Professional Development Program

What are the qualifications for Senior Membership in CAP?

To be members of the Senior Program, applicants must:

What is my Reward?

The CAP is the official Auxiliary of the US Air Force, but it is a volunteer force in every sense of the word. There is no pay for our work. The reward comes in different ways to different people, and is a factor of what you are willing to give to the program. Rank is awarded for completing the steps of the program. Ribbons are awarded for certain activities and accomplishments. Badges and patches can also be earned for certain specialties. Intangible benefits, such as the satisfaction of serving your community and your country, are a large part of the program as well. Also, some portions of the training program can result in college-equivalent hours at the undergraduate or graduate levels, as well as getting world-class training useful in all walks of life.

What can I do in the Senior Program?

As a senior member, you will have the opportunity to function in two or more areas if you like. One Area is called your functional specialty, and the other is called your operational specialty. The functional specialty is an area where you serve an in an administrative role as a member of the squadron. Some of the specialty tracks are:

Operational Specialties are jobs that Senior Members perform during a Mission. A Mission is what happens when the CAP is "called out" to search for a downed aircraft, search for a missing person, or assist with disaster relief.