Active (age 18+)
An active senior member is an adult at least 18 years of age who regularly attends meetings, performs a specific duty assignment, meets training requirements, and participates in the activities of his or her unit. An Active Member may wear the CAP uniform and compete for grade advancement.
Since Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer-led organization, active members are required to hold a duty position in a unit. This is the backbone of the corporation. Members may branch out to lead activities, participate in real-world missions beyond their squadron, and pilot CAP aircraft.
Here’s an inside look at our senior members in action:
Oath of Membership
Agreement with CAP’s Oath of Membership is part of the member application and is re-affirmed when you renew your membership. It means that you are committed to the mission, vision, and values of Civil Air Patrol.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that: I understand membership in the Civil Air Patrol is a privilege, not a right, and that membership is on a year-to-year basis subject to recurring renewal by CAP. I further understand failure to meet membership eligibility criteria will result in automatic termination at any time. I voluntarily subscribe to the objectives and purposes of the Civil Air Patrol and agree to be guided by CAP Core Values, Ethics Policies, Constitution & Bylaws, Regulations and all applicable Federal, State, and Local Laws. I understand only the Civil Air Patrol corporate officers are authorized to obligate funds, equipment, or services. I understand the Civil Air Patrol is not liable for loss or damage to my personal property when operated for or by the Civil Air Patrol. I further understand that safety is critical for the protection of all members and protection of CAP resources. I will at all times follow safe practices and take an active role in safety for myself and others. I agree to abide by the decisions of those in authority of the Civil Air Patrol. I understand I am obligated to notify the Civil Air Patrol if there are any changes pertaining to the eligibility information originally submitted on my membership application and further understand that failure to report such changes may be grounds for membership termination. I fully understand that this Oath of Membership is an integral part of senior membership in the Civil Air Patrol and that my confirmation upon renewal constitutes evidence of that understanding and agreement to comply with all contents of this Oath of Membership.
Active Membership Criteria
The following are requirements to join CAP as an Active Member:
- Be at least 18 years of age or be a member of the Armed Forces on active duty at any age;
- Be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (a lawfully admitted non-citizen residing in the U.S. may have this waived by CAP’s National Headquarters); and
- Be accepted by the CAP unit’s membership board that you are joining.
Note: The Unit Membership Board is applicable to cadet sponsors, active senior, and patron members assigned to local units. The board assists in determining the eligibility of new applicants and consists of 1-3 members. Individuals in other membership categories that wish to transfer into active units must also be accepted by the local board.
Membership may be rejected, unless waived by CAP’s National Headquarters, due to a conviction of a felony by any court of record whether federal, state, or military; a pattern of arrests and/or convictions including, but not limited to, sex offenses, child abuse, DUIs, dishonesty, and violence; discharge from the Armed Forces under other than honorable conditions; falsification of information on the membership application; been previously terminated or non-renewed for cause from membership in CAP; or any other unfavorable information brought to the attention of CAP officials at any level.
Membership is on a year-to-year basis. Members may have their membership terminated for failure to pay any debt to CAP within 60 days of proper notification, which includes payments made resulting in returned checks, assessments for damaged/lost property, denied reimbursable expenses, and failure to provide substantiation for advances paid; failure to respond within 45 days to requests by national headquarters for additional background information; or for cause when conduct, behavior, or effectiveness fail to meet standards, which may be justified by conduct involving moral turpitude, conduct unbecoming a member of CAP, financial irresponsibility, insanity, habitual drunkenness, sexual perversion, or illiteracy, habitual failure to perform duty, making a false statement to or concerning CAP, serious or willful violations of CAP regulations or directives, substandard performance of duty over an extended period of time, failure to obey rules, regulations, and orders of higher authority, insubordination, and any other conduct, action, or incident which violates policy, provided the reason for termination is clearly stated in the letter of notification.
