Reason For Joining CAP

[Viper QA]

I joined CAP in 1987 at the age of 13. I was a cadet until I joined the active USAF, leaving as a C/Maj.

I joined CAP because I loved the USAF & always wanted to be in the "suit." That goes back to my father taking me to my first airshow at 5 & then taking me to work with him on the weekends when I turned 10. He was fulltime ANG & worked as an A-10 weapons loader at the time.

I have been a member of CAP ever since. I never let my membership lapse, but I was in-active for about 5 years while I was in the USAF. I became active again after separating from active duty, moving back to my home town, & joining the ANG. Obviously, I am now a senior member & I hope to be a CAP member for many years to come.

[AlphaSigOU]

I first joined CAP as a cadet in December 1977 in Georgia Wing. Transferred to Florida Wing when my family moved to South Florida in 1979. Progressed through the cadet ranks, topping off at C/Major before an abortive year of college and enlistment in the Air Force. The squadron commander of the CAP overseas squadron just so happened to be a fellow member of the AD squadron and I rejoined CAP as a senior member, briefly serving as a TFO before earning 1st Lt at 21.

Got out of the AF, transferred to National Capital Wing. Eventually let my membership lapse and I was on 'hiatus' for 17 years before rejoining in 2005. Like most former cadets, you can never get CAP out of the system... 

[freeflight]

To help people out of bad situations.

[SARMedTech]

To help people out of bad situations.

me too.

[alamrcn]

Does anyone continue to stay in the program for the same reason they joined years before? Probably not. So, what happens when you "out grow" the original reason for joining and then have trouble finding another niche in the program?

That's where I'm at now.

Joined as a cadet with a dream of military service. Later, the military said they didn't want me because I have dry skin (psoriasis) and can't go in. Civil Air Patrol filled that hole while I was still younger. Changed to senior at 18 to support the cadet program - I know, big mistake. Was met with so much backlash by the older seniors, I had to change units.

Continued to search for "military-ness" in the program through ES, and was real gung-ho with Ground Team training for several years - I was a real grunt!
Now almost two decades later, all the "hoo-ah" of training to save lives and aid the injured has dwindled and just isn't fullfilling anymore.

I've been in Civil Air Patrol for longer than I have not, and it's frustrating to be falling out of love with the program that essentially molded me during my trip from teeny-bopper to thirty-something father.

I've changed and the program has changed... and it hurts to not be able to find what you joined for anymore.

-Ace

[capchiro]

Ace, that is the beauty of the program.  You have outgrown the adrenalin ES ground team gung ho phase and now have the golden opportunity to put your expertise and experience to use to support others that are still in the phases you used to be in.  It is now your turn to support others as they supported you during your phase.   Did you ever think about the members doing the paper work and providing the wherewithall for your training and exercises?? Mostly others that had outgrown the adrenalin need or didn't have it in the first place provided so much of it.  Now, you need to help others to experience what you have experienced.  You need to mature and see other aspects of CAP and fill the jobs needed.  This is all part of your CAP career.  It's not all ES and ground team and flying and exciting, but it is all necessary and it provides the opportunity and excitement for others.  So, teach a ROA course or become a really good PAO and you will really see how CAP affects other lives.  Thanks for your past good work, but it ain't over yet.  Now buckle down and see the mundane everyday work side of CAP..

[acarlson]

I joined after attending a squadron banquet, where I discovered by seeing in action, that
CAP is a "do good" organization!   We are good people, doing good work!

Thanks for all YOU do in CAP!

[gistek]

My son joined because there wasn't a good Boy Scout troop near where we lived. I joined because I wanted to help start a unit closer to home (the CAP unit we joined was almost 1 hour drive from home).

Then I had to move (new job) and made sure to find an apartment near a CAP unit. I enjoy working with the cadets and helping the unit. My son decided not to renew after two years, but I'm remaining in the program.

I enjoy helping with ES education/training, helping units manage their websites, and am hoping to start an Aerospace Education video project soon. I was an ES team member (base personnel) but can no longer participate in actual missions due to health reasons.

I am a Red Cross certified Lay Responder First Aid instructor and teach for two local CAP units.

[Fifinella]

Does anyone continue to stay in the program for the same reason they joined years before? Probably not. So, what happens when you "out grow" the original reason for joining and then have trouble finding another niche in the program?

Ace,

I hope you can find a new niche.  It would be a shame to lose you.

[Fifinella]

P.S. - I joined to work with cadets: influence tomorrow's leaders, make a difference.  And to get some community service on my resume.

[Hawk200]

I joined while I was still active duty Air Force. Wanted to do something different, get around a little, meet some new people, put some of my miltary experience to use and share it. Helping out cadets was a new thing, and fun too.

At times while active duty, I felt like one of the "little people", just doing my job, and not getting a whole lot of notice. Saw a lot of people play political games, and I'm really not into politics.

The first major thing I did with CAP was earthquake relief around Northridge, CA. Did seven weekends, and it was a real morale boost when people would walk up to you and say "Thank you for being here, thank you for helping." Made it all  worth it.

I did things from driving a forklift, to slinging supplies, to helping repair vehicles in the motorpool. Got a great deal of diversity, and enjoyed it all.

[JAFO78]

I joined to serve my country. I was single, stuck in a rut. Did not join the military but came close, Navy & A.F.  Went to school instead.

I was in Navy JROTC in high school, Ensign. The reason I will rejoin is to Serve my country. I think I can get my 2 oldest sons to join. One for sure, as he can't join the military due to medical condition.

[flyguy06]

There are many ways to serve your country other thanjoining the military. My best friend has been teaching high school for 10 years. He is serving his country by educating young minds

[LtCol Hooligan]

Does anyone continue to stay in the program for the same reason they joined years before? Probably not. So, what happens when you "out grow" the original reason for joining and then have trouble finding another niche in the program?

Ace-
You totally gave me a flash back to the glory days man.  I joined as a cadet with you and remember you as one of the leaders when I was a wee little Cadet Airman.  You and Briese and Storlie and Salk.  We were tough cadets in a tough squadron.  We all had dreams of making it in the "real" military.  We were all going to be rangers and we were all gunho.  Those were indeed the glory days.  Now, I know you caught the short end of the stick right after turning senior and that is a shame.  I think you made the right decisions and really made a difference once you got past the short sightedness of a few members and indeed did grow up (not meaning that in a bad way- hope it does not come across wrong).  I still remember when you came back and did an ES briefing and started off by pumping the team up.  It was awesome!!  In the end, some of us went in the military and others, like you and I, ended up staying in CAP.  This is a decision I have never regretted.  I feel like there is so much we can offer the cadets in the program.  You may be in a larger wing than I so it is indeed harder to make a large scale difference, but there is still that opportunity.  We have a lot of experience over the years and indeed we have an obligation to give that back.  Think about the seniors who gave to us like Dalton and Johnson.  We still remember them and know how much they helped us.  It is our turn now.  You need to find your own reasons to continue in CAP, but once you do, you will find a new life in this program and it will make you even more happy than the glory years as a young cadet anxious for your first real find.  Oh and Ace- I think we did find that target with the tail number of SATURN- you know what I mean .