nagginpilotwife

I was just wondering if any of you have children in Civil Air Patrol. My husband wants our 12 year old to join. I am not keen on the idea of encouraging a future in aviation or the military so I don't know if this is the right group for him. My son is all for it too. I guess I am worried about the typical mom stuff and the fact I am hoping to some day not to have to send out resumes for him.

de727ups

Well. It's kind of like the Boy Scouts, only more strict, and more aviation oriented. Just from the discipline and learning respect aspects, I'd see no reason not to encourage it. Especially, since the kid is all for it.

PLTwnab

I did it for a little while and I thought it was a good way to meet ppl, it could be fun at times, it taught discipline, looked good on resumes...there's not much wrong with it...all the military strictness was the boring part of it, having to march and do the "about face"...the fun was in the bivouacs, the dances, and the before and after b.s. time...I think you should let him..it won't necessarily drive him to want to be in the military...

Spartan07

Just out of curiosity, How are the young members of CAP exposed to aviation? Do they get to fly as observers and learn basic stuff like preflights and procedures?

I would definately want my son to get into something like this when he's old enough (By the way, How old is old enough?). Do the parents get involved with the organization also? CAP seems like a pretty outstanding activity for youngsters.

del2h

I started CAP right after I graduated from 6th grade and participated actively until I went into college. I got a lot out of being in CAP and I'm very glad I did it. If I ever have kids I will encourage them to participate. I also plan to join again when I get a steady job out of college. There are orientation flights given on occasion that allow the cadets to experience aviation. I think the minimum age is 12 or 13. I've included a link below to their website. They will have all kinds of information on the organization. However, the best thing to do is go visit a squadron yourself.

www.cap.gov/

Bri85

yes visit squadrons and see how they are, each squadron is different. I joined when I was 13; 9 years ago (Walter M. Schirra Squadron) in North Jersey. Not only you will do orientation flights but everysummer there is a program (forgot the name) in which you pay $500 and they would take the cadets with no time to solo about 15 hours in a C172

Things I did while I was a Cadet
*encampment (basically boot camp 1 week long but you learn a good amount of knowledge on military life, discipline, and plain fun. I got to shoot M16s when I was 14 =), what other 14 years old get to do that)
* GSar ( Ground Search and Rescue School )
* Sarex ( Search and Air Rescue Exercises)
* Ranger School ( You will become a Mcgiver, Live off the woods, Rock Climbing, Rappeling, etc)
* Weekend Bivoucs ( From Spending the weekend at Airshows, air force bases [I spend a couple of weekends at Westpoint] to plain typical boy scout camping)

I got to meet alot of interesting people from fighter, airline pilots to astronauts. I was a cadet until I was 18 and if I chance to do it again I would.