Acronym

Dictionary of CAP terms, including acronyms, abbreviations, and unique terms used in CAP.

Additional Resources

DOD Dictionary: https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/dictionary.pdf
FEMA Dictionary: https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/termdef.aspx
Volunteer University Lexicon: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Lexicon_VolU_0B1AB7FB28B18.pdf

Acronym/Abbreviation/Term	Spelled Out	Definition
101 Card	Civil Air Patrol Form 101	Wallet-sized form that lists all Emergency Services qualifications and supervised trainee status
1AF	First Air Force	USAF Component of NORTHCOM to which CAP is operationally assigned
ABU	Airmen's Battle Dress Uniform	USAF-style uniform authorized for CAP wear
ACC	Air Combat Command	USAF Command to which CAP-USAF is assigned
ACSC	Air Command and Staff College	Air Force officer Intermediate Developmental Education course for majors and major-selects
ADIS	Advanced Digital Imagery System	Photography mission type
AE	Aerospace Education
AEM	Aerospace Education Member	Membership category for teachers and other educators to have access to K-12 aerospace education materials to bring into their classroom or education setting
AFRCC	Air Force Rescue Coordination Center	Air Force center that manages assignment of Air Force search and rescue in the United States
AGH	Aircraft Ground Handling	Course that teaches safe ground movement of aircraft
AOBD	Air Operations Branch Director
AP	Airborne Photographer
AUDL	Air University Distance Learning	An Air Force organization through which professional military education courses can be completed. Notable among the offerings which are available to eligible Civil Air Patrol members are: Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer School, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and Noncommissioned Officer Academy. See CAP Regulation 40-1 paragraph 11.1
AWC	Air War College	Air Force officer Senior Developmental Education course for lieutenant colonels and Lt Col-selects
Axis	Learning system in eServices that offers training courses
BDU	Battle Dress Uniform	Old USAF-style uniform previously authorized for CAP wear. Phased out in 2021.
Bivouac		Military camping typically with training activities. Usually a temporary encampment under little or no shelter. (pronounced BIV-wack)
BLUF	Bottom Line Up Front	Brief (1-2 sentence) summary of a long or complex communication
BZ	Bravo Zulu	Navy term for "job well done"
CAP	Civil Air Patrol	USAF Auxiliary
CAPF	Civil Air Patrol Form
CAPID	Civil Air Patrol Identification (number)	Unique number to identify each member
CAPP	Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet	Written guidance published by National Headquarters or subordinate units
CAPR	Civil Air Patrol Regulation	Written directive on policy published by National Headquarters
CAPS	Civil Air Patrol Standard	Publication that outlines standards of accomplishing tasks, such as aircraft operations
CAP-USAF	Civil Air Patrol - United States Air Force	USAF personnel assigned by 1AF to oversea the operations of the Auxiliary and monitor the spending of appropriated funds.
CC	Commander	Office Symbol
CCC	Command Chief or Command NCO or NCO Advisor	Office Symbol. Command Chief at NHQ, Command NCO at region/wing, and NCO Advisor at groups and below.
CCE	Executive Officer	Air Force office symbol for executive officer, sometimes used in CAP. Administrative support for the unit commander.
CCF	First Sergeant	Office Symbol (Cadet or Composite Squadrons Only)
CCRSC	Chaplain Corps Region Staff College	A training opportunity offered for CAP Chaplain Corps personnel.
CD	Deputy Commander	Office Symbol
CD	Counterdrug
CDC	Deputy Commander for Cadets	Office Symbol
CDI	Character Development Instructor	Senior Member who teaches character development classes for cadets
CDI	Commander-Directed Investigation
CDS	Deputy Commander for Seniors	Office Symbol
CERT	Community Emergency Response Team	Emergency services qualification
CFU	Corporate Field Uniform	Blue utility uniform.
CI	Compliance Inspection	National Headquarters inspection of region and wing headquarters
CISM	Critical Incident Stress Management	Emergency services qualification
CLC	Corporate Learning Course	Advanced Course for Senior Members to learn about CAP organization above the squadron
CMSAF	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force	Senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Secretary of the Air Force. Highest ranking enlisted position in the Air Force.
COP	Certificate of Proficiency	Recognition for cadets who completed the cadet program prior to the current system
COP	Common Operating Picture	"A single identical display of relevant information shared by more than one command that facilitates collaborative planning and assists all echelons to achieve situational awareness." (DOD Dictionary)
COV	Corporate Owned Vehicle	Vehicles owned by CAP
CP	Cadet Programs	Office Symbol
CPP	Cadet Protection Program
CPPT	Cadet Protection Program Training
CS	Chief of Staff	Office Symbol (Wing/Region)
CSAF	Chief of Staff of the Air Force	Senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the U.S. and overseas
CUB	Commander's Update Briefing	Typically a staff update to their commander on current activities
CV	Vice Commander	Office Symbol
CWU	Corporate Working Uniform	a.k.a. polo uniform, authorized for senior members only
DA	Administration	Office Symbol
DAART	Domestic Awareness Assessment and Response Tool
DC	Communications (Director)	Office Symbol
DCS	Deputy Commander for Support	Region-level staff position that may oversee a specific element of the staff (e.g. DCS Logistics, DCS Aerospace)
DEV	Development	Office Symbol. Recently added as wing/region position.
DF	Direction Finder	Equipment capable of receiving and tracking aviation, marine, and personal distress beacons on 121.5 MHz, 243 MHz, and 406 MHz frequencies
DIV	Diversity Officer	Office Symbol
DLO	Desired Learning Outcomes	In a lesson plan, describes the knowledge, skills, or attitudes that students should be able to demonstrate after the lesson
DO	Operations	Office Symbol
DOC	Counterdrug	Office Symbol
DOH	Homeland Security	Office Symbol
DOK	Director of Communications	Office Symbol. NHQ only
DOS	Emergency Services	Office Symbol
DOT	Operations Training	Office Symbol
DOU	Unmanned Aerial Systems	Office Symbol
DOV	Standardization & Evaluation	Office Symbol
DP	Personnel	Office Symbol
DR	Disaster Relief	Office Symbol. Also category of mission providing post-disaster services.
DSCA	Defense Support of Civil Authorities	Authority used by DoD Components to support civil authorities to save lives, mitigate suffering, minimize serious property damage, and protect vital infrastructure during a disaster.
E108	Electronic CAPF108	Request for reimbursement of mission expenses filed in WMIRS
E&T	Education and Training	Senior Member training program. Replaced Professional Development. Also known as ET
ELT	Emergency Locator Transmitter	Aircraft beacon that triggers in a crash to help search teams locate the aircraft
ET	Education and Training	Office Symbol. Also the Senior Member training program. Replaced Professional Development. Also known as E&T
EXPLAN	Exercise Plan	The overall plan for the exercise
F&P	Familiarization and Preparatory Training	The initial classroom training for an emergency services qualification. Once a member completes prerequisites, F&P, and receives commander's approval they are classified as a Trainee on their 101 card. Trainees may participate in training and real world emergency services missions under a qualified supervisor
FDU	Flight Duty Uniform	a.k.a. flight suit
FECA	Federal Employees Compensation Act	Workmen’s compensation program for federal workers. FECA is applicable to CAP seniors and cadets 18 and older while serving on Air Force-assigned missions, including travel to and from. (See CAPR 900-5)
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
FLIR	Forward-Looking Infrared RADAR	Thermal imaging system used by some CAP wings (NDWG, WYWG) for DSCA/SAR
FM	Finance Officer	Office Symbol
FMA	Wing Financial Analyst	May also be referred to as WFA (pronounced "wiffa")
Form 5	Civil Air Patrol Form #5	Form used by CAP to approve pilot qualifications to fly CAP aircraft
FSX	Full-scale Exercise	Exercise that involves all field forces as well as mission management
FTCA	Federal Tort Claims Act	Liability protection that applies to CAP and its members while performing "Air Force-assigned missions" (see CAPR 900-5)
FTL	Field Team Leader	State qualification similar to Ground Team Leader
FTM	Field Team Member	State qualification similar to Ground Team Member
FTX	Field Training Exercise	Exercise that involves field forces
GC	General Counsel	Office Symbol (NHQ Only)
GCC	Group Commander Certificate	Group Commander Certificate training offered as electives for those in a Level 4 online cohort
GES	General Emergency Services	Initial training/exam for members starting emergency services training. Required for any ES participation.
GIIEP	Geospatial Information Interoperability Exploitation Portable
GIS	Geographic Information System	Data management system that organizes information across geography, typically laid out in a map composed of layers on information
GR	Government Relations Advisor	Office Symbol. Also may be called GRA. (Wing and region)
Grade		A step or degree, in a graduated scale of office or military rank (e.g., TSgt, 2d Lt). Definition derived from 10 USC §101
GREEN FLAG	Mission Code Phrase	Special CAP mission using specially equipped aircraft to train military sensor operators
GSA	General Services Administration	Federal agency that sets reimbursement rates for lodging and per diem (food)
GSAR (College)	Ground Search and Rescue College	VDEM course for Field Team Member (Ground Team Member) qualification
GTL	Ground Team Leader
GTM	Ground Team Member
GVR	Government Relations	Office Symbol. NHQ only
HC	Chaplain	Office Symbol
HO	Historian	Office Symbol
HQ	Headquarters	Management level in CAP above the squadron/chartered flight, e.g. Group, Wing, Region, National
HR	Human Relations	Office Symbol. NHQ employee management
HS	Health Services	Office Symbol
IACE	International Air Cadet Exchange
IC	Incident Commander	Lead individual in the Incident Command System. Qualification levels include IC1 (highest/major complex incidents) to IC3.
ICP	Incident Command Post
ICS	Incident Command System
ICUT	Introductory Communications User Training	Initial training to be able to operate CAP radios without supervision
IFR	Instrument Flight Rules
IG	Inspector General	Office Symbol (wing and higher)
IGC	Inspector General College	A national college for CAP Inspectors General and Inspector General staff members ; region, wing, or group commanders; or legal officers
IPP	Initial Planning Point	Point selected to begin planning for a search
ISR	Intra-Squad Radio	Communications - A small ICOM radio that uses military frequencies that looks and behaves like the small Family Radio Service (FRS) radios that are available to the public.
IST	Introduction Safety Training	Safety
IT	Information Technology	Office Symbol
JA	Legal Officer	Office Symbol (wing and higher)
L-Per		Direction finding equipment used in finding ELTs. Also known as "Little L-Per" by manufacturer, L-Tronics.
LG	Logistics	Office Symbol
LGM	Aircraft Maintenance Officer	Office Symbol
LGS	Supply Officer	Office Symbol
LGT	Transportation Officer	Office Symbol
LKP	Last Known Position	Point where target was last known to be, including use of clues not just last seen
LO	Liaison Officer
LPB	Lost Person Behavior	Behavior patterns of lost persons based on research and historical data
LRC	Leadership Reaction Course	Team-based confidence course, often found on military installations
LSC	Logistics Section Chief
MALR	Mid-Atlantic Liaison Region	This is the CAP-USAF component aligned with MAR
MAR	Mid-Atlantic Region	CAP region that includes Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington DC, Virginia, and West Virginia
MCAF	Mission Chaplain (USAF Support Rated)
MCCF	Mission Chaplain (CAP Support Rating)
MCDF	Mission Chaplain (Disaster Support Rating)
MFC	Mountain Flying Certification
MO	Mission Observer
MOA	Memorandum of Agreement	Formal agreement between two organizations that does not involve financial obligation
MOU	Memorandum of Understanding	Formal agreement between two organizations that includes a financial obligation
MP	Mission Pilot
MRO	Mission Radio Operator
MS	Mission Scanner
MSA	Mission Staff Assistant
MSO	Mission Safety Officer
NCO	Noncommissioned Officer
NCOA	Noncommissioned Officer Academy	Focused training course for staff sergeant through chief master sergeant
NCSA	National Cadet Special Activity	Cadet activities approved by national headquarters to provide advanced experiences in leadership, teamwork, and career exploration. Cadets must complete an encampment prior to attending.
NGO	Non-Governmental Organization	Private organizations such as churches and non-profit service groups that provide support to the community especially in disaster response
NHQ	National Headquarters
NLOC	National Legal Officer College	A national college for CAP Legal Officers
NOC	National Operations Center	CAP's emergency operations center that authorizes CAP missions
NORTHCOM	Northern Command	Provides command and control of DoD homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities for USA
NRCC	National Response Coordination Center	FEMA response center to integrate Federal and Non-Governmental Organization response to disasters
NRF	National Response Framework	Plan that establishes a comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident response. It presents the guiding principles that enable all response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national response to disasters and emergencies – from the smallest incident to the largest catastrophe
NSC	National Staff College	Resident course for Senior Members teaching leadership and organization
NSOC	National Safety Officer College	A national college for CAP Safety Officers
OBC	Officer Basic Course	Fundamentals of officership and leadership for senior members. An online course previously required for completion of Level II in the legacy Professional Development Program. This course is no longer offered
OCR	Office of Coordinating Responsibility	Office who is assisting on a project/task. See OPR.
OPCON	Operational Control
OPEX	Operational Exercise	Exercise that is geared to test specific function or skill set or group
OPR	Office of Primary Responsibility	Office that has the lead on a project/task and is responsible for the outcome
Ops Eval	Operations Evaluation	AF inspection of each wing’s operations (emergency services) capability. Occurs every 2 years
Ops Quals	Operations Qualifications	Module in eServices to track Emergency Services and flight qualifications
ORM	Operational Risk Management	Now called RM-Risk Management
ORMS	Organizational Resource Management System	CAP database to track equipment, vehicles, and aircraft
OSC	Operations Section Chief
PA	Public Affairs	Office Symbol
PD	Professional Development	Office Symbol. Previous name for senior member education and training program. Now ET or E&T
PIO	Public Information Officer
PLS	Point Last Seen	Point where target was actually seen
POA	Probability of Area	Probability that a search target is in a specified area
POC	Point of Contact	Person to contact for additional information
POD	Probability of Detection	Probability that a search target will be found if it is in the search area
PODC	Point of Distribution Course
PODS	Point of Distribution System	Location during disaster response where residents can pick up food water and supplies
PODS	Points of Dispensing	Location during disaster response where residents can pick up medications
POS	Probability of Success	Probability based on combination of POD and POA
POV	Personally Owned Vehicles	Vehicles owned by members
PSC	Planning Section Chief
Rank		Order of precedence among members. Definition derived from 10 USC §101
RCC	Region Commander Certificate	Region Commander Certificate training offered as electives for those in a Level 5 online cohort
RCLS	Region Cadet Leadership School
REDCAP	A real world CAP mission	May be any real mission (not exercise) assigned by AFRCC or the NOC
RM	Risk Management	Formerly called Operational Risk Management
RON	Remain Overnight	Module in WMIRS for approval to fund lodging and per diem (food) during a mission
ROW	Rest of the World	Area outside search area
RPA	Remotely Piloted Aircraft	Aircraft controlled from a distance/pilot not on board. Also known as UAS
RSC	Region Staff College	An in-residence college previously required for completion of Level IV in the legacy Professional Development Program. This college is no longer offered. The individual classes have been incorporated in the modules of the Senior Member Education and Training Program.
SAR	Search and Rescue
SAR	Suspicious Activity Reporting	Used by DHS and law enforcement
SAREX	Search and Rescue Exercise	Practice search and rescue mission
SAV	Staff Assistance Visit	Visit by higher headquarters staff to review programs and provide advice. Not an inspection.
SCC	Squadron Commander Certificate	Squadron Commander Certificate training offered as electives for those in a Level 3 online cohort. Members who completed the Unit Commanders Course (UCC) do not need to take the SCC modules
SE	Safety	Office Symbol
SFGC	Shelter Field Guide Course	Shelter management course for disaster relief operations
SIRS	Safety Information Reporting System
SLS	Squadron Leadership Course	Previous course for Senior Members about how a squadron operates. Replaced by Level 2 modules in Volunteer University
SMC/BISC	AFRCC SAR Management Course
SNCO	Senior Noncommissioned Officer	Grades of master sergeant, senior master sergeant, and chief master sergeant
SOS	Squadron Officers School	An Air Force Professional Military Education School for lieutenants and captains, completion of which earns equivalency credit for some modules in the Senior Member Education and Training Program
SPC	National Inland SAR Planning Course
SQTR	Specialty Qualification Training Record	Form to track Emergency Services qualifications
SUI	Subordinate Unit Inspection	Wing inspection program for units below wing level (groups/squadrons) conducted every 24 months
sUAS	Small Unmanned Aircraft System	Small "drone" aircraft
TAG	The Adjutant General	Highest Commander in a State’s National Guard. In charge of Air and Army Guard. Selected by and reports to the governor
TLC	Training Leaders of Cadets	Course for Senior Members to learn about the cadet program. Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced courses are available
TLP	Team Leadership Project	Team activity to see how people work in the dynamics of a group
TMP	Transport Mission Pilot
TSA	The Spaatz Association	Organization of individuals who earned CAP's General Carl A. Spaatz Award or Certificate of Proficiency. Separate organization from CAP
TTX	Table-top Exercise	Exercise that is restricted to management and may range quite a bit by type
TUV	Temporary Use Vehicles	Vehicles rented or borrowed by CAP
UAO	Unit Alert Officer
UAS	Unmanned Aircraft System	Aircraft of any size that is remotely piloted
UASMP	sUAS Mission Pilot
UAST	sUAS Technician
UCC	Unit Commanders Course	Previous course for Senior Members to learn about being a unit commander. Replaced by the Squadron Commander Certificate (SCC), Group Commander Certificate (GCC), and Region Commander Certificate (RCC)
UDF	Urban Direction Finding	Mission to locate Emergency Locator Transmitters (emergency beacons)
USAF	United States Air Force
v/r	very respectfully	Used as a closing statement before a signature block
VAWG	Virginia Wing	Wing naming convention is 2-letter postal abbreviation (or DC for NATCAP) plus "WG"
VDEM	Virginia Department of Emergency Management	Virginia state agency responsible for search and rescue, state support in disasters, etc.
VDOA	Virginia Department of Aviation	Virginia state agency
VFR	Visual Flight Rules
VOAD	Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters	Primarily a church oriented group that assists in disaster response.
VOLU	Volunteer University	The organization that offers the modules necessary to advance in the Senior Member Education and Training Program
WA	Wing Administrator	Office Symbol
WAO	Wing Alerting Officer
WFA	Wing Financial Analyst	National employee who provides financial oversight to wings. Office Symbol is FMA.
WMIRS	Web Mission Information Reporting System	CAP's online database to track missions, sorties, aircraft, and funding
WS	Water Survival
XO	Executive Officer	Office Symbol
XP	Plans and Programs	Office Symbol