Parent’s Guide for the 155th

Welcome!

We are glad that you and your child want to be part of the Civil Air Patrol.  We understand that it is your child that is joining but you are also committing to being supportive of them in this activity. (And of course, you are welcomed to join too!) The following is a very simple guide to help you and your child get started in Civil Air Patrol.

Meetings:  To begin attending meetings, your child will need black plain t-shirts, nice blue jeans, gym shorts & black t-shirt for Physical Training (PT) and tennis shoes.

Application: Our squadron requires prospective cadets to attend four meetings before discussing the application. Four meetings provide the prospective cadet with a fair assessment of our unit’s mission, goals, and activities. CAP is a commitment to be taken seriously. Once the commander or the deputy commander for cadets has approved the prospective cadet to apply, they may do so online or via paper application. Membership dues vary by state, for NE is normally around $30.00 cadet, $60.00 senior members.

• Online applications are the preferred method for new cadets. It is efficient and fast. On the application, type NE for Wing, and 058 for the unit. Membership dues for online applications are payable with Visa, Master Card, or Discover online. Click here for the membership dues table.

• Cadets returning to CAP after membership has elapsed over three months can apply using the paper form. Instructions can be found in the National Website under “How to Join”. Membership dues for paper applications require a check or money order payable to Civil Air Patrol along the CAPF 15 application. Before mailing the completed application we suggest retaining a copy for your records.

Email Addresses: Make sure that the squadron has the right email addresses for both you and your child as emails with information and upcoming activities are sent out regularly. In addition, you can check out the unit calendar on this site under the Events Calendar tab.

Waiting: While awaiting application approval your future cadet should continue attending meetings and start working on the Curry. The only caveat at this point is that he/she will not be able to participate in some squadron activities until a membership number is issued. This is due primarily for compliance with CAP regulation and insurance purposes.

If membership has been approved, while waiting for the membership card to arrive, we encourage cadets to visit the New Cadet Help page and start browsing through. Your cadet should also proceed with claiming eServices credentials so they can log on complete Safety training, and take their first Leadership test for the first Achievement named Curry.

In the meantime, you should become familiar with the Parent’s Guide at the National website as it provides an overview of the program, activities and its philosophy.

Membership Notice: The Commander will get notification of acceptance and national will send you an email of your cadet’s membership number with instructions to validate membership number through eServices.

Membership Kit:  After the application is completed, a few weeks later your cadet will receive a CAP ID Card and course materials from National (in a separate shipment). New cadets are encouraged to obtain a three-ring binder of their choice to store their Leadership materials. Cadets will also need a separate binder for the Emergency Services (ES) materials that they will be given in ES classes.

Uniform details: The Air Force-style uniform is a symbol of the Core Values, inspiring cadets to think of themselves as young leaders. Cadets will need a uniform to advance in the program. The suggested best practice is for each cadet to obtain a utility uniform as soon as possible. We recommend obtaining ABUs (light grey), as the BDUs (woodland green) are being phased out in 2020. Used ABUs can be purchased online through eBay and other retailers. If you have access to Offutt AFB check out the Airman’s attic- they have excellent prices. Otherwise, new ABUs may cost approximately $150.

Upon completing Achievement 1, CAP HQ provides cadets with a Curry Blues Voucher for the dress “blues” uniform. The approximate cost for new Blues is $150, less a $100 voucher. When a cadet outgrows a uniform or leaves CAP, we ask families to turn those items into the squadron so other cadets might use them. Cadets may use their Curry vouchers to purchase “blues” items, such as:

• Shirts, trousers, skirts
• Flight cap and flight cap device
• Belt and buckle
• Shoes
• Blue 3-line nameplate

In addition to uniform pieces expect to purchase boots, shoes, caps, belts, and personalized items. On occasion, depending on size, we may have uniform items available at no cost. Please inquire with a Senior Member for details. Also, some patches and uniform insignia can be purchased form the squadron office.

For all personalized items go to Vanguard Civil Air Patrol Online Store.

Items to obtain from Vanguard, using Curry voucher or personal funds:

Emergency Services:  As part of the CAP missions, our squadron takes Emergency Services training seriously while aiming compliance for all mission training exercises. Each member is responsible to log in training information through eServices. Once your cadet is a member, take a moment to go into eServices to become familiar with the site and most especially the “My Operations Qualifications” area. You will receive more information on this as membership is completed.

24-Hour Pack:  For Emergency Services, the Cadet will need a pack that they will need to have ready to go at a moment’s notice and filled with enough materials to survive for 24 hours. CAP Freshdesk has a comprehensive 24- Hour Pack List.

Meeting schedule, location, and Uniform of the Day (UOD):  We meet every Monday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm sequentially with corresponding uniforms. New cadets will wear plain black t-shirts and jeans until uniforms are issued. In general meeting schedule is as follows:

1st Monday: Physical Training/Testing (PT/Testing); ANG. UOD: PT uniform, black t-shirt, and shorts

2nd Monday: Leadership; ANG. UOD: Blues

3rd Monday: Emergency Services (ES); ANG. UOD: ABU/BDU’s

4th Monday: Aerospace Education (AE); ANG. UOD: Blues

Months with a 5th Monday will have a special activity.  The schedule is subject to change. Check the Events Calendar tab for up to date meeting information.

Miscellaneous:  If you have any questions you can ask any Senior Member or just look through the resources identified on this page and on our squadron page. If you have suggestions or concerns, please contact the Squadron Commander or the Deputy Commander for Cadets.

Our CAP squadron is always in search for Senior Members because they are the working backbone of a CAP squadron.  Many rewarding opportunities await you as a CAP SM, if you would like to volunteer with CAP, contact any Senior Member for details.

SEMPER VIGILANS