INSPIRING OUR YOUTH

In this day and age many young people are distracted by superficial escapism and excessive entertainment and many are exposed to bad influences. The more that can be done in our society to inspire our youth and lead them into worthwhile directions, towards greater achievements in education, sports, health, self-improvement and more – the better it is.

One organization doing precisely this since 941 is the Civil Air Patrol. It is the volunteer civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force and provides America's youth with exciting and challenging opportunities through its Cadet Program. Tens of thousands of young people, both male and female members, from the age 12 through 21, have participated in hands-on activities at the local, state, and national level.

CAP classroom activity

The CAP Cadet Program provides youth with the opportunity to develop leadership skills through an interest in aviation and aerospace. Parents credit the cadet program for communicating to their children the important role that personal integrity, self-discipline and trust play in their personal and professional success. From the day they join, members progress through a multi-step program with exciting aviation and aerospace activities occurring on both a local and national level, preparing youth for the future by leading aerospace education, leadership training, character development, physical fitness and other activities. CAP pilots give America's youth their first taste of flying in a Cadet Orientation Flight or in search and rescue missions.

Memorial Day

The Civil Air Patrol is the volunteer civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It was founded on December 1, 1941 with Maj. Gen. John F. Curry being the first CAP national commander.
Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking at least two German U-boats during World War II.
Today, CAP is no longer called on to destroy submarines, but is instead a benevolent non-profit organization dedicated to education and national service. It is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

The Civil Air Patrol performs three congressionally assigned key missions: Emergency Services (including search and rescue), Aerospace Education for youth and the general public, and Cadet Programs.
In addition, it has recently been tasked with Homeland Security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross.

During World War II, the Civil Air Patrol was seen as a way to use America's civil aviation resources to aid the war effort instead of grounding them. The organization eagerly assumed many missions including anti-submarine patrol and warfare, border patrols and courier services. The Civil Air Patrol sighted 173 enemy submarines and sank two. Despite being a volunteer force that was largely untrained in combat and military science, the organization's performance far exceeded expectations.

After the end of World War II, the Civil Air Patrol became a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The incorporation charter declared that CAP would never again be involved in direct combat activities, but would be of a benevolent nature. CAP still actively performs search and rescue missions within the United States.

Christopher McCoy, Commander of the Broward Sherriff's Office Bomb Squad, demonstrating equipment and the role of his unit to the cadets

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Civil Air Patrol aircraft provided the first aerial pictures of the World Trade Center site, and also flew transport missions bringing donated blood to New York City. CAP members responded by the thousands to help out in the aftermath of hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005, both on the air and on the ground – helping with search missions, disaster relief and aerial survey flights.

CAP's Emergency Services Program is exciting and most of all, rewarding. In fact, there is little that can replace the feeling of helping save a life. CAP members play a vital role in performing a very high percentage of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions. Members play a central role in developing ties with local agencies responsible for search and rescue, disaster relief and other catastrophes. Members may be called upon to assist local, state, and federal agencies. 

Most importantly, it offers an ongoing inspiring program that uplifts its members of all ages, stimulates individuals, especially our youth into considering new career horizons, while developing character, self-esteem and responsibility, in addition to simultaneously providing an important community service to our great nation.

Learn more about the Civil Air Patrol by clicking on: http://flwg.sercap.us 

Respectfully submitted by:

1LT Richard C. Peritz
Public Affairs Officer
SER-016