Thinking about joining the Civil Air Patrol. Current members, what’s it like? What is your CAP days like? How much do you enjoy it?

I honestly enjoyed it. I loved resharpening my skills I had let languish and teaching the cadets things beyond the textbook. The search and rescue part of it is an amazing reward just in itself.

If you're thinking about it, go check out a unit. See if you fit in with that group. If you don't, there's probably another nearby. I'm not a pilot, I'm ground crew.

Its a good program, especially for the youth, for senior members its more of a mixed bag it really depends on the membership of whatever squadron your in. I have seen high speed squadrons with upwards of 50+ cadets with multiple functioning programs and I've seen squadrons with barely a handful of cadets barely functioning it really depends on the area and the quality of senior leadership. There are plenty of members with prior military experience(which usually get left in charge of stuff) and you have members who have no prior service at all. They can range from really good to "I completed my online test and got promoted to captain and now active duty privates should have to salute me". I have met plenty of them and its hilarious when prior service senior members correct them. The cadets are the most important part of the program and I would recommend working within the cadet programs as a senior member from my experience that was the most rewarding experience as an adult member. This is my own personal experience. Take it with as much sodium as required

Former Senior Member 1st Lieutenant of the Civil Air Patrol Air Force Auxiliary . I suggest you join the Air State Guard and leave the Civil Air Patrol alone . The Civil Air Patrol has no benefits it's nothing but a money pit and it's absolutely boring unless you join as a Cadet the Civil Air Patrol is manly focused around the children nowdays.

Well you have the Civil Air Patrol, Coast Guard Auxiliary, State Guard, Civil Defense, Merchant Marines. The State Guard actually classifies as part of the State Military Department while the rest our considered Civillan Auxiliary Components for the Military.

I served in the Civil Air Patrol Air Force Auxiliary as a Senior Member from 2010-2015. We used to joke that CAP stood for COME AND PAY. I would recommend joining the State Guard Air Wing there attached to the Air National Guard and there's no unit fees. The Civil Air Patrol is more focused around teaching the Youth Cadets Aerospace Education in the Composite Squadron. Both organizations are 501 None Profit. The State Guard actually offers you benifits for joining and if you deploy to a Hurricane the Governor pays you $120 that's better than spending a $120 a year on the Civil Air Patrol. I'm currently serving with the State Guard Maritime Regiment.