Return On Investment

[James Shaw]

As I was looking through CAPTalk last night I began to really question why I was doing it. My wife even asked me "what are you doing, you look annoyed". I simply stated that people were fussing with each other about stupid stuff and simple things. She asked to read what I was looking at and I handed her the iPad. She looked at some of the content and commented "wow who whizzed in their cereal", I replied that this type of thing goes on all the time and that it is nothing new. I was expecting something sarcastic about being on the site but she surprised me by saying "Obviously they care". For most people this may seem like a simple statement, for my wife: it was completely unexpected.

My wife is the reason I got back into CAP many years ago. She wanted me to find something to do that my boys and I could do together. So I joined in 2000 again. When I came back in my wife would go to every Wing Conference with me and even went to several of the Region Conferences. She stopped attending the Conferences with me after 2007 when she stated she felt that the Organization did not appreciate the time I put in and more importantly the time she gave up with me so I could volunteer within CAP. This was specific to a major project at the time and no matter what happened after that she still wanted me to quit. Against her wishes I stayed with the organization because I still felt like I had something to offer and that my boys would benefit from the program. I had to do my CAP stuff while she was at work so I wouldn't get fussed at.

Eventually my oldest son joined the CAP and made it to C/SSGT. He joined the USMC back in April of 2014. He is now in CH53 Sea Stallion Crew Chief training. He was in the Young Marines while he was in High School but only stayed at that school for a year. He did however stay in CAP when we moved. His time in CAP was what gave him the Advanced Promotion after Bootcamp and made him standout from some of his peers. I have to give partial credit where credit is due and that is because of CAP.  This reminder was put in front of me by my wife even though she still wants me to leave more often than not. She has attended one conference since 2007. My youngest son is a C/MSGT and holding his own. When I get annoyed with CAP I need to reflect on the ROI as pointed out by my wife.

To quote one of my favorite movies "The Core"

I came here to save my wife and my two children and... six billion lives... it's too much. I just hope I'm, I'm smart enough and brave enough to save three. Dr. Serge Levegue

My thoughts:

Get back to why I joined in the first place and spend time making memories with my son and watch him become the great young man I know he can be, just like his big brother. 

Thanks CAP for your part!


[attachment deleted by admin]

[AirAux]

Where in the heck is the "Like" button?

[stixco1]

+1

[Spam]

Jim, I personally appreciate all you, your wife, and your sons have done for Georgia Wing, for CAP, and now for the Corps and for the country. Thank you, and thanks for raising fine young cadets and men (out to Fred, too, there). I'm glad we have guys like you, Marl, Fred, Greg and the rest of the team down in Albany.  Hope to see y'all on top of Hawk with us in February for Exercise Frostbite '14...

So, somewhere, someone else is feeling the same way reading this. Many of us have, in different volunteer jobs. I've gone through at least 3 cycles of "lackapreciation" depression in over 3 decades in CAP, and I want all of you to know that even when you're feeling ignored and underappreciated, all of you should give yourselves the A.M. Hall (Breakfast Club) pat on the back because whatever you've done in CAP, when you gave it in a selfless volunteer spirit to help others you surpassed countless others who simply sat as spectators and watched and clicked on... whereas you pitched in. Bravo Zulu, y'all. Go get 'em in 2015.

V/R,
Spam

[James Shaw]

Jim, I personally appreciate all you, your wife, and your sons have done for Georgia Wing, for CAP, and now for the Corps and for the country. Thank you, and thanks for raising fine young cadets and men (out to Fred, too, there). I'm glad we have guys like you, Marl, Fred, Greg and the rest of the team down in Albany.  Hope to see y'all on top of Hawk with us in February for Exercise Frostbite '14...

So, somewhere, someone else is feeling the same way reading this. Many of us have, in different volunteer jobs. I've gone through at least 3 cycles of "lackapreciation" depression in over 3 decades in CAP, and I want all of you to know that even when you're feeling ignored and underappreciated, all of you should give yourselves the A.M. Hall (Breakfast Club) pat on the back because whatever you've done in CAP, when you gave it in a selfless volunteer spirit to help others you surpassed countless others who simply sat as spectators and watched and clicked on... whereas you pitched in. Bravo Zulu, y'all. Go get 'em in 2015.

V/R,
Spam

Thanks Spam,

I want to make sure that my post is not misunderstood. The Albany Composite Squadron is by far the best Squadron I have had the pleasure of being part of and the team is great. The Commander is a better Squadron Commander than I ever was and he appreciates ALL of the people he has. The Wing Staff and Region Staff have always been supportive. If I ever get the chance to be a Wing Commander then the last two Wing Commanders and Region Commanders would be great models. My former boss Col Blascovich and Col Kay were great people as well.

My wife's angst stemmed from a different time and group.

[Private Investigator]

Excellent  ..  Semper Fi   :clap:

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Those photos of you and yours say more than a thousand words.