The first time I had ever flown in an airplane was with CAP. The first time I had ever flown in a Helicopter, was with CAP. The first time I had ever marched in a parade, was with CAP. The first time I stayed away from home for a week, was with CAP(encampment). CAP is one of the biggest factors in my life, and all my friends ask me about it.
Same here when I was a Cadet. CAP is AWESOME!
:clap:
CAP has opened many doors for me. I had flown before I joined CAP and been in a parade before, but the influnece CAP has had on me has been profound.
First time I ever rappelled off a 250' cliff (cadinks today can't do it without supervision and under controlled conditions).
First time I ever sat left seat and took the controls of an aircraft (a C-172 at ATCFC at Laughlin AFB, 1979)
Among many other things...
First time I wore the uniform of my country, 1963.
First time I marched in a parade, 1964.
First time I lived in a barracks, 1964.
First time I took controls of an aircraft, August 1, 1966.
First time I fired a rifle, 1966.
First time I ate a snake....
First time I took the controls of an aircraft was with CAP, 1997. First time I would fly an aircraft by myself came a few years later in 2001, again courtesy of CAP.
First time I wore a uniform, same year, 1997.
Lots more since then. 8)
Okay,
First time I wore a uniform - 2005
First time I worked on a Color Guard for an MLB game - 2006 (Something my squadron does regularly now)
First Time I was on a military installation - 2005
First Airplane ride.
First and second helicopter ride. (Hughes 500, Chinook)
First glider ride.
First C-130 ride (Bergstrom AFB, TX to Wright-Patterson AF, OH and back)
First ride in a deuce-and-a-half and an M-37
First parade march.
First exposure to ELT's and DF'ing.
First exposure to ham radio.
Met many interesting folks.
Unfortunately, saw my first dead body (actually two) during a SAR near Humble, TX.
All in all, CAP has given me many firsts. I'm looking forward to many more.
The first time I really learned about leadership, CAC in NM in the 70's
The first time I learned to really look out for others
The first time I was called a "baby killer" :-[
The first time I got to "fly" a AF transport aircraft
The first time I really worked at anything and still had fun :clap: