Unit Leadership
Adult members help lead and operate local squadrons, serving in command, staff, administrative, training, and support roles.
Become an Adult Volunteer
Join Civil Air Patrol
Become an Adult Volunteer
Civil Air Patrol adult volunteers support local units, mentor cadets, serve in emergency services, and help accomplish missions that benefit communities across America.
Serve Your Community. Use Your Skills. Make an Impact.
Adult volunteers support Civil Air Patrol programs and missions while contributing to the operation of individual units. Members may serve in leadership positions, technical specialties, mission support roles, or cadet program mentorship.
Whatever your background or experience, there is a role for you in Civil Air Patrol.
Some adult volunteers become squadron commanders, while others focus on specific duty areas such as communications, emergency services, finance, logistics, marketing, personnel, transportation, and more.
Volunteer Opportunities
Many Ways to Serve
Cadet Mentorship
Many adult volunteers support the cadet program by guiding young leaders, serving as positive role models, and helping cadets grow in confidence and responsibility.
Mission Support
CAP needs members with skills in communications, logistics, transportation, public affairs, finance, IT, education, safety, and more.
Real-World Missions
Emergency Services & Humanitarian Support
Civil Air Patrol conducts a variety of emergency services and humanitarian missions, including search and rescue, disaster relief, ground and airborne photography, HF/VHF communications support, remote aircraft escort and training, and aerial support for special events.
Members must complete required training and become qualified before participating in or providing operations support for missions.
Specialized Service
Aviation & sUAS Opportunities
Pilots & Aircrew
Members interested in aviation may serve as pilots, observers, scanners, or airborne photographers. Depending on experience and training, pilots may progress from VFR pilot to transport pilot, orientation pilot, and mission pilot.
Cadet Orientation Flights
Orientation pilots help introduce cadets to aviation through structured flight experiences that support the aerospace education component of the cadet program.
Mission Pilots
Mission pilots may fly search and rescue missions, participate in disaster relief efforts, and support other missions tasked to Civil Air Patrol.
sUAS Program
CAP also uses small Unmanned Aerial Systems and needs remote pilots with FAA Part 107 certification. Training may be available for members working toward certification.
Professional Backgrounds Welcome
Your Experience Can Serve a Mission
CAP needs educators, lawyers, IT professionals, chaplains, drivers, administrators, aviation professionals, communicators, photographers, logistics specialists, and volunteers willing to learn new skills.
Leadership
Aviation
Emergency Services
Cadet Mentorship
How to Join
Four Steps to Adult Membership
1. Find a Squadron
Find a local CAP squadron. There may be more than one unit near you.
2. Visit a Meeting
Contact the squadron and arrange to visit a meeting. You may visit more than one squadron if you wish.
3. Complete Local Review
After the squadron commander and membership review board approve your membership, complete the membership application and FD 258 fingerprint card.
4. Submit Materials
Submit your application, fingerprint card, and dues as directed by your squadron.
Adult Membership Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
- Be accepted by the membership board of the CAP unit you are joining.
- If former military, have been discharged under honorable conditions.
- Complete an FBI criminal background check.
- Have no felony convictions.
Parents of Cadets
Parents of cadets often choose to serve as adult volunteers, especially in support of the cadet program. Many later expand into other areas of responsibility within their squadrons based on their interests, skills, and training.
CAP Alumni
Nearly 1 million members have served in Civil Air Patrol since its founding in 1941. CAP alumni may connect with other alumni members by contacting alumni@gocivilairpatrol.org.
Ready to Volunteer?
Visit a local squadron, meet the members, ask questions, and learn how your skills can support Civil Air Patrol’s missions.
