User:Fightin' Phillie/Civil Air Patrol rank structure

The Rank Structure of the Civil Air Patrol mirrors the ranks of the U.S. Air Force. CAP Members progress through the program by achieving various ranks.

Although not subject the the Uniform Code of Military Justice, CAP members are authorized to wear the uniforms of the United States Air Force so long as they meet the weight and grooming standards of the Air Force. Members who do not meet the Air Force standards wear CAP Distinctive uniforms.

CAP personnel are required to salute commissioned officers of the United States who are a higher grade than themselves. However, uniformed members of the United States are not required to salute CAP Senior Members, as CAP personnel do not receive a commission from the President of the United States.

Senior Members

Abbreviation	SM	FO-1	FO-2	FO-3	O-1	O-2	O-3	O-4	O-5	O-6	O-7	O-8
Insignia
Title	Senior Member	Flight Officer	Technical Flight Officer	Senior Flight Officer	Second Lieutenant	First Lieutenant	Captain	Major	Lieutenant Colonel	Colonel	Brigadier General	Major General
Notes	New CAP Member	Under 21 Only	Under 21 Only	Under 21 Only	Completed Level 1		Grover Loening Award	Paul E. Garber Award	Gill Robb Wilson Award	Wing or Region Commander	National Staff Member	Reserved for National Commander

Senior Members are the Adults in Civil Air Patrol. Promotion through the ranks is based upon completion of certain criteria, often including progression along a Specialty Track. CAP Specialty Tracks are similar to the Air Force Specialty Code, and include such vocations as Historian, Cadet Programs,

Senior Members are persons who join CAP after their 18th birthday, or cadets after their 21st birthday. Upon their 18th birthday, cadets may choose to remain as cadets or become Senior Members. Senior Members under the age of 21 hold the ranks of Flight Officers. A Flight Officer is roughly the equivalent of a Second Lieutenant, a Technical Flight Officer is the rough equivalent of a First Lieutenant, and a Senior Flight Officer is the rough equivalent of a Captain. Upon turning 21, Flight Officers are automatically promoted to the appropriate rank.

Because promotion from Lieutenant to Lt Colonel is based upon achievement, Squadron Commanders can be (and are) in charge of subordinate personnel who outrank them.

Cadet Members

On the Air Force Mess Dress uniform, officer rank insignia are embroidered in silver or gold thread on detachable shoulder boards which are attached to the mess dress jacket. No rank insignia are worn on the mess dress shirt.

References

[Category:Officer ranks of the United States Air Force] [Category:Military insignia]