Do You ever feel like quiting CAP

[wingnut55]

Do you ever feel frustrated, used, abused as a member of CAP?  I have and it is  the reason why I quit in 1975. I am older and wiser but I see that CAP has not changed much. We seem to be led by an egotistic autocratic few who often rose to be a Colonel in 5 years. Or wing staff who have not flown a mission, or been on mission base staff in a decade or more.

[bosshawk]

Sure, Bob: every year in January.  I renew in Feb and have considered it at least 15 times in 16 years.  That said, the missions and a few of my closest associates cause me to keep coming back.

[MIKE]

Never actually quit, but have taken a couple extended vacations from CAP in my 10 years of membership. 

Even though I'm inactive, I keep renewing... I'd hate to up and quit and then five years down the road decide I want back in, and have to start over 'cause my files got destroyed.... And if I do 15 more, I can "retire".

[♠SARKID♠]

On occasion, primarily because I've been doing this for five years and have three missions under my belt.  I came for ES and have seen little of it outside of training.  Now CAP has become too much a part of my life to want to leave, and I've gotten over my woes (although I wouldn't mind a few more missions now and then).

[DC]

I have considered it more than a few times, not because of lack of interest, but because of people that treated me unfairly, or were in a position of power but couldn't do their jobs. People that restrict the potential of others simply to boost their own ego, and make them more secure in their own personal fiefdom. People that lie to get rid of those they don't like, and judge based on unfounded rumors. It is sick, what some people will say and do.

It is only my closest friends and associates in CAP that have kept me paying dues.

[notaNCO forever]

 I used to think about it all the time but I figure even being able to do a little good is worth all the BS.

[Cecil DP]

Truthfully, I am planning on retiring from CAP effective 31 January 2009. Just waiting to do it on e-services until the of January.

[wingnut55]

Thanks for some of your thoughts

I am aware of studies done one people like us, it is a forgone conclusion that we are not the normative of society. Most people go home and watch people like us on TV.

I rejoined CAP because of Archer and Hyperspectral imaging, flying was something that has been very hard to get back into, I quit flying after several friends were killed in horrific plane crashes. but now I fly with a short list of guys who I trust and they me.

I too ask myself every year, why pay $190.00, but then another mission comes up and we fly the ridgelines, I also truly believe we are an asset to our country and although I am a liberal,conservative, socialist,NRA member, republican Palin lover!! it sure gets to be a pain in the AX& on a regular basis. I was cleared for CD this year, involved in two Space Shuttle Landings, Fossett and many others. Yet, I only stay for my comrades and the belief in the Mission.

[Rangercap]

All the time... especially when you realize that one or two members at the healm have little or no leadership experience and continually micro-mange your efforts - all in an effort to make to "their" program better, when in the end, it's a train wreck.

I am fortunate that I have a very happy home in a NCSA... lately, that is where I have been focusing most, if not all, of my CAP time. At least there the people appreciate your effort.

I had a good meeting with one of my other senior members the other night, sort of a gripe session. We ironed out a few (actaually A LOT) things that need done at the local unit level, and tried to find ways to address morale on the senior side, since it pretty crappy. Once again - told to do you job, but no tools to do it...

Brian
PAWG

[Trung Si Ma]

I actually retired once and then a friend became wing commander and asked me to come back.  We've been pretty lucky with the last three wing commanders, but I fight the renewal battle every year.  

I like teaching / demonstrating aerospace ed subjects to both cadets and seniors.  In fact, at last night's meeting we segued from the Sentinel topics to having a friend demo his Long-EZ to the members followed by showing the differences between it and my 172.  Out 2 hour meeting went 2.5 and would have gone longer except for it being a school night.

Bottom line good people doing good things with a wing culture of low BS keeps me around.

[dwb]

Renew for three years, then you won't have to fight the renewal battle as often.

[JoeTomasone]

I quit as a Cadet because of Squadron politics and incompetence.

I was brought back in as a SM by the then NY Wing Commander, who recruited myself and a few of my ham radio friends to attempt to bolster the Comms program.   I went into Patron status during a difficult time in my life, moved to Florida, and was too busy working to think about CAP.   I missed it... But didn't miss it..  If you can understand the sentiment.

During Hurricane Wilma I was doing the ham radio thing at an EOC in South Florida and wound up working with some of the folks there, and the spark got rekindled.   A few months later I rejoined (membership had lapsed), and shortly thereafter I joined the Group that I am still with.   I may have set a record for the longest time period as a 2nd. Lt. - 8 years or so.  

At this point in my life I view CAP as I do my employer - there's always challenges, there's always people who will impede progress; but if you let them dominate your thoughts about the program, you *will* want to quit.    Work for change, shake off what annoys you as best you can, and remember what CAP is all about.   For me, I make sure that the rewards exceed the challenges by teaching when I can, prosecuting missions when I can, and laying groundwork for what the program will look like (at least in my Group and area of responsibility).    Since I belong to a Group HQ and not to a Squadron, I get out as often as possible to see our Squadrons and participate in their activities - and I enjoy it.

I could tell you about all the crap that I have to deal with -- and there are some things that I am truly concerned about -- but in all honesty I don't really ever feel like quitting over them because of all the good that I know that I can do to my local piece of the program and the joy I get out of working with the folks we have.   As a father of three, I want my kids to turn out like some of the excellent Cadets that we have.   The best way to encourage that is to stay with the program, do what good I can, and hopefully they will want to join when they become of age.   In four years time, child #1 will be eligible...

Sometimes you have to seek out the roses to get a good whiff.  

[Capt Rivera]

I've taken a break from CAP and when I'm on vacation from work/school I'm on vacation from CAP as well.

I have never considered quiting and probably wont. If I ever have to take an extended break, I would just switch over to patron until I had the time/energy to get back in fully.

[Flying Pig]

I havnt "quit", but Ive let my membership lapse twice.  Once when I joined the Marines and was out of action for about 5 years.  Then, had a 3 year break when my work schedule wouldnt allow me to be involved.  My renewal date came, I put the notice on my desk completely intending to renew so I would be ready when my schedule changed, and next thing I knew, it was 3 years later.  Wanna hear something funny.....my short sleeve blues shirt was still hanging in my closet with my ribbons and all, just as I had left it 3 years earlier after taking it off for the last time after a meeting.  (kinda gross, but funny)

Now, I have a son who will be joining next year and have a perfect excuse to go back to encampment and all the cadet activities as a Tac Officer!!!!  I have a feeling WE will be going to IACE as well :clap:

[RickFranz]

I have left CAP more than once, mostly because of moving so much.  But everytime I leave I really miss it.  I enjoy working with the Cadets and watching them go from little johnny with two left feet, to a C/Lt Col being in charge of a whole bunch of little johnny's.

I like to be in the air, I like the ES stuff, but I really enjoy the Cadets - At the very least they keep you on your toes.

[x15sr71f112002]

Yes.  I have been in for six years, I am a Mission Pilot with all of my ratings etc., one of the senior "go to" pilots theorectically in the Wing.  My issue is that there is just not enough to do.  I have not flown one mission this year that I can remember.  I have flown all of the SAREXs, but we have had very few missions and the ones that we have had, by the time I called in they already had a crew flying. 

[Pylon]

Yes.  I have been in for six years, I am a Mission Pilot with all of my ratings etc., one of the senior "go to" pilots theorectically in the Wing.  My issue is that there is just not enough to do.  I have not flown one mission this year that I can remember.  I have flown all of the SAREXs, but we have had very few missions and the ones that we have had, by the time I called in they already had a crew flying. 

There's always cadet o-flight money to burn.

[swamprat86]

I go through this about every  5 years for a lot of the same reasons listed by everyone else.  I get frustrated with the program/members, bored, tired, etc.  I have never quit, but I have also taken "extended" leaves while keeping my membership current.  In my 25+ years in CAP, I have come to realize that people that drive you crazy will either leave or move into an area that has less impact with you, you just have to be patient and fortunately, at my age, I have time on my side.  I just do what I do and I do it well and try not to be the reason that others leave.

[heliodoc]

Hey X 15 "go to guy"

Not enough to do??  Never heard THAT in CAP!!

If ya wanna move north and are G1000 ck pilot qual'd WE got plenty for ya to do

got alot of 4th point of contact going on up here

Seeeeems to be a back log of former and up and coming G1000 drivers that can 't get ahead in life due to real or percieved issues

Pack your bags!!

[NIN]

Oh, I've taken time off in my years with CAP, and I've even quit once or twice (and then renewed my membership before I lost anything like time or rank...<GRIN>)