---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 U.S.C. § 40302"
title: "36"
title_heading: "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations"
number: "40302"
heading: "Purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/36/40302"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations"
  - "Part B — Organizations"
  - "Chapter 403 — Civil Air Patrol"
---

# §40302. Purposes


The purposes of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) are as follows:

- (1) To provide an organization to—
  - (A) encourage and aid citizens of the United States in contributing their efforts, services, and resources in developing aviation and in maintaining air supremacy; and
  - (B) encourage and develop by example the voluntary contribution of private citizens to the public welfare.
- (2) To provide aviation education and training especially to its senior and cadet members.
- (3) To encourage and foster civil aviation in local communities.
- (4) To provide an organization of private citizens with adequate facilities to assist in meeting local and national emergencies.
- (5) To assist the Department of the Air Force in fulfilling its noncombat programs and missions.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1331; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(b)(1)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–299.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 40302 | 36:202. | July 1, 1946, ch. 527, § 2, 60 Stat. 346. |

Before clause (1), the word “objects” is omitted as included in “purposes”.

In clause (1)(A), the words “citizens of the United States” are substituted for “American citizens” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2000—Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(b)(1)(A)], substituted “as follows:” for “to—” in introductory provisions.

Par. (1). Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(b)(1)(B), (C)], inserted “To” before “provide” in introductory provisions and substituted a period for the semicolon at the end of subpar. (B).

Par. (2). Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(b)(1)(B), (C)], inserted “To” before “provide” and substituted a period for the semicolon at the end.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(b)(1)(B), (D)], inserted “To” before “encourage” and substituted a period for “; and” at the end.

Par. (4). Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(b)(1)(B)], inserted “To” before “provide”.

Par. (5). Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(b)(1)(E)], added par. (5).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–398 effective 120 days after Oct. 30, 2000, see section 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1090(c)] of Pub. L. 106–398, set out as an Effective Date note under section 9441 of Title 10, Armed Forces.