually want to do.
Take the Fit Finder QuizSee how joining works
Five steps, starting with three squadron visits that cost nothing and commit you to nothing.
How to JoinVisit a squadron
Squadrons are the whole experience. Find the one closest to your home, school, or workplace.
Find a Squadron Near YouWould you rather we email you the details? Get more information