We are an operationally focused squadron.  Because CAP requires a number of administrative and training tasks from its new members before they are allowed to participate in operational missions and training activities, it is imperative that our new members work rapidly to complete the tasks in this guide.  Most of these tasks can be completed individually at home and most require a computer with internet access.  It is recommended that they be begun in the order listed.

1.  Membership Application (CAPF 12), Fingerprint Card, and Dues.

Prerequisites:  None

Dependencies:  Everything in CAP.  You can attend our squadron meetings, and watch the Level I/CPPT videos while NHQ is processing your application.

Time:  variable

For help in obtaining/filling out the CAPF 12, finding out about meeting times and places, and asking general questions, please refer to attachment #1 for contacts and phone-numbers.

The CAPF 12 is self-explanatory.  The fingerprinting must be done by a law enforcement official.  Make a photocopy of the forms, for your records, before you hand them in.  New member dues are $70, made payable to “Civil Air Patrol”.  If you are prior military, please provide a copy of your DD-214 at the same time; this will allow the CAP Personnel Officer to determine if you can receive credit for previous military experience.  When you have all 3 items ready, check and make sure the Unit Commander has signed and dated the CAPF 12, put it all in an envelope that doesn't bend the fingerprint card, and mail to:

CAP NHQ

Maxwell AFB, AL.

36112

In about 5 - 10 working days your CAP ID will be issued and soon after your ID card will come in the mail.  If you don't see your ID card about 3 weeks after you mail in your application, please let the Unit Commander know.

2.  Set up your online CAP e-Services account.

Prerequisites:  CAPID number. (1, above)

Dependencies:  All member training records shall be maintained online.

Time:  30 mins

Go to www.capnhq.gov (bookmark this address!!!) and click on the link for first-time users.  Activate your account and fill in your personal data.  Explore the site and read the tutorials.  The more comfortable you become with e-Services and especially its “My Operations Qualifications/National Reports” module found on the left side bar list of links, the easier everything else you do in CAP will be!

3.  Level I/ Cadet Protection Program Training (CPPT).

Prerequisites:  CAPID number must be assigned to you before the record of this training can be submitted.

Dependencies:  Level I is required before you may fly in CAP aircraft or begin emergency services training.  CPPT is required before you can participate in any activities with CAP cadets.

Time:  3-4 hours

This can be started as soon as you receive a CAP ID number.  This is on-line learning one must do over an internet connection with some simple on-line quizzes and finally a personal sit-down with a staff member.  The CPPT part is printed out and completed by penciling in the answers directly on the hard-copies.  Then turn it in to the Unit Commander or his representative.  This training module with further directions can be found at: http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=6564.

4.  View the online CAP Operational Security (OPSEC) presentation.

Prerequisites:  CAPID number (1, above)

Dependencies:  All CAP functions, you will not be permitted to do much of anything until you complete this item.

Time:  10 mins

Go to https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec

Do not download the presentation.  Watch the slides online at your own pace, then answer the yes/no question at the end.

5.  Complete General Emergency Services – GES CAPT 116, Part 1

Prerequisites:  CAPID number (1, above), e-Services account (2, above), and Level I training (3, above).

Dependencies:  All Emergency Services (ES) training.

Time:  1.5 to 3 hours, depending on prior experience.

To participate in CAP Emergency Services, you will need to have an over-view understanding of how CAP functions within its own organization as well as with other local, state and even national emergency organizations.  FEMA is the model after which we now function since when working with outside agencies, they are all using the FEMA system.  Study CAP regulation 60-3 and take the on-line test.  All of this is done on-line at your own pace.

Go to the following link to our regulations download site and get CAP Regulation 60-3.  CAP Regulations download site:

http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/member_services/publications/indexes_regulations_and_manuals.cfm

Note that this site contains the download links to all of CAP’s published regulations and any current letters, memos, etc. related to them.  Bookmark this page as you will need to be able to get back here and download other regulations in the future.  As a suggestion, if you download a regulation to your own hard-drive, delete it when you’re done with it and download it again when you need it again later.  This way you are less likely to use an out of date regulation (they can be updated and changed quite often).

Once you have read through CAPR60-3 go to this link and take the CAPT 116 Part 1:

https://tests.cap.af.mil/newtests/test.cfm?grp=dos

6.  Complete GES Continuing Education – CAPT 117, Parts 1 and 2

Prerequisites:  CAPID number (1, above), e-Services account (2, above), and Level I training (3, above).

Dependencies:  All Emergency Services (ES) training.

Time:  1.5 to 3 hours, depending on prior experience.

These modules will give you more in-depth training on the Mission Base, Air and Ground Operations.  Use previously downloaded CAP regulation 60-3 and the on-line modules before the tests and then take the on-line tests.  All of this is done at your own pace.

CAPT 117 Parts 1 and 2 are found at the same web-page where CAPT 116 is located:

https://tests.cap.af.mil/newtests/test.cfm?grp=dos

7.  Complete FEMA – IS-100.

Prerequisites:  CAPID number (1, above), e-Services account (2, above), and Level I training (3, above).

Dependencies:  All Emergency Services (ES) qualifications.

Time:  1.5 to 3 hours, depending on prior experience.

Since CAP will function within FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS), we must be familiar with it and have been trained and tested accordingly under the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  Go to the following link to FEMA’s courses and tests site for this part of your training.  All of this is done on-line at your own pace:

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp

On the left choose “Take this Course, Option 1.”  Go thru the on-line course.  It is recommended that you print the exam first so you can look up the correct answers before proceeding with taking the on-line exam.  Go to the “Take Final Exam” link to print the test and then later return to that link to actually take the test.  Your certificate shall be e-mailed to you after you complete and pass the test.  Save a copy of the “pdf” file that is sent to you and print our your certificate.  You will need a copy of the certificate of completion to put this in your on-line record in e-Services.  When you have your certificate, please get with your mentor or another experienced member of the squadron and get assistance in putting this qualification in your on-line account.

Please note: there will be additional FEMA ICS training required once you start an Emergency Services specialty such as Mission Scanner or Mission Pilot.  It would be in your best interest to browse around the ICS training courses and see what this is all about.  The next test you will be required to accomplish is the IS-700.  When you have time, do it just like IS-100 outlined above.

8.  Complete Skills Evaluator Training (SET) exam online.

Prerequisites:  CAPID (1, above), e-Services account (2, above), Level I (3, above), GES (5, above)

Dependencies:  Required in order for you to sign off trainees’ ES tasks

Time:  20-30 mins

Go to: https://tests.cap.af.mil/ops/dl/Module%20One/SET-OL.htm

View the online slide show.  Open another browser window and go to the testing page: https://tests.cap.af.mil/ops/tests/default.cfm?Message=Ok&grp=dos

Select “Skills Evaluator Training (10 questions)”.  Using the slide show you already opened in the other window, answer the questions and finally print and copy your completion certificate.

After completing all the above items, you should be reasonably familiar with the CAP website and with the ES regulations.  You will also have completed all the tasks you must do on your own before becoming qualified in an ES specialty.  Hopefully by this point you have begun some operational training with some of our qualified squadron members.  At anytime you find that you need help with anything, please contact the unit commander, deputy commander or any other CAP member you know and ask for assistance.  We understand that you will be unfamiliar with all of this and we expect you to ask questions while working your way through it.  We are happy to help you use the on-line websites and explain in more detail anything you don’t fully understand.