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Members of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron Honor Guard, based in Vienna, Ohio, present the colors during the opening ceremony of the annual Summer Festival of the Arts held on the Youngstown State University campus here, July 9, 2016. According to the squadron’s website, CAP is the United States Air Force Auxiliary and is tasked with the cadet program, emergency services and aerospace education. Rising from its roots in World War II, CAP is a benevolent, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives, flying counterdrug missions, providing disaster relief, advancing young people and supporting America's educators. For more information about the YARS CAP Squadron, please visit http://oh051.ohwg.cap.gov/ (Courtesy photo/Deana Barko)

Civil Air Patrol

Contact Information

Youngstown Civil Air Patrol website:
https://oh051.cap.gov
Note: This link redirects to an external website.

Commander
Capt. Sean R. Beatty, CAP

Civil Air Patrol website:
www.cap.gov
Note: This link redirects to an external website.

Join Civil Air Patrol

Do you want to prepare for a military career or better yourself as a person while helping out your community and having fun? Civil Air Patrol might be for you! By becoming a member, you are in no way obligated to join and branch of the military. You become a volunteer citizen who cares about their community and helping others while serving in a structured leadership development program that gives you access to amazing opportunities. As a CAP Cadet, you'll do things your peers can only dream about.

If you are interested in joining the Civil Air Patrol, you can visit their membership information page here: https://oh051.cap.gov/join-cap

Note: This link redirects to an external website.

 

Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol or CAP as it is often called, is the United States Air Force Auxiliary. As such, it is tasked with three primary missions: these are the Cadet Program, Emergency Services, and Aerospace Education. Even though CAP is an organization based on a military model and the USAF auxiliary, its members are in no way obligated to join the Armed Forces. The skills, confidence, and leadership developed through membership can be used in all walks of life, not just the military. Rising from its roots in World War II, today CAP is a benevolent, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives, flying counterdrug missions, providing disaster relief, advancing young people, and supporting America's educators.

MEMBERSHIP
Today CAP has nearly 61,000 volunteer members - approximately 26,000 cadets and 35,000 senior members. Cadet membership is open to non-married U.S. citizens between the ages of 12-18 but may remain a Cadet until 21 years old. Senior membership is open to adults age 18 and over, who are US citizens and have no criminal record. Non U.S. citizens may join if they are lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Other non-residents may request a waiver of the citizenship requirement through the wing or region commanders. CAP does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, or disability.

CADET PROGRAMS
Among the many youth oriented programs in America today, CAP's is unique in that it has aviation as a cornerstone. The program allows young people to progress at their own pace through a 16-step program including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness, and moral leadership. Cadets compete for academic scholarships as well as flight scholarships. Those cadets who earn cadet officer status may enter the Air Force as an E3 (Airman First Class) rather than E1 (Airman Basic). The Coast Guard also offers this advanced promotion to E-3 and the other Armed Services accept credit on a case-by-case basis.

Whatever your interests - leadership, survival training, flight training, photography, astronomy - there's a place for you in CAP's cadet program. Each year, cadets have the opportunity to participate in special activities at the local, state, regional, and national level. Many cadets will have the opportunity to solo fly an airplane for the first time through a flight encampment or academy. Others will enjoy traveling abroad through the International Air Cadet Exchange Program (IACE). Still others assist at major air shows throughout the nation.