Escondido Cadet Squadron 714
Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary

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Prospective Cadet Membership

Cadets within the Civil Air Patrol wear Air Force-style uniforms and earn rank through written tests, verbal review boards, and physical fitness tests. There is a wealth of opportunities available to Cadets in the Civil Air Patrol including flight schools, intense leadership training and Air Force career orientation programs. To initiate the process for Cadet membership, print out and complete an Application for Cadet Membership (CAP Form 15) here and return to the unit commander or cadet commander during a weekly meeting (a link to the "Contact Us" page can be found in the second paragraph of this page). Upon turning in your application, further guidance will be given by squadron staff members.

All Cadets will complete our 5-week Cadet Basic Training (CBT) program.  This program takes place during regular squadron meetings and covers all of the fundamental knowledge which is needed to be successful as a Cadet in the Civil Air Patrol.  When a Cadet joins our squadron, they will attend meetings in an "observer" status,  learning "on the job" until the next CBT cycle begins.  We hold four CBT cycles a year, each beginning in January, April, July, and October.  Upon graduation from the CBT program, they will have earned their first achievement ribbon and the rank of Cadet Airman.
 
Prospective Senior Membership

For prospective members aged 18 and older, there are a few different options available through which you can pursue Civil Air Patrol membership. Each of these will be explained further below in order to help you determine which path is right for you. As already stated on the previous page, prior military service or aviation experience is not required to become a member of our organization.

Senior Member / Officer - Civil Air Patrol officers (commonly known as "senior members") wear uniforms and can participate in a variety of activities under all three of CAP's main missions (aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet programs).  You can further go on to earn specialty ratings in areas ranging everywhere from communications to logistics and moral leadership to information technology.  As a senior member in the Civil Air Patrol, you are eligible to earn rank within the organization and hold various leadership positions at all echelons (local, state, national, etc.).
 
Cadet Sponsor Member - Cadet Sponsor Members are parents who wish to participate in activities and help out their child's squadron, but do not wish to wear a uniform. In addition to Cadet Sponsor Members not wearing uniforms, they are not eligible to earn rank within the program or hold any leadership positions. Most Cadet Sponsor Members join the Civil Air Patrol in this capacity because they do not have the time to participate as often as senior member officers do, but can occasionally help their squadron out with carpooling or as a chaperone.
 
Patron Member - Patron Members are those who cannot or do not wish to participate in any Civil Air Patrol activities, but still wish to help the organization out by contributing a monetary donation.  Patron Members do not wear uniforms, hold rank, or leadership positions within the organization.  Patron Members do, however, receive the Civil Air Patrol Volunteer magazine publication, and have access to the same discounts and benefits offered to other Civil Air Patrol members.  Patron Members often attend national and wing conferences and may visit the local unit for social events. Many members support CAP as Patrons throughout the years and others move from Patron membership to active membership by transferring to a local unit.

Once you have found out which membership path is right for you, please contact the unit commander via the "Contact Us" page for information on how to get started on the membership process. Please include the type of membership that interests you, so our staff can gather the necessary membership application.  Due to Patron membership not requiring a paper application, this membership can be pursued online directly through Civil Air Patrol's secure member services website.  Click here to access the online Patron Membership application.