How many missions does it take to keep you highly motivated?

[RiverAux]

I, like many seniors, joined CAP to primarily perform ES mission work and I have found that as actual CAP missions have declined, so does my motivation.  After a certain number of years, I'm also just not that interested in SAREXs -- sure they're good for keeping up basic CAP skills, but they're not that terribly interesting or challenging anymore. 

I'm not an adrenaline junkie and I certainly don't wish misfortune on others, but personally its difficult to say it is worth my time to focus on CAP work when it seems like we're down to only one "real" mission a year in my Wing.  Sure, there are opportunities for some limited CD work and some non-ES flying for other agencies, but that doesn't do it for me. 

Perhaps I've been jaded by my early CAP career where I was going on ELT missions once or twice a month.  But, I think I probably would want the opportunity to go on 3-5 missions a year to feel like I was really making a contribution. 

And by "mission" I mean pretty much any sort of ES work primarily, but if you want to include non-ES work for other agencies in your definition thats fine.  Its not like the poll is going to be scientifically valid anyway. 

[BFreemanMA]

I haven't yet participated in a mission outside of SAREXs, but I'm holding out for the call!

[NC Hokie]

I get my warm fuzzy feeling from working with cadets, but if there were no cadets in CAP anymore I'd need at least 1-2 missions per year to feel like my time was being well spent.  I might even go a year or two with no missions, but anything after that would make me rethink my membership.

[a2capt]

It's not (lack of) missions, it's the GOBNs. Thats the force de-multiplier.

[vento]

^^^ What A2 said!

[Eclipse]

Any number more then 0 helps, but more this:

It's not (lack of) missions, it's the GOBNs. Thats the force de-multiplier.

Wasted time.

So.

Much.

Wasted.

Time.

[Devil Doc]

I have been in CAP for 2+ Years, I have not been on a Single Misson. However, I have been on Numerous SAREX, Local Trainings, MERSAR, and want to do more trainings. My biggest issue for the Missions are this: Other Squadrons can get the people ready faster than we can, and or have more, and it leaves us in the dark. We have had missions pretty much 20-30 mins from us, because of other units who are bigger, in the game, and know more people get called out. It seems like a lot of members can call out of work on a moments notice and go to a mission. Some of us, cannot just leave work, or call out because of a mission. Other than that, I like what we do.

[Storm Chaser]

Any number more then 0 helps, but more this:

It's not (lack of) missions, it's the GOBNs. Thats the force de-multiplier.

Wasted time.

So.

Much.

Wasted.

Time.

Are you talking about CAP or CAP Talk?

[Flying Pig]

I flew in CAP for about 8 years.  I did 2 ELT searches, searched for Steve Fossett, searched for a downed power glider in the Sierras with my mentor Bosshawk , my good friends from my Sq.....  I swear, on top of the excitement of doing a real mission.... Ive never flown and laughed so hard in my life. My long time observer from Sq112 knows what Im talking about.   My bread and butter was CD.  I never put in for it... but I have a silver clasp on my CD ribbon.  CAP is all about location location location.  I had a blast in CAP flying.  If I could find a way to recreate those days I would rejoin yesterday.  But it was a constant struggle to maintain the motivation even with that going on for me. 

[JeffDG]

It's not (lack of) missions, it's the GOBNs. Thats the force de-multiplier.

Force divisor

[Storm Chaser]

I flew in CAP for about 8 years.  I did 2 ELT searches, searched for Steve Fossett, searched for a downed power glider in the Sierras with my mentor Bosshawk.   My bread and butter was CD.  CAP is all about location location location.  I had a blast in CAP flying.  If I could find a way to recreate those days I would rejoin yesterday.

I agree. I've been in three wings, two groups and multiple squadrons. Location can make a big difference. I don't think CAP is perfect, but I still enjoy what I'm doing... very much. I also like the people I work with. That also makes a huge difference.

If you don't like what you're doing, if you think CAP is a waste of time, if you don't feel you're making a difference or making a valuable contribution or being challenged enough, then perhaps you're in the wrong job, the wrong unit or the wrong organization. If that's the case, then make a change or move on, but whatever you do, don't waste your time or the time others or be a hindrance to the organization. CAP is meant to be fulfilling and fun; if it's not, you're not in the right place.

[a2capt]

Force divisor

Actually, I meant force de-motivator, but this works too.

When I initially joined, it was the ES that was the main attraction, the training available, and similar aviation opportunities. After a while, as NHQ became cold to the member owned assets, and the GOBN creep, I said ... "these people are CP's best friend", because I drifted towards the Cadets.  Forget the Wing level CP, but right there at the unit.

There's been times when politics have strained that, but when the Cadets come to you and thank you for what you're doing, that makes it all worth being the buffer, the insulator, etc.

It was a great 13 years. We'll see what the next year brings as politics once again take the front seat.


Let's see if my faith in the system is upheld.

[JacobAnn]

If you don't like what you're doing, if you think CAP is a waste of time, if you don't feel you're making a difference or making a valuable contribution or being challenged enough, then perhaps you're in the wrong job, the wrong unit or the wrong organization. If that's the case, then make a change or move on, but whatever you do, don't waste your time or the time others or be a hindrance to the organization. CAP is meant to be fulfilling and fun; if it's not, you're not in the right place. [/quote]

Well stated.  I feel there is both good and bad to everything in life.  If the good outweighs the bad you stick with it.  If the bad outweighs the good you make the necessary change.

[Al Sayre]

One of the great dilemmas in the ES world is not having enough missions to keep volunteers interested.  We often hear the complaint "We never get any real missions, all we do is train."  However, if you stop and think about it, in order for us to have a real mission, someone has to crash an airplane or some area has to have some sort of disaster, and no one really wishes for those.  So in my humble opinion, not having any real missions is a good thing.  The point is that we are ready when the emergency does happen.

[Eclipse]

^ That's the "Fireman's Dilemma", the problem with it applying to CAP is that there are PLENTY of
real-world missions that happen all around it that CAP should be involved in but isn't.

The fireman just stand at the curb and watch the house burn.

[THRAWN]

^ That's the "Fireman's Dilemma", the problem with it applying to CAP is that there are PLENTY of
real-world missions that happen all around it that CAP should be involved in but isn't.

The fireman just stand at the curb and watch the house burn.

Truth! CAP ES has been so target fixated on SAR that the organization really has forgotten about DR. If there was a move to taking a larger role in that field, the planes would seldom stop flying....

[Private Investigator]

^ That's the "Fireman's Dilemma", the problem with it applying to CAP is that there are PLENTY of
real-world missions that happen all around it that CAP should be involved in but isn't.

The fireman just stand at the curb and watch the house burn.

Correctamundo. The fireman does not quit and become a policeman and then quits that when nothing is going on there either. 

[Flying Pig]

You'd have to work in a pretty sleepy town to compare CAP to being a fireman or policeman     Lets face it.... its different when its your paid job to be ready.  Asa volunteer, if you've gone years without doing anything real world, I think its more than reasonable to look at your time invested and ask if its a worthwhile investment.  Heck...I was flying in CA on a regular basis and decided it wasn't worth it anymore.  If I got to a location that was active Id probably give it another go.  Where I am now..... I just don't see much going on.   Sunset flights over the harbor is their main mission...... even though I already do it regularly in the helicopter ... and our marine patrol unit does it all day long.....  I think we have the most heavily patrolled quiet harbor in the nation. 

[Eclipse]

The real frustration comes when you read the papers, know you could have helped, but can't get in the
game because the leadership's focus is in the wrong place, the assigned staff officers aren't doing their
job or the line on the chart is vacant.

As an example - >ANY< missing persons situation where the agencies involved are requesting
help from the general public and CAP isn't involved should be viewed as an abject failure and
call to action, but is generally not even noticed.

[Flying Pig]

True.  As long as the unit is up to responding.  If your unit really wants to get called for every missing person call.  I don't know how many thousands Ive responded to and for the most part there is just nothing to do unless you want CAP members in BDUs walking up and down the streets with a photo only to have the person show up a couple hours later not even knowing anything was wrong.  I know people complain that they never get called.... but Ive seen plenty of instances where CAP gets called and its like getting people to volunteer to be a training aid at dental school.   Suddenly all the people who complain nothing ever happens have BBQs to attend, cant get off work or just don't answer.  They want to missions to happen on meeting nights.  Aside from that, don't call me Im a volunteer. 

In the end, most public safety agencies don't really care to work with outside volunteer organizations.  My agency in particular already has over 100 of its own volunteers.  Ive been in 4 LE agencies in 2 states and it seems to be a theme.  Each agency had a very well trained volunteer force who had specific jobs.  Like I said before CAP is about location, location, location.  Even in CAWG, CAP has a very active yet delicate relationship with LE for the counter drug mission. I don't mean delicate as barely holding on... CD is very engrained in LE in CA. Thats why CD is so selective.  But all it would take is for one idiot to be let into the mix to unravel years of relationships. 

Its been said 1000x.  CAP needs to meet with local public safety with an IDENTIFIED need.  Don't go to them and ask what you can do to help.  I think thats one of the biggest mistakes CAP makes.  Go to them having already identified a niche where you can fit in.   And like Ive said before..... the one time you are called and you don't respond, you may as well go back to hosting drill and ceremonies courses for seniors because you wont be called again. 
Depending on where you are in the country.... CAP may not be the place for you.  You may be better suited becoming a volunteer fireman or a reserve deputy sheriff to get the action you are searching for.