Language in 35-3

CAP4117 · July 14, 2011, 07:45:29 PM

I was reading some of the regs and I came across this in the 35-3 under Causes to Terminate Senior Membership:
"(4) Insanity, habitual drunkenness, sexual perversion, or illiteracy" (p. 2, paragraph 4b)

What exactly do they mean by "insanity?" It's not really a term that's used anymore, at least not in any medical sense.

MSG Mac · July 14, 2011, 07:50:35 PM

Insanity is a legal term. Any Lawyers want to define it?

N Harmon · July 14, 2011, 07:52:40 PM

Insanity may be the easiest to define of the four.

Eclipse · July 14, 2011, 08:05:58 PM

Define insanity? What, are you nuts?

CAP4117 · July 14, 2011, 08:12:18 PM

I guess my question is whether "insanity" refers to all mental illnesses as classified by the DSM-IV - if not, who determines the criteria for what is considered "insane"?

RiverAux · July 14, 2011, 08:18:50 PM

I'm actually a little more intrigued by the literacy requirement. I don't recall seeing a literacy test in the squadron file cabinet.

FW · July 14, 2011, 08:26:56 PM

35-3 is over 30 years old. I think that is the definition of insanity....

If ever a regulation needs to be updated; it's this one.

CAP4117 · July 14, 2011, 11:06:26 PM

^ Agreed.
I'm assuming they meant something like severe mental illness to the point of not being able to perform duties (which is logical, just as a severe physical illness would prevent someone from being able to perform duties)...but I think that maybe the language could be a little more clear to avoid actual/perceived discrimination? These days, it seems like most anti-discrimination policies include clauses on not discriminating based on mental illnesses.

brenaud · July 14, 2011, 11:27:56 PM

Terminate membership? You mean it's not a prerequisite for membership?

davedove · July 15, 2011, 11:46:12 AM

Quote from: CAP4117 on July 14, 2011, 08:12:18 PM
I guess my question is whether "insanity" refers to all mental illnesses as classified by the DSM-IV - if not, who determines the criteria for what is considered "insane"?

I would say you need to stick to legally declared insanity. There are many people with forms of mental illness that with the right treatment are fully functional.

JeffDG · July 15, 2011, 12:02:44 PM

Quote from: brenaud on July 14, 2011, 11:27:56 PM
Terminate membership? You mean it's not a prerequisite for membership?

I dunno about membership in general, but certainly any job that involves having birds on your shoulders requires at least a bit of insanity to accept.

afgeo4 · July 16, 2011, 02:43:13 AM

Isn't serving in CAP insane in the first place? I mean who does all this work, gets chewed out by people who do less work, and comes back for more for NO compensation?!

SARDOC · July 16, 2011, 01:23:45 PM

Quote from: brenaud on July 14, 2011, 11:27:56 PM
Terminate membership? You mean it's not a prerequisite for membership?

That's a good point...maybe it's assumed yo can read if you meet the high school graduate requirement when you become a senior member...or maybe after they have become a member you discover someone has forgotten how to read...hmmm

afgeo4 · July 16, 2011, 01:50:24 PM

Quote from: SARDOC on July 16, 2011, 01:23:45 PM
Quote from: brenaud on July 14, 2011, 11:27:56 PM
Terminate membership? You mean it's not a prerequisite for membership?

That's a good point...maybe it's assumed yo can read if you meet the high school graduate requirement when you become a senior member...or maybe after they have become a member you discover someone has forgotten how to read...hmmm

Try reading CAPR 35-5 and you'll feel you've forgotten how to read (or wish you did.)