I thought about possible trying the CAP to help prepare for enlisting in the air force and possible increasing my pay grade and rank. If I have only a little less than a year before I join the USAF would it be worth it, as far as getting an increased pay grade or rank?

To get advanced grade from CAP service, you have to have earned the General Billy Mitchell Award.

The Air Force and Coast Guard will grant a Mitchell cadet E-3 upon graduation from BMT/boot camp. The Marines, Navy and Army grant E-2.

However, you cannot get the Mitchell within the space of a year.

I'm not saying "don't join CAP" because the instruction you receive in military customs and courtesies can help you in basic training. Just don't advertise it once you get there...you don't want to come under any increased attention from the TI's. In any case, some TI's care and some don't. When I was in basic, we had an ex-Mitchell cadet and the TI told him he didn't care.

Can't do it.

Unless you got some JROTC time the minimum time between promotions is 2 months.

So the most you can be in 12 months is TSgt...and that does not get you any extra pay/rank at basic...you got to be Mitchell (2d Lt).

Having said that.....CAP could help you prepare for basic training by teaching you drill and customs and courtsies....that will definitely help you at Basic.

So if you are serious about it....go ahead and join CAP.

quote:

Originally posted by SG1FAN:
I thought about possible trying the CAP to help prepare for enlisting in the air force and possible increasing my pay grade and rank. If I have only a little less than a year before I join the USAF would it be worth it, as far as getting an increased pay grade or rank?

Thank you for your interest in CAP. I started out in CAP as a cadet recruiter and have recruited at least 4 people into the cadet program.

How old are you? Reason I ask is because in order to join as a cadet you must be under 18 years of age.

The minimum age for enlistment in the military is 17, so if you are waiting one year to be eligible to enlist that would put you at age 16. If that is true, you have a little time to decide whether or not CAP is for you.

But if you are 17 now and want the advanced paygrade bonus that comes with the Mitchell Award (C/2d Lt), I highly recommend you join CAP soon; you will not be able to join past your 18th birthday.

Also, the mandatory "retirement" age for cadets is 21. Joining at 17 would give you 4 years to earn the Mitchell, which takes a minimum of 1 1/2 years to earn (without JROTC credit).

Another thing I would like to mention is that the Mitchell Award can take the place of the academic portion of the first year in Air Force ROTC. However, unlike the advanced paygrade bonus for enlistment, this one may or may not be allowed; it all depends on the detachment commander.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Guardrail256,

quote:

Originally posted by Guardrail256:
Another thing I would like to mention is that the Mitchell Award can take the place of the academic portion of the first year in Air Force ROTC.

Cite please...

It's the first semester. Earhart takes up the first year, and Spaatz takes up 75% of the GMC. It is in the regs, but most DET's do not endorse it.

Q&A on the AFROTC website:

"19. Do I receive any ROTC credit for Civil Air Patrol (CAP)?
The unit commander can give credit for part of the GMC to cadets who receive the Spaatz, Earhart, and Mitchell Awards during any academic term of the GMC."

quote:

AFROTCI 36-2011 wrote:

2.3.5. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Awards. The detachment commander may accredit portions of the GMC for receipt of a CAP award. Obtain a copy of the certificate of award from the individual, attach it to the AFROTC IMT 20, and place it in the cadet's UPRG. Only the highest award is accredited. The awards are not cumulative.
2.3.5.1. The Carl A. Spaatz Award (may be shown as Phase 4) is considered as being equal to three semesters, four quarters, or an equivalent number of other academic terms that comprise a maximum of 1 1/2 academic years.
2.3.5.2. The Amelia Earhart Award is considered equal to either year of the GMC.
2.3.5.3. The Billy Mitchell Award is considered equal to any academic term of the GMC.

I would strongly recommend joining. I joined the CAP in late September 2007. I felt that the experience in drill, military customs and cortices, and leadership qualities would help prepare me for the Air Force. Shortly after I joined the CAP I applied for AFROTC. I have been awarded an AFROTC scholarship. After being in the CAP for about 6 month and only a few more months before I leave for ROTC I am very glad that I joined.

I am not sure exactly on the time in grade requirements. I have heard that if you join past a certain age you can promote every month vs. every two months.

its possible to skip parts of ROTC using CAP time, but unless you need to use it, and there are circumstances where you would need it and it would help you out, don't be that guy.

quote:

Originally posted by skandalintegra:
It's the first semester.

I stand corrected.

quote:

Originally posted by MCO85:
its possible to skip parts of ROTC using CAP time, but unless you need to use it, and there are circumstances where you would need it and it would help you out, don't be that guy.

MCO85 is correct. It is usually frowned upon by the Cadre (officers) if used as a way of getting out portions of the GMC under normal circumstances, and some detachments don't even allow it. I believe that was the case in the det. I was in; I can't think of anyone I knew (who was prior-CAP) who used their CAP time to skip portions of the GMC.

What I don't understand is how an AFROTC cadet with CAP Milestone Award credit can skip portions of the GMC, but a cadet who is prior-enlisted (and has made much greater sacrifices than the former CAP cadet) is not allowed to skip any portion of the GMC. I'll give a steak dinner to anyone who can explain this.

Possibly because CAP is more oriented to train cadets to be cadet officers and potential leaders in the civilian world and military world. I'm not saying that's call CAP does. BUT I'm pretty sure BMT's purpose is to create enlisted Airmen, not commissioned ones.

It's a different mindset on the training involved.

I like 16 oz fillet mignon, center cut, cooked medium.

quote:

Originally posted by skandalintegra:
Possibly because CAP is more oriented to train cadets to be cadet officers and potential leaders in the civilian world and military world. I'm not saying that's call CAP does. BUT I'm pretty sure BMT's purpose is to create enlisted Airmen, not commissioned ones.

It's a different mindset on the training involved.

I like 16 oz fillet mignon, center cut, cooked medium.

That may be the reasoning behind it, and your right, BMT doesn't train leaders, but followers... but do you really think someone who has spent a few years in the military is behind a CAP cadet? Especially if they were an NCO.

And there were some good prior CAP cadets that did well in ROTC, but for some reason a lot of them didn't do well, and I think a lot of it was because they came in thinking they had already learned a lot about leadership and marching, etc.. Then before they knew it they were behind everyone else because they wern't putting in the effort they needed too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MCO85,

When CAP brings back PROMOTABLE enlisted/NCO ranks, so that I can wear my old stripes and get promoted within that level, I'll be much more inclined to rejoin CAP.

Bringing back warrant officers wouldn't hurt either. The AF doesn't have those at all (I think the last AF warrant was a Reservist who retired in the '80s) so there'd be no confusion.

One reason I left CAP was all the pissing contests over who got promoted and who didn't, because someone else didn't want a particular individual "outranking" them.