BGEN Anderson running for Virginia Legislature

[James Shaw]

Former National Commander Brig Gen Rich Anderson is running for a Legislative seat in his home state of Virginia. He has produced a video that makes reference to his CAP service. Looks like a pretty good video. I have attached the link to his website.

As many of you may know he is also a retired Colonel from the USAF. More information is on his website. He is a great person. I called him this morning and asked if it would be okay to put the link up. I received it in my email as a link a few days ago.

http://rich4delegate.com/2009/09/13/new-video/

[Gunner C]

I talked with him on the phone this summer.  He talked about the run for the legislature.  He's at once a great leader and a humble man.  He's a consummate leader and he'll do the commonwealth a great deal of good.  If I were in Virginia, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat.  He has more integrity than any 20 politicians put together.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[flyguy06]

Nice video. I think he is a very personable man. I hope he does well

[Spike]

That is a nice video, however, Table 1-1 in 39-1 doesn't apply anymore??

I get he is a retired Colonel, and member of CAP but if he can use pictures of himself in a CAP uniform to further his career......can I??

[DBlair]

It seems that there are a few CAP members running in 2010.


I'm kind of surprised he didn't play up the CAP service more, being National Commander and a Brigadier General. In his bio section, it was barely even mentioned.

I've spoken with him several times and he seems like a nice guy, great leader, and like someone who will serve Virginia well in the Legislature.

[flyguy06]

That is a nice video, however, Table 1-1 in 39-1 doesn't apply anymore??

I get he is a retired Colonel, and member of CAP but if he can use pictures of himself in a CAP uniform to further his career......can I??

Was he in CAP uniform or his USAF uniform?

[DBlair]

That is a nice video, however, Table 1-1 in 39-1 doesn't apply anymore??

I get he is a retired Colonel, and member of CAP but if he can use pictures of himself in a CAP uniform to further his career......can I??

Was he in CAP uniform or his USAF uniform?

USAF Blues and Mess Dress. The only mention of CAP in the video was in some of the awards displayed. He didn't mention it as an endorsement or anything like that, and so I would think if he showed himself in a CAP or USAF uniform, it would probably be ok. A lot of people show photos of themselves in uniform as a way to showcase their involvement/service.

[Major Carrales]

CAP is a big part of his life and a form of community service.  Why would he have to hide that.  While I would not post campaign posters of me in CAP uniform, if I were running for an office...I don't see why mention of CAP service would be verboten.

[Cecil DP]

No mention of party affilliation

[RiverAux]

It seems that there are a few CAP members running in 2010.

Saw something about a cadet running for Governor, I think.  Maybe in Wisconsin?

[Flying Pig]

He as 1 minute to capitalize on as many things as he can and you guys are wondering why he doesnt mention "I was the National Commander of Civil Air Patrol"?  Hes trying to cover as many bases as he can. 
He is going to reach more people who identify with him being a military officer so he goes with that, while showing some of his CAP achievements.  Showing the SMOV is pretty straight forward for the masses who know nothing of CAP and even less about the military. 
Him being National CC is mentioned in his bio under community service.  Thats decent. He lists himself as a Pro-Life, Pro-2nd Amendment Candidate.

As far as party, Anderson is a Republican challenging a sitting Democrat.

[Johnny Yuma]

Rich was one of my Region Commanders WIWAC and through a short time I was a Senior back in the day. I'm convinced that taking the CAP star cost him any chance of making General in the parent organization.

I'd vote for him, but I'd have to join ACORN first.

[Major Carrales]

I'm convinced that taking the CAP star cost him any chance of making General in the parent organization.

And your grounds for this would be?  C'mon man, this is the sort of wild speculation that robs this place of its credibility.

[Johnny Yuma]

I'm convinced that taking the CAP star cost him any chance of making General in the parent organization.

And your grounds for this would be?  C'mon man, this is the sort of wild speculation that robs this place of its credibility.

It may be speculation, but it's certainly not wild. Look at the situation:

He was at the time IIRC an active duty Air Force Major who wore the rank of a Brigadier General in CAP. In his paying job, he was getting coffee for Full Bird colonels and Generals. As CAP National Commander he was telling them what CAP could and couldn't to do for them. Strike One

Couple that with the huge amount of time required to serve as National Commander certainly meant additional time away from his Air Force duties. I've seen first hand the time requirements it takes to be a Wing Commander, but NHQ/CC? Tripled easily. Strike Two.

I'm certain that the Air Force tried to exploit the fact that the National Commander of their official volunteer auxiliary was also on their payroll, especially remembering that it wasn't too long before that Eugene Harwell gave himself 2 stars in defiance of CAP-USAF and created a rift that still hasn't healed. I'm certain that BGEN Anderson had to buck CAP-USAF at times when it needed. Strike Three.

Rich Anderson has been one of the best friends to CAP from the time he was a cadet, all through his Air Force career and into today. But you cannot serve 2 masters and I'm certain that with the support he gave CAP there was a cost to his personal career.

Again, if I lived in his district in Virginia I'd not only vote for him but volunteer to help his campaign. He's definitely got Johnny Yuma's endorsement.

[Gunner C]

Honestly, I don't think CAP hurt him.  If anything, the organization exposed him to a large array of heavy hitters.  These folks, just like us, can smell a phony a mile away.  That's not Rich.  I worked with him closely and he's as genuine as they come.

Let's face it.  The AF is a finicky organization.  If you're not a pilot, then your chances of making a star are VERY slight.  You have to be at the right place at the right time.  Making colonel in the AF is an incredible accomplishment in itself.  That's where the top one-percenters usually call it a career. 

He's a heck of a man.  If there ever was a poster child for a CAP general officer, it's Rich Anderson.

[Cecil DP]

The competition for BG is stiff, I believe the statistic is 5% of Colonels get stars. That said the AF fully supported his taking all his corporate jobs in CAP from Wing King to National Commander. If anything killed his chances it's that in the 20+years that I've known him he never served with troops or as a commander but was always in a joint staff position. 

[C/MSgt Lunsford]

That is a nice video, however, Table 1-1 in 39-1 doesn't apply anymore??

I get he is a retired Colonel, and member of CAP but if he can use pictures of himself in a CAP uniform to further his career......can I??

Was he in CAP uniform or his USAF uniform?

It looked more like the USAF Blues Uniform.

[flyguy06]

Gen Anderson wasnt a pilot? What did he do in the Air force? If i remember correctly (and I may not) when he was National Commander wasnt he actually stationed at Maxwell at Air University? Like I said I dont know. I havent really dwelled that deep into this mans life.

I definantly agree he is a big supporter of CAP.

[AlphaSigOU]

The competition for BG is stiff, I believe the statistic is 5% of Colonels get stars. That said the AF fully supported his taking all his corporate jobs in CAP from Wing King to National Commander. If anything killed his chances it's that in the 20+years that I've known him he never served with troops or as a commander but was always in a joint staff position.

Actually it's much less than that; the total number of USAF general officers at one time is limited by U.S. code; currently no more than 279 AF generals are on active duty. Few non-rated generals make it above Major General in the AF.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_(United_States)

[Gunner C]

The competition for BG is stiff, I believe the statistic is 5% of Colonels get stars. That said the AF fully supported his taking all his corporate jobs in CAP from Wing King to National Commander. If anything killed his chances it's that in the 20+years that I've known him he never served with troops or as a commander but was always in a joint staff position.

Actually it's much less than that; the total number of USAF general officers at one time is limited by U.S. code; currently no more than 279 AF generals are on active duty. Few non-rated generals make it above Major General in the AF.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_(United_States)

I believe there are exceptions.  There are generals of the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air Guard.  Guard and reserve GOs can be called up for a specific appointment and not count against this total, IIRC.  They are then appointed for another AD term in that assignment, can return to their non-AD assignment, or apply for retirement if they are eligible.