Getting Started for Seniors Members (age 18 and up)

When you join us at Polaris Composite Squadron the first time for a squadron meeting, we’ll introduce you to our Commander and other dedicated volunteer members. You will see and hear our squadron members as they discuss, plan, and schedule real missions, squadron training opportunities, and fun social events. Our squadron meetings are every Tuesday at 7:00pm. Most members come early to meet and greet each other and to help new and prospective members get acquainted with everyone.

When you join us for a second squadron meeting, we will help you complete your membership application and get you started! We will also introduce you to one of our Senior Members who will act as your ‘mentor’, seeing you through the application process and guiding you through the various levels of your training. During your CAP career you should expect many members will mentor you as well as provide you with hands-on training.

View our welcome packet outlining the step-by-step procedure for getting started. It includes Civil Air Patrol’s Great Start Guide, a booklet for adult CAP members giving a general overview of Civil Air Patrol, its volunteer and training opportunities, and a checklist for new members to complete their first year of membership.

What you can expect to learn and do
CAP members have an abundance of opportunities to train and become a fully qualified Technician, Senior Technician, and Master Technician in one or more Specialty Tracks and then perform one or more Primary Duty Positions supporting CAP’s various missions. Specialty training is FREE! Some examples of Specialty Tracks include:

Some additional duty positions in CAP Emergency Services include:

Training and qualification through on-the-job training (OJT) and self-study
To become qualified in a Specialty Track CAP members are encouraged to attend scheduled training events whenever possible or complete self-study, under the guidance of a qualified CAP member. Members are also encouraged to participate in scheduled training exercises and real-world missions to maintain proficiency in their primary duty position(s) as well as any additional duties they may have.

Training at the National Emergency Services Academy (NESA)
CAP members may attend NESA, located near Indianapolis, Indiana. This academy offers many of the Emergency Services courses listed above in a formal setting. Upon completion of training at NESA members return to Polaris fully qualified in a mission related skill. Local, Alaska-area orientation training may be required for some courses.

Welcome to Polaris Composite Squadron! Don’t forget to ask lots of questions. We are happy to help you learn!

Getting Started for Cadets (age 12 to 18)

Thank you for your interest in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program.

CAP is the official auxiliary of the USAF, and we have strong connections to the Air Force.  The cadet program exists to provide a high quality learning experience for the youth of our nation.  Within the cadet program, we do four primary things:

• aerospace education (airplanes, aerodynamics, space, rocketry, flight sciences)
• physical training (push-ups, sit-ups, running) and military bearing & customs
• leadership training (how to follow and lead)
• moral leadership (ethics, integrity, character)

Cadet activities include outings, glider flying, powered flight, search & rescue exercises, camping, hiking, tours of military facilities and aircraft, summer encampments, color guard, and so forth.  We have recently toured a USCG buoy tender in Seward and spent the weekend at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai doing a simulated space mission.  In the spring we sent a color guard team to Nevada for the regional competition against seven other states.  At summer encampment, our cadets lived in a military barracks for a week, ate in the mess hall with active duty troops, and rode in both a Blackhawk helicopter and a C-130.  While aerospace education is a major component of the program, there is plenty of military content too.

Cadet dues are $27 for the first year, and renewal at $27 per year.  You can also expect to spend $30-$60 initially on uniforms and insignia.  Cadet uniforms are BDU’s (camouflage) and Air Force style blues.  Cadets must be at least 12 years old and less than 18 years old as of their join date.

Cadet rank structure is based on USAF progressions from “airman basic” (E-1) through “cadet colonel” (O-6).  Rank is earned, and each advancement requires passing scores on a PT test, written tests on aerospace topics and leadership, and a drill (marching) test.  Reaching the pinnacle of the cadet program, Cadet Colonel, is a rare and significant accomplishment that is achieved only by a few truly outstanding cadets nationwide (similar to becoming an Eagle Scout).

As for a military career, CAP can give you several advantages.  By completing certain cadet achievements you can enter the Air Force at a pay grade of E-3 immediately upon enlistment.  Other services also offer immediate E-2 or E-3 pay grade upon enlistment.  Approximately one-sixth of the freshman class at the Air Force Academy each year are former CAP cadets.

The CAP cadet program is similar in mission to JROTC in the local high schools, and there is some overlap between Air Force JROTC and CAP.  CAP would give you a good head start for JROTC, until you get to high school.  (East High does Army JROTC, West High does Air Force JROTC, and Service High does Navy JROTC).  Beyond high school, UAA’s Merrill Field campus now has a college level Air Force ROTC program leading to a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF.

I invite you and your parents to visit our unit and observe a few meetings, at no charge or obligation.  We meet every Monday night at 1815 hours (6:15 pm).  The squadron is located in the blue and white building next door to the control tower at Merrill Field.  Look for the big letters on the building that say “CAP”.  The frontage road is accessible from Fifth Avenue at either Wendy’s or Peggy’s Restaurant. You can also learn more through our squadron web page, www.anchoragecap.org, which has links to the Alaska Wing (state) headquarters and national headquarters.  Also try www.cadetstuff.org.

Feel free to contact me if you have additional questions.
Adam Bowens, 2LT, CAP
Deputy Commander, Cadets
Polaris Composite Squadron AK-015
email:  aidenmchail@gmail.com