1. CIVIL AIR PATROL LOWER BUCKS SQUADRON 101
This information packet was established for those new cadet’s who have “completed their 2 visits” and just submitted their application for membership.
SENIOR MEMBER INTRODUCTION

2. Welcome to Squadron 101. Our squadron is a unit of the
United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol. Squadron
101 specializes in Ground Search and Rescue, Radio Communications,
for Senior Members & Cadets.
We are excited that you have chosen our squadron for your CAP career.
You will find Civil Air Patrol to be a personally rewarding experience.
Ryan Kelly, Capt., CAP
Commander, Squadron 101

3. Senior Member Achievement Levels & Awards
Level One – Basic Membership Award
Level Two - Benjamin O. Davis Award
Level Three - Grover Loening Award
Level Four - Paul Garber Award
Level Five - Gill Robb Wilson Award

4. Level One
The first step to take as a CAP senior member is to complete Level One. Level One provides you with the foundations of Civil Air Patrol missions, policies and opportunities for service. To complete Level One of Civil Air Patrol's professional development program, you will need to complete the following:          a. The CAP Foundations Course.          b. Online Cadet Protection Program Training (CPPT).          c. Online Operations Security (OPSEC) Awareness Training. Go to Level One to get started or to read the details.
Completing Level One earns you the membership ribbon and completes one of the eligibility requirements for promotion (see CAPR 35-5 for promotion criteria). Talk with your mentor or commander if you have any questions about Level One.
Complete details about CAP professional development program are available through CAPR 50-17, CAP Senior Member Professional Development Program.

5. Level Two
During this level, you will complete the Squadron Leadership School (SLS). This school is designed to enhance your effectiveness at the squadron level. SLS is typically organized by your wing and lasts 12 hours, usually over a two day period. Since one of the objectives of this school is to increase your understanding of squadron operations, you will need to be enrolled in at least one of CAP’s "Specialty Tracks." See your squadron Professional Development Officer (PDO) for details. To complete this level and earn the Certificate of Proficiency, you will become technician rated in a specialty track (earning the leadership ribbon), and will also complete the "CAP Senior Officer Correspondence Course" (commonly called "ECI-13" for the old pamphlet number given to this course). See CAPR for details on these requirements

6. Level Three
During this level, you will complete the Corporate Learning Course (CLC). This course is designed to broaden your understanding of CAP operations at the wing level. CLC is typically organized by your wing and lasts 12 hours, usually over a two day period. To complete this level and earn the Grover Loening Award and the Loening ribbon, you will become senior rated in a specialty track, attend two major conferences and serve in a staff or command assignment for at least one year. See CAPR for details on these requirements.

7. Level Four
During this level, you will complete Region Staff College (RSC). This college is designed to give you more tools to use in your staff and command assignments in CAP. RSC is typically organized by your region and lasts 40 hours, usually on a military base or college campus during an entire week. Because most members will have been in the program for a few years by the time they reach this level, there are some specialized schools that are available. Such schools as the National Legal Officers College, the CAP Inspector General College, or the Chaplain Service Region Staff College may be treated as equivalent to RSC (see CAPR for details). To complete this level and earn the Paul Garber Award and Garber ribbon, you will become master rated in a specialty track, serve as a staff member in a wing level course or conference, serve in a staff or command assignment for at least two years, among other requirements (see CAPR for details).

8. Level Five
During this level, you will complete National Staff College (NSC). This college is by invitation only from your wing commander and is limited in enrollment to CAP majors or higher grade. This college is organized by national headquarters and lasts eight days, held at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. To complete this level and earn the Gill Robb Wilson Award and Wilson ribbon, you will serve as a staff member in a region or national level course (or director of a wing level course), conduct a Level One Program in your squadron, and serve in a staff or command assignment for at least three years (see CAPR for details). Fewer than 2,500 of all senior members have reached this demanding level of professional development. Are you up to the challenge?

9. CAP Specialty Tracks
CAPP Specialty Track - Personnel CAPP Specialty Track - Public Affairs CAPP Specialty Track - Finance CAPP Specialty Track - Senior Program CAPP Specialty Track - Administration CAPP Specialty Track - Logistics CAPP Specialty Track - Flight Operations
CAPP Specialty Track - Operations
CAPP Specialty Track - Standardization/Evaluation
CAPP Specialty Track - Emergency Services CAPP Specialty Track - Communications CAPP Specialty Track - Aerospace Education CAPP Specialty Track - Cadet Program CAPP Specialty Track - Safety CAPP Specialty Track - Plans and Programs CAPP Specialty Track - The CAP Chaplain CAPP 221A Specialty Track - Chaplains Helping Chaplains CAPP Specialty Track Historian CAPP Specialty Track Moral Leadership CAPP Specialty Track Recruiting and Retention CAPP Specialty Track Information Technology
CAPP Specialty Track Drug Demand Reduction 
There are three (3) rating levels within each track:
1). Technician, 2) Senior, and 3). Master Rating

10. Active Membership & Promotions
No CAP member is entitled to a duty performance promotion simply by completing the training requirements for a particular level. Regulations require that the member must be performing in an exemplary manner meriting promotion to the grade recommended and must be recommended for promotion by the immediate superior and unit commander. If the member does not attend meetings or participate regularly or fails to perform his/her CAP job satisfactorily, he/she is probably not performing in an exemplary manner deserving a recommendation for promotion.

11. Grades PROMOTION TO MINIMUM SKILL LEVEL TIME IN GRADE
2ND Lt Level One months as senior member
1st Lt Tech Rating (Specialty Track) 12 months a 2nd Lt. or TFO
Captain Level Two months as 1st Lt or SFO
Major Level Three years as Captain
Lt. Col Level Four years as a Major
See CAP REGULATION 35-5 for additional details

12. Retired Military Officers
Regular and Reserve officers of the Armed Forces of the United States, active, retired or resigned, may be advanced to a CAP grade equivalent to their grade in the Armed Forces (but not to exceed lieutenant colonel), in recognition of their military knowledge and experience. Such promotions are neither automatic nor mandatory, but are at the discretion of the promoting authority. See Section C Paragraph 12 and 15 (below) of
CAPR35-5 CAP Officer and NCO Appointments and Promotions

13. Senior Member Professional Development Program
Air Force Institute for Advanced Distributed Learning (AFIADL). AFIADL provides CAP members with opportunities to increase their professional development through on-line and correspondence coursework.

14. Professional Development Contacts
PA Wing Director, Professional Development: Capt Annette Carlson
If you need help to enroll in AFIADL/AU courses, request extensions or course exams, or other ECI/ AFIADL/ AU related questions: Contact Capt Annette Carlson
Group 3 AFIADL TCO: 
Lt Col Bob DePorter

15. CAP Benefits American Sentinel University
Civil Air Patrol Distance Learning
Additional CAP Benefits

16. Programs for Senior Members
The Hawk Mountain Ranger Training Program – Senior Members & Cadets are given the
opportunity to advance their leadership, navigation, wilderness survival, medical, search and rescue
skills. This program reinforces the Emergency Services Specialty Tracks. Participation in training is
offered through out the year (Summer & Winter).
Emergency Services & Disaster Relief – CAP instructors teach emergency services specialty skills
that can help others in your community or nation when in need. Our squadron specializes in Ground Team
Search & Rescue, Urban Detection Finding (Aircraft Emergency Locator Transmitter [ELT] Searches),
and First Aid. Senior Member’s are required to complete Level One Achievement prior to starting training
in CAP Emergency Services.
Communications -- VHF and HF Radio Communications. HAM Radio Operators are welcome.
Cadet Programs – Assist with our cadet program during meeting nights, special activities and on
missions.
Aerospace Education – Professional Educators & Pilots serve to teach our future leaders – The Cadets!
Currently Civil Air Patrol owns 535 fix wing piston engine aircraft and 62 gliders. All Senior Members may study
aerospace education through the Senior Member Professional Development Program. CAP encourages its
senior members to learn about aviation and its history. Those who complete the Aerospace Education Program
for Senior Members may earn the Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager Aerospace Education Award.
Drug Demand Reduction - To be a leading force in America’s drug demand reduction strategy through
the development of tomorrow’s leaders in volunteer community service for a drug-free world

17. Next Steps
Visit the Squadron’s Web Site Write down any questions you might have and bring them with you to the next squadron meeting.
After your application is processed by CAP National Headquarters, you will be issued a CAP Membership Card with a CAPID #. Memorize your CAPID # and keep the card with you at all Civil Air Patrol meetings and functions. National HQ will also be mailing you a instructional packet.
Senior Members starting out need to consult with the Squadron Professional Development Officer or assigned Mentor for information and guidance.  
For National Dues please see the National CAP Web Site
Each member needs to establish an “eservices” password account.

18. UNIFORMS
Senior Member’s are required to be in full CAP uniform for weekly meetings, activities and missions. To start out, the BDU uniform cost is ranging from $125 to $150 per cadet.
You will need:
Battle Dress Uniforms (Military Woodland Camo BDU Type) Blouse and Pants
Orange T-Shirts
Orange “101” Baseball Cap
AF Blue belt with “black color” flat buckle
Black (polished) Military Style Boots
Boot Sox
Boot Blousers
Outer Coat/Jacket (Military Woodland Camo types are optional, but recommended)
Air Force Class B “Dress Uniform” OR CAP Corporate OR CAP Alternate Uniforms (Short &
Long Sleeve Shirts – Long Sleeve Shirt requires AF Style Tie and CAP Tie-Tack)
Flight Cap (depends on the dress uniform type)
AF Blue belt with silver polished buckle (with AF style dress uniforms)
Black High Gloss Military Dress Shoes
White Undershirts “V neck”
PT Clothes – (Optional for seniors members unless you plan to participate with the cadets in PT).
See our Supply Officer for more details. Our squadron may be able to outfit most of the BDU uniform needs, insignias & patches.
Remember, ALL member’s must maintain AF/CAP Regulations for weight and grooming standards when wearing Air Force uniforms. For CAP Corporate and Alternative Uniforms, Senior Member’s need only to maintain grooming standards. No exceptions.

19. UNIFORMS CONTINUED
For proper placement of insignias, name tags and patches go to:
For regulations on CAP Uniforms go to:

20. Uniform & Equipment Suppliers
The Vanguard Industries – The Official CAP Uniform Provider
(Click on the Civil Air Patrol Section)
For ordering name tags/tapes through Vanguard:
The Hock Shop – CAP Uniforms & Name Tags/Tapes
ALL CELL PHONE USERS CALL           
ALL OTHER CALLERS THE-HOCK   
SHOP HOURS Monday - Saturday EASTERN TIME
Montgomeryville Army Navy
North Wales Road (Near Airport Square)
Montgomeryville, PA 18936  
BDU’s & Camping Gear (10% discount with CAP ID card)
California Army Navy – Outdoor gear  
Sportsmen’s Guide – Outdoor gear
        

21. CAP Web Sites of Interest
CAP National HQ
CAP National HQ – eServices
CAP Northeast Region
CAP Pennsylvania Wing
CAP Group 3
Lower Bucks Squadron 101