Character Development
C/Lt A. Dixon, H. "Woody" Williams - Medal of Honor
Recipient, C/Lt J. Mahoney
The Core Values of Civil Air Patrol
As the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol embraced the concept of core values and began work on defining those values believed to be of greatest importance to the organization. CAP's core values essentially mirror the U.S. Air Force core values of Integrity, Excellence in All We Do, and Service Before Self. CAP and the Air Force share the core values of Integrity and Excellence but because of the volunteer nature of CAP's humanitarian missions, the Air Force core value of "Service Before Self" was inherently included in CAP's core value of "Volunteer Service." The National Board, recognizing the need for our diverse membership to treat each other with fairness and dignity, added the core value of Respect. In February 1999, the following core values were formally approved by the National Board: Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect.
Integrity:
This is the very fiber of all core values; without it all other core values cannot prevail. It is the cornerstone for all that is moral and just in our society. It is more than simple honesty. It embraces other attributes such as courage, responsibility, accountability, justice, openness, self-respect, and humility. Lastly, this core value means CAP members must practice the highest standards of self-discipline.
This is the very fiber of all core values; without it all other core values cannot prevail. It is the cornerstone for all that is moral and just in our society. It is more than simple honesty. It embraces other attributes such as courage, responsibility, accountability, justice, openness, self-respect, and humility. Lastly, this core value means CAP members must practice the highest standards of self-discipline.
Volunteer Service:
CAP adopted this core value because it reflects the very essence of the organization—service to humanity. All CAP volunteers willingly give of their time, energy, and personal resources. Moreover, many have made the ultimate sacrifice by losing their lives while serving their neighbors. As a minimum, this core value implies a commitment on the part of all CAP members to place the organization’s purposes first and foremost. This process starts with the member’s agreement to obey the rules and regulations of CAP and the Air Force. In this regard, self-discipline is an absolute must.
CAP adopted this core value because it reflects the very essence of the organization—service to humanity. All CAP volunteers willingly give of their time, energy, and personal resources. Moreover, many have made the ultimate sacrifice by losing their lives while serving their neighbors. As a minimum, this core value implies a commitment on the part of all CAP members to place the organization’s purposes first and foremost. This process starts with the member’s agreement to obey the rules and regulations of CAP and the Air Force. In this regard, self-discipline is an absolute must.
Excellence:
This core value reflects CAP’s continuous effort to be the very best and to consistently improve its humanitarian service to America. From personal appearance to resource management, excellence must be the goal of all CAP members.
This core value reflects CAP’s continuous effort to be the very best and to consistently improve its humanitarian service to America. From personal appearance to resource management, excellence must be the goal of all CAP members.
Respect:
CAP members come from all walks of life. Therefore, it is extremely important that members treat each other with fairness and dignity and work together as a team. To do otherwise would seriously impair CAP’s capability to accomplish the mission
CAP members come from all walks of life. Therefore, it is extremely important that members treat each other with fairness and dignity and work together as a team. To do otherwise would seriously impair CAP’s capability to accomplish the mission
The core values outlined above serve as the foundation for how CAP members treat one another; how they treat the recipients of CAP’s humanitarian service; and how they care for the corporate assets under their control. These basic tenets form CAP’s ethical centerline – a moral compass for the organization. If one member fails to uphold these values, then, in a way, the entire organization suffers.
Source: Civil Air Patrol Publication CAPP 50-2
2021 VALUES FOR LIVING TOPICS:
| JAN - Integrity* | APR - Perseverance | JUL - Confidence | OCT - TBA |
| FEB - Excellence | MAY - Focus | AUG - TBA | NOV - TBA |
| MAR - Vision & Goals | JUN - Perspective | SEP - TBA | DEC - TBA |
*Class presented virtually using Microsoft Teams
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