Civil Air Patrol, the official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, is a benevolent, nonprofit, community based, volunteer organization performing humanitarian services on behalf of the U.S. Air Force. If you're interested in a worthwhile volunteer program for your son, daughter, or yourself Civil Air Patrol may be exactly what you've been looking for! CAP's cadet program has more than 27,000 members, ages 12 to 21, throughout the nation. Parents of cadets credit our program with communicating to their children the importance of personal integrity, accountability, self-discipline and respect for others.

Because CAP includes both cadet and senior members, this can be an outstanding volunteer activity for your whole family. You can work together to serve your local community, learn new skills and share a common commitment to making our nation stronger and more secure. What can your family do in Civil Air Patrol? As CAP cadets, your children will follow an awards-based, multi-level program that includes leadership and technical training, values clarification, physical fitness and aerospace education. CAP offers national cadet encampments with activities in emergency services, engineering, technology, physical fitness, teambuilding and flight training. You can even visit foreign countries through the International Air Cadet Exchange.

As senior members, adults work alongside the cadets, learning new skills for search and rescue missions, disaster relief, communications, mentoring, crisis management, moral leadership and teamwork. You don?t have to be a pilot or have prior military service to participate in CAP. What you need is a desire to make a difference in your community and to your country as a volunteer with knowledge, experience, and the willingness to serve. Today, 60 years since its inception, over 64,000 CAP volunteer members-approximately 27,000 youth and 37,000 adults-continue to put general aviation to its best use through service in the Civil Air Patrol. They are dedicated to saving lives, flying counter-drug missions, participating in homeland security efforts, providing disaster relief, advancing young people, and supporting America's educators.

For more information contact the Recruitment Officer, Major Douglad Barth, CAP, at (301) 518-0046 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . But the best way to find out about the challenges and opportunities of CAP is to visit our squadron. Fort McHenry Squadron meets on Tuesdays, 7-9pm in Rm 106. Visitors are always welcome.

Senior Member Application

Cadet Application