Guide For New Members

Credit and Thanks for much of this information goes to James L. Freemn and  Katrina Thompson of
South Carolina Wing, Civil Air Patrol
(NOTE: Please send any suggestions for changes, or ideas for additional information, to edwin.keeney@wawg.cap.gov)
 
New Members

1.  With your membership, you should have received a copy of the CAP Member Fast Start
     Handbook. If not, print it here. It will be used later.


2.  As soon as you get a CAP membership number (CAPID), go here and register for use of
     e-Services.  Once this completed you can complete the required OPSEC training.

 

3.  When you have created your e-Services account and completed OPSEC training, go here and
      complete the Level I course which is based on CAPP 50-4.
 
  THIS TRAINING SHOULD BE COMPLETED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
       
 4.  When that training has been completed, you will have completed Level I. You MAY be promoted
      from Senior Member to 2nd Lieutenant upon completion of Level I and six months as a
     Senior Member. Here is what is covered in Level I:

                    a.  Intro to CAP Safety for New Members

                    b.  Cadet Protection (CPPT)

                    c.  Equal Opportunity (EO) Training

                    d.  Foundations Module

              5.   Complete General Emergency Services (GES) training (CAPT 116 & 117) and exams here .

       (This usually takes several hours to complete.)

Level I and Higher

 6.    After Level I completion has been posted in e-Services, choose a Specialty Track.

  • The importance of choosing a specialty track early cannot be overemphasized.

  •  Refer to the Fast Start Handbook for a description of specialty tracks.

  • Ask your unit commander or Professional Development officer to enter your specialty track into e-Services as soon as you have chosen one.

  • Obtain the Specialty Track Guide for your specialty track and begin completing the requirements for the first level, Technician.  A link to each Specialty Track Guide is available here.

  • You may have many specialty tracks, but you must have AT LEAST ONE in which you plan to advance from Technician to Senior to Master.
 
                    Reference Information Civil Air Patrol Regulation (CAPR) 50-17 is the reference for most of
                    the questions about  Professional Development. Open CAPR 50-17.

                                

   7.     Get a CAP driver's license (here).  [Optional, unless you plan to drive a Corporate Vehicle]
             o     Login to e-Services

                       o    Click on  "My Operational Qualifications" on the left side

                       o    Scroll down the left side to Drivers License

    8.     Complete the Ground Handling Video on e-Services here (about fifteen minutes).

o    Login to e-Services

o    Select Safety Management System (SMS) on the left side

o    Click on Aircraft Ground Handling


    9.     Complete Skills Evaluator Training (SET) and exam here (about half an hour). [Optional]


  10.     Complete Aerospace Education Training for Senior Members (AEPSM) and exam here
            (several hours).

  11.     As time permits, complete the remaining two Safety courses and all three Risk Management courses here
            (about an hour or less each).
 

  12.    Complete FEMA IS100, IS200, IS700, and IS800 here (one hour or more per
            course). [Optional]


  13.    Complete Mission Scanner (MS) classroom training (two days -- offered  by  WAWG at various
            times, and locations during the year.  Check with your chain of command for further information).

Level II

Go here and select and complete each step described below. You should complete this training within a year of completing Level I, so start right away and complete it as you have time.

You MAY be promoted to First Lieutenant upon completion of Level II and eighteen months as a 2nd Lieutenant. Here is what is covered in Level II:

    • Choose a Specialty Track (if not completed in step 4 above).
    • Complete the CAP Officer Basic Course.
    • Complete the Squadron Leadership School (SLS).

At this point you are well on your way.  There is also specialized training available for specific CAP activities such as cadet programs, aerial photography, aerospace education, and chaplains, to name a few.

  Level III, IV, and V

             Return to the CAP University link here to continue your progress in the CAP for Levels III, IV, and V.

      Processes and Paperwork

1.   Most online test scores are automatically captured by e-Services. However, the Summary
      Conversation for Level I and most classroom courses are recorded using CAP Form (CAPF) 11.

     
      NOTE:   CAPR 50-17 paragraph 3-9a requires that the Summary
                      Conversation is accomplished and reported by the Unit PDO.

2.   Progression through the CAP PD Levels II-V is recorded using CAPF 24.
      (PDF format only) Please read and comply with instructions on the back of this form
       to avoid unnecessary delays.)
 

3.   Promotions are recorded using CAPF 2.

4.   Electronic forms are mandatory, aside from a few financial, and other forms specified in the
      CAP Index 0-9.  Except for signatures on financial forms, e-signatures are acceptable.

       Almost any format that identifies the signer is acceptable. Here is an example:

                                          //e-signed// John W. Doe, Major.

        Note: In order to verify the signature, the e-Signer must be the person sending the form.
 

       5.   Duty positions and specialty track assignments are entered into e-Services by the unit
             commander, or the PD officer, and then approved by the unit commander.

    Final Words

It helps to take training as soon as it is available, whether it is required immediately for your next promotion or CAP activity, or another promotion down the line. The sooner you complete it, the farther along your career track you will be, and the less you will have to complete on short notice before your next promotion or to participate in selected CAP activities. Also, some requirements, such as specialty track achievements, cannot be completed back-to-back.


After the completion of Level I, the CAP has provisions for appointments and promotions other than for duty performance described above. These include special appointments; e.g., for prior military service, mission-related skills such as Commercial Pilots, and professional appointments, such as Lawyers, Doctors, Nurses, and educators. These are described in CAPR 35-5.


If you qualify for promotion through one of these channels, you should still participate in CAP Professional Development training at least through Level II in order to be well-rounded and well-grounded in the CAP.  Also, subsequent promotions still require the PD level achievements described in Appendix 1 of CAPR 50-17.


 One warning:  Don't hesitate to say "NO" when you need to.  Every member in the CAP faces and understands the same demands and respects the need for limitations on your time.  Don't get burned out from spreading yourself too thin; that doesn't do you or the CAP any good.


 And lastly:

  • YOU must manage your Professional Development in the CAP.  Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do next.

  • Be sure your CAP personnel file contains documentation of your training and achievements.
    Not everything will be recorded in e-Services.

If you have any questions or need help, ask your squadron Professional Development Officer (PDO) or the WAWG Professional Development Officer.

                                

     
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