I've found three distinct groups in CAP. The first group is what I call the "Ex-Military Group". These are the individuals who have prior military experience and bring the good and bad of that with them. They usually have higher tolerances for the military beauracracy mentality that CAP embodies. In general, these individuals are knowledgeable and well-disciplined, able to instill the military customs into cadets, for example, but not always terribly well-rounded managers. Their interpersonal styles are generally cloned from whatever C.O. they idolized or read about, and they tend to only know how to mash the throttle and yell at people when their overbearing agendas fall flat for lack of actual leadership and management. They tend to have a "full speed ahead" battlefield mentality. That's great on a battlefield. Not so much in a corporate environment.
The second group is the "Wanna-Be-Ex-Military" types. These are, unfortunately, the ones who usually ruin it for most everyone else. These are those who shoulda-woulda-coulda been in the military, but for whatever reason never did or never could (usually never could - and our nation is safer because of that). CAP offers them the opportunity to wear a uniform and boss people around, and they generally carry a chip on their shoulder about one or more issues. These people, many times, have WAY too much time on their hands (i.e. they have no life outside of CAP), and like to nit-pick, micromanage and generally be irritating to the rest of the members. They give "weekend warrior" a whole new context. Believe it or not, a lot of these people end up in command positions - and usually keep climbing. Mostly, this is due to the fact that CAP is their life, and they have time to kiss ass and earn ribbons - because their day job is delivering pizzas, but in CAP they can be IMPORTANT.
The third type are those who are real, normal, successful people. These are usually the pilots, the AE officers, etc. These are the people who are successful managers, entrepreneurs, leaders, etc., that understand what CAP means, and join for the right reasons - to serve their country and community. These are also the people who CAP drives away in droves. Mostly, this is because of the aforementioned other two types of people. The ex-military types think you're an egghead unless you used to jump out of airplanes. The wanna-be ex-military types are so overbearing and protective of their little "kingdom", whatever that may be, that they let their obtusity come out in full force. This third type of individual doesn't put up with the incompetence and disorganization of the other two types for long, and if they say something about it, they are excoriated - sometimes publicly - and told to get in line and salute like a good little soldier. This is usually when the smart, successful people - the people that CAP needs desperately - turn around and walk away. And THAT is the great tragedy of CAP.
If you're this third type - beware of the other two, and take it all with a few grains of salt (maybe even salt on the glass...).
police Article |
Name - SkyRider 05:11:58 09-28-10
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 CAP's shortfalls |
| My experience with CAP has been that there are a lot of great people in it who really do give a crap. Unfortunately, at the Wing level in most states, the program is controlled / dictated by people who are eith.. full Article |
Name - SkyRider 02:52:35 09-27-10
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| I am lost on the conversation |
| I admit I am completely out of the loop on whatever Ray Hayden's point is, and honestly even what Sky Rider's point is. I'm not looking to argue, but I am looking to understand. What in the world is Ray's point.. full Article |
Name - Walter J. Alexander, IV 04:19:00 09-26-10
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| CAP Insights |
| Interesting to see how Ray Hayden from CAP Insights is ranting about homosexuals in CAP when he is participating in gay carnivals..... just like Courter, less than honorable and trustworthy, similar to when he .. full Article |
Name - SkyRider 03:50:54 09-20-10
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| Rafael A. Robles, new head of Civil Air Patrol General Council in Montgomery, AL already cleaning up in far away states! After being made aware of new information found on a long time member of the Civil Air Pa.. full Article |
Name - Jason Herzinfarkt 06:56:46 09-14-10
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| post The Good, The Bad and The Ugly |
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