Join CAP

Ready to join CAP as an active adult or youth member?  Here’s how to get started.  If you need more general information about membership, please visit our homepage and select a membership option from the menu on the left.

If you are interested in an Aerospace Education Membership, please click here.

If you are interested in a National Patron Membership, please click here.

Step 1.  Find a local CAP squadron

All active CAP members join through a local squadron.  You can find squadrons near you by entering your zip code or city and state in the online unit locator found on the home page. The local squadron is the best place to find answers to specific questions about membership (examples: What would I do in CAP?  How often do you have extra activities?  How quickly can I become a CAP Pilot?)

Types of Squadrons

SENIOR
Senior squadrons only have an adult program for senior members 18 years of age and older.  Cadets are not accepted into senior squadrons.

CADET
Cadet squadrons only have a youth program for cadets.  There are senior members in this program, but their purpose is to manage the youth program.  Adults can join if their primary interest is working with the cadets.

COMPOSITE
Composite squadrons have both a senior and a cadet program.  Some squadrons are special school units.  These units have a charter number that starts with an 8, like CA 801, and generally only students who attend the school can participate in that squadron.

GROUP
A Group is an administrative unit and does not usually accept new CAP members. 

Step 2.  Contact the squadron 

Call or email the contact person and confirm the meeting date, time and location.  You can also take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about membership eligibility.   Please keep in mind that the phone number or email posted is often the personal contact information for the CAP member.  All of our members are volunteers and try to respond to membership inquiries as soon as possible, so please give them a few days to respond.  If you encounter a wrong number or incorrect email address or otherwise have difficulty contacting the local unit, please email us through the Contact page for assistance. 

Step 3. Visit a meeting

The best way to learn more about what you can do in CAP is to attend a meeting.  You’ll have a chance to see how meetings are run and what types of activities are available.  You should visit all the squadrons that are convenient to you.  Each squadron has a different leadership, culture and volunteer opportunities.  Find the squadron that best fits your needs.

Step 4. Membership Application Process

The local CAP squadron should provide you with a membership application, fingerprint card (for adults), inform you of the amount of annual dues, and if they require any squadron dues.  
You can also download the membership applications here:  SENIOR            CADET

Annual membership dues vary by state.  You can view the membership dues table here.  Make sure you check the dues before sending in your application.  Incorrect dues amount will delay the processing of your membership.

NOTE:  Applications without the squadrons commander's signature will not be processed. 

Step 5. Mail your completed application, fingerprint card (for adult members) and annual dues (made out to Civil Air Patrol) to:

Civil Air Patrol
Membership Services
105 S. Hansell St Bldg 714
Maxwell AFB, AL  36112