How is it we have cadets under 12?

[Майор Хаткевич]

I would guess that they probably know a bit more about youth development than many cap'ers.

Why would you assume that?

The YM's are a much smaller organization, and at least in my AOR, not very coherent.

I too wish to be enlightened.

Indeed, the few YM Adult Leaders I've met were, shall we say, lacking.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Indeed, the few YM Adult Leaders I've met were, shall we say, lacking.

I've only met a few, so I have nothing to go on.

Maybe that's why The Corps doesn't allow them to wear the uniform(?).

The few times I've encountered YM's they were wearing BDU's with a chestfull of ribbons.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

I've said this before: it's disgusting and un-American to enroll young children in a paramilitary program AND it drives out older Cadets. No normal 18 year old wants to be involved in a program that has 12 year old members.

I'd agree with the 18-year-olds/12-year-olds interpersonal dynamic.

When I was a Boy Scout, the "older" Scouts wanted nothing to do with us former Cub Sprouts who had just come into the BSA.

Also...depends on your definition of "paramilitary."  My grandmother, who comes from Old Order Amish stock, about had a heart attack when I joined the BSA.  She said, "Oh, that looks so Army!"

When she saw me march in a Memorial Day parade she thought I was being trained to carry out an invasion.  No kidding.

I think she equated it with the Hitlerjugend.

[notaNCO forever]

I think we equate maturity with age to much in CAP. I've met twelve year olds in CAP that are more mature and I would trust more than an 18 year old cadet or even some people I've met in the Air Force. I think twelve is a decent age to join anything below that is probably pushing it. As for the big age diference hopefully the older cadets are in higher leadership positions worrying more about the strategic and operational levels than working with airmen on the tactical leval.

[Krapenhoeffer]

Well, then you have some kid who never heard of CAP until they met a cadet when in high school. Then you have the very interesting situation of a 13 year old cadet officer trying to control a smug 16 year old C/AB. Not a pretty sight. Either the older cadet will leave or dream of their 18th birthday so they can go senior.

[Eclipse]

^ or, you know. 

Both could step up and just work the program and actually learn something about the real world, where most people are destined to work
for a younger person at one time or another.

[Krapenhoeffer]

Try telling the DCoC that. All she does is bash her predecessor and proclaim how things are somehow "better." In response, most of the older cadet staff resigned and quit. One went senior, and asked to be completely separated from Cadet Programs.

EDIT: I used to have Cadet ITOs, but she stopped those as well... 2 1/2 hours a week is not nearly enough time to get 4 computers to work with a squadron of "technology-challenged" senior members.

[Eclipse]

I sympathize with the issue, and have similar problems I am dealing with, or have had to in the past, but the micro-specific problems
of squadrons with poor leadership should not define the situation for all.

For every one with a problem, there are probably 5 where the issue is dealt with directly and correctly.

In some cases the only answer is to vote with your feet until the change you feel is necessary comes.

[SarDragon]

I think we equate maturity with age to much in CAP. I've met twelve year olds in CAP that are more mature and I would trust more than an 18 year old cadet or even some people I've met in the Air Force. I think twelve is a decent age to join anything below that is probably pushing it. As for the big age diference hopefully the older cadets are in higher leadership positions worrying more about the strategic and operational levels than working with airmen on the tactical leval.

Well, then you have some kid who never heard of CAP until they met a cadet when in high school. Then you have the very interesting situation of a 13 year old cadet officer trying to control a smug 16 year old C/AB. Not a pretty sight. Either the older cadet will leave or dream of their 18th birthday so they can go senior.

I have experienced both of these phenomena. I have met a cadet member of CS, who will remain nameless, who has showed a very high level of maturity the whole time I have known this person. I've chatted with this cadet on-line and in person, and am quite impressed with their character.

Regarding the second part, I joined as a sophomore in HS, a week before I turned 15. I had cadet leaders younger than I was, and had no difficulties with the situation. That's not a lot different from AD NCOs working for junior officers younger than they are. In both instances, it is the responsibility of all levels of leadership to ensure that proprieties are maintained.