Senior Members in College (Question)

[G]

Hi all, wondering if I could have your input on something.

I'm a 2nd year university student (20 y/o) and aviation is my passion. Recently I have been looking at different volunteer groups to get involved in in the local community, and CAP immediately got my attention.

I believe that as citizens we have a certain civic responsibility, and no other organization that I have found combines my love for aviation with service to one's community. Moreover, next year I'll be applying for a naval flight commissioning program, and the close relationship that CAP has with the military might be something relevant to add to my application.

However, at the same time I realize that CAP is a serious organization with very real responsibilities that demand professionalism, commitment, and maturity from its senior members. I understand that the membership process is rather formal, and even as a senior member one can't simply jump into the pilot's seat and fly into the sunset. If I were a member of CAP I would want to serve in some function in an aircrew (observer?), but we all know that CAP is much more than just flying in nice Cessnas every week.

I'm really interested in getting into an airplane, and willing to go through the CAP training to do so, but I'm wondering if it's suitable for a college student who doesn't see himself as being in the organization past 2012 to join. I'm going to be emailing local squadrons soon about potential membership but I'd like to get a second opinion about the matter here.

Thanks guys,
-G

[bosshawk]

If you are as serious as you sound about being responsible and wanting to contribute, while learning about aviation, by all means join.  If it is for two years, so be it: you will hopefully be joining the RM and your CAP experience will be of value to you.  Hint: join a Sq that has an airplane!!

[notaNCO forever]

If I were you I would join even if just for two years. Take advantage of the opurtunity to fly and learn about military customs if you are serious about joining the military. Also as someone who just started my tech school training for the air force I can say get used to caps mindless safety obsession because at least for the Air Force the safety culture is just as bad as cap's. I will say that both cap and the real military are great oportunities to serve and if you ever do either of them I thank you for your service.

[MSgt Van]

We welcome college students, pilots or not, knowing full well that their time with our squadron may be limited. They're a great addition to our group.

[RiverAux]

You've got enough time to get a good year or so of "active" work in the program after various initial requirements are met.

No reason to leave CAP just because you get out of college.  Probably will actually have MORE time to devote to it . 

[AirDX]

Even if only a year or two, come on in!  After college and if you do go the Naval aviation route, you'll be pretty busy for a while, but you might still wish to be a member.  We have a lot of active-duty military in our squadrons.  If nothing else, we can look forward to you coming back to CAP in 20 years or so after you leave the service!

v/r,

[davedove]

Go ahead and join, then stay a member while you're in the military.  It might be harder to do in the Navy, especially if you're on a ship, but if you can be an active member, you could even get a medal out of it (possibly): the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.  Now, I'm not saying to do it just for the bling, but it is a possibility.

[RADIOMAN015]

I don't think you should join.  You basically seem to be interested in it only for your own benefit.  I don't see any benefit to any CAP unit in getting you trained for any flying aircrew job, knowing you are going to leave in two years.  Also you need to concentrate in your college studies and this won't leave you much time to do all of the CAP professional development requirements that senior members should be doing. 

I would think since you have an interest in the Navy, you might get more benefit out of joining the USCG Aux and/or the sea scouts program.   

RM 

[A.Member]

I don't think you should join.  You basically seem to be interested in it only for your own benefit.  I don't see any benefit to any CAP unit in getting you trained for any flying aircrew job, knowing you are going to leave in two years.  Also you need to concentrate in your college studies and this won't leave you much time to do all of the CAP professional development requirements that senior members should be doing. 

I would think since you have an interest in the Navy, you might get more benefit out of joining the USCG Aux and/or the sea scouts program.   

RM

Huh?! 

I say give it look.

[mynetdude]

I don't think you should join.  You basically seem to be interested in it only for your own benefit.  I don't see any benefit to any CAP unit in getting you trained for any flying aircrew job, knowing you are going to leave in two years.  Also you need to concentrate in your college studies and this won't leave you much time to do all of the CAP professional development requirements that senior members should be doing. 

I would think since you have an interest in the Navy, you might get more benefit out of joining the USCG Aux and/or the sea scouts program.   

RM

Don't know much about how the USCG Aux relates to navy but maybe sea scouts sounds like a good idea. I don't see how CAP relates to Navy either but he wants to do some flying too.

I also perceive this comment to him as if he is trying to get personal gain, FWIW flying for the navy is not personal gain at least not for profit at some point (unless he wants to pursue an airline career).

Actually I have personal gains that I want from CAP but that doesn't mean CAP isn't getting anything out of CAP either likewise with this OP I am sure he will put something back into CAP whether it be during his 2 years or if he ever comes back.

Frankly I would never tell anyone not to join unless they intend to do harm/wrong and OP isn't doing either.

[Short Field]

He should join.  It would probably take almost two years to get qualified as a MO anyway. 

[G]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I really appreciate it.

[tsrup]

I don't think you should join.  You basically seem to be interested in it only for your own benefit.  I don't see any benefit to any CAP unit in getting you trained for any flying aircrew job, knowing you are going to leave in two years.  Also you need to concentrate in your college studies and this won't leave you much time to do all of the CAP professional development requirements that senior members should be doing. 

Way to be a wet blanket...

Let me let you in on a little secret, in South Dakota, there is a squadron who's Squadron Commander, Deputy Commander, and Deputy Commander for Cadets are all college students.  Wonder where they found all the time in their busy schedules to earn squadron of the year the last two years  .
And why cant the interests be mutual?  If the OP wants to join CAP just to be an aircrew and become a MS/MO and is gung-ho about it, then how does that NOT benefit the squadron also?

If the OP wants to fulfill an interest and check out a squadron then more power to him/her.  Telling them not to join because they're in school is a bunch of bs. 

To the OP, fair warning though, If you want to get heavily involved in ES then there are going to be times where you have to pick between class and CAP.  Be upfront with your professors though and give them some notice and they'll usually work with you.

[mynetdude]

I don't think you should join.  You basically seem to be interested in it only for your own benefit.  I don't see any benefit to any CAP unit in getting you trained for any flying aircrew job, knowing you are going to leave in two years.  Also you need to concentrate in your college studies and this won't leave you much time to do all of the CAP professional development requirements that senior members should be doing. 

Way to be a wet blanket...

Let me let you in on a little secret, in South Dakota, there is a squadron who's Squadron Commander, Deputy Commander, and Deputy Commander for Cadets are all college students.  Wonder where they found all the time in their busy schedules to earn squadron of the year the last two years  .
And why cant the interests be mutual?  If the OP wants to join CAP just to be an aircrew and become a MS/MO and is gung-ho about it, then how does that NOT benefit the squadron also?

If the OP wants to fulfill an interest and check out a squadron then more power to him/her.  Telling them not to join because they're in school is a bunch of bs. 

To the OP, fair warning though, If you want to get heavily involved in ES then there are going to be times where you have to pick between class and CAP.  Be upfront with your professors though and give them some notice and they'll usually work with you.

couldn't agree more :clap:: well said.

[flyboy53]

Just do it. I was in CAP during college. It was a great experience and gave you something else to focus on separate of what was going on at the campus.

[jimmydeanno]

Everyone volunteers for something for reasons different than pure selflessness.  If there was no benefit at all to us joining, and it was pure burden, we wouldn't stay.  That's just a fact of life.  It either makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside or increases our feeling of self-importance, etc.  So, if his reason for joining is to help develop his flying skills before joining the Navy, so what?

Do you criticize the cadet who learns to fly in our planes and never becomes a senior?  CAP only stands to benefit in some way from someone joining, provided that they contribute something.  I think that someone can contribute something in a few years...

YMMV.

[vmstan]

I don't think you should join.  You basically seem to be interested in it only for your own benefit.  I don't see any benefit to any CAP unit in getting you trained for any flying aircrew job, knowing you are going to leave in two years.  Also you need to concentrate in your college studies and this won't leave you much time to do all of the CAP professional development requirements that senior members should be doing. 

I would think since you have an interest in the Navy, you might get more benefit out of joining the USCG Aux and/or the sea scouts program.   

RM

I wouldn't listen to this guy.

Join! We need more young-senior members