Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make a tax deductable donation to Pegasus Composite Squadron?
A: Yes. Here is the address information you need: Civil Air Patrol - Pegasus Squadron, 1905 Lime Rock Dr., Round Rock TX 78681, EIN - 742690550

Q: Can I contribute through my paycheck deductions?
A: Yes, Dell has a Direct Giving campaign that allows you to designate the charity. If your company needs to set up our organization please send this information to the following address:  Civil Air Patrol - Pegasus Squadron, 1905 Lime Rock Dr., Round Rock TX 78681, EIN - 742690550

Q: What is the GES test and why do I have to take it?
A: The GES (General Emergency Services) 116 test is designed to introduce the person to the Emergency Services Rules and Regulations. It is required in order for each member to participate in ANY emergency services activites, including SAREXs, FTXs, and missions. This rule is in place to ensure that each member participating in an activity has at least some knowledge of the processes and workings of the activity.

Q: Once I have taken the GES 116 test, how do I get it to show up on MIMS?
A: You will need the certificate number in order to do this.First, you need to be connected to the Internet and logged into your MIMS account. Click on the Personal ES & Pilot Task Entry link towards the bottom of the list of links on the left-hand side of the screen. On the next page, click on the Submit button (check to make sure the CAPID is YOUR CAPID in the textfield). Next, on the right-hand side of the window, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on the Record Completed Tasks for New Achievement link. In the drop-down menus on the left, open the OPS-Emergency_Services menu by clicking on the box next to it. Now, click on the GES - General Emergency Services link. On the right-hand side of the screen, click on the CAPT 116 button and enter the certificate number into the textfield labled Certificate Number for the GES Questionnaire section if the test you took was Part I, or the ICS 100 if the test you took was Part II.

Q: How do I get assigned to a specialty track and get it to show up in MIMS?
A: The squadron commander will fill out the "Senior Training Report" and enter you into the speciality. It will show up in MIMS but will show you have not completed it. Once you have completed the requirements for the specialty then you sumbit a CAPF 45B that goes into your file. The squadron commander will update the "Senior Training Report" and send it to national.The completed date will then show up in MIMS.

Q: What is Zulu time and how do I tell what the current Zulu time is?
A: Zulu time is what the current time is in Greenwich, England. It the military's and much of aviation's standard of time. For the Central Time Zone (AL, AR, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD, TN, TX, WI), add six (6) hours from the current local time to find the Zulu time. For more information, please visit Understanding Zulu Time.

Q: What grade is associated with what achievement in the cadet program?
A: For the answer to this question, please refer to our CAP Grade Structure page.

Q: What is the senior member grade structure?
A: For the answer to this question, please refer to our CAP Grade Structure page.

Q: How much does it cost to get involved?
A: For a cadet (ages 12-17), the national cost is $35 ($25 annually after initial) and the squadron cost is $42 ($20 annually after initial). For a senior (ages 18+), the national cost is $75 ($65 annually after initial) and the squadron cost is $20 annually.

Q: As a cadet, do I have to purchase any books?
A: No, those are provided by National Headquarters when you sign up and pay the national due. The cadet officer books must be purchased, but are not needed until attainment of the General Billy Mitchell Award.

Q: Are uniforms provided?
A: For a cadet, a free set of US Air Force Class B Blues is sent to them from National Headquarters, but low-quarters and belt are still needed to be purchased. The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) may be issued by the squadron, but supplies are low. Uniforms issued by the squadron remain property of Pegasus Composite Squadron. For seniors, if the squadron has any uniform items that you can wear may be issued to you, but if not, it is your responsibility to purchase the rest of the uniform. All uniform parts issued by the squadron remain the property of Pegasus Composite Squadron.

Q: How soon will I need a 24-hour pack and how much does it cost?
A: You will not need a 24-hour pack until you take the GES 116 test. The cost can vary from as little as $30 to as much as $150. It all depends on how much you have to spend. A basic commercial backpack with some things from you medicine cabinet and a couple of bottles of water will do just fine. Other people prefer to go purchase camelbacks.

Q: How much are the squadron dues?
A: Squadron membership dues are $1.00 per meeting ($24 per year). Or, if paid all at once, $20 per year. This can be paid at each meeting to the Finance Officer.

Q: Why do we have squadron dues in addition to National dues?
A: As the squadron grows and expands, there are expenses that must be paid that cannot be covered by donations alone. These include van expenses, field trips, building maintenance, emergency services equipment, etc.

Q: What is the difference between the "Class B" blues and "Class A" blues uniforms?
A: Class B Blues includes the following articles: blues flight cap (without silver braid for cadets), white V-neck undershirt, blues short-sleeve shirt, pants, blue belt with silver belt buckle, black socks, patent-leather low-quarter dress shoes. On the shirt should be your nameplate, ribbons, miscellaneous badges, colar metal rank (for cadet enlisted), epaulet ranks (for cadet officers), shoulder cord attached to the base of the left epaulet, and should be pressed and startched to maintain a professional demeanor. Class A Blues includes the following articles: blues flight cap (without silver brain for cadets) or service wheel cap (for cadet officers ONLY), white V-neck undershirt, blues short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt, tie with tie tack or bar (tie tab for females), blue service jacket, pants, blue belt with silver belt buckle, black socks, patent-leather low-quarter dress shoes. On the jacket should be your nameplate, ribbons, miscellaneous badges, metal rank on colars (for cadet enlisted), shoulder boards with rank and CAP cutouts on colars (for cadet officers), and shoulder cords attached to the base of the left epaulet.

Q: What is the Physical Training (PT) uniform?
A: The physical training uniform worn by members of TX-351 is the following: for cadet enlisted: grey shirt, black shorts, grey sweats (if needed); for cadet officers and staff: black shirt, black shorts, grey or black sweats (if needed). All uniform articles must have no logos, emblems, or words associated with any organization or group outside of the U.S. Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol.

Q: What does (PDF), (DOC), (DOT), and (XLS) on your website mean?
A: Links that have (PDF) following them are link to Portable Document Formatted documents. The easiest way to view and print these documents is to download Adobe Reader. Links that have (DOC) or (DOT) are Microsoft Word documents. To view and print these files, download the Microsoft Word Viewer from the Microsoft website. Links that have (XLS) are Microsoft Excel documents. To view and print these files, download the Microsoft Excel Viewer from the Microsoft website.