Hawaii Wing

JOIN AS A CADET

CAP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as the civilian auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force. The Cadet Program is one of CAP's three main programs. As a CAP cadet, you will participate in a year-round program where you fly, learn to lead, hike, camp, get in shape, and push yourself to new limits.

The program transforms youth into dynamic citizens and aerospace leaders through a curriculum that focuses on four elements: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character.  

As you participate in these four elements, you advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way. Many of the nation's astronauts, pilots, engineers, and scientists first explored their careers through CAP. The leadership skills, self-confidence, and discipline you gain will prepare you to achieve whatever goals you set for yourself in life.

If you’re between 12 and 18 years of age and dreaming about a career in aviation, space, or the military, CAP’s Cadet Program is for you.

JOIN AS AN ADULT

Though Civil Air Patrol is known for its flying missions, CAP adult members, known as Senior Members, do so much more than just fly. In fact, less than one-fifth of all CAP members are pilots or aircrew members. CAP adult members come from all walks of life including electricians, lawyers, educators, retail workers, clergy, truck drivers, and retirees.   Really just about any career or background can be found in the ranks of the CAP adult membership.  

Adult members help out at the squadron with day-to-day operations like managing the finances or keeping inventory of equipment.   In emergency services and operations, members may help with communications, transportation of goods, taking photos, or helping distribute water and food.  CAP has more than 23,000 youth in its Cadet Program.   Adult members help in all aspects of the cadet program, so it's a great opportunity if you want to be a positive influence in a young person's life.   

There are many opportunities to serve as a volunteer in the Civil Air Patrol.  Reach out to your local unit to find out how you can help. 

JOIN AS AN EDUCATOR

Join us as an Aerospace Education Member of Civil Air Patrol and enjoy many free aerospace and STEM educational opportunities ranging from a variety of K12 curriculum materials and STEM Kits to participating in a teacher orientation flight aboard one of our Cessna aircraft at your local airport. This unique membership category is designed for formal or informal educators involved in promoting aerospace and STEM education in classrooms, homeschools, museums, libraries, or other youth organizations.

JOIN AS A PILOT

Becoming a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilot can be rewarding and fulfilling, as a CAP pilot you are given the opportunity to fly aircraft that are part of the world’s largest fleet of Cessna aircraft.  In CAP’s status as the auxiliary of the US Air Force, the Air Force provides funds for us to procure aircraft to replace our aircraft as they age and to perform maintenance.  The Air Force expects all CAP members to respect the aircraft that we’ve been providing and treat them as your own.  CAP’s fleet of aircraft primarily consists of C-172, C-182, C-206, and GA-8, all of which you could get checked out.

As a pilot, you’ll come into the organization as a VFR pilot but depending on experience you can quickly move from VFR pilot to transportation pilot to mission pilot.  You’ll also have the opportunity to work with and fly. cadets as an orientation pilot if that’s what you enjoy.  Some of these terms may be new to you but the information below will hopefully clear things up. 

Although getting checked out in a CAP aircraft can seem difficult at times, it really isn’t that difficult when you look at what you can do for yourself, your community, and the nation.  To help you through, the unit should provide a mentor to help you through the process.  If you ever have questions don’t hesitate to ask your unit leadership, they’re in the position of leadership because they value CAP’s mission and all its members.

Although getting checked out in a CAP aircraft can seem difficult at times, the following web pages will provide information on CAP’s tracking system, the Web Mission Information Reporting System (WMIRS), and a checklist of things to accomplish as you progress as a CAP pilot.

You can get a copy of the Pilot Onboarding pamphlet, CAPP 70-12 on the publication's website at: Pilot Onboarding Pamphlet

If you haven’t already, the first thing you need to do is find a unit in your local area.  You can find a unit and point of contact by going to the “Join” tab located on the top ribbon of the www.gocivilairpatrol.com website.

Become a Friend and Supporter of Civil Air Patrol…

Every day Civil Air Patrol members are flying missions in support of the Air Force and other government agencies, conducting weekly youth development programs and supporting teachers and schools with aerospace education and STEM curriculum and materials.  Over 66,000 citizens volunteer to do this.

Many citizens want to support the great work of the Civil Air Patrol but simply don’t have the time to make the commitment as a member.  Becoming a Friend of CAP allows you to support CAP’s service to our communities and nation.

Friends of CAP donate $35.00 annually as a tax-deductible gift to support the Civil Air Patrol without any volunteer membership obligations.  These funds are directly used to support CAP’s youth programs and educational outreach. Note if you are interested in becoming a fully active member of a local Civil Air Patrol squadron, please visit our membership site. 

As a Friend, you will receive:

• A welcome letter from CAP’s National Commander
• An electronic subscription to CAP’s Volunteer Magazine
• Periodic email updates and news about CAP’s exceptional programs and missions
• An electronic copy of CAP’s Report to Congress
• Our monthly e-newsletter with curated content especially for our alumni and friends
• Invitations to special Friends events (in-person and virtual)

Consider becoming a Friend of CAP and helping to support its programs in thousands of communities.  Please use the form below to sign up as a Friend.

Cadet Sponsor Member

Cadet Sponsor Member (CSM) is a membership category allowing parents, grandparents, and guardians of current cadets to assist their unit’s cadet program. CSMs may serve as chaperones, help with transportation, and support the Cadet Program at the unit commander’s discretion, but CSMs will not be assigned to senior member staff positions.

A cadet sponsor is a financial supporter who maintains current membership through payment of annual dues (national only) and may:

• Ride in or drive a corporate CAP vehicle after receiving approval and certification;
• Ride (as a passenger only) on CAP air transportation if available;
• Act as a chaperone at activities, meetings, and overnight events to maintain CAP’s two-deep adult supervisor requirements; and
• Wear any of the CAP-only distinctive uniforms if desired (and approved by the unit commander), but not required, when assisting with cadet activities.

Cadet Sponsor Membership Criteria

The following are the requirements to join CAP as a Cadet Sponsor Member:

• Be a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of an active CAP cadet;
• Be at least 18 years of age or be a member of the Armed Forces on active duty at any age;
• Be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (a lawfully admitted non-citizen residing in the U.S. may have this waived by CAP’s National Headquarters); and
• Be accepted by the CAP unit’s membership board that you are joining.

Note: The Unit Membership Board is applicable to cadet sponsors, active seniors, and patron members assigned to local units. The board assists in determining the eligibility of new applicants and consists of 1-3 members. Individuals in other membership categories who wish to transfer into active units must also be accepted by the local board.