Every Tuesday night, sharply dressed members of the Civil Air Patrol sit in neat rows at the Texas Flight Facility at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport in Tomball. The members of the local chapter of the Civil Air Patrol may not be veterans or active duty airmen and women, but they share a common love of flying the skies through involvement in aviation and fulfilling a call of duty to serve their country.

The Civil Air Patrol, also known as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, has ranks similar to the U.S. Air Force. Men and women of all backgrounds have the opportunity to join and come together in senior, cadet and composite squadrons. The volunteer program focuses on three major areas: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. Within those areas, CAP volunteers are active with search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian services, Air Force support and counter-drug programs, according to CAP officials.

Capt. David McCollum, CAP deputy commander for seniors at the Delta Composite Squadron TX-334 in Tomball, said those interested in flight training, photography or astronomy can find a place in CAP's cadet program.

McCollum said the Civil Air Patrol—which is funded by the Air Force and member dues, and is Congress-appointed—has continued to grow as an organization that continues to save lives and alleviate human suffering through myriad emergency services and operational missions since its inception during World War II.

"CAP is best known for its search-and-rescue efforts, flying more than 85 percent of all federal inland search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center," McCollum said. "Just how effective are CAP missions? Nearly 100 people are saved each year."

This success, however, first begins with extensive and thorough training and comprehensive educational programs that involve young cadets with a system and opportunity to get involved in real-life programs such as search and rescue and disaster relief, he said.

"While there are many youth-oriented programs in America today, CAP's cadet program is unique in that it uses aviation as a cornerstone," McCollum said. "Thousands of young people from 12 years through age 21 are introduced to aviation through CAP's cadet program. The program allows young people to progress at their own pace through a 16-step program including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership. Cadets compete for academic scholarships to further their studies in fields such as engineering, science, aircraft mechanics, aerospace medicine, meteorology, as well as many others."

A two-tier cadet squadron system based on age, the CAP program utilizes national educational systems to reach thousands of young people with workshops across the United States, which highlight basic aerospace knowledge and focus on advances in aerospace technology. The programs ensure all participants have an appreciation for, and knowledge of, aerospace issues, McCollum said.

"In my opinion, the most important thing CAP does is help develop tomorrow's leaders through the cadet program," McCollum said. "When you work with some of these young men and women, you are blown away by their capabilities and you realize that our country is in pretty good hands going forward."