Adults
CAP’s Senior Program
Adults are called “Senior Members” in the Civil Air Patrol. But “senior” membership has nothing to do with retirement age. In fact, a senior member in the Civil Air Patrol is anyone who is over twenty-one years old, or who joined CAP for the first time past the age of eighteen. There is no retirement age, and no physical requirements for joining. While it is not a requirement for membership, Senior Members are provided with their own professional development program and are encouraged to progress within it.
The Senior Member Program consists of five levels and each has components of leadership training, corporate familiarization, and aerospace education, as well as professional development within chosen ‘Specialty Tracks’. There are many Specialty Tracks, and they are designed to both support the organization and to provide opportunities for Senior Members to take advantage of skills they have from their private lives. Available Specialty Tracks include Logistics, Communications, Cadet Programs, Legal, Administration, Emergency Services and Finance, and many more.
Senior Members provide a vital role in the Civil Air Patrol. Many tasks within Civil Air Patrol such as mission air crew and ground team leaders require senior member status. These positions provide an important part of the Civil Air Patrols’ mission as seen in the immediate aftermath of 911 and today with Homeland Security missions.
