Attraction to CAP

[Rob Sherlin]

  I noticed a lot of members have served, or still are serving different branches of the military....

  Just out of curiosity...What made you join the CAP instead of some other Aux. ?

  For me it was love of Aviation and the Air Force. After AFJROTC, I got into a career doing Animation and making real good money. After the studios started closing and moving overseas, that career pretty much went south and I tried to see about going regular AF (which was my original plan ), but I had just passed the age requirements from what the recruiter told me.
  Took me a while to remember about CAP (you don't hear or see to much about it unless you're looking). I figured it would be a good thing for me to get involved with, learn some great skills, at the same time serve some good causes, and at least kind of feel like I'm somewhat in the Air Force because it's as close as I'm going to get now.

[Stonewall]

Joined CAP as a cadet at age 14.  Tried the Boy Scouts but it wasn't military enough and my school didn't have a JROTC program.  Stayed in CAP throughout high school and after I enlisted into the Army, I found a local unit and have been in ever since.

1987 - Present (not renewing this year)

[Rob Sherlin]

 Sorry to hear the boy scouts didn't work for you. It seems every troop is different when it comes to them. So, all depending on how the Scout Master leads, that's what you get. I was in the scouts and actually learned a lot (I first got into model rockets there, and earned a lot of merit badges). But, I think we also got away with a lot (like tipping over the port-a-potty when the new kid was in it...we were so bad!!).
  It's good to hear that CAP was around for you to get into. I think CAP can make a big difference in places where there is no JROTC or ROTC programs (in Pasadena, CA. they had the JROTC at three different high schools (Air Force, Navy, and Army), but it seems there were no Colleges that had ROTC).

[LittleIronPilot]

Joined CAP as a cadet at age 14.  Tried the Boy Scouts but it wasn't military enough and my school didn't have a JROTC program.  Stayed in CAP throughout high school and after I enlisted into the Army, I found a local unit and have been in ever since.

1987 - Present (not renewing this year)

Stonewall....do you mean you are not renewing in CAP?

May I ask why? You are definitely someone I look to for guidance and answers on this board, your insights are invaluable.

[SilverEagle2]

I joined CAP as a cadet after getting my Eagle in Scouts at a young age. Parents felt I needed something that would keep me out of trouble.

For me, CAP was it. I thrived much more in CAP than I ever did in Scouts. It did not hurt that I found my Dad's shoulder boards in a box of his old stuff with 2 diamonds on them. Once I asked and found out what they were, I was hooked. When I left as a Cadet I was wearing his boards and diamonds and almost beat him to the third diamond.

My hope is that my sons take up the tradition and want to wear their Dad's double diamonds and try to beat me out.

Love the structure and the programs over scouts. Get to do much cooler stuff in my book. However, I think boys need Scouts as well.

[Stonewall]

Stonewall....do you mean you are not renewing in CAP?

May I ask why? You are definitely someone I look to for guidance and answers on this board, your insights are invaluable.

Just don't care for the program overall and the direction it has gone and continues to go.  Doesn't mean it isn't right for others, just not for me.  I've got my own "cadets" now so I'm done raising others'.  Enjoyed all 21 years, but it's time to move on and they won't let me retire because they don't count my cadet years towards retirement.

[NJMEDIC]

Joined in 2000 with my son, who also did AFJROTC. Did not want to be one of the parents who just dropped their kid off. Former Marine here and no Young Marine programs in the state. My Son is a Loadmaster on a C-17 with 3 years of service in Feb.2010 an is a Senior Airman.  I stay with the programs because of what it does for the cadets. :clap:

[SJFedor]

Did a year at a military academy in PA (8th grade, www.vfmac.edu). When I left there, I still craved the military atmosphere. Parents found out about CAP, went to a meeting, and it was all downhill from there

[PaulR]

I am looking forward to getting back into the CAP next year.  I had five years as a cadet and I loved every minute of it(1986-1991).  I want to give back to the program that gave me so much!

[BuckeyeDEJ]

Sorry to hear, Stonewall, that you're leaving CAP. Seems the best way to effect change is from the inside.

I joined CAP in May 1984 as a cadet in a small college town in northern West Virginia. I wanted to fly, and I wanted to "cross into the blue." I stayed in CAP... was booted to senior-member status in 2003 when I turned 21... and stayed around. I didn't join the Air Force, though I danced around OTS in 2002. There've been occasions I wondered why I stayed in CAP, but I wouldn't give up what I've done in the organization -- I've invested too much time and energy -- and I can give back.

A handful of states later, here I am in Florida.

[Johnny Yuma]

I'm second generation cadet: Mom was a cadet in the late 50's-early 60's. Heard neat stories about flying when I was younger and when I found out there was a unit I joined. It was the flying and the ES that attracted me.

Coast Guard Aux. has presence here, but here in KS we're pretty landlocked. Coast Auxxies do a lot of Boating safety stuff but that's about it. The USCG's payroll center is in Topeka (all their paychecks get written there) but who wants to volunteer to count beans???

Got my Mitchell early in my Senior year of H.S. and went Senior member a couple weeks later when I turned 18. There were several reasons for that: I was joining the Army through the DEP so I didn't have the time to go much higher and a new unit CC was absolutely worthless and made life hell on the cadet side of the house.

Army didn't pan out, tore up both knees playing sports and they un-DEP'ed me 2 months before I was to go to basic. I spent another 2 years as a Senior under another unit CC who ran the unit into the ground financially. I saw the handwriting on the wall early and left CAP. 10 years later I rejoined when I found out one of the old cadets in my unit not only was the nearby unit CC but also lived 2 blocks away from me. 7 years later I'm the Wing DC and she's the Wing Queen.

[FlexCoder]

Stonewall, your not allowed to leave CAP, period!  That's an order from all your CAP friends.   You convinced me to stay in CAP a few years back.   CAP has been on a downhill slide by a select few but don't give up.   You are a great asset to the CAP program!  CAP is a lot better with you in it. 

Why don't you change the direction, and Lead CAP in the right direction.... Stonewall for CAP National Commander!!!!

[BillB]

Stonewall.   CAPTalkers are right you need to stay. You are in an area of a Wing that has had poor leadership for the past six years. This is at both the Squadron and Group level. But to a great extent, things are looking up and are slowly improving. The Group, geographically is much to large for effective control. The Squadrons in your area have no goials and membership in the past three years is down almost 25%, meaning it's closer to 50% with new people coming in offsetting those that quit. Fun activities for cadets are few and far between.
What's needed is people like you to to effect change. to provide direction. Many of the "good" people in the area have quit in frustration or politics. Don't let the B******s win! (forget whose quote that is)

[Rob Sherlin]

Stonewall.....
   I haven't been around that long, and really don't know you. But, I have read a lot of your posts and know that you are a man who actually cares about the CAP. I see  your concerns for lack of presence at air shows and other things. There are also a lot of people here who do know you and don't want to see you leave (that says something too).
  You stated you didn't like where CAP is now, and the direction it's headed. The others are right! It takes members such as yourself to make the changes for the better...and it CAN be done!
  Besides, if these things you don't like are happening in your area and you leave, then the chances of those things getting better are going to be considerably less (in fact, they could get worse).
   
  I don't think you should go either 

[DogCollar]

Stonewall...
Obviously CAP would be poorer without you.  However, it is your decision to make.  You have poured your heart and soul into the organization over the years and sometimes we as individuals need the grace of time and distance to be able to place events and feelings into their proper perspective. 

May you be blessed in all your future endeavors just as CAP has been blessed by your hardwork and dedication.

[Flying Pig]

I joined at age 13, in 1986.  My father was the unit Chaplain.  From there I went on to the military.  WHile I was in the Marines, I made an attempt to stay involved but it didnt work.  And being an 18-19-20 year old Infantry Marine , CAP didnt exactly have a place.  When I was off duty, the last thing I wanted to do was teach cadets to march.

Anyway....when I got out of the Marines, it took about 4 months to miss CAP.  Here I am.  Now, I enjoy the military aspect, the missions and the training.  It really compliments what I do on the "outside" and my employer even allows me to go to certain ES related CAP training on the counties dime.

As far as Stonewall's deal.  Not everyone has the time or energy to "change" CAP from the inside.  I am a believer the CAP has seasons in peoples lives.  Just like I have, people seem to come and go sometimes.  I had a 4 year break from CAP simply because there were other priorities, and quite frankly, I had my own little kids and couldn't really spending time teaching other peoples kids to march while my wife and kids sat at home by themselves. 

[O-Rex]

Attraction to CAP?

Three words: real world mission

Flying Pig: it took me ten years to miss it: I call my post-Army/pre-CAP years my "Beatles post-break-up years" i.e., like JPG & R, didn't want early experiences and successes to the the be-all-end-all of my existence while still in my 20's, and wanted to reinvent myself: college, white-collar job, family, etc.  Needless to say, once I checked those boxes off my bucket list, I got antsy again, and a little nostalgic for my "zipper suited sun-god" days, and well, here I am.

Stonewall-  Go ahead and renew: you can always send yourself on a self-imposed trip to the "CAP gulag" (sit on local sqdn's MML or an admin holding squadron, if your wing has one) until the political pendulum swings the other way.

Perspectives change and you may find that yourself missing it more than you thought you would, then later endure the PITA of revalidating/recreating all your CAP credentials.

[Stonewall]

Sorry guys, I didn't mean for this topic to turn into a discussion about me or my decision not to renew my membership.  I made the decision several months ago and am sticking with it.  I influenced many many cadets and even some senior members throughout the years, but I don't have the time, energy or desire to play even a minor role.  I was asked to be DCC at the local squadron about 10 months ago and accepted it at first.  But then I met with the cadets and realized that I am no longer compatible with current generation of cadets.  I am not a touchy-feely guy and I don't feel like dealing with over protective parents, home schooled kids checking a box, lazy cadets who can't be bribed to take an orientation flight unless you show up to their house, get them dressed, drive them to the flight and drive them back home.  It may not be that way in NCWG, HIWG, or CAWG, but that's the way it is locally.

I am a CP/ES guy (51/49) and I always believed ES, specifically ground operations, to be the best leadership laboratory for cadet leaders to learn with real world opportunities to exercise command and control and be responsible for their actions (under the supervision of me, a qualified adult leader).  But now, instead of training IAW local standards that directly correspond with that regional environment, we all must meet the same national standard (check off sheet) which doesn't apply to every region and wing.  In short, the way we operate and train in FL may not closely resemble the way they do it in WV, yet every cadet has to spend countless hours, days, weeks, months, years waiting for a chance to get a specific skill signed off.  And I truly can't stand doing everything on line. 

I don't like competing with air operations or comms weenies who have a separate agenda.  Especially when an Air Ops focused squadron has little to no interest in allowing cadets to get qualified because they're not going to call them anyway.  "We don't call cadets for missions".  Then why fake the funk?  Why lead them to believe they can participate in real world missions when in reality, they won't, because you won't call them?  Instead, we dwell on AE, comfy and cozy "feel good" classes that check boxes for college applications, especially for home schooled kids who NEED CAP as an extra curricular activity.

Some have said I ran a Marine Corps style boot camp program, yet never even visited my squadron.  Or that I focused solely on ES but never once saw our squadron meeting calendar which was strictly IAW CAP doctrine.  Everything from an AE bulletin board to a well-structured PT program, achievement mentoring, and prominent guest speakers.  But no, I was a drill sergeant, not a CAP leader of cadets who ended up in West Point, as public school teachers, professional firefighters, C-130 pilots, Rangers, Engineers, and much much more.

I don't have the energy to fight an up hill battle when we're on the same team.  I am a former infantry NCO, police officer, intelligence specialist for the government, and protection detail leader.  I am very firm, energetic and driven.  And I can run circles around most CAP leaders because I have spent 21 years in the program, been senior of the year, honor graduate from RSC, named squadron of distinction and earned a unit citation.  But I will not get involved in politics and turn a blind eye to incompetence, wanna-be's, mishandling of funds, micromanagement or a kinder gentler environment that coddles our youth instead of making them true leaders through actions, adversity, competition and quality leaders setting the right example.  Leadership cannot come from books or marching around a half-asssed flight of partially uniformed cadets. 

Some people talk about CAP not maintaining standards.  I'll tell you this, I ran a squadron where cadets and seniors alike were held to accountable for their actions, inactions, and to the standards I set forth.

Sorry for the rant and to steal this thread.  If anyone is interested, and I'm not sure why anyone would be, we can take it to PM.

Semper Vi.

[LtCol057]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Stonewall.  Wish we could clone you and then give you a well deserved break.  The cadets when I joined as a senior member in '90, were a whole lot more motivated than the cadets of today.  I know, I'm making a generalization. But IMO, and from what I see every week, it's true.  Back in '90, 85% of my cadets carried in their trunk a full 24hr pack, ready to go with 30 min notice.  Now of the 17 cadets I have, only 2 or 3 have made an effort to get a 101.  Granted, over half of them have less than 1 yr of service.  But we mention a weekend activity, we get very little attendance. 
Several years ago, our wing ES King, made the comment, and the then Wing CC agreed, that we were the first squadron called for a mission in our wing. We never turned down a mission, and always had 10-20 people show up for missions. 

And it's not just the cadet side. I have 22 senior members, and at last count, 6 have not been to a meeting in at least 3 years.  None of my pilots are current. When the plane was here, they put maybe 1 hr on it in 2 weeks. Now they're [censored]ing about not having a plane.  Tuff crap. Go yell at the former commander about it.  Oh wait, he's the one that lost the plane in the first place. 

I'm not gonna try to talk you into staying.  In fact, I've felt like you more than one time in the last 18 years.  Even tho we've never met, I think some of the values you try to instill in the members are the same ones I'm fighting to get thru to mine.  I believe 1000% in taking responsibility for one's own actions. I do think the organization as a whole has gone too PC for it's own good.  Just recently, I put a freeze on cadet promotions because I was looking thru the records and saw some things I didn't like.  If my cadets are trying to coast thru the system, and some are, they will NOT get any signatures or recommendations for college/academies from me.  My new Deputy knows how I feel about this. 

Anyway, enough rambling, and I'm sure I've gone way off topic (sorry Mike).  But if after a break, you ever find yourself in eastern NC, you would be more than welcome at my squadron.  Godspeed and thanks for everything you've done.