Insignia & Uniform Guide
Insignia & Uniform Guide
We are very proud that you are serving our great nation through grassroots volunteerism. Our members
provide vital life-saving emergency services, mentor our young members and educate the public on the
importance of air and space supremacy for America. We devote our time and resources to make each of
our communities, and ultimately our nation, a better place to live, work and raise our families. Our Core
Values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect permeate all that we do. Civil Air Patrol
has also established an ethics policy based on these core values that all members are required to adhere to.
A copy of this policy is included in your packet.
You will have many important duties and responsibilities in CAP, not the least of which will be accepting
new challenges! To help prepare for these challenges, we offer you opportunities to fly, to grow through
professional development, to train for meeting national emergencies, and to participate in aerospace
activities across the nation. I hope that you are eager to join all of the other CAP members in accomplish-
ing our missions safely. In all of your endeavors in CAP, please keep safety first and foremost.
This is an exciting time to be a member of Civil Air Patrol. More than 65 years ago, during World War
II, CAP flew patrols over America’s coastlines. From those early homeland security missions, we have
come full circle, and today are helping protect America from the ever-present threat of terrorism. Our
work matters and you are the vital link! I wish you great success in your service through Civil Air Patrol.
SEMPER VIGILANS
Amy Courter
Major General, CAP
National Commander
Belt Buckle
Silver tip of belt extends to the
Badges and Ribbons wearer’s left; no blue fabric should
show.
Specialty badges are worn centered
below left pocket flap; aviation
badges and specialty insignia are
worn 1/2” above ribbons or pocket;
ribbons are worn 3 or 4 across, rest-
ing on, but not over pocket.
Pants
Front of pant leg should rest on
front of shoe; slight break in crease,
7/8” longer on back side; do not
blouse.
Grade Insignia
Senior Member Officers wear
embroidered gray epaulet. Cadet Flight Cap/Hat Device
enlisted members wear metal
Senior Member Officers wear flight
chevrons centered on collar 1” from
cap with blue and silver braid, with
edge.
hat device centered on left side
1 1⁄2” from edge, (see male illustra-
tion). Cadets wear flight cap with
solid blue braid and cadet flight cap
device centered on left side 1 1⁄2“
from edge.
CAP Insignia
Cadets and seniors without grade
wear centered 1” from edge on both
collars.
Belt Buckle
Silver tip of belt extends to the
wearer’s right; no blue fabric should
show.
Name Tag
Blue 3-line for cadets and gray 3-
line for senior members. Centered
on right breast even with or up
to 1 1⁄2” higher or lower than first
exposed button, parallel to ground
and even with bottom row of
ribbons.
Pants
Front of pant leg should rest on
front of shoe; slight break in crease,
7/8” longer on back side; do not
blouse.
American Flag
CAP Insignia
Reverse American Flag is worn on
Cadets without grade wear device
right shoulder, 1/2“ below sleeve
on both collars, 1” from bottom
seam, centered.
edge. Senior Members without
grade wear embroidered ultrama-
rine blue and white device centered
on both collars.
Sleeves
When up, sleeve material must
CAP Tape touch or come within 1” of forearm
when bent at 90-degree angle.
Centered on left breast, resting on,
but not over, top edge of pocket.
Grade Insignia
Senior members wear embroidered Skirt
grade insignia. Any type medium gray skirt may be
worn. Skirt length will be no longer
than bottom of kneecap or shorter
than top of kneecap.
Name Tag
Gray name tag centered on right
side, resting on, but not over, top
edge of pocket. Female Floppy Bow
Required with long-sleeve aviator
shirt for females. Men must wear AF
blue tie with long-sleeved shirt.
Belt
Any type black belt with conserva-
tive buckle.
Badges and Ribbons
Aviation badges are worn 1/2”
above pocket or ribbons if worn;
bottom row of ribbons rest on, but
not over top of pocket. Only CAP
ribbons may be worn.
Name Tag
Blue 3-line for cadets and blue 2-
line for senior members. Centered
on right breast, resting on, but not
over, top edge of pocket.
Badges and Ribbons
Aviation badges are worn 1/2”
above pocket or ribbons if worn;
bottom row of ribbons rests on,
but not over top of pocket. Spe-
cialty badges are worn centered
below left pocket. Females have
the option of wearing specialty
badges above the pocket.
Tie
Tie is required with long sleeved
shirt; AF blue tie or female inverted
V tab.
Belt Buckle
Silver tip of belt extends to the
wearer’s right for females and to the
left for males. No blue fabric should
show.
Cadet Airman Cadet Airman First Class Cadet Senior Airman Cadet Staff Sergeant
Cadet Technical Sergeant Cadet Master Sergeant Cadet Senior Cadet Chief
Master Sergeant Master Sergeant
Statement of Ethics
CAP Ethics are built on a foundation of accountability, integrity, fairness and excellence. This means more
than simple honesty—you have an affirmative duty to tell the whole truth. It embraces other attributes such
as courage, responsibility, justice, openness, self-respect, humility, and excellence in each and every task
we face. Your ethical conduct is a representation of Civil Air Patrol. Adherence to this statement of ethics is
mandatory for all staff, board members and volunteers of CAP.
Ethical Standards
The Standards of Ethics include, but are not limited to:
5. Confidentiality
Board members, staff and volunteers must protect all sensitive and confidential information entrusted
to them.
Compliance
Civil Air Patrol takes adherence to this policy very seriously. Any member and/or employee may immediately
report any suspected violations through their respective chain of command. Any commander or supervisor
who is made aware of an allegation of this Ethics Policy shall report it in accordance with the appropriate
CAP or employee directive. In order to continue our tradition of excellence, integrity and service to our
country, we have created an Ethics Policy. Compliance with this policy is mandatory. As representatives of
this organization, your conduct must follow the highest ethical standards possible. We will not require you to
sign a copy of this policy, but your membership or employment with CAP is contingent upon your acceptance
of the policy.