Military Officers...before and after

[MrFreakinKite]

Maybe, but the post showed no respect for the CAP as a whole or even the individuals in that unit. At least some, and I suspect most, of the youth in the unit were serious about their participation no matter how lame it all seemed to you. That they stuck it out and put something into it probably benefited them in some way. That you didn't, means you probably missed something. And as some one who has spent years with a couple youth organizations and has had a passing associating with a couple others, don't be so quick to disrespect the effort of the adult leadership. Those guys could be out fishing, golfing or just sipping a cold one. But instead they volunteered their time so guys like you could be exposed to the CAP and find it "gay". I know some CAP, JrROTC, BSA, Sea Cadets, you name it, can be tiresome. Some are run better then others. But your lack of perspective and deference, especially given your youth, in your critique of your CAP program is notable, particularly when you want to be in the military.
Hey, it isn't the end of the world. Just know it might be something you can work on over the next couple years before you can apply to OCS.

Well, again, you would have to have been there. I didn't come in there with a bad attitude, it was the cadet leadership that formed it for me. It was that they were too rough on me or anything; they were just not people anyone should ever look up to.

On that note, all I'm going to say about CAP is I joined up too late for the wrong reason, and it's something I will encourage my kids to join when I have them.

 

[Godspeed]

I don't have a ton of officer leadership experience, to say the least. I will however echo what those that trained me (OCS guy) have taught me.

#1) You have to learn how to be a good follower in order to be a good leader. Does this mean that when your parents ask you to empty the dishwasher and you freak out you're going to be a sh*tty officer? No. But at OCS, when your Class Drill Instructor tells you and your class to fill up a 50 gallon drum with wet sand, carry it up 3 flights of stairs, and dump it in the hallway, spread it around, crawl in it for 30 minutes, and then clean it all up afterwards, you don't cop an attitude and wonder why. The first nine weeks in OCS teach you to be a good officer and leader, by teaching you to be a good follower. Sounds counter intuitive, but it's true.

#2) As an officer you're going to be a follower your entire career. No matter how high up the food chain you are, you'll have someone above you, telling you what to do and how to do it. This is certainly true for an O1, and i'd imagine it's still true for an O-9. Hence the importance of learning how to effectively follow.

As far as your family is concerned, their opinions matter, but only to the extent that you let them. If your grandfather doesn't think you'd be an officer, take this knowledge, file it away, and use it as mojo later. Someone telling you you can't or are incapable of doing something can be a great source of motivation. You'll be eager to prove him wrong.

My personal opinion is that you only need to bring two things to the table to become an officer: A good attitude, and persistence. If you put those two ingredients together, they'll unf*ck the rest. Conversely, you won't make it if you lack either one.

 

[BACONATOR]

Ah, actually, I did meet you in college, knew some of your buds, talked to profs and had a hand in your application. I even did my part to ensure you survived long enough to get from joyboy to Ottowrote8 on AW. I'd be one of the guys you can thank for being fully aware of people's capacity to grow, change and mature. That is why I never said Freakinkite didn't have a chance or didn't belong in the military. I have advised of some red flags my experience tells me might be an issue. Then I encouraged him to go to school, mature, gain perspective, and apply for OCS/BDCP in a couple years. I could have said the same thing to you some time ago. And as you point out, it would have been good advice, no?

Yes sir. We are in total agreement. And I am very appreciative of the behind-the-scenes things that went on, on my behalf, except for the OCS "fun", although I don't even regret that.

 

[MasterBates]

You KNOW you loved the care package from Becky O'Hica.

 

[GO_AV8_DevilDog]

Don't judge me based on CAP, it's very inaccurate. You would have had to known the people where I was at and the events that took place to understand why I had my attitude towards CAP.

I was going to just let this die, but you still haven't figured it out. I don't pretend to know you or your circumstances, but Publicly, you haven't done or said anything to make me think for a second that you can come in here all pouty about "oh my grandpa thinks poorly of me" gain our sympathy, and then have nothing but a shitty attitude about it.

Maybe, but the post showed no respect for the CAP as a whole or even the individuals in that unit.
.... don't be so quick to disrespect the effort of the adult leadership. Those guys could be out fishing, golfing or just sipping a cold one. But instead they volunteered their time so guys like you could be exposed to the CAP and find it "gay". I know some CAP, JrROTC, BSA, Sea Cadets, you name it, can be tiresome. Some are run better then others. But your lack of perspective and deference, especially given your youth, in your critique of your CAP program is notable, particularly when you want to be in the military.

Wink Nailed this on the head
This is key! I have a lot of things to do being a full time college student with a job and I still put in a lot of hours for my cadets in my squadron. I'd rather spend my thursday nights tipping back a few Boulevards or sitting at the bar with a Shock Top and a plate of wings, but y'know, sometimes I like to think about other people

The senior member side of the house does a lot of work for the cadets, something that I didn't even realize until I made the transition. You think a 14 year old on the rag is bad? Try sitting in mission HQ with 6 70 year old LT COL's and we'll talk.
The point is we give a lot to provide these cool opportunities like working an air show , or getting a flight sim scheduled, o-rides, etc, and when a cadet acts like this it's like spitting in our face.

.... I didn't come in there with a bad attitude, it was the cadet leadership that formed it for me.

Blaming it on other people is also bad juju

On that note, all I'm going to say about CAP is I joined up too late for the wrong reason,

This is the first time you've stepped up and took responsibility for your own actions. Feels good doesn't it. Get used to it because THIS is the attitude you need to work toward.

:icon_rage /flame off