Rewards & Recognition
As a CAP volunteer, your rewards are not monetary, but they are as tangible as money in the bank. Nothing compares to the sense of satisfaction that comes with a job well one, particularly if that job is saving lives or aiding communities. As a CAP officer, you will be recognized as a vital member of a national team with a tremendous heritage of serving those in need--and doing it well. Advancement in Civil Air Patrol is clearly visible to your friends, family and business associates by the distinctive CAP uniforms with their military-style grade insignia, ribbons and badges.
Training
Civil Air Patrol offers aerospace education and a wide variety of leadership and technical training opportunities for all CAP volunteers, including professional Air Force correspondence courses. Special training is also conducted for those participating in search and rescue as mission pilots, observers or ground team members. Communications training is highly specialized and presents unique opportunities to network with other communicators from around the country. These new skills, and the self-confidence that goes with them, make you even more valuable in the workplace and in other community activities.
Uniforms
Civil Air Patrol officers and cadets are easily recognized in the community since they wear a variety of distinctive uniforms. Since CAP is the official US Air Force auxiliary, members are also authorized to wear the Air Force uniform with distinguishing CAP badges and insignia. Wearing Air Force blue is a tremendous way to publicly demonstrate support and affiliation with this branch of our Armed Forces.
Meetings And Conventions
CAP officers and cadets gather regularly at meetings and conventions around the country. There is also a national convention held in a different city every year.
International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE)
Each year a limited number of cadets and officer escorts travel to a variety of foreign countries as part of an aviation cadet exchange program to further a program of international goodwill and understanding.
CAPMart
Civil Air Patrol operates a depot in Alabama, which carries a large stock uniforms, uniform accessories, training materials, and aerospace education materials at a discount.
Rental Car Discounts
The Hertz Corporation offers rental car discounts to CAP officers for both business and pleasure travel. A special Hertz identification card is furnished to each member upon request. Rates and discounts may be obtained by calling Hertz at 1-800-654-3131.
Civil Air Patrol Visa Credit Card
The CAP affinity VISA card offers officers and the parents of cadets an opportunity to apply for a credit card that actually supports CAP. Each time the card is used in a transaction, a donation is made by the bank to support CAP. The CAP emblem and the member’s grade are embossed on the front of this distinctive credit card.
Credit Union Membership
Civil Air Patrol members and their families are eligible to join the Maxwell-Gunter Credit Union (located at Maxwell AFB, AL). MAX offers a variety of services including:
- VISA and MasterCard with no annual fee and lower interest
- Interest-paying checking accounts
- Low interest loans
- Money Markets, CDs, and IRAs
For more information, call (334) 279-7550
Tax Benefits
As a Federally chartered non-profit organization, Civil Air Patrol is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. This entitles members to claim various expenses as charitable contributions. These include:
- Dues
- Expenses for uniforms and training materials
- Out of pocket expenses while participating in CAP activities
- Mileage on personal vehicles
- Travel and living expenses while participating in CAP activities
Community Service
Help your community during times of need to relieve suffering and mitigate losses. Your service can help to speed up recovery from a major disaster or help reunite families with their missing loved ones. You can't take this pay to the bank, but you will have it forever.