Civil Air Patrol

I love belonging to the Civil Air Patrol. CAP is the official auxiliary of the US Air Force. The website, in case anyone is interested (if you know me and are reading this, then you already know about CAP; if you are wandering around and happened upon this post then more than likely you have no clue what CAP is), the website is www.gocivilairpatrol.com CAP is the best volunteer organization that anyone could belong to. It follows the structure, customs, and courtesies of the Air Force. My son got involved when he was 12 years old, back in 2002. I joined a few months later just because I was staying at the meetings anyway, so I figured, why not? Little did I ever dream that I would stay as involved as I am, attaining the rank of Captain AND becoming the Director of Cadet Programs for our Wing. Alex is still involved; he is a C/2Lt (that's Cadet 2nd Lieutenant for any non-CAP people :) ) He will become a Senior Member when he turns 21.

The Air Force sends us out when they receive a "hit" and don't know where it's coming from. That's when we send out search teams (ground or air) to find the ELT that is going off so we can silence it. A beeping ELT can also mean a downed plane, so it's important to send out Teams who know what they are doing in case it becomes a search and rescue mission. We train on a monthly basis, having SAREXs (Search and Rescue Exercises). Our crews have to be trained and certified in whatever position they are in. Every state in our Nation has a CAP "group". (it's late and I have a huge headache so it's hard to concentrate and write correctly.)

CAP is part of Homeland Security now. In fact, right after 9/11, when all other planes were still grounded, CAP planes were the only ones sanctioned to go up and do some recon. When we were founded during WWII, the members/pilots would go up in their planes and search the Atlantic Ocean for enemy subs. If they found any, they were allowed to drop actual bombs on the subs!!! We aren't allowed to do that anymore, but the basic premise is still the same....defend our Country, help when needed, and grow our young people into wonderful adults.

The three main missions of CAP are Aerospace Education, Emergency Services, and Cadet Programs. I am the most passionate about the Cadet Programs. I believe all teenagers have something to offer the world, and if they are given a chance sometimes that's all that is needed to turn their lives around. Of course, there are some real idiots out there who won't grab any life ring, but the majority of them will excel if someone just believes in them. Then, there are the other teens who are good, true young adults, but they get lumped in and stereotyped just because they are teens. That's not fair. I will go to great lengths to make sure "my" cadets are accommodated and can succeed. They know they can come to me with a problem or a question and I will listen to them. These young adults are going to be leading our world some day. They need all the help and encouragement there is while they are still young and impressionable.

I'm exhausted, and it's late (about 1AM, or 0100). I'll write more about CAP later.