Los Alamitos Cadet Squadron 153
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Join as a Cadet

So What's Required?

The Civil Air Patrol cadet program is centered around member participation. It's even in the cadet oath, "...I will attend meetings regularly, participate actively in unit activities..." Simply put, you get out of the program what you put into the program. Also, see the initial membership requirements* from National Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol as detailed in CAPR 39-2.

Meeting Attendance

Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization and is managed by volunteer members. If cadets are not committed to attending meetings, they will not have the opportunities to apply the leadership lessons that would have if they were present. There are also certain topics covered in weekly meetings that have to be checked off in order to promote. This being said, I as the squadron commander, will always place greater value on a cadet's academic career -- grades come first. If a cadet is either falling behind scholastically or has a conflicting school event then they need to simply inform their chain of command. The squadron will still be here when they return.

The Time Commitment for Cadets

Every cadet should plan for the follow commitment per month:

  • 2.5 hours per week - attend the squadron meeting

  • 1/2 hour per week - preparing uniform

  • 1 hour per week - testing and/or self-study in the Learn to Lead or Aerospace Dimensions textbooks outside of squadron meetings

  • 1 "Foxhunt" per month -- typically the third Saturday of the month, this is when we clean the squadron building and grounds

 

What's the cost?

So with Civil Air Patrol there are two separate dues.

  • Membership dues to National (of which we at the squadron see none), a table of the most current rates are available here

    • FY 24: cadet [National] dues are $46.00 and senior members are $82.00

  • Squadron dues; $60 per member due at the first of the year

    • prorated if you join after the first of the year

  • For new members there is a one time $25 supply fee which get you the squadron ball cap, squadron tee shirt, rigger's belt, and eventually when we get approval and supply ordered -- new squadron patches!

  • Uniform costs, not necessarily a cut and dry hard figure unless you are going to buy everything from Vanguard

    • unless you are going to encampment in the next two months, you have time to acquire in stages -- see our uniform section for more info.

What's the process? How does my child join? click here

 

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