SOP

Standard Operating Procedures

Click on the Squadron patch to learn about it's meaning

NOTE: IN REVISION PER SQ CMDR

Chapter 1- General

1.1 - Squadron Meeting are held on Wednesdays from 1900 to 2130. Visitors are Welcome!

1.2 - Persons who are interested in joining the Squadron must attend three meeting before being eligible to become active members. Interested persons must sign their name on the sign-in-sheet at the beginning of meetings.

1.3 - Interested persons may not participate in Squadron Cadet activities such as Drill and Ceremonies due to liabilities. However, they may sit in and participate during classes.

Chapter 2 - Procedures and Training

2.1 - Typical Meeting Schedule

1845-1850 - Opening Ceremonies - Pledge of Allegiance (all), Outdoor Squadron Formation (Cadets)

1850-2000 - Class Block or Drill & Ceremonies

2000-2010 - Unit Times (Snacks and Drinks are sold)

2010-2100 - Class Block or Drill & Ceremonies

2100-2120 - Closing Ceremonies - Commander's Call (Outdoors), Squadron Dismissal, Trash Cleanup

2120 - Cadets Dismiss

2120-2145 - Staff meeting

2.2 - Monthly Requirements

Each Month, every Cadet must attend a Safety Class and a Character Development class. Both classes are held monthly

2.3 - Foxhunts

Once a month, the squadron has mandatory foxhunts - meeting s used for organized cleaning of the building that typically includes CPFT (Cadet Physical Fitness Test).

2.4 - Special Squadron activities are occasionally held as Field Training Exercises, tours, swimming pool outings, volleyball outings, and more!


Chapter 3 - Customs and Courtesies

3.1 - Cadets are expected to follow all customs and courtesies as outlines in Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 151 - Respect on Display. (attached at the bottom of the web page)

NOTE: ALL CADETS NCOs, CADET OFFICERS, SENIOR MEMBERS, AND OFFICERS WILL BE GREETED PROPERLY BY ALL MEMBERS AT ALL TIMES UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE.

3.2 - Cadets will briskly remove covers when entering a doorway indoors and place on covers when exiting a doorway outdoors.

3.3 - Cadets will salutes all officers as defined in CAP regulations (CAPP 60-33 & CAPP 15.4)

3.4 - Cadets will stand at attention when addressing of being addressed by a cadet staff member or senior member unless directed otherwise by that member.

3.5 - Cadets will not be seated in classrooms until directed otherwise by that member.

3.6 - Cadets will maintain a positive attitude that reflects that CAP Core Values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect at all times.


Chapter 4 - Drill and Ceremonies

4.1 - All Drill and Ceremonies will be in accordance with CAPP 60-33 - the Drill and Ceremonies Manual.


Chapter 5 - Uniforms and Appearance

5.1 - Grooming Standards

All members of CAP must be well groomed and ensure that their personal appearance at all times reflects proper credit upon themselves and CAP. The established grooming standards are published in CAPM 39-1, "Civil Air Patrol Uniform Manual." Cadets are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this manual.

5.2 - General Appearance

Cadets will be in proper uniform at all times. Cadets are expected to maintain a high standard of appearance. Uniforms will be neat and clean at all times. All buttons with the exception of the neck button will be buttoned. No items will be carried in shirt pockets; CAP membership Cards will be carried at all times while in uniform. Uniforms will be worn in accordance with CAPM 39-1, "Civil Air Patrol Uniform Manual."

5.3 - Uniforms

The uniform to be worn at a given time is at the discretion of the Squadron Commander or his/her designated representative. It is the responsibility of the Cadet to ensure proper compliance with these orders.

5.3.1. - Typical Monthly Uniform Schedule

Week 1 - Utility Uniform

Week 2 - Service Uniform

Week 3 - Utility Uniform or PT

Week 4 - Service Uniform

Week 5 - Utility Uniform or PT

NOTE: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN UNIFORMS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE ONCE JOINING CAP.

5.3.2 - Service Uniform (Blues) Consult CAPM 39-1 for a complete description.

5.3.2.1 - Cadet Flight Staff and Cadet Officers will wear ties/tie tabs.

5.3.2.2 - Service Uniform shoes will be leather or chloroform (patent leather) Oxfords.

5.3.3 - Utility Uniform (ABU - Airman Battle Uniform) Consult CAMP 39-1 for a complete description

5.3.3.1 - Utility Uniform boots - Available in the Squadron Boot Guide

5.3.4 - A filled-out CAPF-160, laminated or in a zip-lock bag, will be carried in the ABU right shin pocket, aka the Safety Pocket. Any necessary medications (i.e. inhalers) will be carried in the ABU left shin pocket. (Note BDUs do not have a shin pocket.)

5.3.4.1 CAP ID card will be carried in your left pocket during ALL CAP activities.

5.3.4.2 - Cadet will bring a note-taking material. a writing utensil, and this Standard Operating Procedures manual to EVERY meeting.

5.3.5 - Physical Training (PT) Uniform

  1. Tan/Black crew neck T-shirt, CAP shirt (i.e. squadron shirt)

  2. Navy blue/ black athletic shorts or Air Force PT shorts

  3. White socks

  4. Athletic shoes

5.6 - Personal Hygiene

Cadets are expected to maintain high standards of personal hygiene. All hair (including facial) will be in accordance to CAPM 39-1

Chapter 7 - Flight Structure and Rotations

7.1 - Rotations

The squadron yearly schedule is split into three-month quarters starting October 2018.

Each quarter is one rotation.

  1. Q1: Oct - Dec

  2. Q2: Jan - Mar

  3. Q3: Apr - Jun

  4. Q4: Jul - Sep

7.2 - Delta Flight

Consists of Cadet Airman Basics to Cadet Airman who must stay in the flight for a minimum of one rotation before moving up to Charlie Flight. Delta Flight cadets' main objectives are to obtain uniforms, learn basic customs and courtesies, and achieve their first promotion.

7.3 - Charlie Flight

Consists of Cadet Airman to Cadet Airman First Class who must stay in the Flight for a minimum of three quarters before moving up to the Bravo Flight. Charlie Flight cadets' main objectives are to properly wear uniforms, learn basic customs and courtesies, demonstrate high proficiency of drill and ceremonies, and demonstrate leadership.

7.4 - Bravo Flight

Consists of Cadet Senior Airman and above whose focus will be Emergency Services training. Bravo Flight Element Leaders are Delta Flight Sergeants.

7.5 - Alpha Flight

Consists of Special Assignment NCOs.

Chapter 8 - Promotions

8.1 - Each Achievement will generally earn a Cadet an additional rank. Achievements are earned by passing a leadership test, Aerospace Modules test (Except for 1st Achievement), a Drill Evaluation, and a Promotion Review Board (PRB).

8.1.1 - The CAP Cadet Program consists of four phases - The Learning Phase, The Leadership Phases, the Command Phase, and the Executive Phase.

8.1.2 - Cadet Milestone Awards are special promotions that signify a transition to the next Cadet Program Phase. These Milestone Awards consists on closed-book Leadership Module Tests and may include closed-book Aerospace Module tests and Drill Evaluations.

8.2 - Leadership and Aerospace Module tests are online in CAP eServices and are open-book tests.

8.3 - Drill Evaluations must be requested to the Flight Sergeant a week in advance either through email or in person.

8.4 - Promotion Review Boards must be requested a week in advance with the Promotion Cover Sheet, which must be approved by the Flight Sergeant.

8.4.1 - For the First through Third achievement, the Promotion Cover Sheet will be filled out by the Cadet, reviewed by the Flight Sergeant, and signed by the Cadet Commander. This replaces the Review Boards.

8.4.2 - A filled-out PRB Request Form will be approved by a Cadet's flight sergeant before it goes up the chain of command.

8.4.3 - PRBs will be conducted in the Service Uniform (Blues) with Ribbons and dress shoes. PRBs for Airman to Senior Airman may be conducted in ABU/BDUs. A cadet may not promote without a uniform.

8.4.4 - A failing PRB will lead to a time of 6 weeks until the Cadet may request another PRB.

8.5.1 - When ordered Front and Center for a promotion, the Cadet will march to with one pace of the member who called the command, and say, "[Current Rank] [Name], reporting as ordered."

8.5.2 - If a cadet does not promote within 6 months, a meeting will ensure concerning the reason for not promoting.


Chapter 9 - Squadron Awards

9.1 - An award is a formal recognition of outstanding performance of capability. There are two kinds of awards, individual and group, and many categories such as academic excellence or honor flight. Below are listed possible awards that may be given out at our Squadron level.

9.2 - Squadron Awards

Squadron 153 Cadet of the Month

Squadron 153 Honor Flight of the Quarter

9.3 - Belt System

Our squadron promotes athletics with a belt system based on athletic performance. The belts are a sign of accomplishment and will not be worn on any CAP uniform outside of the squadron building. (i.e. DO NOT wear to NCOS, CPC, Encampment, or any other activities.)

9.3.1 - Green Belt - Earned by participation in a high school or club sport.

9.3.2 - Black Belt - Earned by competing in a high-level competition sport and also having served in CAP for a minimum of 2 years.

9.4 - CAP Awards

Specific CAP Awards are on the Special Cadet Program Awards at www.gocivilairpatrol.com

Chapter 10 - Squadron Annual Activities

10.1 - Our Squadron hosts special events and outings throughout the year that range from fun activities to training exercises. The dates of these events may slightly vary.

  1. Squadron Foxhunt - Monthly - 2nd Saturday

  2. CERT Victim Support - March

  3. Spring Field Training Exercise - Desert - Desert Survival, Hiking, Leadership Labs, Team Building Exercises - April

  4. ROCstock Field Training Exercises - Rocketry - June

  5. Fourth of July on JFTB - July 4th

  6. Squadron Pool Party - August

  7. Squadron Dine In - Annual camaraderie-building event for squadron members

  8. CERT Victim Support - September

  9. Long Beach Ready CERT - September

  10. Squadron - Bonfire - September

  11. Fall Field Training Exercise - Mountain - Mountain Survival, Hiking, Leadership Labs, Team Building Exercises - October

  12. Huntington Beach Airshow - October

  13. Squadron Halloween Party - October

  14. Squadron Thanksgiving Potluck - November

  15. ROCstock Field Training Exercises - Rocketry -November

  16. Squadron Christmas Party - December

image by SSG(CA) Vallee

For all emergencies, dial 9-1-1

Security Forces

4522 Saratoga Ave, Building 15

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Phone: 562-795-2100

Fire Department

4250 Constitution Ave, Building 34

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Phone: 562-795-2144

Chapter 11 - Emergency Procedures

11.1 - Fire

  1. If a fire has sparked, determine whether of not it is extinguishable, if in doubt, default to your own common scene or refer to others.

  2. If it has been decided to evacuate, loudly announce there is a fire and the building will be vacated.

  3. Check all rooms, and especially restrooms, for individuals

  4. One member should grab the attendance roster at the front for accountability

  5. If possible, grab the emergency bag located between the radio and meeting rooms.

  6. Quickly the building with exits not blocked by fire

  7. Once out of the building, head to the assembly area to the Starbase parking lot (East of the squadron building) and stay there

  8. Call base fire department if not already, and take accountability of all members/visitors. *If fire is reported at the Fuel Farm (located West of the Building), follow evacuation procedures

11.2 - Earthquake

  1. If an earthquake or an earthquake warning occurs, everyone is to immediately find cover and brace under a sturdy piece of furniture

  2. If outside, move or stay in area free of tall objects, power-lines, or buildings

  3. When the shaking stops, direct one member to grab the sign-in sheet and another to retrieve the emergency bag

  4. Check all restrooms, especially for incapacitated occupants

  5. Evacuate the building via nearest exit

  6. Head for the Starbase parking lot, to the East of the squadron building, and stay there.

  7. Once there, take accountability of all the visitors/members

11.3 - Active Shooter/Base Lockdown

  1. Once a member has been informed of an active shooter/base lockdown, immediately and loudly inform everyone

  2. If any activity is taking place outside , all persons are to immediately head indoors

  3. All doors leading outside will be shut, locked and barricaded *AN exception is the two glass doors on the front, a chair of any furniture propped there would be a dead giveaway*

  4. Lights will be turned off

  5. Everyone will stay low to the floor to minimize detection and risk of injury

  6. Try to minimize movement around the building as much as possible

  7. Remain in contact with the base authorities to know threat whereabouts and the all-clear

  8. If the shooter approached squadron building and proceeds to attempt break-in, prepare to fight the shooter

  9. If the base authorities give the all-clear, resume normal activities

11.4 - Bomb/Attack Threat

If Before A Meeting

  1. Meeting is to be cancelled, all members will be informed via email or text

If During a Meeting

  1. Follow Lockdown Procedures in 8. - Lockdown

  2. Remain in contact wit base authorities

  3. No movement outside until the all-clear is given

11.5 - Poor Air Quality (i.e. downwind from a wildfire)

  1. All outside activities are to cease immediately cease

  2. If outside activities are occurring, app persons are to immediately head indoors

  3. Close and lock doors leading outside, and turn on the A/C system

  4. Avoid exertion of the body