Membership Categories

Adult Members

• At least 18 years old

• US citizen or legal resident

• Basic FBI background check – no felony convictions

Adult members wear one of several options of Air Force-style or CAP-style uniforms, and hold a squadron-level staff position. They participate actively in a structured leadership and specialty training, and a wide range of activities.

Cadet Members

• 12-18 years old

• US citizen or legal resident

• Satisfactory student

• Good moral character

Cadets wear Air Force-style uniforms, and are required to participate actively in the full range of structured training and activities in the Cadet Program. Cadets must join before their 19th birthday, and may remain a cadet until their 21st birthday.

Cadet Sponsor Members

•  At least 18 years old

• US citizen or legal resident

• Basic FBI background check - no felony convictions

• Parent or guardian of a current cadet member

Cadet Sponsors do not wear uniforms (although they may choose to wear distinctive CAP polo shirts to identify themselves), hold staff positions, or participate in the extensive leadership training opportunities beyond the initial required orientation in Level I – Onboarding.

Aerospace Education Members

Educators (at any level) or college students are eligible to join as Aerospace Education Members. For a small initial charge, they receive access to all of CAP’s many free aerospace education resources to use in their classroom. Aerospace Education members do not participate in weekly meetings, wear uniforms or serve in a staff position.

Former Civil Air Patrol members, both adult and cadets, may consider re-joining CAP, join the CAP Alumni Association, or become a Friend of CAP to continue to support us.