Civil Air Patrol Until Retirement?

[Creamer]

I had almost 14 years of active duty service in the Air Force before I made a clean break to the airlines. I'm considering joining the CAP in the Anchorage area for community service, family opportunities with my kids, and the pure fun of it. Is it possible to be an active member of the CAP and earn points for no pay towards a reserve retirement?

 

[TonyC]

Look into AF Reserve CAP Liaison positions.





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[TR4A]

Is it possible to be an active member of the CAP and earn points for no pay towards a reserve retirement?

As long as you are not a CAP Reserve Assistance Officer (CAPRAP). I did the CAPRAP thing for 12 years. It is a Cat E, points only, reserve job. You could only be a patron member of CAP. The other Cat E position is Academy Liaison Officer.

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

Caprap

Im pending orders into the CAPRAP myself. How'd you like the program? I assume it went well for you since you stayed for 12 years!

Do you have a POC for orders there? It's been taking them almost year to move on my hard copies!

 

[Gwadwerc]

CAPRAP is run through Air University

at Maxwell AFB. Try comm 334-953-5225 or-6091. Who you REALLY need to talk to is the Liaison Officer for your state. Presumably, Maxwell actually knows who that is and can put you in touch with him/her. (S)he will be your supervisor, and if (s)he hires you, should go to bat for you to get orders pushed through.

It's a very easy job, and a good way to accumulate good years without earning a ton of retirement points. AS close to being retired as you can get without actually retiring.

On the downside, it is often frustrating to get the most simple things done. Want a couple of MPA days? Gotta start the process 7 - 8 weeks in advance. Need to file those MPA orders for pay? Orders go to Denver for mil pay. Travel voucher goes to Dobbins for processing. If you thought it was difficult to get anything done through your MPF (CBPO for those of you who've been out awhile) when they were on the other side of the base, try getting something done when your MPF is Denver. Two weeks late getting your physical? Sorry, any points you earned those two weeks will not be awarded. You get the picture.

All that said, it's OK if you just keep your eye on the ball. Get those 20 good years, get the retirement.
:beer:

Plug: Ohio could use some CAPRAPs in the Cleveland/Akron/Youngstown area. PM me if you're interested and I'll put you in touch with the OH Liaison Officer.

Tailwinds,
-Gwadwerc

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

I've been touch with both the SD and the WRC, but it seems the hold up is @ HQ CAP. It's been more than 6 months now since the papers have been resubmitted and they seem to like to move reeeeaaallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyy SLOOOWWWW there. Hell, I have yet to speak to someone LIVE and I have been calling that office for a year and a half now. That is just piss poor. On the other hand, like you said, it's a great way to continue the points till retirement -- AND the flexibility to go volunteer to go on extended active duty for exercises or deployments on one of your old AFSCs or special duties when the patriotic mood hits the peak every once in while. I can just see the horror when dealing with ppw -- but as long as the points get logged and I get my roof sometime in the future, I'm ok with it. Besides, what better way of wearing the bag without having to worry about currencies? BTW, you have any resourse on bag patches? The company listed in the CAPRAP handbook only does orders in mass production of 200 or more and I only need a couple of each -- AETC, Air U and CAPRAP.

 

[TR4A]

Im pending orders into the CAPRAP myself. How'd you like the program? I assume it went well for you since you stayed for 12 years!

Do you have a POC for orders there? It's been taking them almost year to move on my hard copies!

I started in FL then TX and was the WRC in WA. Retired 3 years ago. I amazed that it is taking that long to get your paper work through. See if the state director can put some pressure on them.

 

[TR4A]

BTW, you have any resources on bag patches? The company listed in the CAPRAP handbook only does orders in mass production of 200 or more and I only need a couple of each -- AETC, Air U and CAPRAP.

When I was the WRC I use to order patches from the CAP Bookstore in Maxwell to give to the new guys. I just looked on the http://www.cap.gov/ web site and they have a company running the "Online Store". http://www.civilairpatrolstore.com/store/store.php?page=2&cat_id=108 has the AETC patch. The Bookstore carried the CAP-USAF and Air U patches. Maybe call the Online Store and ask them if they have them. The Bookstore did not list them in the old paper catalog but I was able to order them.

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

SD and WRC are waiting for CAP HQ to issue orders..I do not know how much longer they are willing to wait. I am starting to think that I should look for another special duty assignment. I started attending unit meetings and just got informed that I may not be credited for them (Im on IRR awaiting orders) when I turn in my 40As at the end of the month. So I think I may just standby until I get hard copies before I do anything else.

 

[JCJ]

FWIW at Maxwell there is CAP HQ (HQ for the volunteer corporation) and CAP-USAF HQ (Military unit subordinate to AU and AETC that handles all USAF support of CAP) If you are trying to go CAPRAP and something is screwed up, it will be on the CAP-USAF HQ side (CAP HQ doesn't do anything with USAF personnel, including CAPRAP's)

CAP HQ and CAP-USAF HQ are at opposite ends of the HQ buildong.

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

Its at CAPUSAF HQ. They just like to torment me.

Looks like a lot of you guys have gone this avenue before. I looked at other options and this seems to be the best way to serve while flying in the real world. I just wish they move like they care.

 

[Gwadwerc]

You just hit the nail on the head

I'm pretty sure they DON'T care. As far as patches, my SD gave me all but the name tag. Bought those through Mardon - $14 for two of them - royal blue with dark yellow/gold rim and white lettering/wings. Don't know if it's different by state. www.mardonco.com 800-571-1375 They may also be able to set you up with the other patches if all else fails. FWIW, took me about 10 weeks to get transferred from my ANG unit 18 months ago. Don't know why it's taking this long for you. fingerprint search turn up something?

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

lol...Oh man, I could have sworn those barn yard animals were unharmed.

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

At last!

Im on board fellas! Anyone have any input on what kind of duties to put in for? Anyone heard of Cadet Encampments? The SD is big on it but Im a bit unsure if it's for me. Also, how often to these guys do RCPHA or PT tests? I know its supposed to be annually, but I have seen regular Reserve units "deviate" from this. Not looking to skip on anything just wanna know what I should expect to see minus the shock. Thanks!

 

[Gwadwerc]

Congrats!

[FONT=&quot]So how big did the bribe end up being?

AS far as duty goes, main on is to visit CAP units during their normal weekly meetings. Our Liaison Region (LR) commander (an AD O-5) requires us to attend a SAR manager's course once every 3 years, and a SAR EXercise once/year. WE also have one "drill" weekend per year which is uber-mandatory. It is a SUTA (split UTA), offered twice a year for some flexibility. We're welcome to attend more than one Sarex/year. We're encouraged but not coerced to do encampments (think Boy Scout or 4-H camp, with a little Basic Trng thrown in). You an also earn points by working on PME. About 15 - 20 points for each of the 6 sections of ACSC.

Keep in mind, you have to EARN at least 35 points/year. That with your 15 gratis membership points will give you 50 for a good year. Also keep in mind that you can't count more than 90 INACTIVE points/anniversary year toward retirement. Those would be all points which you earn that weren't on a manday.

It's up to you about the encampments. How concerned are you about keeping your SD happy? How open are you to trying new things just to see what they're about. We're allowed to attend any portion of an encampment which our civilian schedule allows. You may not have to commit a full 7 - 9 days.

AS far as RCPHA and Dental exams, they're hard to fudge, since they’re centrally managed. The Dental can be signed off by your civ DD, and is good until the last day of the 12th month since it was previously done (just like a second class medical). I'm pretty sure the RCPHA has the same time line, but can't swear to it. It has to be performed by a military medical facility. Forms and instructions are on the ARPC website.

Fudging the PT will depend largely on your LR/CC and SD. IT expires one year TO THE DAY since you last performed it. WE did get a memo though that says that simply attempting the PT meets the time requirement. However, if you don't pass, I believe there are progressively onerous rehabilitation requirements.

What LR/State are you in? Hope you enjoy the assignment! Good Luck[/FONT]

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

Capped

It looks like I'll be able to pull a few days of the encampment (have to fly missions in between) so we'll see. I am about 2 years behind my PT Test (I was on IRR this past year and on EAD the year before), and a year behind the RCPHA. They have mentioned it a couple months ago but nothing has been done as of yet so I'll press. I was just gained the beginning of July.
Because of my various AFSCs I get picked and sometimes volunteer for EADs so I'd like to plan on doing most of the 35 points doing CAP duties before playing GI Joe. I heard E promotions are hard to come by, so I'm hoping all my EAD and Combat tours will help.

Any time on CAP requirement before I can ask to be put in for the OVSM?

Thanks a lot for the info.

SB

 

[fredflyer]

Actually, if you get an FAA Class I medical exam, it counts for your RCPHA. If you go to this website: http://arpc.afrc.af.mil/medical/operations/forms_pubs.asp and click on the RCRHA form, print and fill it out and take it to your AME, he signs the last page and you can fax it to SGP medical branch along with your FAA Medical form (the whole form, not just the certificate) and they'll count it. Check out http://arpc.afrc.af.mil/medical/operations/physical_exams.asp for more info. Plus you can log a point for something you have to do anyway....