Interesting "candid" look at what pilots "think" of CAP

[Grumpy]

TheTravelingAirman is in the last thread posted.

Wow. I was. I needed a good smack on the head as a new NCO, didn't I?

Still don't want to get saluted though.

A lot of people I have spoken with have no clue what CAP does. Our local squadron, still acting like a "Home-schooled club" doesn't help that image a lot, either.

Very good points. One of our local Squadrons ends its Cadet side of the meeting with punch and cookies. 

Yeah, I know what you mean.  Not a thing like us seniors who have coffee and doughnuts.   

[Flying Pig]

"Home schooled club" 

I took over a cadet program from a mother who had basically been forced into being a Deputy Commander for Cadets by default.  Several of the cadets were homeschooled.  Actually I didnt take it over... she asked me if I would be interested.  Mom was more than happy to hand it off.  She had kept the unit running for about a year just trying to learn as she went while bouncing a newborn baby on her knee.   She had recruited a couple of her friends to help her...... so they had to bring their kids.  I believe one or two of those moms who started by just helping out are now Majors and one is an LTC now.  We had a small office set up as a small nursery.  I was younger, with a brand new baby.  My wife came to CAP to help out and a couple of the moms took turns watching the small kids in the office we set aside.  Was it ideal?  No.  Did everyone know it was a little oki to be bringing babies and little kids and play pens to CAP meetings?  Yes.. we all joked about it.  But the atmosphere remained professional and we did the best we could.  That arraignment lasted about a year.  We managed to turn out some great cadets and sent a couple to West Point and the USAFA during that whole experiment.    Did I like it?  No.... but we worked around it.  Im very thankful for the parents I had helping who all knew we couldnt allow it to turn into a daycare.  We did have one incident where a parent dropped off her cadet and left his smaller brother .... age 5-7ish.   Either join and help, or come get your kid.  She pointed out that "well other parents leave their cadets siblings".  Nope... sorry..... those parents are all hidden in offices trying to make this unit operate. 

Or we could have just disbanded CAWG Sq. 45, which has a rep in CA for being one of the top run cadet programs in the wing.  Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

[TheTravelingAirman]

I didn't join for the Cadet Program, so just sticking around for it isn't getting me any satisfaction. Everyone talks about how there are retention issues. Recruitment issues. Come to a meeting here, see if it sounds fun. I've seen more people come and not return than our squadron has. All are things we've attempted to address to the Dynasty so they aren't chasing off new members. All are things that still happen.

Death by PowerPoint. Family video of CAP highlighting your kid more than CAP. 45 minute briefs on "spatial disorientation" to a room full of cadets who don't fly, and only 2 even drive. We have wanted to engage the cadets, leadership just wants to practice giving speeches for class. Only leadership opportunity here is "Don't do like that guy".

All I wanted was ES, all most of the seniors my age wanted was ES. We don't even have ES. We have tried to do what we felt we had to for the Cadets. We've been ignored or had the changes undone when we missed a meeting. It is time we just form our own squadron, and let them do as they wish.

[vorteks]

That arraignment lasted about a year.

Haha... that is an LEO's fingers on autopilot. 

[Майор Хаткевич]

I came back after college, and my main goal was to give back to Cadet Programs. As it stands, it is our most active mission on a weekly scale. I'm enjoying my time, helping with encampment, and get to feel the "warm and fuzzies" flashbacks of my own cadet days.

If I can help even ONE kid to the point where they can say CAP (and I) had a positive impact on them, it's all worth it.

Eclipse, PWK-GT, and a few others who lurk here and know who they are, certainly had that impact on me.

[Mitchell 1969]

 
Or we could have just disbanded CAWG Sq. 45, which has a rep in CA for being one of the top run cadet programs in the wing.  Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

I joined CAP at Sq 45, 1967. At the time, it had a small dynastic setup. SQ CC was dad to a couple of cadets. Most staff people were WWII vets. Most cadet staff were also JROTC cadets at the same high school. It was a pretty tight knit collection of tight knit groupings.  I left there in 1968.

In 1972, I went back as Cadet Commander due to my unit meeting on an incompatible night. By then, Sq. 45 had changed. Family dynasty was gone. WW II vets had formed a Senior squadron (Sq 5). No more JROTC cadre, as more high schools were represented. Instead, squadron leadership was largely USAF NCO's, both former cadets and no prior CAP service. They were great people, but were realistic. They flat out told us that they were only good for three years and would then move on. I left there in 1973.

I guess what I'm saying is that Squadrons are cyclical, with the primary common factor being that they use who they get, adapting as they go. If it takes old guys keeping the flame alive, or dad trying to help his sons, or moms bringing playpens, more power to them.

[Private Investigator]

 
Or we could have just disbanded CAWG Sq. 45, which has a rep in CA for being one of the top run cadet programs in the wing.  Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

I joined CAP at Sq 45, 1967. At the time, it had a small dynastic setup. SQ CC was dad to a couple of cadets. Most staff people were WWII vets. Most cadet staff were also JROTC cadets at the same high school. It was a pretty tight knit collection of tight knit groupings.  I left there in 1968.

In 1972, I went back as Cadet Commander due to my unit meeting on an incompatible night. By then, Sq. 45 had changed. Family dynasty was gone. WW II vets had formed a Senior squadron (Sq 5). No more JROTC cadre, as more high schools were represented. Instead, squadron leadership was largely USAF NCO's, both former cadets and no prior CAP service. They were great people, but were realistic. They flat out told us that they were only good for three years and would then move on. I left there in 1973.

I guess what I'm saying is that Squadrons are cyclical, with the primary common factor being that they use who they get, adapting as they go. If it takes old guys keeping the flame alive, or dad trying to help his sons, or moms bringing playpens, more power to them.

I concur. No Unit anywhere is 110% pefect for a course of, lets say twenty years. It will ebb and flo like the ocean. You rest on your laurels and reality check will tell you that you are just sitting on your butt too long. i.e., Squadron of the Year in 2004 but has not even put together a Color Guard for the last five years.