Sonoma County Composite Squadron 157
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Parents

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR CADETS WELCOME LETTER

You are considering joining one of the finest organizations available to you. Some very famous and influential people are C.A.P. members. They are Senators, Congressmen, Doctors, Lawyers, Mechanics, Businessmen, all serving their country, state, and community. Everyday people doing extraordinary things to help people in need. This is the organization you could be a part of.

Are you looking to get into the college of your choice? Civil Air Patrol can help you achieve this goal. Cadets who have been involved for more than two years and promoted regularly maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Some of the most difficult schools in this country to get into have an incoming freshmen class that is made of up to 18% C.A.P. cadets. The USAF Academy, which is always vying with MIT for the honor of being the hardest to get into, has a much higher percent of incoming freshmen that are cadets. From our squadron we have had cadets go to and more importantly graduate from the following colleges; USAFA, West Point, Annapolis, Stanford, Berkley, Brown, Yale, University of North Texas, and the University of Chicago.

If enlisting in the military is a goal, then you want to earn your Mitchell Award. This achievement will gain for you an automatic promotion after completing Boot Camp. The military recognizes the training you will receive in C.A.P. as being a step ahead, and will reward you with a promotion. If the military is not a goal, you should know that only about 12% of C.A.P. cadets enter the military (this also includes the U.S. Coast Guard).

It is my sincere desire that you might choose to join us. I have witnessed many young people go from timid, self conscious children to strong, motivated leaders. I know that if you participate in this program you too will grow into a person of character, with strong moral fiber, and excellent leadership skills. Come join us.

What do I need to know as a parent?

As a parent, the Civil Air Patrol allows you to be involved as much or as little as you would like to be. We have memberships for adults so that you can work with the cadets. The only minimum that we ask for, is that you support your child and help them ge tto meetings and events. There is a parents guide that has been put together by Civil Air Patrol and would help you get familiar with the program. You can access it by clicking here.

How do does my child join the Civil Air Patrol?

To join the Civil Air Patrol, you must attend a total of four meetings. We require this so that you are able to see all of the meeting types that we offer. We have Leadership, Character Devlopment, Aerospace and Physical Training. At the end of your fourth meeting, you are allowed to sign up.

What does Civil Air Patrol offer to my child as a cadet?

In the Civil Air Patrol, we work with you to build yourself. We are the official auxilliary of the United States Air Force, but we do not require you to join the military. Many of our members have gone on to civilian jobs and years down the roadm, have come back to thank us for preparing them. We teach you how to be disciplined, have an attention to detail, how to listen to others and also how to lead others.

Is there a guide for new Cadets?

There is anew guide for cadets to help them get started within the program. This guide will go over the various uniforms, the different focus points of the program, how to properly use the chain of command and a number of program related items. Should you have any questions regarding this guide, don't hesitate to ask your fellow members as they will be more than happy to guide you in the right direction. The New Cadet Guide can be found here.

How can I help as a parent?

As a parent, you can be a part of the Civil Air Patrol, by joining as a sponsor member or adult member. Below is information on the two options to help within CAP. When parents join, we ensure that they are separate from their children.

Cadet Sponsor Member --  Just like any other youth organization, CAP relies on the family to support the program.   Cadet parents, grandparents or legal guardians are eligible to join as Cadet Sponsors. 

You will need to complete a membership application, FBI FD 258 fingerprint card and pay $30 for your first year of dues.   As a Cadet Sponsor, you'll be able to help chaperone the cadets, ride or drive in the CAP vehicles, and otherwise help the other adult volunteer members.   This category of membership does not wear a military-style uniform, but there are requirements for basic education and training before you can fully interact with the other cadets. 


Senior Member -- If you are more interested in taking a leadership role in the Cadet Program or want to participate in CAP's aerospace education and emergency services missions, you should join as a Senior Member.  The best way to learn about what you can do as a Senior Member is to talk to your child's squadron leadership about joining.   You will need to submit and complete a membership application, fingerprint card and complete an orientation course. Annual membership dues vary by state.   
 

Outcomes Youth Achieve as Cadets

Leadership Training:   a thoughtful approach to problem solving & practical skills for leading in a diverse world

Aerospace Education:  familiarity with aerospace sciences and cyber, plus awareness of career options

Fitness Education:  lifelong habit of regular exercise and a commitment to a drug-free lifestyle

Character Education:  a personal code of honor and the moral reasoning skills to make tough decisions

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights of CAP’s Annual Cadet Survey 2020 

Source:  CAP Annual Cadet Survey, December 2020, 1,972 cadet respondents and 1,632 parent respondents 
Cadets  

97%  “CAP has been a turning point in my life.” 
96%  “I’ve started to think more about my future because of CAP.” 
87%  “I do things at CAP I can’t do anywhere else.” 
82%  “I earn As & Bs at school”   

Cadets Career Interest

81%  “I am interested in a military career.” 
76%  “I am interested in an aviation career.” 
65%  “I am interested in a STEM career.”   

Parents 

95%  “My cadet has become better at taking feedback.” 
92%  “As a parent, I’ve seen improvements in my cadet’s overall attitude.” 
78%  “As a parent, my cadet’s performance at school has improved.” 

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