Acronym
Dictionary of CAP terms, including acronyms, abbreviations, and unique terms used in CAP.
Additional Resources
DOD Dictionary: (broken link)
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 |
AAFES | Army and Air Force Exchange Service | On-base store where CAP members can purchase USAF-style uniforms |
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 |
ACE | Aerospace Connections in Education | A fun, interactive aerospace/STEM program for CAP educator members who teach grades K-6. Designed to engage and inspire early-aged youth toward an interest in aviation, space, and other STEM-related careers. |
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. Available to both formal (teachers) and informal (e.g. youth program leaders) educators. |
AERONet | Airborne Extensible Relay Over-Horizon Network | Tactical network that provides live, shared situational awareness. |
AEX | Aerospace Education Excellence Program | |
AFAM | Air Force Assigned Mission | |
AFJROTC | Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps | A citizenship program in high schools supported by the USAF designed to build better citizens, strength, strengthen character and acquaint cadets with the aerospace age and careers in the military and civilian aviation. Civil Air Patrol can provide orientation flights to AFJROTC cadets. |
AFMCSS | Air Force Military Clothing Sales Store | On-base store where CAP members can purchase USAF-style uniforms |
AFRCC | Air Force Rescue Coordination Center | Air Force center that manages assignment of Air Force search and rescue in the United States |
AFROTC | Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps | A three- to five-year program that trains a full-time civilian college student to become a leader and officer in the United States Air Force (USAF) or United States Space Force (USSF). Upon graduation from school and upon completing the AFROTC training program and selection process, the cadet will commission as an officer in the USAF or USSF. Civil Air Patrol can provide orientation flights to AFROTC cadets. |
AGH | Aircraft Ground Handling | Course that teaches safe ground movement of aircraft |
ALE | Automatic Link Establishment | Feature of an HF radio that allows the radio to automatically connect with another HF radio using a unique identifier |
AMF | Aircraft Maintenance Facility | |
AMO | Aircraft Maintenance Officer | |
AMRAD | Aircraft Maintenance Repair And Documentation | System that provides real-time visibility of aircraft status, open and closed discrepancies, maintenance & inspection data, maintenance and repair requests, parts order status and parts tracking |
AOBD | Air Operations Branch Director | |
AOR | Area of Responsibility | |
AP | Airborne Photographer | |
ATP | Annual Training Plan | Plan developed by each wing for a fiscal year (FY) that identifies the commander's vision, goals, and training goals for ES and air ops. It includes the budget request for SUIs, Operations, and Emergency Services, including SUI travel, flight evaluations, orientation flights (Cadet, JROTC, ROTC), proficiency flying, and training events. |
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 |
BoG | Board of Governors | Governing body of CAP that governs, directs, and manages the affairs of the Corporation |
BZ | Bravo Zulu | Navy term for "job well done" |
C/CC | Cadet Commander | |
C/CCF | Cadet First Sergeant | |
C/DCO | Cadet Deputy Commander for Operations | |
C/DCS | Cadet Deputy Commander for Support | |
CAC | Cadet Advisory Council | Provides a forum where cadets gain leadership experience at higher organizational levels, aid the commander in monitoring and implementing the Cadet Program, and make recommendations to the commander for improving and running the Cadet Program. |
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 |
CAPSIS | Civil Air Patrol Safety Information System | |
CAPWATCH | eServices database | |
CAP-USAF | Civil Air Patrol - United States Air Force | USAF personnel assigned by 1AF to oversee 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 | No longer authorized |
CDS | Deputy Commander for Seniors | Office Symbol |
CEMS | Communications Equipment Maintenance System | eServices database to request communications equipment maintenance and repair |
CEO | Chief Executive Officer | The National Commander serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Corporation, and is responsible for overall control of the organization |
CERT | Community Emergency Response Team | Emergency services qualification |
CFDU | Corporate Flight Duty Uniform | Blue flight suit |
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 |
CIQ | Commander's Inquiry | Process where a wing or higher commander can initiate an inquiry through the IG into issues within their command. CIQs follow the complaint resolution process in CAPR 20-2. Replaced the commander's directed investigation. |
CLC | Corporate Learning Course | Advanced Course for Senior Members to learn about CAP organization above the squadron. Replaced by the Level IV course. |
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. |
COI | Certificate of Insurance | |
CONUS | Continental United States | 48 states, not including Alaska and Hawaii |
COO | Chief Operating Officer | Full-time employee at NHQ who administers the day‐to‐day activities of CAP |
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 |
CSAG | CAP Senior Advisory Group | Advisory body to the National Commander, consisting of the National Commander, National Vice Commander, National Executive Officer, 8 Region Commanders, Chief Operating Officer*, Commander, CAP‐USAF*, and Advisors as the National Commander may appoint*
(*Ex‐officio, nonvoting members) |
CTW | Cadre Training Weekend | Staff training for encampment |
CUB | Commander's Update Briefing | Typically a staff update to their commander on current activities |
CUI | Controlled Unclassified Information | Information that, while not classified, still requires some level of protection from unauthorized access and release. Protection may be required for privacy, sensitive mission information, or other reasons. Replaced FOUO. |
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 |
DCP | Director of Cadet Programs | Office Symbol for wing-level staff position responsible for cadet program management |
DCS | Deputy Commander for Support | Region-level staff position that may oversee a specific element of the staff (e.g. DCS Logistics, DCS Aerospace) |
DDR | Drug Demand Reduction | Program to reduce drug abuse |
DEV | Director of Development | Office Symbol for wing/region position responsible for enhancing fundraising efforts at the region, wing, and unit level |
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 |
DoD | Department of Defense | |
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 |
ELPER | Direction finding equipment used in finding ELTs transmitting on 121.5 or 243 MHz frequency. Correct name is "L-Per" or "Little L-Per" by manufacturer, L-Tronics. | |
ELT | Emergency Locator Transmitter | Aircraft beacon that triggers in a crash to help search teams locate the aircraft |
EPIRB | Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon | Emergency transmitter beacon carried by marine vehicles (e.g. boats) that sends off a signal in case of emergency |
EPLO | Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer | Reserve officers who coordinate DoD resources during an emergency response |
EPS | Encampment Preparatory School | A weekend preparatory version of Encampment |
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 |
FAA | Federal Aviation Administration | |
FASC | Finance Admin Section Chief | |
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 | Thermal imaging system used by some CAP wings (NDWG, WYWG) for DSCA/SAR |
FLM | Flightline Marshaller | |
FLS | Flightline Supervisor | |
FM | Finance Officer | Office Symbol |
FMA | Wing Financial Analyst | May also be referred to as WFA (pronounced "wiffa") |
FOC | Full Operational Capability | Referring to the status of a new program when it is able to be fully employed to meet an operational need |
Form 5 | Civil Air Patrol Form #5 | Form used by CAP to approve pilot qualifications to fly CAP aircraft |
FOUO | For Official Use Only | Information or material which, although unclassified, may not be appropriate for public release. Replaced by CUI |
FRO | Flight Release Officer | |
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 |
GBD | Ground Branch Director | |
GC | General Counsel | Office Symbol (NHQ Only) |
GCC | Group Commander Certificate | Group Commander Certificate training |
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 |
GLR | Great Lakes Region | |
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 | ES qualification to lead a team to perform field search and rescue |
GTM | Ground Team Member | ES qualification to perform field search and rescue. Includes levels 1-3, with 1 being the most advanced qualifications |
GVR | Government Relations | Office Symbol. NHQ only |
HABC | High Altitude Balloon Challenge | Annual aerospace education competition started in 2021 where cadet teams design a science experiment to study the effects of high altitude on materials. The experiments are launched to a high altitude then recovered and cadets test their hypothesis against a control sample. |
HADR | Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief | |
HC | Chaplain | Office Symbol |
HF | High Frequency | Radio operating in a range of 3 to 30 megahertz. CAP's HF radio network allows for communications across long distances |
HGA | Honor Guard Academy | Region-level training for Honor Guard members. Usually classified as an NCSA. |
HHQ | Higher Headquarters | Management level above the referenced level, e.g. wing referring to region or national |
HLS | Homeland Security | CAP non-combat mission to support defense of the United States |
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 |
HUBCAP | CAP's innovation hub where members can share tools and resources they create | |
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 | Standard federal system for organization and operations for incident response. Scalable to size of the incident. |
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 |
IMSAFE | I. aM. S.A.F.E. Checklist | Aircrew acronym to check common risks to determine an individual's readiness to fly. I – Illness, M – Medication, S – Stress, A – Alcohol, F – Fatigue, E – Emotion |
IMSAFE2 | I. aM. S.A.F.E. 2 Checklist | Driver's acronym to check common risks to determine an individual's readiness to drive. I – Illness, M – Medication, S – Stress, A – Alcohol, F – Fatigue, E – Emotion, 2 – Drivers (for trips more than 10 driving hours) (CAPR 77-1, ICL 22-02) |
IOC | Initial Operational Capability | Referring to the status of a new program when it is able to be minimally employed in an operational environment but not yet at full capability |
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) |
KPI | Key Performance Indicator | Measurable criterion of progress toward an intended result |
L-Per | Direction finding equipment used in finding ELTs transmitting on 121.5 or 243 MHz frequencies. May be spelled ELPER. Also known as "Little L-Per" by manufacturer, L-Tronics. | |
LBE | Load-bearing Equipment | Shoulder harness or similar gear for carrying equipment, packs, etc. Often used by the military. |
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 |
LMR | Land Mobile Radio | |
LNO | Liaison Officer | Alternate abbreviation for LO |
LO | Liaison Officer | ES qualification to represent CAP with partner agencies during a response to improve coordination between CAP and that agency |
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 | 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) | |
MER | Middle East Region | Former name of the Mid-Atlantic Region, changed in 2018 |
MFC | Mountain Flying Certification | |
MIPR | Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request | Method for Department of Defense (DoD) entities to execute funding transactions with available budget authority. MIPRs are used by DoD entities when they have requirements for materials, supplies, or services through Other Government Agencies (including DoD agencies and other non-DoD agencies). |
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 | Minimum VFR pilot with additional training and endorsements to fly search and rescue missions. Training includes how to fly different search patterns. |
MRO | Mission Radio Operator | |
MS | Mission Scanner | |
MSA | Mission Staff Assistant | |
MSO | Mission Safety Officer | |
Mx | Maintenance | |
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. |
HC | Chaplain | Office Symbol |
NCR | North Central Region | |
NER | Northeast Region | |
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 | |
NLD | National Legislative Day | |
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 | This college is no longer offered. Resident course for Senior Members teaching executive leadership and organization. The individual classes have been incorporated in the modules of the Senior Member Education and Training Program. Level 5 professional level modules replaced the course. |
NSOC | National Safety Officer College | A national college for CAP Safety Officers |
NUC | National Uniform Committee | Provides counsel to CAP/CC as requested on proposed amendments to CAP’s uniform policies. |
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. |
OI | Operating Instruction | Directive publication that mandates procedures or actions of a local nature within one unit (charter number) |
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 | Operational Resource Management System | CAP database to track equipment, vehicles, and aircraft |
OSC | Operations Section Chief | |
PA | Public Affairs (Officer) | Office Symbol |
PCR | Pacific Region | |
PD | Professional Development | Office Symbol. Previous name for senior member education and training program. Now ET or E&T |
PII | Personally Identifiable Information | CAP confidential information about an individual that can be used to distinguish or trace that individual’s identity. See CAPR 1-2(I) for details. |
PIO | Public Information Officer | |
PLB | Personal Locator Beacon | Emergency beacon used by individuals to send a distress signal in an emergency when away from normal emergency services (e.g. when hiking in the mountains) |
PLS | Point Last Seen | Point where target was actually seen |
PME | Professional Military Education | |
POA | Plan of Action | |
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 |
PPE | Personal Protective Equipment | Items for individual use to provide safety protection, such as reflective vests, work gloves, and climbing helmets |
PSC | Planning Section Chief | |
Rank | Order of precedence among members. Definition derived from 10 USC §101 | |
RCC | Region Commander Certificate | Region Commander Certificate training |
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 |
RMR | Rocky Mountain Region | |
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 |
RPP | Rated Preparatory Program | An AF program that provides qualified active Airmen interested in cross-training to an Air Force rated career field an opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills. Civil Air Patrol volunteer flight instructors provide air and ground instruction to introduce students to aviation fundamentals. |
RSC | Region Staff College | An in-residence course 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 |
SDA Guide | Staff Duty Analysis Guide | Leadership development for cadet officers. CAPP 60-32 |
SE | Safety | Office Symbol |
SER | Southeast Region | |
SET | Skills Evaluator Training | Standard guidance and education for personnel that will conduct and certify emergency services training. (see ES SET Website) |
SFGC | Shelter Field Guide Course | Shelter management course for disaster relief operations |
SFRO | Senior Flight Release Officer | |
SIRS | Safety Information Reporting System | Now called CAPSIS |
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 |
SRPA | Surrogate Remotely-Piloted Aircraft | a.k.a. "Green Flag" |
SSO | Safety Significant Occurrences | CAPR 160-2 attachment 2 #19 |
STEM | Science, Technology, Engineering and Math | |
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 |
TAC | Training, Advising, and Counselling (Officer) | Previous term used for Training Officer |
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 (or Problem) | Team activity to see how people work in the dynamics of a group |
TMP | Transport Mission Pilot | |
TO | Training Officer | Current term used at encampments for the senior members who provide an adult presence with a flight and mentor cadre and students (Formerly called TAC Officer)
May also refre to Testing Officer in unit duty positions. |
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 | |
USAFR | United States Air Force Reserve | Federal reserve component of the USAF. Some Reservists are assigned to CAP-USAF to augment the oversite and support provided to CAP (e.g. Operations Evaluations, encampment advisors/support) |
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 | |
VHF | Very High Frequency | Radio operating in a range of 30 to 300 megahertz. VHF radios are the most commonly used in CAP, used fixed stations, vehicles, aircraft, and handheld radios in support of all CAP missions, including Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and the CAP Cadet Program. Civil Air Patrol operates primarily on frequencies assigned by the United States Air Force. |
VIR | Virtual In-Residence | Online live courses in the Senior Member Education and Training Program taught by Volunteer University |
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 |
WOCN | Work Order Control Number | Tracking identifier for discrepancies listed in AMRAD |
WS | Water Survival | |
WSA | Web Security Administrator | |
XO | Executive Officer | Office Symbol |
XP | Plans and Programs | Office Symbol |