Requirements
Cadet Member Requirements
Age Requirement
Youth members must be at least 12 years old and not yet 19 years old.
Citizenship Requirement
United States citizenship is a requirement for membership. However, if you are admitted to the United States as a permanent resident and have a permanent resident card (I-551), you are eligible to join.
If you are in the US but not a citizen or permanent resident, you may still be able to join, but will need to request a waiver of the citizenship requirement from your Civil Air Patrol squadron .
The citizenship waiver requires documentation (ex: a US Visa) that shows the reason you are in the country and how long you are permitted to stay in the US.
Uniform Requirements
Cadets need one uniform to get started. Valkyrie can provide most uniform items to members at no cost. Eventually, the cadet will want to have both the camouflage utility uniform (ABUs) and the Air Force-style service uniform, "blues."
Upon completing Achievement 1 and becoming a Cadet Airman, cadets qualify for the Curry Blues Voucher, which covers some of the costs of the Air Force-style blue uniform. Therefore, we suggest you obtain ABUs first, and then use the Curry Blues Voucher to obtain your “blues.”
Before you purchase any uniform items, please be sure to speak with your squadron leaders. They can help ensure you're getting the right uniform and may be able to provide information on how to obtain it locally.
For more information, check out the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters Website. Which covers the topic of cadet membership in depth.
Adult Membership Requirements
Age Requirement
Adult members must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age limit to join or remain as an adult member.
Citizenship Requirement
United States citizenship is a requirement for membership. However, if you are admitted to the United States as a permanent resident and have a permanent resident card (I-551), you are eligible to join.
If you are in the US but not a citizen or permanent resident, you may still be able to join, but will need to request a waiver of the citizenship requirement from your Civil Air Patrol squadron .
The citizenship waiver requires documentation (ex: a US Visa) that shows the reason you are in the country and how long you are permitted to stay in the US. If approved, the waiver will only be for the period of residence within the United States.
Fingerprinting FAQ
All active adult members must be screened and registered by National Headquarters. The screening process requires that the individual complete an FD 258 fingerprint card used by NHQ to request an FBI criminal records check to determine membership eligibility. Felony convictions or patterns of arrests and/or convictions including, but not limited to sex offenses, child abuse, DUIs, dishonesty and violence may be the basis for rejection of membership. Reports received from the FBI are maintained in strict confidence by NHQ and not released.
There are no waivers for the fingerprint card requirement, regardless of your current security clearance or recent criminal background check for another organization or company.
Military Service FAQ
Regular and Reserve officers of the Armed Forces of the United States, active, retired, or honorably discharged, 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.
Regular, Reserve, and National Guard Senior Noncommissioned Officers of the Armed Forces or Coast Guard of the United States, active, or retired, in the grade of E-7 through E-9 may receive an advanced CAP grade in recognition of their military knowledge and experience.
Such promotions are neither automatic nor mandatory, but are at the discretion of the promoting authority.
Uniform Requirements
Adult members may wear the USAF-style uniforms or one of the distinctive CAP uniforms, but usually, some type of uniform is required to participate in activities, events and missions. Valkyrie can provide most uniform items to members at no cost.
Before you purchase any uniform items, please be sure to speak with your squadron leaders. They can help ensure you're getting the right uniform and may be able to provide information on how to obtain it locally.
For more information, check out the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters Website. Which covers the topic of adult membership in depth.
