How to Join
Are you ready to take the next step and join the Civil Air Patrol as a Cadet?
Step 1
The first step in joining Civil Air Patrol is to find your local squadron. You can find a local CAP Cadet or Composite Squadron near you by entering your zip code or city and state in the national online unit locator or by browsing our ten squadrons in the SF Bay Area.
The local squadron is the best place to find answers to specific questions about membership.
Step 2
Contact the squadron and arrange to visit a meeting with your parents. Call and/or email the unit contact person and confirm the meeting date, time and location. You can also take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about membership eligibility. Keep in mind that the phone number or email posted is often the personal contact information for the CAP member. All of our members are volunteers and try to respond to membership inquiries as soon as possible, so please give them a few days to respond. If you encounter a wrong number or incorrect email address or otherwise have difficulty contacting the local unit, please email us through our Contact page for assistance.
Step 3
The best way to learn more about CAP is to attend a meeting. You’ll have a chance to see how meetings are run and what types of activities are available. You should visit all the squadrons that are convenient to you. Each squadron has a different leadership, culture and volunteer opportunities. Typically you will attend three meetings before completing your membership application.
Step 4
Complete the Membership Application
The local CAP squadron will give you a membership application or provide you with the information on how to apply online.
Download the Cadet Membership Application
Annual membership dues vary by state.
Click here for the membership dues table.
Step 5
Submit your application through one of the following ways:
Online
Ask your squadron commander if you are eligible to apply online. Only new cadets can join online. Former members have to submit a paper application.
Fax
Fax applications to 334-953-7771.
Include credit card information to process the application. The required information includes:
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Type of Card - Visa, MasterCard or Discover
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Card Number
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Expiration Date
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3 Digit Security Code on the Back of the Card
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Name on Card
Dues can be paid by check made payable to Civil Air Patrol or by money orders.
Mail your completed application and dues payment to:
Civil Air Patrol/DP
105 S. Hansell St. Bldg 714
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112
Expedited Mail
FedEx and UPS are both delivered directly to the National Headquarters building. Priority Mail from the United States Postal Service may be delayed several days while it is routed through the Air Force base mail system.
When your application is received by Member Services at National Headquarters, it is date stamped and processed in order by the date it arrived. The cadet will receive an automated welcome email when the membership is processed.
