Maintaining good order and discipline in a unit is the cornerstone of all military organizations. Discipline is a delicate topic for a volunteer organization such as the CAP because of the way it is administered, including the reasons for applying discipline. CAP Senior Members must set the example, provide guidance to cadets, and impose disciplinary action when appropriate. In cases when it is necessary to impose disciplinary action, leaders should consider all alternatives and choose that which will best correct the problem and prevent its recurrence. Persons in leadership positions must remain objective – haste and partiality can do much to harm the leader’s image. It is imperative that CAP Senior Members understand what tools are available for discipline, and what actions may be considered too harsh or abusive.

Senior members, cadets, and persons who supervise cadet activities or serve in leadership positions must possess high moral and ethical standards, be emotionally stable, and demonstrate leadership qualities necessary to serve as positive role models.

All senior members are screened in accordance with CAPM 39-2, Senior Member Program and undergo cadet protection training before working with cadets (CAPR 50-17, CAP Senior Member Training Program). Members who have not completed the screening process and received their approved status will not be permitted to act as the primary supervisor at cadet activities or associate with cadets in any way without the in-person supervision of a senior member who is currently in approved status.

CAP is committed to doing everything reasonably possible to combat the potential for child abuse within our organization and to discourage our cadets from illegal use of alcohol and other drugs. CAP members are expected to avoid even the appearance of impropriety involving cadets, and should report suspected abuse immediately.

For the purpose of CAP policy, abuse is defined in two categories. The first is sexual abuse. Cadets will not be subjected to sexual molestation, touching, contact, exposure, suggestions, or other incidents of a sexually oriented nature. Physical abuse is the second type. Cadets will not be physically struck, hazed, or assaulted in any way.

Hazing is defined as any conduct whereby someone causes another to suffer or to be exposed to any activity that is cruel, abusive, humiliating, oppressive, demeaning, or harmful. Actual or implied consent to acts of hazing does not eliminate the culpability of the perpetrator.

Examples of hazing include using exercise as punishment or assigning remedial training that does not fit the deficiency (such as making a cadet run laps for having poorly shined shoes). According to the Air Force Judge Advocate General, physical contact is not necessary – verbal or psychological abuse will suffice. Soliciting or encouraging another to engage in such activity is also considered hazing.

Senior members, cadets, and parents/guardians should immediately report incidents of observed or suspected abuse to the unit commander or commander at the next higher level of command. Whenever a commander has received a report of abuse, suspects that abuse has occurred or may occur, or believes there is an appearance of impropriety in the nature of cadet abuse by a member of CAP, the commander will immediately suspend the member from working with cadets and will report the abuse in accordance with CAPR 52-10.

Commanders will initiate appropriate personnel actions when they determine there is cause to separate any member (cadet or senior) from contact with cadets. Personnel actions involving sexual abuse cases must be coordinated in advance with the General Counsel. The personnel action will depend on the nature and seriousness of the incident. Available options include suspended status (CAPR 35-1, Assignment and Duty Status) or nonrenewal action (CAPM 39-2, Civil Air Patrol Membership).

Techniques to Guard Against Abusive Behavior

Commander Involvement

Commanders must be sensitive to the potential for cadet abuse and carry out the policies and procedures set forth in CAPR 52-10. As a minimum, commanders will:

1. Exercise judgment and discretion when selecting senior members, cadets, and other persons to conduct or supervise cadet activities.

2. Encourage members to report any observed or alleged abuse.

3. When cadet abuse is alleged and/or verified, suspend the member from all CAP activities, make immediate notification, and take appropriate personnel actions in accordance with the provision as described above.

4. Ensure that at least two "approved" senior members are present at all overnight cadet activities. Encourage at least two senior members to be present at all cadet activities (with the exception of chaplain counseling or cadet orientation flights). This policy is for the protection of the senior members as well as the cadets.

5. Conduct periodic orientations for senior members to ensure they understand the procedures and policies set forth in this regulation.

6. Ensure cadets are informed of the policies contained in this regulation.

7. Spot-check signatures on permission slips.

8. Provide parents with a calendar of activities and notify the parents when a scheduled activity is cancelled, relocated, or changed.

9. Give the parents an opportunity to personally meet the senior members by periodically designating meetings as "parents night".

10. Mail parents a current roster of members who supervise or conduct cadet activities.

Parental involvement is one of the most effective deterrents of child abuse. The following suggestions are ways to encourage parental involvement:

1. Conduct periodic meetings with other parents to discuss child abuse. Let the other parents know CAP is making an effort to prevent such abuse.

2. Establish a parents committee to provide input on cadet activities. Membership in CAP is not necessary to be a part of this committee.

3. Require a permission slip, signed by the parent or guardian, for each activity outside of the regular squadron meetings.

Maintaining good order and discipline is essential in a military organization. Applying discipline in a volunteer organization that mirrors the military, as does CAP, is a delicate topic. Members must understand how to instill appropriate discipline, and never cross the line toward being abusive. Using the techniques we have presented can help prevent abuse, but using good judgment is the key when members apply discipline in their unit.