Viking Composite Squadron
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Cadet Membership

Civil Air Patrol’s cadet program transforms youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders through a curriculum that focuses on leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. As cadets participate in these four elements, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way. Many of the nation’s astronauts, pilots, engineers and scientists first explored their careers through CAP.

We accept new cadets who are at least 12 years old and not yet 19 years old.   It is a year-round program with weekly Tuesday night meetings at our hangar at Flying Cloud Airport, or at Grace Church in Eden Prairie MN.  We also have additional activities a couple times a month, and a week-long Encampment in the summer.  If you're interested in joining, contact us for an opportunity to come visit, or read more about the new member path below.

 

To join Civil Air Patrol, a prospective cadet member must attend a minimum of three meetings before joining Viking Squadron.  We want you understand more about the organization so you can make an informed decision about joining.

On your first visit, let us know that you're new, and we'll walk you through some information about CAP and show you around.  Once you've come to three meetings, you can join Civil Air Patrol, and start your journey with Viking!

New Cadet Path

Step 1: Talk with the Recruiting and Retention Officer

During your first meetings at Viking, you'll talk with our Recruiting and Retention Officer and we'll go over a few expectations for Viking cadets.  Think in advance about whether you're willing to commit to weekly meetings and promotions.  This is our chance to talk together and make sure that Viking Squadron is a good fit for you.  Our Recruiting and Retention Officer will give you a tour, an overview of the program, and answer all your questions.  You'll also meet our Deputy Commander for Cadets.

Ideally, bring a form of government issued ID to the board so it can be reviewed by senior staff.  Acceptable forms of ID include: birth certificate, Social Security Card, driver’s license, driver’s permit, passport.  We do not need to keep your ID; just review it.  Note: although it does make it easier to join, you don't need to be a citizen to join CAP!  Let us know and we'll walk you through the process.

Step 2: Sign up for squadron email announcements

We send out emails about once to twice a week to update you on our next meeting details and any new opportunities.  Check out our mailing list page to sign up for these regular announcements.  You can of course unsubscribe at any time.  We recommend signing the cadet up for announcements, and also a parent or guardian to keep in the loop.  More is better!

Step 3: Subscribe to the Squadron Calendar

We maintain a virtual squadron calendar with meeting information and some details about upcoming opportunities.  The calendar shows both cadet activities and senior (adult) activities.  You can add it to your mobile device as a reminder for squadron meeting locations and uniform requirements.

Step 4: Follow us on social media

You can follow us on our squadron Facebook page for updates on events and activities.  We also have an Instagram page (@viking.squadron)!

Step 5: Complete the Online Member Application

Prior to your third meeting, you can complete the online membership application with your parents. This includes the $37 annual dues payment to CAP National Headquarters.  Your application will stay in a Pending status until your ID has been reviewed, but you'll get a CAP ID upon completion of the application.  Remember this number, because this is your ID for the rest of your CAP career!

When applying, you'll need to know that our Wing is MN and our Unit is 030.

Step 6: Present government ID

If your ID hasn’t been reviewed yet, please bring it in to the next meeting. 

Step 7: Pay squadron dues

Viking Squadron also has an annual due of $100 per cadet (family maximum $300).  Dues are pro-rated based on when you join (see the chart below).  Bring a check made out to MN Wing CAP (Viking Squadron).  If finances are an issue, contact us and we'll work with you on that.

Month joined Pro-rated dues
January $75
February $67
March $58
April $50
May $42
June $33
July $25
August $17
September $100 (for next fiscal year)
October $100
November $92
December $83

Congratulations! You are now a Civil Air Patrol Cadet!  Now what?

National CAP has a helpful page for new cadets: New Cadet Information.  Feel free to read through that as well.  Please be sure to watch the short video intro on Promotions and eServices.  They'll also be shipping you a copy of the New Cadet Guide, but take a quick look through the online copy linked here as well.

Step 8: Obtain an ABU Uniform

Viking will issue the ABU blouse and pants if we have your size in stock. If we don’t have your size, you'll be responsible for those items. Ultimately, all uniform items are the responsibility of the member.  To get started, fill out the ABU request form on our website and our Supply Officer will reach out to schedule a time to find uniform items from our stock at the squadron.

Any items that the squadron doesn't have in supply will be your responsibility to order.  Feel free to ask if a squadron supply order will be placed soon though, as you're welcome to join the order and save on shipping.  You can also order some of these items from eBay at discounted prices.  The Civil Air Patrol uniform item supplier is Vanguard.  We hope that you'll promote very shortly after joining, probably even before you've obtained a complete ABU.  However, a complete ABU is a requirement for your second promotion, and we'd like to help you get a full uniform as quickly as possible after joining.  This uniform includes:

  • Trousers

  • Blouse: Adult or Youth sizes

  • Name Tape (with your last name)

  • Civil Air Patrol Tape

  • Tan Rigger Belt

  • Minnesota Wing Patch (provided by the squadron)

  • Viking Squadron Patch (provided by the squadron)

  • Black socks

  • A Tan T-Shirt (one free Viking t-shirt on joining, and additional Viking t-shirts available for $5)

  • Black combat boots, preferably with a leather toe and heel (example)

Many of these items can often be found at the squadron supply, but the belt, name tapes, and boots usually must be purchased individually.  Please contact the squadron if finances are an issue here.

Step 9: Login to eServices to start your training

eServices is located at capnhq.gov.  You’ll need to set up your account using your CAPID that you got above.  See our Getting Started with eServices Guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Step 10: Set up your eServices account

Once you login for the first time, you’ll be prompted to complete Operational Security, or OPSEC, training. Because we are part of the Air Force organization, you must complete this before moving forward.

It's also very important that we have full contact information for each cadet in eServices.  Please take a moment to add this to eServices.

  1. Log in to Civil Air Patrol eServices

  2. Left click on your name

  3. Select Contacts

  4. Add your cadet’s email and phone number.

  5. Add an email and phone number for your guardians.

You can also add your photo to eServices.  It must be a headshot on a white background, and the upload software does best with small photos around 500kb in size.

  1. Log in to Civil Air Patrol eServices

  2. Left click on your name

  3. Select General Information

  4. Select the link: Click here to upload a photo for your membership card, 101 card, etc.

Step 11: Find Cadet Online Testing

In eServices, navigate to Menu > Online Learning > Learning Management System, then click the link titled Go to Axis.  Cadets have Leadership and Aerospace Education exams for most promotions that are taken online.  Most exams are 25 multiple choice questions and have a 30 minute time limit.

For Achievement 1, you’ll only have to complete Leadership Exam 1.  It covers Chapter 1 of the Learn to Lead Vol 1.  This textbook will be shipped to you upon joining, but it can also be found in the Civil Air Patrol Learn to Lead library.

All online exams (except milestones) are open-note, open-book. Take notes and be prepared by reading and understanding the objectives for each chapter.

Step 12: Review Promotion Requirements

See the Cadet Super Chart or review Stripes to Diamonds on gocivilairpatrol.com.  Ask your flight staff to help you understand what you need to earn cadet promotions.

Step 13: Recruit a Parent/Guardian

As we grow, we are in need of more adults to assist with chaperoning events. To chaperone, you must join as an Cadet Sponsor Member or a Senior Member. For more information see, Can Parents Be in CAP? National dues for Cadet Sponsors are $30 to join and $20 to renew annually (subject to change) and squadron dues are waived. A cadet can earn the Recruiter Ribbon once they have recruited two cadet or senior members.

Step 13: Expand your horizons

Outside cadet promotions, there are other areas to learn and grow in.  We encourage all cadets to complete General Emergency Services (GES) and Aircraft Ground Handling Training as soon as possible  These pieces are accessible in Axis.  Through eServices, navigate to Menu > Online Learning > Learning Management System then click the Go to Axis button.

Congratulations!  You’re off to a great start!

 

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