Moving On

[Stonewall]

Do you look in the mirror every day and say that to yourself?

Ladies and gentlemen, the PJ that I mentioned above has blessed us with his presence.  Guess even deployments can get boring...

[SARMedTech]

My only true regret about joining CAP is that I didnt do it as a cadet. I would give my eye teeth to go through PJOC.

[Stonewall]

I've known a few seniors to go to PJOC, but generally you won't go as a cadet would, you'd go as support staff.  But nothing's gonna keep you from doing push-ups, rope work, and sleeping in the wild...

[genejackson]

To "culpies" - RE:  "He's a dork",

Do you have any idea of the amount of both physical and mental "strength" it takes to become a PJ?  Every person who becomes a PJ is nothing less than the upper 1% of all USAF members.  I know because I walked the walk and did the talk and spent 4 yrs in the USAF with black ops during VN and have the frog.  30 yrs later, I proudly wear my Eagles and were it not for having to say goodbye to my beloved military so that I could take care of a wife with breast cancer, I'd probably have my 1st star.
So, when you say "he's a dork", say it with respect.   That dorky PJ may be the guy who drags your butt to safety one day when nobody else has the brass!

[Stonewall]

To "culpies" - RE:  "He's a dork",

Do you have any idea of the amount of both physical and mental "strength" it takes to become a PJ?  Every person who becomes a PJ is nothing less than the upper 1% of all USAF members.  I know because I walked the walk and did the talk and spent 4 yrs in the USAF with black ops during VN and have the frog.  30 yrs later, I proudly wear my Eagles and were it not for having to say goodbye to my beloved military so that I could take care of a wife with breast cancer, I'd probably have my 1st star.
So, when you say "he's a dork", say it with respect.   That dorky PJ may be the guy who drags your butt to safety one day when nobody else has the brass!

HAHAHA!!!

Ease up, Gene.  Culpies is the "dork" in the picture.  He was kidding.  He's the PJ that was one of my cadets.  He's deployed and got bored and happened to check out CAP Talk and saw that I posted a couple pictures of him that he sent me.

To make it clear, "Culpies" is the PJ in the picture.  I'm pretty sure he knows what it takes to be a PJ. 

It's all good people.  Everyone raise a toast.

[genejackson]

Well, don't I have egg on my face now!!!   



We recently had some cadets call some other cadets dorks and it didn't sit well with me at all, especially when one of the new cadets who was called a "dork" was my son who just joined CAP and now simply refuses to go back because of being made fun of.   Oh well,  it's all good and I'm very proud of every dork kid we turn out to this tough world.  BTW,  one of the cadets I recruited back when I was CC of MER/VA/023 had a big day last Thursday, that morning he passed his Private Pilot's checkride,  was presented his Eaker (by me) and got the call telling him to pack up as he was heading to the USAFA!   Yep, he's a dork and I'm so very proud of him.
CAP - great kids, great parents, great satisfaction.

[Stonewall]

No worries, sir.  We've all had egg on our faces, some more than others, myself included.

As you can tell from page 1 of this discussion, there are a number of former cadets I am proud of, and I'm not afraid to tell the world.

Hooah.

[culpies]

I thank you for your support there.  Had it been the situation you thought it was I woulda been right there with you.  MY appologies for the confusion, just having a little fun.

-tom culpepper
former cadet, current USAF PJ

To "culpies" - RE:  "He's a dork",

Do you have any idea of the amount of both physical and mental "strength" it takes to become a PJ?  Every person who becomes a PJ is nothing less than the upper 1% of all USAF members.  I know because I walked the walk and did the talk and spent 4 yrs in the USAF with black ops during VN and have the frog.  30 yrs later, I proudly wear my Eagles and were it not for having to say goodbye to my beloved military so that I could take care of a wife with breast cancer, I'd probably have my 1st star.
So, when you say "he's a dork", say it with respect.   That dorky PJ may be the guy who drags your butt to safety one day when nobody else has the brass!

[culpies]

Might be harder now, but when I went to PJOC we had a senior there who while he was techinically staff did about 75% of everything we did.  Dropped with us, ran with us, humped with us and climbed with us.  if you are still interested I would ask, worst they are gonna say is no.  Although they would be dumb to day to no a motivated senior member.

My only true regret about joining CAP is that I didnt do it as a cadet. I would give my eye teeth to go through PJOC.

[isuhawkeye]

This is PFC Ruffin

AKA.  Capt Ruffin, CAP

[IceNine]

If you look on the right corner of the union, the guy with his hat pulled down a little too far.

Is a former cadet, I don't have much information on this picture.

However, Tom Anderson was a member of the Mclean County Composite Squadron (GLR-IL-240) for a number of years and retired his cadet career shortly after being awarded his Mitchell. 

[Stonewall]

Well, what's the story about this guy?  What's he do in the Army?  Tell us his story.

[IceNine]

Stand by...Waiting for a response from his family

[Tim Medeiros]

Some friends of mine:

C/Col Christine Johnson: now at the USAF Academy, Class of 2011

C/Maj Mary Sellers: Headed to Lackland in Aug, hopes to be in the security forces military working dog program

C/MSgt (If I recall, shes been out a while) Lyn Paine: Headed to Lackland in Dec, hopes to be in special forces

me: as soon as I can, complete AFROTC (theres a few hurdles blocking my path right now that I am in the process of clearing)

Just a small update, Cadet Johnson is nearly complete with her first semester, Cadet Sellers had some hurdles to clear in med hold but is back in training, Former Cadet Paine put her AF career on hold to get married to an army guy, and I'm still working on jumping my hurdles.

[LittleIronPilot]

Might be harder now, but when I went to PJOC we had a senior there who while he was techinically staff did about 75% of everything we did.  Dropped with us, ran with us, humped with us and climbed with us.  if you are still interested I would ask, worst they are gonna say is no.  Although they would be dumb to day to no a motivated senior member.

My only true regret about joining CAP is that I didnt do it as a cadet. I would give my eye teeth to go through PJOC.

I wonder why they do not let seniors actively participate? I see a LOT of the stuff that NCSA has that I would LOVE to do!

<- Former paratrooper and LRS'er that is still active and in-shape and loves the "hoooaaaa" stuff!

[JCW0312]

As far as cadets that have moved on...

In the late 90's (before I left CAP the first time), I was a cadet along with another cadet named Tim Creager. He was a great guy who went on to become a Lance Cpl in the Marine Corps. He earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for valor shortly before his life was taken by an IED in Iraq 01 July, 2004. Tim was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for the wounds that took his life. I know all of us who knew him miss him greatly.

If you would like to read more on Tim or see photos of him:

http://americanindianassoc.com/Tim.html
http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/20040706081350887

I'm very proud of all of our cadets who go on to serve our country in the RealMlitary^TM and wish all of them the best of luck!

[Ford73Diesel]

C/Capt Matt Harding, USCG Reserve. Scheduled to graduate boot camp 20080328


Bump I know

[Stonewall]

Kid you not, was about to bump this myself.

One of the guys I listed previously, the PJ.  How cool is this.  Today, just 2 1/2 hours south of me, PJ Tom is circling the shuttle in a HH-60 CSAR bird as the rescue team for the shuttle launch today...if it goes up.

Pretty cool huh.  He visited Kennedy as a cadet about 15 years ago.  Who would have thought he'd be providing rescue coverage there for a shuttle launch?

Answer:  me

[JAFO78]

Kid you not, was about to bump this myself.

One of the guys I listed previously, the PJ.  How cool is this.  Today, just 2 1/2 hours south of me, PJ Tom is circling the shuttle in a HH-60 CSAR bird as the rescue team for the shuttle launch today...if it goes up.

Pretty cool huh.  He visited Kennedy as a cadet about 15 years ago.  Who would have thought he'd be providing rescue coverage there for a shuttle launch?

Answer:  me

So Very Cool

[Johnny Yuma]

SM Patrick Renfro (formerly C/LTC Renfro) now PFC Renfro, USMC.

Pat's off to the 'Stan in a few weeks.