Civil Air Patrol, or CAP, is a non-profit official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and it has three primary missions: Cadet programs, aerospace education, and emergency services.
The Civil Air Patrol was founded in 1941. The cadet program serves youth that are 12-18 years old. Cadets learn about aviation, the military, and develop leadership and teamwork skills in the year-round youth program. After the cadet program, adult members work to carry out emergency services and disaster relief missions throughout the U.S. CAP’s vigilant citizen volunteers search for and find the lost, provide comfort during disasters, and work to keep the homeland safe.
Garret Cutajar, a senior at Highlands High School is currently enrolled in the CAP cadet program. He was asked about what made him want to work in the Civil Air Patrol.
“Well, initially I started off with civil air patrol because it was a nice introduction to semi-militaristic experiences. For example, if we were to compare it with something like the National Guard, the National Guard meets a couple weekends in a month and the Civil Air Patrol meets on a selected day of the week most weeks.”
When asked about his plans with CAP after graduation Cutajar said: “Still figuring that out. I’m probably thinking of going to college, maybe doing ROTC there while I major in other things. But either I go to college and I go to ROTC, or maybe over the summer I go to basic training and I go into the National Guard so that they can pay for my college when I ever decide to go.”
Beyond the Cadet program, CAP offers academic scholarships that are monetary awards used to support CAP cadets pursuing their undergraduate or graduate education. Former CAP cadets fill leadership positions in business, government, non-profit organizations, and the military. Many former cadets will continue their work with CAP by transitioning to CAP senior membership. Former cadets work at all levels of leadership within the Civil Air Patrol.