What is the best thing about being in CAP?

[Major Carrales]

What is the best thing about being in CAP?

Well, fellow CAP officers, that is a question we seldom ask here.  Oh, we do sort of answer it in all we do.  But, if you have never tought of it, think now and please share.

I enjoy the service to the community that CAP offers in it's unique way.  Helping out Cadets. See my fellows, as a youngster there was no CAP in my area.  I knew nothing of it.  But had I known, it would have been "my thing."

Bringing the CAP Cadet Program to new places is my joy.

Thanks to Flyguy06 for inspiring this post.

What say you?

[Cadet Tillett]

I think it is the chance to mentor youth in leadership skills - they are, after all, the future leaders of our country.

I have benefitted from it, and I think it is one of the most rewarding parts of the program.

[SoCalCAPOfficer]

I think the best thing about being in CAP is getting to know a great group of dedicated people that I would not otherwise have had the privilege to have met.

[Short Field]

Working with a large group of dedicated people who commit their time and resources to training for and then accomplishing a mission critical to our country.  It is inspiring to see people take on new tasks to become qualified to fill needed positions in the squadron.  It is a constant reminder of "Service before Self".

[Capt M. Sherrod]

The best thing(s) for me about being in CAP are working with the cadets of my squadron and wing.  I find a lot of fulfillment in watching them mature and become more critical thinkers and do-ers.

I also enjoy seeing the "lightbulb" when they have finally grasped, understood, and can apply a particular AE topic....

CAP Paycheck.... $0.00
CAP Uniform variations.... $$$$$
Seeing the twinkle in a cadet's eye... PRICELESS!!

[SDF_Specialist]

I enjoy everything that CAP has taught me, and love to share my knowledge with new members.

[Tubacap]

My former commander told me to make sure that I paid attention to the people I would meet in CAP, and that I would enjoy them.  He was correct.  The thing I like most about CAP is the people, both cadet and officer, who I have met.  They have such a wide variety of skills, traits, and professions, but yet are able to come together in selfless service to their community state and nation.  It is an honor to work with them, and truly enjoyable to spend "off duty" time getting to know their histories and opinions.

[Stonewall]

In addition to the awesome feeling of working with cadets and seeing them grow into adults, and often times, seeing them years after their CAP career doing great things, networking is a great thing about being in CAP.  (Probably not the type of answer you're looking for, but oh well.)

I owe it to CAP for all 3 post-military jobs I've had in my life.

Independent Contractor to an Intel agency doing very cool stuff:  '96 - '01

Agent in Charge (detail leader) on a protection detail for a federally protected person:  '01 - '06.

Federal Police Officer:  '06 to present

[flyerthom]

I get to be involved in my community. I get to use my talents there. And I get do do something I love -fly. I've met some fantastic people and made some great connections.

[Major Carrales]

I think it is the chance to mentor youth in leadership skills - they are, after all, the future leaders of our country.

I have benefitted from it, and I think it is one of the most rewarding parts of the program.

I am glad CAP has given you center.  There are many childhood friend of mine that would have greatly benefit from CAP.  There was a time in the 1st Grade or so I remember that everyone wanted to be an astronaut.

Sadly, later on, in the higher grades, lack of options and fear of staying ina small town turned many down the wrong path.  We can't save them all, but imagine how many we have.

[Major Carrales]

I think the best thing about being in CAP is getting to know a great group of dedicated people that I would not otherwise have had the privilege to have met.

Some of the best folks I have ever met have been CAP officers. 

[mamadinos]

Along with all the other reasons posted above, I love CAP for all of its opportunities, for me and for my daughter.  Where else can your child go sit in the cockpit and actually fly the thing for free, be a part of actual search-and-rescue missions, wear cool uniforms and build rockets?  The NCSAs and encampment activities are incredible!  I had no idea what the Civil Air Patrol was before my daughter and I joined.  She joined because she wanted to learn how to fly, but she has also learned discipline and leadership skills that will serve her for the rest of her life.

[Major Carrales]

Along with all the other reasons posted above, I love CAP for all of its opportunities, for me and for my daughter.  Where else can your child go sit in the cockpit and actually fly the thing for free, be a part of actual search-and-rescue missions, wear cool uniforms and build rockets?  The NCSAs and encampment activities are incredible!  I had no idea what the Civil Air Patrol was before my daughter and I joined.  She joined because she wanted to learn how to fly, but she has also learned discipline and leadership skills that will serve her for the rest of her life.

The number of Parent/Child CAP successes I have seen over the years is a great thing.  In our times it is so hard to find thing to relate to with our children.  I have a young daughter and one "on the way."  I love to watch the various cartoons she sees, it gets to the point in my school classes that I have to reference certain cartoon episodes to get certain points across.

It would be great to be able to use CAP to do the same thing.  I have seen that students that struggle in Math classes seem to have no problem figuring out how high a rocket went using a higher caliber of math. 

Just one way we could all better relate to you.  Get them involed in middle school and take it as far as it will go...Mitchell?...Spaatz?

[mamadinos]

The number of Parent/Child CAP successes I have seen over the years is a great thing.  In our times it is so hard to find thing to relate to with our children.  I have a young daughter and one "on the way."  I love to watch the various cartoons she sees, it gets to the point in my school classes that I have to reference certain cartoon episodes to get certain points across.

It would be great to be able to use CAP to do the same thing.  I have seen that students that struggle in Math classes seem to have no problem figuring out how high a rocket went using a higher caliber of math. 

Just one way we could all better relate to you.  Get them involed in middle school and take it as far as it will go...Mitchell?...Spaatz?

I guess I take things a little farther than most in my involvement with my children.  I have homeschooled them (though my oldest is now in public high school), watched their TV shows (are there any channels besides Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel?), played their computer games, and taught their Sunday School classes... and, yes, I actually have a few hobbies for myself.

One nice thing about CAP is its opportunities for Senior Officers as well.  I went to NESA without my child (it was a vacation for me  ), and have taken many professional development courses.  I've even learned a few of my own leadership skills.

[Major Carrales]

The number of Parent/Child CAP successes I have seen over the years is a great thing.  In our times it is so hard to find thing to relate to with our children.  I have a young daughter and one "on the way."  I love to watch the various cartoons she sees, it gets to the point in my school classes that I have to reference certain cartoon episodes to get certain points across.

It would be great to be able to use CAP to do the same thing.  I have seen that students that struggle in Math classes seem to have no problem figuring out how high a rocket went using a higher caliber of math. 

Just one way we could all better relate to you.  Get them involed in middle school and take it as far as it will go...Mitchell?...Spaatz?

I guess I take things a little farther than most in my involvement with my children.  I have homeschooled them (though my oldest is now in public high school), watched their TV shows (are there any channels besides Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel?), played their computer games, and taught their Sunday School classes... and, yes, I actually have a few hobbies for myself.

One nice thing about CAP is its opportunities for Senior Officers as well.  I went to NESA without my child (it was a vacation for me  ), and have taken many professional development courses.  I've even learned a few of my own leadership skills.

While I am a public school teacher I agree and greatly support your efforts in homeschooling your child.  A child had four great teachers, 1) Parents to whom children are totally dependent for five to ten years, who teach their children how to speak and imprint values therein. 2) School teachers, or other "sage types" (like grandparents...in your case more parent in persona teacher  ) 3) Themselves, teach a child to learn and you have really given them a gift.  and 4) Life (for which the first three teachers prepare them)

CAP provides fertile ground for this to happen.  Kudos.