Below you will find information describing many of the activities of the Civil Air Patrol program, and the cadet membership application process.

Civil Air Patrol is the official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Under Civil Air Patrol’s charter by Congress, CAP has three distinct missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs. A senior is any member over the age of 18 that is not a cadet. A cadet is a member who is between the age of 12 and 18, and passed the 5^th grade. Cadets have the option to extend their cadet membership from 18 until their 21^st birthday, should they choose to do so.

Emergency Services refers to those CAP community activities involving flying and ground team support. CAP pilots fly about 90% of all search and rescue missions in the United States. They also fly mercy, disaster, state and local government, and CAP-directed missions. CAP owns over 500 aircraft and augments its fleet with over 8,000 member-owned aircraft. Cadets can participate in many positions with Emergency Services. The McMinnville Composite Squadron is very active in the Yamhill County Search and Rescue Team. Three of the Squadron's seniors are also on the County Search and Rescue Council. Three members are also members of the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office Air Posse.

The Aerospace Education mission of CAP is intended to inform our members and the local community about aviation and space developments. CAP training will include aerospace education through aerospace activities and book study, and may also include orientation flights in civilian and military aircraft. In addition to our own internal aerospace education program, CAP furnishes programs and materials to schools for aerospace education. The McMinnville Squadron conducts aerospace workshops at the new Evergreen Aviation Educational Institute (Home of the Spruce goose) for the general public. The squadron also has a Shuttle Simulation Program that has won National Recognition for the program.

The Cadet Program is the third mission of the CAP. It is currently the primary function of the McMinnville Composite Squadron. The Cadet Program is designed to build leadership, character, and citizenship into the young adults in its charge. This program includes local, wing (state), region, national, and international activities. A CAP Cadet will receive guidance, aviation orientation, and supervision from senior members (adults,) but Cadets who have advanced through the program to leadership positions will be principally responsible for running the program, through the CAP chain of command.

Aerospace Education includes projects and activities, book knowledge, and orientation flights. The aerospace book is divided into six chapters. Cadets will learn the material from one chapter for six of the first seven achievements through the program. Cadets must pass a written aerospace test in order to fulfill the AE requirement for each grade.

Leadership Training is accomplished by progressing through 16 achievements of grades in the cadet program. During these 16 grades, cadets will learn leadership skills through the use of drill (marching,) practical experience leading and situational leadership opportunities made available at cadet activities. Eventually cadets will become proficient enough in these skills to teach other cadets. Promotions are earned through passing written leadership and aerospace tests, along with other criteria.

Character Development is a monthly structured discussion relating to issues of morality and ethics of decisions that teenager's face in today’s society. General topics include: volunteerism, drug influence, honesty, integrity, and many others.

Physical Education occurs regularly in the meeting schedule, and also is included in occasional activities. Good physical fitness is required to progress from one phase to another.

Activities are broken up into 4 types: National, Region, Wing, and the Local level. Activities at the local level are further broken down into such areas as: Aerospace Education related, CAP Specific, Field (i.e. Map Compass, leadership, SAR/DR, etc.), and fund raising. Activities may include orientation flights in powered aircraft and CAP gliders, parades, radio communication training, field orienteering & map navigation training, museum visitations and much much more. Activities are open to Cadets who participate actively in all other aspects of the program.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet program can be very satisfying, indeed. However, the amount of satisfaction a cadet receives from membership is determined by how much work they put in to the program. In order to make the most of membership, and to meet squadron goals, cadets are expected to attend weekly meetings, actively participate in squadron duties and activities, and support the missions and directives of the CAP. All of this can be accomplished with a relatively minor time commitment, provided personal commitment and determination are motivators.

To be eligible for membership in Civil Air Patrol, applying cadets must meet the following criteria:

• Must possess the desire and willingness to promote the objectives and purposes of CAP.
• Must be at least 12 years of age or are attending / passed the 6^th grade, and not greater than 18 years old.
• Is a citizen of the United States of America or are an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States of America and its territories and possessions.
• Have never been convicted of a felony and are not presently awaiting trial for a felony.
• Are not now, nor have you been within the last year, dependent on any drug, including alcohol. (This does not include medicine prescribed by a medical doctor, but such use must be reported to the squadron commander.)
• If a former member of CAP, were not terminated for cause.

• To obey the decisions of those in authority and to follow and adhere to the appropriate regulations and the Constitution and By-laws of the CAP Corporation.
• That only corporate officers (the Wing Commander), as defined by the Constitution and By-laws, are authorized to obligate the Corporation. This includes the signing of any contract or commitment of corporate funds or corporate property.
• That the Corporation will not be liable for the loss of, nor damage to, your personal property when utilized for, or on behalf of, CAP.

Cadets must complete the membership process prior to joining the Squadron. The following is, in order, the order of events for joining:

• 3 meetings - A cadet must see and participate in at least 3 meetings prior to applying.
• Parent conference - The applying cadet and their parents must meet with Major Scott Hall(Squadron Commander).

There are two lists that follow. The first is membership fees, the second is purchase items and their approximant cost. Because of paperwork, the following checks need to be submitted in the following values:

Total $62.00 (Checks are due with membership application)

The Squadron does try to issue as much of the uniform parts as we can, so costs could be very little or no cost, however we cannot promise a uniform due to size or other conditions.

 * Items must be purchased prior to completing the first achievement or the Cadet Basic School 

Uniforms

As a member of the Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, you will be entitled to wear a uniform that is very similar to the Air Force uniform. When uniforms are available they will be issued. If none are available the cadet will need to make provisions to acquire the correct uniform for the activity. Resources may be available if needed.

There are two primary uniforms used in Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.

• The first is the blues uniform, often refereed to as the Class B uniform or Basic uniform. It is the US Air Force professional blue uniform with CAP specific insignia. It consists of black highly polished shoes, dark blue pants (males or females) or skirt (females) and a light-blue short sleeve shirt. This uniform is used anytime the cadets are presenting CAP in a public environment. Several components of this uniform are available for issue to the cadet. However, the cadet must acquire items not in supply.

• The other uniform is the utility or BDU uniform. This is by far the most used uniform for cadets just entering CAP. Unfortunately it is also the least likely uniform to be available in supply. Talk to the Supply Officer for more information on locating BDU uniforms.
  

New Recruit Uniform

Until cadets receive their military-style uniform, they can wear the New Recruit Uniform, which consists of a plain white or beige tee shirt or long-sleeve shirt, and blue jeans with tennis shoes or boots. The jeans should be in good condition, with no holes, and must be "traditional fit" (Levi’s 501 or similar style) and may not be baggy. The shirt should have no print or images on either the front or back. A solid-color jacket or sweater may be worn if temperatures so require.