Senior Members
Senior Members
Senior Members (SM) play an important role throughout the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and in our squadron. Therefore, they are responsible for managing the various operational and functional areas within our volunteer organization. The purpose of this page is to serve as an introduction for prospective over-18 adults interested in contributing to the CAP mission, their local community, and special activities in the United States. As a potential member, we are sure there are a few questions you may be asking. This page will help guide you through it. One of the unique aspects of this squadron is our composite nature. We have both a senior member portion as well as a cadet portion. As a senior member, you can concentrate solely on the Senior member side, or you can volunteer to help out the cadets in their leadership, aerospace, or other activities that you also find full filling. In either case, there are things we must first do.
Though Civil Air Patrol is known for its flying missions, CAP adults members, known as Senior Members, do so much more than just fly. In fact less than a fifth of all CAP members are pilots or aircrew members. CAP adult members come from all walks of life. Some are doctors, nurses, paramedics, or other medical professionals. Others are lawyers, paralegals, accountants, computer programmers, and other business professionals and executives. Mechanics, cooks, teachers, police officers, clergy, parents, really just about any career or background can be useful to and found in the ranks of the CAP adult membership. CAP supports a variety of missions that require adults from all walks of life that you may not know about.
In emergency services and operations we not only need aircrew members but also ground team members to aid in the rescue of survivors or to assess damage after a disaster. CAP needs communications personnel to relay critical messages when there is limited or no telephone support. Administrative staff, financial managers, logistics, and supply personnel are needed to document missions and get personnel critical supplies and equipment in the field that they need to conduct missions.
CAP also needs adults to support the cadet program. CAP has over 26,000 cadets across the country that need mentors willing to help guide and support them. The cadet program provides young adults between the ages of 12 and 21 a well-rounded program of leadership, aerospace education, physical fitness, and moral and ethical decision-making. In today’s world, we need good people who are willing to step up and help provide a healthy, drug-free environment to develop tomorrow’s leaders. Many former cadets have gone into the military, government jobs, or private sector employment where they can and do make a difference, and really excel. There are many military general officers that were once CAP cadets. Senators and congressman, CEOs and corporate executives, and others credit their success to CAP and the adult members who mentored them.
CAP needs adults for its aerospace education program. In addition to educating our own members, CAP’s adult leaders provide training and resources to teachers who reach out to students of all ages across the country. Aviation and aerospace impact the lives of Americans every day, and CAP works to ensure that citizens know how valuable aviation and aerospace are in our world.
I want to welcome you to one of the most dynamic Squadrons in Florida State. Your commitment to this community will just make us stronger.
LtCol Tom Ficarra
Deputy Commander for Senior Members
Step 1
As you are not the first senior member potential applicant, there are plenty of questions you may have. To help with this, please go to the FAQ site and read through the questions and answers already prepared. If there is anything not covered here, we will be more than happy to help you out.
Step 2
Congratulations! You made it this far so there must be something that you'd like about CAP. As a potential member, CAP would now like you to attend at least one meeting to get a feel of what we do. There is still no cost or requirement to join. We just want to make sure we are a good fit for you.
Step 3
Sounds like you liked what you saw during your meeting. Our Commander would have laid out our mission statement, what we do with our cadets, and obtained a feel of what you'd like to pursue in CAP. There is a series of enrollment steps required at the national level. Your Squadron sponsor can help you through this.
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Complete the Membership Application and FD 258 Fingerprint Card (available at your squadron).
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Annual membership dues vary by state.
Step 4
As a new member of the Civil Air Patrol, the first thing you should do is meet with your Professional Development Officer (PDO) and Commander to lay out a plan of action for your CAP career. Your next task is to complete the Level 1 Orientation Course. The Orientation Course will help you gain a breadth of knowledge that will serve you well in this journey and throughout your entire career. The PDO will be your mentor as you proceed through the course and is there to provide guidance and advice.
Furthermore, the course focuses on the operational specialty qualifications to participate in Emergency Services missions and, thus, complements the material in the Great Start guide referenced below regarding CAP Professional Development (PD). There is no set order in which these activities need to be completed, but as a professional member of our organization, you are encouraged to progressively acquire skills and knowledge based on the amount of time you dedicate towards self-directed learning.
Step 5
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Visit the CAP National Headquarters e-Services website
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Under "First Time Users?" click the registration link to request a password and ID
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Complete the Operational Security (OPSEC) course
* Note: If you are having trouble or need additional assistance contact our squadron Professional Development Officer (PD)
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Update your personal and contact information in eServices by clicking your name and visiting each section (General Info, Addresses, Contacts, Characteristics) to update your information.
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Upload your ID Card picture (review the submissions guidelines first) and email the Commander requesting him to validate your image.
Step 6
Level I Orientation Professional Development training. During this particular online course you will complete three Level I training blocks:
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What We Value
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Our Culture
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Your Future
Visit CAP University to complete these online training requirements, also be sure to reference CAPR 50-17: CAP Senior Member Professional Development Program. When completed, contact your Professional Development Officer (PDO) for approval and to develop your "Plan of Action".
*Note: Completing the Level I Orientation is a critical component of the Senior Member onboarding process and the first of CAP's five professional development program levels. Throughout the learning experience, you will be exposed to the history of our organization and familiarize yourself with the general policies and procedures. For this reason, there will not be much for you to do until the completion of your training. Thus we recommend that you finish it as soon as possible. Conversely, you should use this time to go over the Great Start material and discuss any questions or concerns with your assigned mentor. If you do not have a mentor assigned, contact the squadron Personnel Officer for a mentor assignment.
The Membership Ribbon will be awarded to you after completing Level I
Customs and Courtesies
Your decision to join CAP reflects dedication and commitment to supporting this charitable, benevolent, nonprofit corporation. As a member of an Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, you are expected to follow the traditions, standards, customs and courtesies agreed to and accepted by the Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol. These apply to all of us and reflect our pride and professionalism as members of the Civil Air Patrol. You will be required to attend a short class to learn about uniform types, uniform wear, wearing of awards, saluting, and reporting to a senior officer. As you progress through the professional development levels you will attend Squadron Leadership School (SLS) for an in-depth exploration of these topics. Review the Customs and Courtesies Pamphlet if you have any questions concerning courtesies: Customs and Courtesies Pamphlet
Selecting a Career Path
Please review the job descriptions in the Great Start guide as well as the Specialty Track guides. Afterward, provide the Professional Development team a list of three duty assignments that interest you. It is mandatory for active 216th Composite Squadron members to serve in an assigned duty position. Normally you will start out assisting another Senior Member performing that function, in most instances, to mentor you as well. Do not worry, most members are not stuck doing the same assignment throughout their CAP career -- People and positions are periodically rotated as new members join and move to other squadrons. Review this page to see the different Specialty Tracks available. You can go directly to the online listing at Specialty Tracks: Choose a Specialty. Finally, send an email to the Information Technology Officer to be added to the 286th Composite Squadron email list. Include your full name, CAPID, email address, and primary phone number.
Our Uniform
The standard Senior Member duty uniform is the Blue CAP Golf/Polo shirt and Gray trousers. Currently, the Vanguard Civil Air Patrol Collection is the sole source supplier for the Golf/Polo shirt. However, some uniform items can be purchased from our local AAFES Military Clothing & Sales store and other online retailers. Homestead Air Force Base is the closest AAFES site to our squadron location.
Initially, we recommend buying the less expensive Blue Polo shirt with screened CAP seal as you do not have an Aeronautical Rating for it to be embroidered.
- Blue Golf Shirt/Polo Shirt (Vanguard) Blue Golf Shirt w/Screened CAP Seal -or- CAP Blue Polo Short with embroidered CAP Seal -or- Personalized CAP Blue Polo Short with embroidered CAP Seal (enter the full name and aeronautical rating in order comments)
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Medium Gray Trousers (not denim) Tactical or Polyester Material is acceptable
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Black Shoes
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Black Socks
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Black Belt
CAP Driver Permit Application
To operate a CAP corporate vehicle, you need to have a CAPF 75 CAP Driver Permit issued. The latter allows you to drive our CAP van, transport cadets, or to conduct official mission business. Complete the following process:
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View this document in eServices for instructions
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Complete the Florida online DMV Driver Record Request or visit your local Driver Service Center
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Apply for your Drivers License in eServices. Upload your Drivers Record, Copy of your Drivers License, check off: Sedan, 7 Passenger, 8 Passenger, 9 Passenger, and Pickup Truck
