1st Lt for Life...Oy!!!

[Flying Pig]

I have been a 1Lt since 1998. :clap:

[RiverAux]

You're a living homage to those Army soldiers who spent 20 years in one rank back in the 1800s when promotions depended on when your superior officer died of heart disease...

[O-Rex]

I really don't think that cadets really care whether or not a senior member advances in rank.  Now, they sure as heck will notice if they are not setting a good example as far as uniforms, customs and courtesies, and general CAP activity. 

Someone diligent enough to keep a squared-away uniform and practice proper customs & courtesies will make some effort to progress through the program.

Remember that CAP rank is not a measure of authority, but of accomplishments in pursuing the senior program though education and participation: the two very things we expect from cadets.

[LittleIronPilot]

There was no need for the "CAP grade is a joke" comment whatsoever.

Why? Because its essentially so true?

CAP "rank" is not a joke, our treatment of that rank is a joke.

I am a firm believe that the "take any volunteer" mentality is the wrong one. I prefer quality over quantity.

[Pumbaa]

I am a firm believe that the "take any volunteer" mentality is the wrong one. I prefer quality over quantity.

Thus with the new ICS requirements I think you are going to see an exodus of many members.

[RiverAux]

If a CAP member can't take a few hours to whip out those internet ICS courses, I don't think we want them around anyway.  The ICS300/400 are a different story.  I suspect we will lose some high level mission staff who will be offended if they lose their quals over it.

[NIN]

You're a living homage to those Army soldiers who spent 20 years in one rank back in the 1800s when promotions depended on when your superior officer died of heart disease...

When I was in the National Guard, the joke was that you didn't have to wait for someone to retire to get a new slot.. You had to wait for someone to retire, and then die, to get that slot..

[NIN]

CAP "rank" is not a joke, our treatment of that rank is a joke.

I am a firm believe that the "take any volunteer" mentality is the wrong one. I prefer quality over quantity.

No disagreement.

Years ago, there was a Bob Stevens cartoon in the back of Air Force magazine that talked about the pilot shortage at the beginning of WWII and how they'd "take anybody." It depicted a team of doctors around a potential pilot cadet candidate, and each is poking/prodding and asking questions.  One Dr. says to the nurse "Put down 'breathing'." while the other doctor is asking the examinee "What color is that red number on the wall?"

Please demonstrate how you will be a benefit to my organization before I'm going to take the time and effort training you.  My unit uses a membership board to ensure that we have qualified and eager members who actually sign on the dotted line and will be there contributing in a year.

[stratoflyer]

I think grade in CAP serves it's purpose that is often mitigated by the very people who earn it.

[CAP Producer]

And Nin ... to give you an idea how long ago it was ... you had to wait until you made Lt Col to get your farts and darts hat -- and they were only $45 at MCSS.

Jack

I only paid 40 for mine and have only worn it once.

[Cecil DP]

I have been a 1Lt since 1998. :clap:

I've been a LtCol since 1990. I win!!

[O-Rex]

The ICS300/400 are a different story.  I suspect we will lose some high level mission staff who will be offended if they lose their quals over it.

They should be no more offended than a licensed professional, i.e., Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, CPA, etc., meeting the 'continuing education' requirements to keep their jobs, or soldiers and marines re-qualifying with their weapons and common tasks annually.  Or better yet, a pilot becoming offended because he has to take a check-ride.

Really, some folks need to get over themselves.

[James Shaw]

Longest time in rank i know of at this time.

Col Ben Stone of GAWG HQ.

Made Lt. Col. in 1954 and was promoted to Colonel in 2007

53 Years as a Lt. Colonel and there is none beter than this man!

[wuzafuzz]

There are a few motivations to move to a higher grade, but from what I've read so far, the primary reason is for the sake of appearance...to mitigate what others will think of you.  I'm not being sarcastic, rather I am a member for slightly over a year and I am genuinely curious.  It doesn't make much difference from what I've seen so far.

I know you have to be a Colonel to be a wing king, at least a First Lieutenant for squadron commander, etc.  If you aren't on track to be a wing king, how does grade REALLY affect your CAP career?  What is it really good for, especially if you have professional and leadership experience earned outside CAP?

[LittleIronPilot]

If a CAP member can't take a few hours to whip out those internet ICS courses, I don't think we want them around anyway.  The ICS300/400 are a different story.  I suspect we will lose some high level mission staff who will be offended if they lose their quals over it.

Thank you! People taking a couple of online courses and a test is NOT HARD.

Anyone that tells me they have neither the time or inclination to do them ICS classes also tell me they have no interest in actually be a professional CAP/SAR team member.

[James Shaw]

I believe in ongong and continous professional development. Most professional careers have some form of CEU (continuing education unit) requirements to them. When you work through any professional development course either part of CAP or not than you are improving yourself (hopefully) as an Individual which in turn should improve your professional knowledge or skill. I do not do professional development as a way to get more rank (which has no real authority) I do it because I am dedicated to the line of work I have chosen.

Advancement in rank is a benefit of completing professional development courses and not the other way around. You can have a 1st Lt PIC and a Lt. Col in the same plane and the 1st Lt is still the PIC. I enjoy the opportunities to network with fellow CAP members thorugh professional development courses such as SLS/CLC/RSC/NSC. I dont have any personal angst with those who choose not to promote through the ranks unless they are part of a Cadet program.

As stated in the past I believe that if you work for it and earn it than you deserve to wear it, that goes for rank or any awards!

[MSgt Van]

MSgt since 1989, so there!
{currently working on ECI 13}

[ColonelJack]

Longest time in rank i know of at this time.

Col Ben Stone of GAWG HQ.

Made Lt. Col. in 1954 and was promoted to Colonel in 2007

53 Years as a Lt. Colonel and there is none beter than this man!

Amen to that, Major Shaw!!  Ben Stone was an inspiration to me when I was active in CAP ... I enjoyed many GAWG conferences just sitting with others listening to the man talk.  The single finest person I'd ever met in the organization, and I knew some good people.

I was so pleased to see Col. Stone get his eagles!  They should've done that for him a long time ago.

Jack

[Sleepwalker]

  As my humble contribution (opinion):

  I have been a Captain for many years, and have had a great time and gotten alot done.  I feel I have just enough rank to have earned some 'respect' from others (I'm talking mostly first impressions),  yet able to stay  'under the radar' (meaning, clear of Wing politics!) for the most part.  I have earned promotion to Major, and will really enjoy doing those jobs that come with it, but I will probably not become LtCol for a long, long time because of everything involved.  I still believe I get more done flying under the radar.  I have known several people who remain in the grade of 1s tLt just because it is what they enjoy doing.  I have no problem with that. 

[Bluelakes 13]

I have earned promotion to Major, and will really enjoy doing those jobs that come with it, but I will probably not become LtCol for a long, long time because of everything involved. 

What jobs are restricted to those of a Major or higher (Wing CC not included) ?