From: http://willworker.livejournal.com/176810.html
Reply to him at his sight... maybe he will accept my invitation to check out captalk...
QuoteCivil Air Patrol
So a while back I was thinking to myself, "I'd be happy to join, say, the National Guard if it were actually used as I think it was originally intended-- defend the US against foreign invasion and do humanitarian/search and rescue missions, rather than being called up and sent to foreign lands to impose our foreign policy on them." Would also be kind of nice to have that bit of income/med school debt forgiveness.
Now, it's pretty clear that no part of the military would really be appropriate, given that I pretty much disagree with its current use, but it got me thinking about doing volunteer SAR work, or otherwise supporting my country in ways I *did* agree with. And after a bit of looking around, it looks kind of like the Civil Air Patrol is a decent approximation of what I'm looking for. Inland search and rescue in the US is operated (in most places) by the US Air Force, which apparently hands it off to their auxiliary (the CAP) ~95% of the time. CAP assists the Red Cross, and doing rescue work in, say, the Katrina disaster. It is entirely voluntary, noncombatant, and is not a military service, and so cannot be called up to war or the like. It also incorporates several of my vague hobbies (or intended-hobbies)-- radio communications, aviation, and search and rescue/wilderness medicine.
Then again, this information is largely the Official CAP website and other early Google hits.
Any thoughts about the CAP, and the suitability of my joining?
The National Guard serves two missions, State and Federal. Unless otherwise directed we serve at the pleasure of the Governor of our respective states. In the wake of hurricane katrina we are now ramped up for these types of situations. When hurricane season starts our gear and equipment are readily available at a moments notice to deploy to the affected area where as before katrina it was not even thought of.
Apologies for previous post and thanks for pointing out the third hand info.
Just a point Razor....riveraj quoted a third-party, he did not type that himself! :D
Quote from: RAZOR on December 12, 2007, 10:25:54 PM
First off the National Guard serves two missions, State and Federal. UNless federally activated we as you say are not imposing our foreign policy on anyone. It is obvious in your post you have a problem with those who are defending your rights to sit here and impose your political views. There are a lot of actual military individuals on this forum including me and when you spout your distaste for our military. CAP would not be your cup of tea because it is a auxiliary of the air force and we would not want to impose our policies on you and expect you to comply. You said it your self in so many words in this post that you have a distaste for the military.. Move on
National Guard if it were actually used as I think it was originally intended-- defend the US against foreign invasion and do humanitarian/search and rescue missions, rather than being called up and sent to foreign lands to impose our foreign policy on them."
So...what do you
really think... ;)
What would happen if CAP were asked to perform direct support missions for the evil military? Would that guy's head explode. Jeez. He should have just said "I hate BUSH, all of the current Administration and can't wait to vote for Hillary Clinton".
Point taken.. Eating humble pie now... ;D
Don't want him...and he is using faulty logic.
CAP is a FORCE ENABLER. That is we help free up USAF assets so they can do the missions the President and Congress assigns them.
Ergo if you disagree with how the "military" is being used you MUST disagree with how CAP is being used.
One fight, one team!
Quote from: RAZOR on December 13, 2007, 01:20:17 AM
Eating humble pie now... ;D
Mmmmm.... pie.
</end thread hijack>
You know... I am in the military and will be until I get to the age that they forcible remove me....and I don't have a problem with what the man is saying. He is entitled to his opinion as much as anyone else....
Based on his opinion he chose not to join the volunteer force that is TODAY's US military. There are many who disagree with our commander & chief and just the idea of a military all together but join & serve to get what they want/need. [Money, uniform, recognition, experience, etc] He has the integrity to decline the perks and opt not to join....
There are many issues/arguments for & against the GWOT (Global War on Terrorism) As someone who has personally supported the GWOT with my own blood, sweat and tears....and who has served in CAP for many years... I personally don't feel that his feelings on the matter should make him feel unwelcome in CAP.
For you hard liners and ultra patriot types (I'm not saying I'm not 1)... remember, the moment you belittle someone for utilizing their freedom of speech you discredit yourself and all you claim to represent.
---Edited for readability - Don't you hate when the 1 or 2 words you leave out makes everything else as "clear as mud"...
Reading his profile, he seems to be from the Rochester, NY area. Someone from up around there wanna give him a hollar?