The National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol (acronym: CAP/CC) is the highest senior official in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) — a non-profit corporation Congressionally chartered to operate as the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force — of the United States. The national commander also serves as the chief executive officer of the CAP Corporation. In addition, the U.S. Air Force maintains Civil Air Patrol–U.S. Air Force, a U.S. Air Force command whose commander is responsible for overseeing CAP programs, liaison between the CAP and U.S. Air Force and other United States Government agencies, and ensuring U.S. Air Force and other U.S. Government support to the CAP. History From its creation on 1 December 1941 until 31 August 1975, the CAP national commander was an appointed active duty commissioned officer — typically a general officer — of the United States Army Air Forces (until September 1947) or the United States Air Force (after it became an independent service in September 1947). The national commander chaired the CAP National Board. Upon adoption of the CAP Constitution and Bylaws on 26 May 1948, the CAP was incorporated and officially became the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, the Chairman of the CAP National Board became the national commander, and the CAP National Board was redesignated as the National Executive Board (NEB), with the national commander as its chair. General Carl A. Spaatz, USAF, became the first chairman after the incorporation of the CAP after he retired from the Air Force in 1948. The board became the National Executive Committee (NEC) on 26 April 1960, with the national commander continuing as its chair. On 1 September 1975, the position of chairman of the national board was redesignated as national commander, held by an active civilian CAP member with the CAP rank of brigadier general, with only sitting and former national commanders who served in the position on or after 1 September 1975 holding the CAP rank of brigadier general. At the same time, the former U.S. Air Force-appointed national commander position was redesignated as the executive director of the CAP. On 8 March 1995, during a reorganization of CAP National Headquarters, the title of executive director was changed to senior Air Force advisor. On 1 December 2002, the national commander position was elevated to the rank of major general, with the national vice commander becoming a brigadier general. Current