Air Force Auxiliary (CAP)
Prospective Senior Member
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Air Force Auxiliary's Mission?

back to the top

 The Air Force Auxiliary (USAF Aux), the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), is a noncombatant volunteer organization created by federal law.  It has three missions:

1. Emergency Services  (ES),  i.e.  Search and Rescue (SAR),  Disaster Relief (DR) Counterdrug (CD);  and Homeland Security (HLS),
2. A Cadet Program and,
3. Aerospace Education (AE).

What is the history of the USAF Auxiliary?

back to the top

The USAF Auxiliary has a proud history going back to 1942, when civilian volunteer pilots, among other activities, flew anti-submarine patrols for the Army Air Corps over the Atlantic coast and actually sank two German subs by dropping bombs from their privately owned aircraft.  Since then, the Auxiliary has helped thousands of people in distress and saved countless lives.  It also served our Nation well by educating its members and the public about aerospace issues and by training cadets to be the leaders of tomorrow.  About ten percent of all active Air Force officers, including Gen. Mike Ryan, a previous Air Force Chief of Staff,  are former CAP cadets.  Harking back to the national anxiety during the early days of World War II, CAP remains the only organization outside the Armed Forces whose members, including our teenaged cadets, proudly wear the uniform of the U.S. Air Force.  Because of the attacks against America of 11 September 2001, the Auxiliary again became an active participant in the Homeland Security.

What do emergency services entail?

back to the top

 In its emergency services function, the Auxiliary performs more than 85 percent of the Air Force's Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.  When called upon by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, we search for activated emergency locator transmitters, also called ELTs, or for missing aircraft.  We also support state and local governments with emergency services in missing person searches, natural or manmade disasters, civil defense and other emergencies.  Our missions are conducted by our aircrews or by our grounds teams, and often by combining the two.  We have an extensive radio communications capability in our aircraft, vans, and with hand-held radios for use during emergency services missions, as well as for administrative purposes.

Tell me about the cadet program.

back to the top

The Auxiliary conducts a cadet program to educate young men and women in the ideals of leadership and service through military-style training, discipline, and education.  Similar to Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), our cadet officers and cadet Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)  "run" the cadet program under the supervision of specified senior officers.  Qualified cadets also participate in most actual or training emergency services missions; in fact, they form the bulk of our flight line marshallers and ground teams.

What does aerospace education entail?

back to the top

We conduct a program to encourage the aerospace education of both our members and the general public.  Part of this program for the cadets include ten orientation flights in a Auxiliary powered aircraft or glider, provided by Auxiliary pilots and paid for by the Air Force.  If they desire, cadets may at their expense  continue flight instruction with Auxiliary instructor pilots in Auxiliary aircraft.

What is the structure of the USAF Auxiliary?

back to the top

The unit structure, command and administration of the Air Force Auxiliary follow Air Force patterns.  The basic unit within the Auxiliary is the squadron (which typically has subordinate flights).  There are cadet squadrons (conducting a cadet program only), or composite squadrons (conducting both senior member and cadet programs).

Each squadron reports to a group, and all groups report to wing (each state constitutes a wing).  There are four groups in Minnesota; Viking Squadron belongs to Group III which covers the Twin Cities’ area. Wings report to regions (we are part of the North Central Region), and all regions report to the CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

The national headquarters is commanded by the a CAP major general who is a volunteer, but is supported by full-time Auxiliary and active Air Force personnel.  The commander of the active Air Force contingent at that headquarters reports to the Air Force Homeland Security Directorate.  Headquarters from wing on up have full-time Air Force liaison officers assigned to them; and at the squadron level, we have Air Force Reserve Assistance Program officers, or CAP-RAPs, attached to us.

How does Viking Squadron fit into the USAF Auxiliary structure?

back to the top

Viking Squadron is a composite squadron; in other words, we conduct both a senior member  and a cadet program.  While all officers are encouraged to involve themselves in the cadet program, specific officer positions are directly responsible to the Deputy Commander for Cadets for supervising the cadet program.  Senior members are women and men at least 18 years old, cadets are at least 12 and less than 21 (when cadets turn 18, they have an option to remain cadets until 21, or become a senior member).

What can I do as a senior member?

back to the top

In the senior program, we concentrate on emergency services, homeland security, as well as aerospace education.  After graduating from the Officer Training flight (OT flight), each officer elects several emergency services specialties in which to become qualified, such as ground team leader and member, mission radio operator, mission pilot, mission observer, scanner or flight line supervisor, mission finance officer, to name just a few. In addition, each officer pursues a career path in the fields of administration, emergency services, operations, personnel, finance, public affairs, logistics, etc.

Training is provided by Auxiliary or other instructors who are knowledgeable in the field, by Air Force extension courses, or by other Air Force or community resources.  All Viking officers will be assigned a staff position upon completion of initial training and are expected to perform  in that position. We are not looking for quantity, but for quality.

Can I learn to fly in the USAF Auxiliary?

back to the top

Unlike cadets, senior members cannot obtain a private FAA pilots license through the Auxiliary, but,  after becoming an FAA rated private pilot, they may use the considerably less expensive Auxiliary aircraft for upgrading their FAA licenses beyond private.  If flying is the predominate activity that attracts you to the Air Force Auxiliary, joining a flying club would probably be more appropriate than joining us.

What kind of people join the Auxiliary as senior members?

back to the top

Less than a quarter of our adult members have prior military experience and less than half are pilots.  Many different kinds of occupations are represented in our membership.  

What equipment does Viking Squadron have?

back to the top

We have both a Cessna-172 and a van, furnished by the Air Force.  Pilots pay an hourly fee for using our CAP aircraft for training.  On actual missions, aircraft and ground vehicle costs are borne by the Air Force, or another government agency which has requested our assistance.  With few exceptions (e.g. law enforcement agents), civilians may not fly in our aircraft.  As Air Force Auxiliary, we are covered by the federal employee compensation act (FECA) regarding injuries and the federal tort claims act (FTCA) regarding liability when performing Air Force assigned missions.

Our squadron does not have its own classroom building.  A campaign is underway to raise money to build or purchase a “home” for the squadron at Flying Cloud airport.  We are renting a heated hangar in which we keep our Auxiliary owned Cessna-172 and have other space (including a radio base station and storage of emergency equipment) to function as our Emergency Response Center (ERC).

Why do squadron members wear uniforms?

back to the top

Through more than half a century of service, we have earned the privilege of wearing Air Force uniforms with specific Auxiliary insignia and we adhere to the Air Force rank structure (except that we do not have enlisted ranks for senior members).  Few outsiders can tell us apart from the regular Air Force; wearing the military uniform therefore requires compliance with military customs and courtesies and military weight and grooming standards.  A non-military CAP uniform may also be worn and this does not require compliance with military standards.  All members are highly encouraged to wear Air Force uniforms as an expression of our esprit de corps as members of the Air Force family.  Our cadets are required to do so.  Officers wear a uniform whenever attending any Auxiliary event, and must  wear uniform when flying in an Auxiliary aircraft or when participating in an Auxiliary mission.

How much does membership cost?

back to the top

The total application cost, which includes a one-year membership, is $190, which includes $70 for the national headquarters application and $120 for the Viking Squadron first year membership. The  yearly membership renewal is currently $60 per year to national headquarters and $240 for Viking Squadron. The Viking Squadron portion covers maintenance for our Emergency Response Center (ERC).

The Air Force supplies us with surplus military uniforms and you may draw from the squadron supply the uniform items you need to the extent that they are available.  Uniform items are also available for purchase from the Hock Shop operated by an Auxiliary member, from Vanguard, or from the Military Clothing Sales (MCS) store at the Twin Cities’ Air Force Reserve Base (on the north side of the MSP airport).  Each new officer should attend the uniform class before buying any uniforms or insignia.  Because uniform items you may want or require may not be available at the squadron supply and because you need to purchase personal insignia, name plates, etc., we estimate that each new officer spends a minimum $150 of his/her own money on such items initially.  For example, if you want to purchase the entire Class “A” Air Force uniform, it alone is about $190.

Your may also need to purchase other equipment for emergency services such as a compass, plotter, ES pack and survival equipment. All expenses concerning Auxiliary membership, including cost of Auxiliary flying hours, are tax deductible if itemized as charitable contribution.

How do I apply for membership?

back to the top

Viking Squadron strongly suggests you visit the squadron three times before making your decision to join. Should you decide to join, our Professional Development Officer will assist you with the application process.  You will fill out several CAP forms, submit a set of fingerprints (as part of the Cadet protection program), your driving record and two checks, one for annual dues of $70.00 to National HQ (made out to "Civil Air Patrol") and one for $120.00 for one-time dues to the Squadron (made out to “Viking Composite Squadron”).'

What determines my initial rank?

back to the top

Unless you possess special qualifications, all officers begin at the rank of “Senior Member” (SM). After completing new member requirements, senior members are usually promoted to 2^nd lieutenant after six months of membership. Applicants with special qualifications, such as FAA pilot, CFI, A&P mechanic, doctor, lawyer, EMT, or RN may initially qualify for a higher rank up to captain and such higher rank will be applied for as soon as the new member has assumed a staff position in the squadron.  Military officers (active, reserve or retired) are usually accepted at their military rank up to O-5.

Click here to continue to the next page.