For many years, even prior to starting up CadetStuff, I was a CP guy. Pretty much through and through.
I was never much one for rank. I had/have a theory that some people are there for the fruit salad or the rank. Thats how they "get paid" for what they do. As a commander, I would recognize my troops with certificates, commendations, promotions, etc. That worked for some people, for others it did not mean squat, like me.
No, my "payment" for all the blood, sweat & tears that I put into CAP over the years was the occasional letter (now email) in the mail that said "Sir, I just wanted to thank you for everything you did for me as a cadet. I am now an [insert one: officer/enlisted/firefighter, etc] and had it not been for your encouragement, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Couple years back, I got a letter from one of my cadet's grandmother who knew my wife's family. Her grandson, one of my better cadets ever, went to UNH and AFROTC, and became a CE officer. He was leaving active duty and headed to a base back here in the Northeast as a civilian in the base engineer's office, and as a USAFR CE officer. The letter included a copy of the letter his unit commander at his last assignment wrote to the folks hiring this young man, and in not so many words it said "You'd be stupid not to hire this guy, he's head and shoulders above EVERY OTHER COMPANY GRADE OFFICER in this squadron, combined." His grandmother went on to thank me for helping mold him into the officer and husband he is today. (I gotta admit, I there was a lot of dust in the air that day reading that letter)
So its instances like that, even as few and far between as they often can be, that are how I get paid for the CP work I did (and still do).
I went to the movies tonight, and standing in line for my popcorn I hear "hey, there's the Colonel!" I turn around and there is one of my former cadets (the one who I thought was at Bridgewater State, who is not actually going there until NEXT semester...) and he's talking to two of my other former cadets, brothers, one of whom is a newly minted Armor officer about to go to Ranger School and then on to the 82nd. We're shaking hands all around and catching up (my Armor officer's fiancee is very cute... VERY..:) ) and dad, a former CSM, shows up with their popcorn. He grabs my hand, squeezes it tight and says "Hey! It is so good to see you!" After some pleasantries, he says "I wanted to thank you for all the stuff you did for my boys over the years. You were a big part of their life, and I don't know if you know how much your leadership has helped them out as they've grown.."
The door to the outside opened just then, and the cold air blew in with some dust.
I thanked him and said it was always my pleasure to serve as a leader, mentor and role model for my troops.
We bade our happy holidays as they ran off to the Hobbit, and I found myself standing in line next to the first cadet I saw, to get refreshments. He looked a me real close, I knew he could see that there was something in my eye.
"You OK, sir?"
"Yeah, Nick. I don't know if you realize this or not, but that right there is how I get paid for all the work that I did for CAP over the years. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, its a windfall. I could not care less about fruit salad or crap on my epaulets. THAT right there is the best reward."
"I think I understand what you mean, sir."
I like getting paid.
No, Darin, we got paid for the work you did.
Thank you.
This just confirms it: I'm really an old softie.
NIN: it really is the pay that matters. All the rest of the stuff is just that: stuff. I have been retired for 25 years from the Army and I still get Christmas cards from troops whom I commanded at various parts of the world.
Quote from: bosshawk on December 24, 2012, 05:31:58 PM
NIN: it really is the pay that matters. All the rest of the stuff is just that: stuff. I have been retired for 25 years from the Army and I still get Christmas cards from troops whom I commanded at various parts of the world.
Yep. I still email my old PSG now and again, and I've told him many times "Johnny, 25 years later and I still say stuff you said to me, and I still do things with you in mind."
I've been trying to get my old CO's email, as she was very influential to me as a young enlisted troop. I'd like to pay her, too.
And my CO WIWAC, he's gotten paid a few times by me :)
Something that there isn't enough of going around. While I'm active as a SM now in my WIWAC unit, I don't think I've ever really said thanks directly to those who were influential when I was a cadet.I hope they know it, but I'll have to do something mero personal. On this forum, eclipse and pwk-gt are two of those SMs who helped me become who I am now. I really don't think they know just how much they influenced me, but for the record, thank you gentlemen. CAP, and specifically their leadership, helped me out in college and life in general. If eclipse gives me the chance, drinks are on me.
Quote from: NIN on December 24, 2012, 05:41:28 PM
And my CO WIWAC, he's gotten paid a few times by me :)
Yes! I've sent letters and emails over the past 20+ years since graduating high school to Major George Otto. In fact, here's a thread I started to pay tribute to the man.
Linky. (http://captalk.net/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6808.0;attach=3167;image)
I sent him letters while in the Army, an email when I graduated SERE in 2005, and have linked up with him at least 5 times in 20 years to shake his hand and say "thank you".