Deployed CAP Member

hatentx · April 21, 2009, 02:16:35 PM

So I was thinking today for those of us who are in the RM what are things that can be done for CAP when we make that trip over the pond? Just wondering what else I can to to pass the time the next time I go.

swamprat86 · April 21, 2009, 03:19:52 PM

Recruiting the guys coming back.

flyguy06 · April 21, 2009, 05:17:52 PM

Quote from: hatentx on April 21, 2009, 02:16:35 PM
So I was thinking today for those of us who are in the RM what are things that can be done for CAP when we make that trip over the pond? Just wondering what else I can to to pass the time the next time I go.

If you have time to do stuff for CAP while you are deployed.........brother I need your job.

I deployed as an Infantry Company XO, and I didnt have time to do much else then military stuff

Stonewall · April 21, 2009, 05:22:28 PM

I deployed for 6 months and in that time didn't think about CAP except during my anniversary join date (February 2nd) when I wrote a poem about CAP cadets.

Always Ready · April 21, 2009, 05:26:04 PM

A friend of mine writes his squadron's newsletter from the sandbox. They send him the stories, pictures, or the jist of the stories and he puts them into a newsletter. At one point he was keeping his squadron's website up to date as well. During his last deployment, he created a few powerpoint presentations (covering leadership, AE, character development, etc) and would send them back to his squadron. Someone would then present the powerpoint to the cadets or senior members as appropriate. It has worked well for him.

Spike · April 22, 2009, 01:42:34 AM

^ Apparently NOT DOING ENOUGH. I worked myself into absolute exhaustion just doing my assigned duties. If you have enough time to write websites, and newsletters etc.....you have your priorities in a skew. When the day is over, it is your time......but use that time to rest, recover, ponder, and play.

I stopped thinking about CAP the day I left, and did not even think about getting back into the CAP routine until I recovered fully from deployment.

My advice, you have more than enough to think about when overseas, don't let CAP sneak to the top of your list.

Stonewall · April 22, 2009, 02:19:38 AM

It can depend on your career field and duty assignment. I was 11B so we stayed busy. When we had free time I'd PT (a lot), read, write, eat and sleep. But I knew guys assigned to 12 hour shifts in a TOC and had time to take online classes. I could see in some situations people having time to do a lot of things. In fact, I've heard of people being bored to tears.

Personally, I don't want to be so bored that I resort to CAP to fill a void.

RiverAux · April 22, 2009, 02:21:47 AM

QuotePersonally, I don't want to be so bored that I resort to CAP to fill a void.

Isn't that why CAPTalk exists?

flyguy06 · April 22, 2009, 03:45:21 AM

Quote from: Always Ready on April 21, 2009, 05:26:04 PM
A friend of mine writes his squadron's newsletter from the sandbox. They send him the stories, pictures, or the jist of the stories and he puts them into a newsletter. At one point he was keeping his squadron's website up to date as well. During his last deployment, he created a few powerpoint presentations (covering leadership, AE, character development, etc) and would send them back to his squadron. Someone would then present the powerpoint to the cadets or senior members as appropriate. It has worked well for him.

He was obviously a REMF

hatentx · April 22, 2009, 03:47:31 AM

I have been before so this is nothing new to me but first time while being in CAP. As an optempo for this deployment is looking slow. Like really slow!! My last trip we were working atleast 12 hour shift which tend to grow longer. This trip we are looking to possible doing 8 hours shifts!!! That is a shorter day then in the states. While I am not looking to run a Squadren while I am gone but just something to do and keep me busy. I tend to get bored easy and always need something new to keep my attention before the crazies set in. I did find a lot of free time beiong that I don sleep over there but 3 or 4 hours a night so 8 hours shifts, the gym, college will be the normal stuff. So that is a grand total of 12 hours there maybe something to do with CAP here and there wouldnt be to bad.

Ya'll have to remimber that this time period is not like any other time period we have been in. Haji is actually taking over alot of the duties and such. With out giving out way to much info our tasking is looking to be really really really light this time around. I am going to be the unit having Org Days while you are busting you buts. Sorry I know you will hate me, I hated them in the past as well.

PHall · April 22, 2009, 04:32:10 AM

Quote from: flyguy06 on April 22, 2009, 03:45:21 AM
Quote from: Always Ready on April 21, 2009, 05:26:04 PM
A friend of mine writes his squadron's newsletter from the sandbox. They send him the stories, pictures, or the jist of the stories and he puts them into a newsletter. At one point he was keeping his squadron's website up to date as well. During his last deployment, he created a few powerpoint presentations (covering leadership, AE, character development, etc) and would send them back to his squadron. Someone would then present the powerpoint to the cadets or senior members as appropriate. It has worked well for him.

He was obviously a REMF

Just remember, the REMF's feed you, clothe you and treat you when you get a boo-boo.

Oh yeah, they also pay you....

Always Ready · April 22, 2009, 03:55:46 PM

Quote from: Spike on April 22, 2009, 01:42:34 AM
^ Apparently NOT DOING ENOUGH. I worked myself into absolute exhaustion just doing my assigned duties. If you have enough time to write websites, and newsletters etc.....you have your priorities in a skew. When the day is over, it is your time......but use that time to rest, recover, ponder, and play.

He's an Air Force cargo handler. He says he spends more time filling sandbags and playing video games than he does doing his job. There's just not enough work to keep them busy day-to-day, but when it gets busy, he says they need even more people. Supposedly, he only spends an hour a week doing CAP stuff. Which I can believe, but I'm sure he spends more time on it to kill the boredom.

I know when my dad was in Afghanistan a few years ago he spent most of his time working, doing patrols, etc. By the end of the day, he would work out, finish up his school work (he finally got his degree right after he retired), and then sleep. But I know that when my dad had his one day off every 2-3 weeks, he did nothing but take pictures and annoy the living snot of my family.

flyguy06 · April 22, 2009, 04:38:03 PM

Quote from: PHall on April 22, 2009, 04:32:10 AM
Quote from: flyguy06 on April 22, 2009, 03:45:21 AM
Quote from: Always Ready on April 21, 2009, 05:26:04 PM
A friend of mine writes his squadron's newsletter from the sandbox. They send him the stories, pictures, or the jist of the stories and he puts them into a newsletter. At one point he was keeping his squadron's website up to date as well. During his last deployment, he created a few powerpoint presentations (covering leadership, AE, character development, etc) and would send them back to his squadron. Someone would then present the powerpoint to the cadets or senior members as appropriate. It has worked well for him.

He was obviously a REMF

Just remember, the REMF's feed you, clothe you and treat you when you get a boo-boo.

Oh yeah, they also pay you....

True. I love em

Stonewall · April 22, 2009, 05:46:22 PM

Sometimes we're not paid for what we do, but what we may have to do.

Always Ready · April 22, 2009, 11:20:15 PM

^Amen!

hatentx · April 23, 2009, 12:31:26 AM

My favorite is when I am are being called a POG or a FOBIT and they ask me what I do. After I tell them I maintain the Apache most, guys that go outside of the wire all have a story where the Apache saved thier buts. I enjoy the expression on some of the infantry guys faces when they get to a crash site after the DART team is in place and they were taking it slow cause the area was to hot for them. The REMF comments stop there normally. How ever on the other side of it I wouldnt want to do thier job. If I ever leave Aviation and go into the real Army I will cry I am sure. "What do you mean I dont get my 8 hours of crew rest!!!"