going Senior Member

[STG3, USN]

Hi I am a former Cadet Lieutenant Colonel from the Nebraska Wing. I am in the United States Navy now and thinking about rejoining the program as a senior member and was wondering if any former cadets gone senior could fill me in on what it is like.

STGSN Thomas Nellenbach, USN

[James Shaw]

I am a former cadet and am now a senior member. I think you will enjoy the organization. I am also a Navy veteran and really enjoy the CAP. Welcome to the group.

[jimmydeanno]

I'm a former cadet, turned senior in 2002.  At the time, I used to pick on the "old guys".  I would highly encourage you to turn senior.  It has become far more rewarding than my cadet time.  So much so that i'm doing CAP stuff for about 90 hours this week without it being an encampment or other activity.  Join back up.  You'll love it.

[SilverEagle2]

Former C/LTC here as well. Rejoined and love it. Some things have changed and others have not. All in all, you as a former cadet can help CAP into the next era.

[STG3, USN]

I am almost certain I will rejoin I am just awaiting my orders to a more permanent duty station and that could be anywhere from Washington, California (where I am right now), Florida, Virginia or Hawaii.

[STG3, USN]

I also have heard that former Eaker Cadets are given credit for completing level 2 is this true?

[Stonewall]

Former cadet turned senior (back in 1992).  I enlisted in the Army and maintained my membership as a senior.  I had a blast as a young senior member while serving.

I recommend it.  Just remember you are not a cadet anymore.  I highly suggest doing something not directly associated with cadets.  Get your feet wet as a senior member, learn the regs/policies and then slowly get involved with cadets as you mature.  Trust me, it's necessary.

[Flying Pig]

I am almost certain I will rejoin I am just awaiting my orders to a more permanent duty station and that could be anywhere from Washington, California (where I am right now), Florida, Virginia or Hawaii.

If your near Fresno, look us up!  Any chance Lemoore is in your future?

[citizensoldier]

Do it!  I had a very long break but am glad I came back.

CS

[SarDragon]

I am almost certain I will rejoin I am just awaiting my orders to a more permanent duty station and that could be anywhere from Washington, California (where I am right now), Florida, Virginia or Hawaii.

If your near Fresno, look us up!  Any chance Lemoore is in your future?

Likely not. There's not much for sonar that far inland. 

[Cecil DP]

If you're a Sonar Tech, there's a good chance you'll get assigned to the Jacksonville, FL area. There are Three Squadrons in the City, JAX Composite is convenient if you're at Mayport, Cecil Field if you're at NAS. The third is the Springfield Cadet Squadron which is an inner city unit.

[Airrace]

Welcome and good luck.

[AlphaSigOU]

I also have heard that former Eaker Cadets are given credit for completing level 2 is this true?

Yep.

Wright Brothers - Nada, zip, zero, bupkis, goose egg.
Mitchell - FO @18, 2d Lt @21.
Earhart -, TFO @18, 1st Lt @ 21.
Eaker - SFO @ 18, Capt @ 21; Level II requirements credited, includes tech rating in CP, and credit for SLS and AFAIDL 13/CAPBOC (after 1 Jan 10).
Spaatz - Same as Eaker, except adds credit for Yeager Award and senior rating in CP.

Be aware it is not automatic; if it's been more than 2 years since your membership lapsed, you must complete Level I - CPPT/OPSEC/Foundations Course; only the Foundations course is waived for former cadets with less than 2 years break in membership.

[PhoenixRisen]

I am almost certain I will rejoin I am just awaiting my orders to a more permanent duty station and that could be anywhere from Washington, California (where I am right now), Florida, Virginia or Hawaii.

If you stay in CA (I'm assuing you're here in San Diego), check us out:

Escondido Cadet Squadron 714

We're just under a year old, and in dire need of SM's with previous CAP experience.

-PC

[IceNine]

I also have heard that former Eaker Cadets are given credit for completing level 2 is this true?

Yep.

Wright Brothers - Nada, zip, zero, bupkis, goose egg.
Mitchell - FO @18, 2d Lt @21.
Earhart -, TFO @18, 1st Lt @ 21.
Eaker - SFO @ 18, Capt @ 21; Level II requirements credited, includes tech rating in CP, and credit for SLS and AFAIDL 13/CAPBOC (after 1 Jan 10).
Spaatz - Same as Eaker, except adds credit for Yeager Award and senior rating in CP.

Be aware it is not automatic; if it's been more than 2 years since your membership lapsed, you must complete Level I - CPPT/OPSEC/Foundations Course; only the Foundations course is waived for former cadets with less than 2 years break in membership.

You get SFO @ 18 and Capt @ 21 for Spaatz Not Eaker.

CADET AWARD GRADE AUTHORIZED
Mitchell = Second Lieutenant
Earhart = First Lieutenant
Spaatz = Captain
Figure 5. Senior Member Officer Grades Authorized for Former CAP Cadets Age 21 and Older.

Credit will be awarded to former cadets based on specific accomplishments. Those members
who earned the Earhart Award may receive the technician rating in the Cadet Programs Officer
specialty training track. Members who have earned the Eaker Award may be awarded
completion of SLS, the CAP Senior Officer Course, and Level II. In addition, members who
earned the Spaatz Award may be awarded the senior rating in the Cadet Programs Officer
specialty training track and the Yeager Award.

[AlphaSigOU]

Whoops... my bad! IceNine is correct.

[IceNine]

By the way for my 2 cents.

I am a "retired" cadet major, and while that was at the time the most fun and rewarding thing I'd ever done.  I cannot tell you how happy I am that I transitioned to the senior program.

I have made more friends and accomplished more in just these 5 short years than I ever could have imagined.

It is VERY VERY important however that you do something completely unrelated to cadets for at least a year maybe more.  The problem I see with the seniors that did not separate is they never stop being a cadet.

You cannot function and have any sort of success in the senior program if you continue to believe the program is run with the same perception you had as a cadet.  Regardless of real life experience.

I was forced into Prof Dev against my will for the first year of my experience and I can tell you.  That little stunt not only helped me transition into being a senior it has also helped tremendously in understanding the differences between the 2 programs.

Good luck, You'll surely feel rewarded after you have taken the plunge

[RADIOMAN015]

Hi I am a former Cadet Lieutenant Colonel from the Nebraska Wing. I am in the United States Navy now and thinking about rejoining the program as a senior member and was wondering if any former cadets gone senior could fill me in on what it is like.

STGSN Thomas Nellenbach, USN

Thomas, I would caution anyone on active duty in the military to be sure first that you are meeting your career goals (in the Navy) as well as your personal goals (working on a college degree) BEFORE you spend time on CAP activities.

I would guess that in your Navy occupation as an sonar operator, that you will be out to sea quite a bit.  Ideally in CAP we are looking for senior members that are available & motivated to attend squadron meeting every week & possibly be available for 1 weekend day per month.   IF you are out to sea for 4 to 6 months, your contribution would be limited because of your military duties.  I'm not sure what the unit would use you for
RM

[AirDX]

Thomas, I would caution anyone on active duty in the military to be sure first that you are meeting your career goals (in the Navy) as well as your personal goals (working on a college degree) BEFORE you spend time on CAP activities.

Sage advice.

I would guess that in your Navy occupation as an sonar operator, that you will be out to sea quite a bit.  Ideally in CAP we are looking for senior members that are available & motivated to attend squadron meeting every week & possibly be available for 1 weekend day per month.   IF you are out to sea for 4 to 6 months, your contribution would be limited because of your military duties.  I'm not sure what the unit would use you for

Hmmmm.... we don't want those active duty guys in CAP, because they might deploy?  I don't think so.

Thomas, if you wind up at Pearl Harbor, PM me here.  We can find something for you to do in the HI wing.

My daughter's fiancee is an STS2 on the USS Los Angeles, presently deployed WESTPAC.  From talking to him, I think you've found a pretty interesting career field to work in.

V/r

[Ford73Diesel]

Although I'm not a SM yet, I will be switching in about a month.  I am a SN in the USCG and C/Capt.

[MIKE]

Although I'm not a SM yet, I will be switching in about a month.  I am a SN in the USCG and C/Capt.

Don't forget the R in USCGR... This is important when you mention SN, USCG and C/Capt in the same sentence.

[Ford73Diesel]

Although I'm not a SM yet, I will be switching in about a month.  I am a SN in the USCG and C/Capt.

Don't forget the R in USCGR... This important when you mention SN, USCG and C/Capt in the same sentence.

Aye aye.

[Dragon 3-2]

I also have heard that former Eaker Cadets are given credit for completing level 2 is this true?

Yep.

Wright Brothers - Nada, zip, zero, bupkis, goose egg.
Mitchell - FO @18, 2d Lt @21.
Earhart -, TFO @18, 1st Lt @ 21.
Eaker - SFO @ 18, Capt @ 21; Level II requirements credited, includes tech rating in CP, and credit for SLS and AFAIDL 13/CAPBOC (after 1 Jan 10).
Spaatz - Same as Eaker, except adds credit for Yeager Award and senior rating in CP.

Be aware it is not automatic; if it's been more than 2 years since your membership lapsed, you must complete Level I - CPPT/OPSEC/Foundations Course; only the Foundations course is waived for former cadets with less than 2 years break in membership.

You get SFO @ 18 and Capt @ 21 for Spaatz Not Eaker.

CADET AWARD GRADE AUTHORIZED
Mitchell = Second Lieutenant
Earhart = First Lieutenant
Spaatz = Captain
Figure 5. Senior Member Officer Grades Authorized for Former CAP Cadets Age 21 and Older.

Credit will be awarded to former cadets based on specific accomplishments. Those members
who earned the Earhart Award may receive the technician rating in the Cadet Programs Officer
specialty training track. Members who have earned the Eaker Award may be awarded
completion of SLS, the CAP Senior Officer Course, and Level II. In addition, members who
earned the Spaatz Award may be awarded the senior rating in the Cadet Programs Officer
specialty training track and the Yeager Award.

And here I was getting my hopes up lol,  C/LTC for the next 4 days, 1st LT after that... :/

[Cecil DP]

When in doubt read the reg!

[RogueLeader]

Can't fight black and white.

You can try .. .
Try not. Do or do not.  There is no try.

[Strick]

Former C/Lt. Col. and now a senior , Was asked to leave when I was a cadet a few times

As a senior they have not asked me to leave yet :angel:

Good luck,

[DBlair]

I also have heard that former Eaker Cadets are given credit for completing level 2 is this true?

Yep.

Wright Brothers - Nada, zip, zero, bupkis, goose egg.
Mitchell - FO @18, 2d Lt @21.
Earhart -, TFO @18, 1st Lt @ 21.
Eaker - SFO @ 18, Capt @ 21; Level II requirements credited, includes tech rating in CP, and credit for SLS and AFAIDL 13/CAPBOC (after 1 Jan 10).
Spaatz - Same as Eaker, except adds credit for Yeager Award and senior rating in CP.

Be aware it is not automatic; if it's been more than 2 years since your membership lapsed, you must complete Level I - CPPT/OPSEC/Foundations Course; only the Foundations course is waived for former cadets with less than 2 years break in membership.

You get SFO @ 18 and Capt @ 21 for Spaatz Not Eaker.

CADET AWARD GRADE AUTHORIZED
Mitchell = Second Lieutenant
Earhart = First Lieutenant
Spaatz = Captain
Figure 5. Senior Member Officer Grades Authorized for Former CAP Cadets Age 21 and Older.

Credit will be awarded to former cadets based on specific accomplishments. Those members
who earned the Earhart Award may receive the technician rating in the Cadet Programs Officer
specialty training track. Members who have earned the Eaker Award may be awarded
completion of SLS, the CAP Senior Officer Course, and Level II. In addition, members who
earned the Spaatz Award may be awarded the senior rating in the Cadet Programs Officer
specialty training track and the Yeager Award.

And here I was getting my hopes up lol,  C/LTC for the next 4 days, 1st LT after that... :/

From one NJDDT Dragon to another... don't worry, being a C/LtCol gives you full credit for SM Level II which gives you all the requirements for Captain, but you just need to wait 18 months TIG as a 1stLt.

[Dragon 3-2]

Yes sir, I made sure i sent that request in,  just waiting for my rank to change in eServies ( i actually shivered at the thought lol). I was in a bit of a competition with some of the other C/LT.COL's in the wing to see who got their Spaatz prior to crossing over, I know Ill never hear the end of it from them once they get it lol 

[DBlair]

Yes sir, I made sure i sent that request in,  just waiting for my rank to change in eServies ( i actually shivered at the thought lol). I was in a bit of a competition with some of the other C/LT.COL's in the wing to see who got their Spaatz prior to crossing over, I know Ill never hear the end of it from them once they get it lol 

You and I both. lol I have to admit that it felt weird giving up my diamonds and took some time to get used to being called Lieutenant. That being said, I still miss my years as a C/LtCol.

[Dragon 3-2]

Since the next drill team practice is this coming Saturday, Im going to go down there as sort of a practice run to determine if need to take a break from CP, or if i can separate myself enough to not behave like a cadet anymore. Im hoping for the latter

[DBlair]

Since the next drill team practice is this coming Saturday, Im going to go down there as sort of a practice run to determine if need to take a break from CP, or if i can separate myself enough to not behave like a cadet anymore. Im hoping for the latter

Well, with the way I remember (back in the early 1990s) the NJDDT's senior cadets and SMs running the program, it was more of a unique 'team' mentality than with the way the CP is usually run. The SMs in the NJDDT are much more involved than with other non-DT activities. So, if you are planning to be involved only in a DT capacity, then the switch from senior cadet to SM won't be all that different.

That being said, when you get involved in other CP activities, you may have to remind yourself a few times that you're not a C/LtCol anymore- and as a result, your role is much different in the CP.

The Cadets will respect the fact that you've been through the program yourself and were a C/LtCol, and so this can be helpful in that they feel you can relate to them and understand the situation from their perspective, but its important to make sure you are not seen as a pseudo-Cadet, but rather as a SM, which is why many people suggest being away from the CP for a while. Its a transition that takes a while to get used to.