I realize there have been many discussions related to this topic, and many have been resolved. But before you can judge please let me explain my experiences. I began Civil Air Patrol in the 8th grade (4 years ago), at that time my squadron had been the pride of the wing, with an extraordinary commander, and amazing staff. Our squadron was the pride of the wing. From there I went on to join the Utah Wing Titan Drill Team, and we went on to win two consecutive National Championships, at NCC. However, each year the older cadets would leave, and quit saying they didn't have enough time. So as of now, there are on three of us left in the wing. The wing commander has been less than supportive, and our attempt to return to NCC for a third win, was crushed. Utah Wing has been suffering immensely under the current leadership, and is struggling to recover. I am one of the top cadets in the wing as a C/ 1st Lt, and Cadet Commander, with some of the most experience. However, I find myself struggling to maintain interest. It is incredibly difficult to continue to inspire cadets, when the politics of CAP undermines me. I am currently a Junior in High School, and am planning on entering the military in ROTC or attending an academy. I am torn between staying in, and keeping the CAP relationships clean, for letters of recommendation; or cutting ties, increasing my free time and dedicating it to academics. I feel as if I owe the cadets, that I must try to give them as great of a CAP experience as I had, but it seems impossible in the current state of the Wing. Any opinions? I am currently leaning towards quitting, but would like to hear others advice.
There's more to CAP than drill, you've won twice, move on to helping the new cadets and getting your Spaatz.
As a cadet you should steer clear of the politics.
Are you really looking for construtive critisim?
Bottom line.....if you are not haveing fun and CAP is not meeting your needs...it is time to go.
From what you have described without specific examples of what is wrong or how things are impeding your success as a leader, in my opinion, removing yourself and your leadership abilities will make the situation worse for those who follow you or depend on you for mentoring, guidance and camaraderie. How can you affect change in a positive way, so other cadets can have a similar positive experience that you did? Identify specific things that you feel should change; ask yourself why things are the way they are and keep asking why until you get to the root of the issue. Develop a logical and fairly well thought out plan to address the shortcomings you feel you are facing in your squadron. Going to a leader with a complaint about a problem is one thing. Going with a problem that has been identified, explored, and having a plan or two to offer to your leader that will provide solutions is likely to get a more positive response.
Remember, a leader often serves as a buffer between their people and the crap that rolls downhill from higher. As a leader you are supposed to focus on your people and accomplishing the mission. What is your mission? What do your people need from you to accomplish their portion of the mission? If you are lacking a mission as a cadet commander, then you should look into what your squadron's cadet corps lacks for leadership, followership, and support training. I know there are plenty of things that are broken in each squadron's application of the cadet program. As a cadet commander, you would be in the position to fix many of these things. Often it is the actions of the cadets that makes or breaks the squadron's position as a feather in the wing's collective cap.
If you are one of the most senior cadets, and you do decide to leave the cadet program and focus on other areas of your life, please take the time to properly train and prepare your replacement so they will have the best chance of success as the mantle of leadership passes from your shoulders to theirs. Doing otherwise only adds to the problem that you have described.
From a professional standpoint, the people that I served with both officer and enlisted were the most successful when they could work through adversity that comes with leadership they do not necessarily agree with. The best leaders among them looked after their people when the higher levels were impoverished leaders, poor communicators or strong examples of the Peter Principle.
Please do not make a decision to continue in a program or to leave it based on a few disagreements or conflicts of leadership style. An informed, well thought out decision will sit better, and will be easier to explain than one based on emotion and frustration.
got news for ya.
welcome to life. it isn't fair.
It's on you to decide whether you will take the mantle of leadership, within your own sphere of influence and make things right insofar as you can; and if you do take up that mantle, how when where and why. Citing the injustices of the rest of the world as an excuse not to make things that ARE within your power right, is not leadership. And if you think such injustices don't exist in the things you will go and do outside of CAP, including school, ROTC, the military, or civilian employment, then you will have to learn as you go :)
Pick your fights.
And pick them wisely.
Prioritize.
Tune out the stuff that doesn't matter (i.e. wing politics).
It. Doesn't. Matter.
Unhappy with the size of your bubble of influence?
Work to grow it. (hint: walking away is probably not the way to get that done).
Civil Air Patrol is a time tested organization. People come and go as you are starting to realize. We each have our own place in life and in CAP for that matter. As a Cadet, I've seen so many people come and go without giving things a chance. I've also experienced my own arrogance as being part of the problem as to why people don't stick around. As a Senior, I see the bigger picture. Leadership is about our ability to foresee the results of an action that we will take today to benefit our unit and those around us. It seems that you have a big decision to make. However, I would say that leaving is not necessarily the answer. If you believe that you have something to offer this great organization, (and it sounds like you do), then staying around and leading others on the path to increased success and leadership, (not to mention advanced opportunities for you to learn about leadership as well as you prepare for military service), is where you need to be. This is why I continued as a Senior. I saw the need the cadets had for someone with experience, as a cadet and military, and I wanted to put those talents to work.
Don't give up or throw the towel in yet, give it a chance, the opportunities could affect your life forever.
you should quit... you will thank yourself in the future after you break your ties with this corrupted broken organization.
Once you start to interface with the real military and your ROTC unit, you will quickly realize that most CAPers are selfish, hot headed, arrogant, and a joke to all that wear the military uniform.
Im sure this post wont last long, even though i have not broken any CAPTALK laws. You will soon see what I mean on how corrupt and how everyone has an agenda, especially on this wonderful forum!
The Pilot
Quote from: pilot777 on April 13, 2012, 02:26:34 AM
you should quit... you will thank yourself in the future after you break your ties with this corrupted broken organization.
Once you start to interface with the real military and your ROTC unit, you will quickly realize that most CAPers are selfish, hot headed, arrogant, and a joke to all that wear the military uniform.
Im sure this post wont last long, even though i have not broken any CAPTALK laws. You will soon see what I mean on how corrupt and how everyone has an agenda, especially on this wonderful forum!
The Pilot
If you are bitter, leave. It isn't productive. Go join another organization that will better suit you needs.
Quote from: Extremepredjudice on April 13, 2012, 02:47:46 AM
If you are bitter, leave. It isn't productive. Go join another organization that will better suit you needs.
Don't feed the trolls.
I've always said in regard to others life decisions when asked- "Do whats right for you." As for the rest of my advice...
It may be time to quietly leave CAP. You may just want to reduce your participation to the bare minimum. That way the cadets that look forward to working with you still have something. How did you feel when cadets you looked forward to hanging out with just left? That's one of the reasons I stayed in for so long.
I've seen a lot of good cadets come and go in my time in CAP. At first, you join for the organization. Then, you stay in because of your friends. Finally you realize that most of your good friends have gone, and you wonder why you are there. I think you may be at this point. I've been there and have been close to quitting several times. For me, once my final few good friends leave CAP, I will too. I just don't share the same bond with most of the SM's I've met recently. I may look at joining years down the road.