1. Civil Air Patrol NCO Program
CAP SSgt
CAP TSgt
CAP MSgt
CAP SMSgt
CAP CMSgt
CMSgt Lou E. Todd,
CAP/Command Chief

2. Civil Air Patrol NCO Program
Overview
- Purpose
- Benefits of the Program
- NCO Corps Program
- Regulatory Guidance
- Implementation Plan
- Professional Dev Skill Level
Time-in-Grade
- Way Ahead

3. Civil Air Patrol NCO Program
Purpose
To train and advise non-prior service members of CAP in the methods and procedures of military organization, leadership and management
To establish an NCO promotion process
To authorize CAP specific NCO chevrons
To provide CAP commanders with access to the professional military skills, training and experience of former NCOs
To consolidate CAP military skills training

4. Civil Air Patrol NCO Program Benefits of the Program
Does not drive an AF bill
Promotes expanded membership; strong NCO Corp mentorship may increase retention numbers
CAP has an annual retention rate of 60-70% for adult members and 25-45% for cadet members
Allows formal NCO uniform distinction from USAF and strengthens military customs and courtesies
Ability to promote NCO members to grades commensurate with positions

5. Civil Air Patrol NCO Program
Current
Approved
Only NCOs (retired, separated, or current) can enter CAP as NCOs
CAP NCOs wear AF NCO chevrons for rank – no differentiation from AF uniforms
CAP NCOs cannot progress from one grade to the next
New members can choose NCO or officer track (will be expanded to include non-prior service)
Distinctive CAP NCO rank would be worn
CAP NCOs will meet boards for promotion

6. AFI 10-2701, Organization and Function of the Civil Air Patrol
1.3 “CAP…uses an Air Force-style grade structure and its members may wear Air Force-style uniforms when authorized.”
1.3.1 “CAP uses military style grade for its membership at the discretion and approval of the Air Force…The Air Force has authority over the CAP grade structure.”
1.3.4 “The emblems, insignia, and badges of the CAP Air Force-style uniform will clearly identify an individual as a CAP member at a distance and in low-light conditions. The Air Force must approve changes to the CAP Air Force-style uniform.”

7. SSgt TSgt MSgt SMSgt CMSgt Orientation Technical Level III Level IV
Professional Development Skill Level and
Time-in-Grade Criteria
Promotion to
Minimum skill Level
Time In Grade
SSgt
TSgt
MSgt
SMSgt
CMSgt
Orientation
Technical
Level III
Level IV
Level V
6 Months
12 Months
24 Months
36 Months
48 Months

8. Manning for Promotion Only
PROMOTION TO
AUTHORIZED
POSITION HELD
MINIMUM TENURE
SSgt
No limit
Any position
N/A
TSgt
No Limit
MSgt
One per unit
Unit/Squadron NCO
2 years
SMSgt
One per Gp/Wg/Region
NCO Advisor
3 years
CMSgt
One per Wing/Region
Senior NCO Advisor
4 years
National HQs
Command/ National Chief

9. CAP Rank Insignia
CAP SSgt
CAP TSgt
CAP MSgt
CAP SMSgt
CAP CMSgt

10. 18-24 Months Implementation Phase
Implementation Plan Program
Phase I - Development and Initial Implementation
Reactivate NCO Prg Committee for executing all three phases
Strategic Communications Plan development
Chevron development and procurement
Review/development of promotable positions to include grade classification
CAP regulation development and/or revision
Recruitment plan development (existing members)
Develop gap-filler plan for Wings lacking a sufficient number of NCO members
Identify positions requiring Performance Reports and develop report standards
Post-phase update to CAP, A3/5 and SAF/MR leadership
18-24 Months Implementation Phase

11. 18-24 Months Implementation Phase
Phase II - Professional Military Education
Identify Active, Reserve and Guard resources available to aid in PME development
Develop Noncommissioned Officer’s School
Redefined the standards for entry into the CAP Officer program
Produce and implement NCO Force Development Plan
Synchronize Officer and NCO PME to complement total force
Prepare existing NCOs for receiving non-military members
Develop CAP regulations and guides for non-military members entering NCO program
Post-phase update to CAP, A3/5 and SAF/MR leadership
18-24 Months Implementation Phase

12. 18-24 Months Implementation Phase
Phase III - Prepare for Non-Military Members
Develop plan for direct entry of non-military members
Complete revision of promotion eligibility and professional development training criteria to synchronize officer and NCO corps
Refine CAP regulations and guides based on lessons learned
Post-phase update to CAP, A3/5 and SAF/MR leadership
18-24 Months Implementation Phase

13. Sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol.
Civil Air Patrol Noncommissioned Officer Creed
No one is more professional than I. I am a Sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol;
A leader of people. I am proud of the Civil Air Patrol Sergeants Program and will, at all times,
conduct myself so as to bring credit upon it. I will not use my grade or position to attain profit
or compromise safety.
Competence is my watchword. I will strive to remain proficient. I will always be aware of
my role as a Sergeant in the Civil air Patrol. I will fulfill my responsibilities and display
professionalism at all times. I will strive to know my people and use their skills to the
maximum degree possible. I will always place their needs above my own and will
communicate with my supervisor and my people and never leave them uninformed.
I will exert every effort and risk any ridicule to successfully accomplish my assigned
duties. I will not look at a person and see any race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, or
national origin, for I will only see the person; nor will I ever show prejudice or bias. I will
lead by example and will resort to disciplinary action only when necessary.
I will carry out the orders of my superiors to the best of my ability and will always obey
the decisions of my superiors. I will give all officers my maximum support to ensure
mission accomplishment. I will earn their respect, obey their orders and establish a
high degree of integrity with them. I will exercise initiative in the absence of orders and will make decisive and accurate decisions. I will never compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget that I am a professional and a leader, but above all a
Sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol.

14. QUESTIONS
CAP SSgt
CAP TSgt
CAP MSgt
CAP SMSgt
CAP CMSgt