New Seniors
Welcome to Seattle Composite Squadron and thank you for volunteering to serve your community, state, and nation!
Background
Confused about how to get started, all the acronyms, initial training, uniforms, regulations?
Start here:
Seattle Composite Squadron CAP New Member Intro [PDF]
This document is geared to new senior members interested in emergency services operations training, primarily aircrew. It contains information and links on:
- Overview of CAP missions
- Senior member grades
- Uniform quick reference
- Applying for membership
- Initial required training
- How to become a CAP pilot
- Emergency Services (ES) training
- ES positions available and required training paths - aircrew, ground team, mission base
- Incident Command System quick reference
Get Started
Your initial goal is to complete Level 1, after which you will be a full-fledged Senior Member and may participate in all CAP activities. Ask someone in the squadron for help with any of these tasks.
- Start investigating your Level 1. You will need an eServices login to complete certain tasks.
- Once your CAP ID number is issued, set up your account on eServices.
- An existing member may need to log in to see if your number has been issued.
- Upload a photo for your CAP ID card and for a later 101 card.
- Get a uniform.
- Complete your Level 1 and speak with someone about getting a duty assignment - a "squadron job".
- Browse the 200-series CAP pamphlets and talk to your mentor or the Professional Development officer for assistance.
- Get your WAWG account set up and access the squadron file store.
Now you are ready to work with your mentor, other members and staff officers to get started with ES training, supporting Cadet Programs or Aerospace Education!
Next Steps
Once you are settled in as a new senior member, start looking into the opportunities in CAP for training and contribution. Speak to members of the squadron, browse the CAP website, scan the WAWG calendar. See the ES Training knowledgebase page for basics on getting started with emergency services.
Get some experience under your belt and work toward earning your first promotion to 2nd Lt. Around that point, keep your eyes open for a Squadron Leadership School (SLS) class being held, one of the requirements for Level 2. This is also a great time to earn the Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement.
Quick Guide to CAP Manuals and Regulations
CAP has a lot of regulations, pamphlets, and other publications. Some are relevant primarily to officers with certain duty assignments. Others contain general information about which all members should be knowledgeable.
Here are the basic ones to be aware of.
| CAPR 30-1 Organization of Civil Air Patrol |
This regulation provides an overview of CAP's structure, from National to individual units. It also lists most of the duty positions at each echelon of command. This is good background information. |
| CAPR 35-5 CAP Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Appointments and Promotions |
This regulation lists the various qualifications required for promotion through CAP's grade structure. CAP cadets and certain senior members promote through grades matching the U.S. Air Force enlisted ranks. Most CAP senior members promote through grades matching the U.S. Air Force officer ranks. Again, good background information. |
| CAPR 39-1 CAP Uniform Regulation |
This regulation lists the approved uniforms for senior and cadet members for all purposes, from dress to utility. Read carefully to configure your uniform properly! Ask a more experienced member for tips. |
| CAPR 40-1 CAP Senior Member Education & Training Program |
This regulation describes the training and advancement path for senior members. E&T (previously, Professional Development) is one of CAP's core programs for senior members. Each level of advancement requires additional training on increasingly broad aspects of CAP membership and management and allows further promotion and awards. |
These are also important if you participate in certain aspects of Civil Air Patrol missions.
| CAPR 70-1 CAP Flight Management |
This regulation describes the requirements and restrictions for operating CAP aircraft. This is important knowledge if you are or plan to become a CAP pilot. |
| CAPR 60-3 CAP Emergency Services Training and Operational Missions |
This regulation describes the requirements and restrictions for particpating in emergency services operations. This is important knowledge if you are or plan to become involved in CAP's ES mission. |
| CAPR 100-1 Radio Communications Management |
This regulation describes the requirements, limitations and procedures for using radio equipment. This is important knowledge if you are or plan to participate in radio operations. |
| CAPR 100-3 Radiotelephone Operations |
This regulation describes the detailed procedures for using radio equipment. This is important knowledge if you are or plan to participate in radio operations. |
