Sigh. As a CAP member myself, it only takes a few bad apples to ruin it for all.

No you don't have to salute CAP members. CAP members in USAF style uniforms (BDU or Blues) are to salute active duty officers and warrants. If rendered the salute, I hope you would return it, just as you would for an officer junior to yourself.

In response to some other comments and thoughts (I've heard them all)... Yes- in CAP it's easy to earn lower officer grades. You can be promoted to LT for anything and Captain for a good number of items, including having certain pilot ratings like a CFI or being a licensed educator. Major and higher you actually have to complete certain levels of leadership training or have held equivalent rank in the military. There are lots of LtCol types in CAP, often because they held those grades in the military.

The rank of Col denotes that the person has served or is currently a wing commander or higher. The rank of General denotes the person has served as or is currently the national vice commander (2 star) or commander (3 star).

Say what you will about CAP'ers, but in my opinion it does have some great aspects, particularly the Cadet Program. I've been able to mentor and teach some incredible kids, two of whom have gone on to graduate from a service academy. One of my former cadets was decorated for his service in Afghanistan.