Does the AF really care?

[Walkman]

Apparently they do:

http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todays-features/?cap_to_remain_support_agency_of_choice_usafs_jones_assures_command_council&show=news&newsID=16324


I like this:

"I want you to know that the Air Force understands and values what you bring to the fight," said Jones, the military branch's director of operations. "Your support in the homeland, training the war fighter, protecting America, advancing education and developing our youth cannot be thanked enough.

"You are wonderful patriots, and as our auxiliary partner we appreciate everything you do for our Air Force and our nation."

I just thought that amid the CAPTalk wailing and gnashing of teeth over our relationship with Big Blue, it would be nice to spread some good vibes.

[a2capt]

Now, if that were posted on an Air Force news site.. ;-)

[abdsp51]

To piggy back, yes the AF cares no if's, ands or buts about it.  Some here will say they don't get much support from a local AF yard and maybe that is due to bad blood or maybe just not talking to the right people. 

Some will say every Airman in the AF need to know what we do and the relationship and while that may be nice I'd be happy with the people who can do something for us and to help build or better the local CAP-USAF relationship.  Being dual hatted USAF-CAP I can say currently  it's far more beneficial for us to have a relationship with the powers to be. 

Building, maintaining and improving the CAP-USAF locally is what is a key thing to relations.

[Devil Doc]

YAY CAP, this is the reason why i joined this organization, to help protect the Homeland!!

[Walkman]

Now, if that were posted on an Air Force news site.. ;-)

Dude, you're harshing the good vibes!   

[NC Hokie]

Of course the Air Force cares. Individual airmen, NCOs, and officers might not, but they probably don't care about any other part of the Air Force that doesn't impact their AOR or career, either.

[a2capt]

Okay, Okay.

As long as they don't post a pink gif file from MS Paint for Windows 3.1, like NHQ did ;-)

"CAP Cares" ..

[Grumpy]

Heck, I feel like we get more support from the Army Reserve and the Marine Corps than we get from the AF.  In the 13 years I've been with this squadron I seen an AF advisor twice and the one we asked to check into AF Orientation Flights never did get back to us.

If we want to get a facility for something like an NCOS all we have to do is ask and the Marines bend over backwards to see that we get what we need.

If the Army Reserve isn't drilling, we have the run of the facility.

[abdsp51]

Heck, I feel like we get more support from the Army Reserve and the Marine Corps than we get from the AF.  In the 13 years I've been with this squadron I seen an AF advisor twice and the one we asked to check into AF Orientation Flights never did get back to us.

You are not talking to the right people then.

[Grumpy]

I thought that was one of the reasons for the CAP/RAP.  Find out where the problems are and help fix them.

[PHall]

Heck, I feel like we get more support from the Army Reserve and the Marine Corps than we get from the AF.  In the 13 years I've been with this squadron I seen an AF advisor twice and the one we asked to check into AF Orientation Flights never did get back to us.

If we want to get a facility for something like an NCOS all we have to do is ask and the Marines bend over backwards to see that we get what we need.

If the Army Reserve isn't drilling, we have the run of the facility.

Of the fact that you meet in an Army Reserve facility on an Active Duty Marine Corps Base has nothing to do with that right?

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

This is a good story...but why not run it in something like the Air Force Times as well?  General Jones' very kind comments would at least kibosh some of the misconceptions about CAP.

Agreed about support from other services...one of my former units met in an ARNG Armoury...and they went out of their way to help us.

I thought that was one of the reasons for the CAP/RAP.  Find out where the problems are and help fix them.

If you're fortunate enough to have access to a CAP/RAP.  Those seem to be thin on the ground anymore.

[Devil Doc]

CAP/RAP?

Theres a Rap Song about CAP Now? Were going to blow up big time.

[abdsp51]

This is something best suited for the local base papers in the commentary section.  And a AF story on the portal to really get the word out. 

[Grumpy]

Like I said before.  Seems like the other branches of the military go out of their way to help us out.  Every time we talked to our reserve people about AF Orientation Flights we never hear back from them. At least the other branches communicate.  I realize that now days there may be budget problems but these requests were before Obummer took office.  When you needed a place for encampment the Marines supplied us with Camp Telega (free).

[abdsp51]

Like I said before.  Seems like the other branches of the military go out of their way to help us out.  Every time we talked to our reserve people about AF Orientation Flights we never hear back from them. At least the other branches communicate.  I realize that now days there may be budget problems but these requests were before Obummer took office.  When you needed a place for encampment the Marines supplied us with Camp Telega (free).

Again you are not talking to the right people. I have a buddy who arranged a KC-10 flight for his kids in a couple of months.  What yard are you trying to get a flight through?

[Luis R. Ramos]

Obummer... Really? 

I think the reason of the poor response to you is really that you are injecting into your conversation with them contempt or an attitude that should not be present.

I do not agree with Obama, nor I voted for him. But as a member of CAP, the USAF Auxiliary even if part-time, to me Mr Obama is the President of the United States and ultimately, the CAP CIC.



I think that if you review your attitude when you talk or address those branches you may have better results.

Flyer

[jimmydeanno]

ultimately, the CAP CIC.

Not to turn this into a political discussion, but...no. 

[lordmonar]

Obummer... Really? 

I think the reason of the poor response to you is really that you are injecting into your conversation with them contempt or an attitude that should not be present.

I do not agree with Obama, nor I voted for him. But as a member of CAP, the USAF Auxiliary even if part-time, to me Mr Obama is the President of the United States and ultimately, the CAP CIC.



I think that if you review your attitude when you talk or address those branches you may have better results.

Flyer

+1

Just like we tell the cadets....respect the rank if not the person.

As for "they never got back to us" when requesting and O-Flight........how was the request sent up?   How was it followed up?  If you want it to happen you have to work it.  It is not in the USAF's interest to make it happen.  You have to remember that you are adding to their work.   So you got to be proactive, get your State Director (or what ever he is called now) in the loop, get all the RMA's set up, SSANs etc, and so forth.....you have to make those relationships with the flying unit to make sure they know who you are are they can make the call when a flying opportunity comes along.

It is more about work load on the flying squadron then money.  So you have to make them like you enough that they will be willing to do more work.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Respect the person, but you don't need to agree with him.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Respect the person, but you don't need to agree with him.

Exactly.  Which is why I determinedly avoid political discussions of any kind in a CAP setting.

Of course the Air Force cares. Individual airmen, NCOs, and officers might not, but they probably don't care about any other part of the Air Force that doesn't impact their AOR or career, either.

I think it's more likely that they don't know about us, or have only heard unfounded rumours.

[LGM30GMCC]

This is a good story...but why not run it in something like the Air Force Times as well?  General Jones' very kind comments would at least kibosh some of the misconceptions about CAP.

The Air Force Times is not an official publication of the USAF. It's popular with some members of the USAF (and I occasionally read it because it was something to read on alert) but is largely considered to be a bit of a tabloid.

Airman Magzine was/is the official publication of the USAF, unfortunately it is no longer produced in hard copy. (Too expensive) It is on-line and it's possible something could be coordinated between NHQ or a local PA office and sent up. Certainly could be worth a try but would need a USAF PAO that was on board for doing it.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Airman Magzine was/is the official publication of the USAF, unfortunately it is no longer produced in hard copy. (Too expensive) It is on-line and it's possible something could be coordinated between NHQ or a local PA office and sent up. Certainly could be worth a try but would need a USAF PAO that was on board for doing it.

I hadn't known Airman was no longer published in magazine form.  That is unfortunate as I always enjoyed reading it and at one point had a pretty large stack.

As for the USAF PAO connection, how could that be set in motion?

[Private Investigator]

Apparently they do:

Thank you sir. I thought it was very positive no matter what spin others want to put on it.   :clap:

[Paul_AK]

As for the USAF PAO connection, how could that be set in motion?

I'd think a suggestion like that could be routed through local channels to both the USAF Public Affairs Agency and CAPNHQ. Or at the very least they could get someone started in the right direction.

[abdsp51]

At the end of the day, those that make the major decisions AF wide know about us and value us.  Anything below that requires work and communication from both CAP and USAF to either create, improve, or maintain the relationship. 

[ProdigalJim]

Airman Magzine was/is the official publication of the USAF, unfortunately it is no longer produced in hard copy. (Too expensive) It is on-line and it's possible something could be coordinated between NHQ or a local PA office and sent up. Certainly could be worth a try but would need a USAF PAO that was on board for doing it.

I hadn't known Airman was no longer published in magazine form.  That is unfortunate as I always enjoyed reading it and at one point had a pretty large stack.

As for the USAF PAO connection, how could that be set in motion?

A bit of a drift, but CyBorg, just FYI you can still read Airman electronically. Here ya go:

>> Airman magazine is now available FREE for your tablet devices! Please take a moment and download the first issue of 2013:
APPLE: http://bi...t.ly/TK559c
ANDROID: http://bit.ly/WE3FTX
KINDLE: http://amzn.to/UgBDaN

In addition to the tablet app, the Airman staff works hard to provide new content on a weekly basis. We have recently posted a great mix of stories, including a 60+ year holiday tradition in the pacific islands, an in-depth look at the F-22 Raptor, a glimpse of modern day Air Force basic military training, and combat rescue in Afghanistan. <<

[scare]

The fact that they have made an article specifically for this, may seem rather suspicious.

[Eclipse]

I just "purchased" the Kindle edition (which I intend to actually read on the Android) and the free purchase also got me a $1 credit in the Amazon MP3 store.  Sweet.