Group II Public Affairs
Our Mission:
"The mission of the Civil Air Patrol Public Affairs (PA) program is to inform internal and external audiences of Civil Air Patrol's national importance, safeguard the image and assets of the corporation, and strenghten relationships with key audiences and customers, which enables the organization to grow." (CAP Regulation 190-1)
And we have a lot to share. The Squadron is the single most important unit in Civil Air Patrol. Without it, we're nothing. It's where all of the energy as well as all the great things that happen in CAP. It's where the mission really gets done and what the community sees. You are Civil Air Patrol.
Public Affairs is a large task to take on and a vital part to the survival of the Squadron. You may not realize this, but Public Affairs is recruiting, awards, connecting with outside agencies, and fundraising. Anytime you are doing something in your Squadron, you are doing Public Affairs.
Being a Public Affairs Officer can be daunting, but this page is here to help you get started at the Squadron in sharing all the great things you are doing. And more importantly, helping you teach the next generation of, Cadet and Senior, Public Affairs Officers.
Sandra Smith, Capt, CAP
Group II Public Affairs Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional Development
Public Affairs Officer How-to-Guide (All PAOs must read)
CAPR 190-1 CAP Public Affairs Program
PAO Specialty Track
How to subscribe to CAP-PAO email list
Writing Articles
Writing articles for CAP takes a certain attention to detail. It's probably not like anything you've written before unless you've had experience in journalism. Just like in essay writing, or even filling out a CAP form, there are certain criteria or blocks that need to be met. All articles need to be written in AP Style format and as such have items like a byline and dateline. States and rank abbreviations are important details that need to be in AP Style as well. We also like to see quotes and anywhere from 3-6 photos submitted with your article for publication. All articles must be submitted up your chain of command - Squadron Commander and/or Incident Commander to Group PAO. The Group PAO will forward your article to the Texas Online News.
(For example articles, please see the Texas Online News)
The News Release in a Nutshell
5 Tips for Writing a Great Press Release
The Associated Press Style Book (All releases must be in AP Style format)
CAP Ranks & Abbreviations in AP Style
How to Submit a Contribution
All external articles must have the CAP tagline at the bottom (Dated 01/2011). To always have the most up-to-date tagline/boilerplate click here
Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 113 lives in fiscal year 2010. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 26,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 69 years. It is a major partner with Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. For more information on Civil Air Patrol, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com.