Who are we helping?

Have you ever looked carefully at the Cadets that "succeed" in our program? Many of them have good grades in school, are taking college prep courses, and already have a roadmap to the future that may include military service. Without CAP they might not make it to the Academy, but they would probably go to college, if not get a scholarship to go to college for free.

The values was so often talk about CAP offering: Study Skills, Physical Fitness, Self Discipline, a brighter future -- many of these "CAP Success Stories" already had those things when they joined, and that's why they could score so highly on tests and be promoted so rapidly.

The Cadets that have problems in CAP, the ones that don't figure out how to wear a uniform properly, or have trouble with drill, or who can't seem to pass the test -- those are the ones that need this program. They are the ones that stand to gain the most from learning the Cadet skill set. They are the ones that deserve our attention; yet so often, Cadets who don't fit in are chastised and slowly pushed away by well-meaning but, well ... mean staff officers.

Am I saying that we shouldn't correct a cadet's uniform because he might "feel bad?" Certainly Not! I am, however, saying that we could stand to spend less time clapping our CAP success stories on the back, and more time working to keep our borderline cadets involved, active, excited, and learning.

How do we create change?

Again, this is one of those times that I must quote Maj. William F. Duke:

"If not you, who? If not now, when?"

The best way to influence change is to lead by example. Take an active interest in your borderline cadets. Imagine these two scenarios:

1. Cadet Airman 1st Class Smith is a borderline Cadet. At the end of the meeting, the Cadet Commander makes an announcement about a drill team practice next weekend, and how everyone should come.
2. You are the flight CC for Cadet Smith. After final formation, you talk to him and say:

   "John, we could really use you on drill team this year. I noticed you scored a 96% on your aerospace test for A1C. Are you going to the practice this weekend? Do you need a ride? So, how much are you studying a week? How much are you running? What's a good mile time for you? 7:15? You think you could run sub-seven at the Drill Competition in two months? You do? Great! I'm counting on you to help bring the teams mile-time average down. See you Saturday?"

Can you see how investing your time and energy into an individual, instead of pointing at a group, makes a difference? The Cadet will get the fuzzy-good feeling of being appreciated; that his personal contribution makes a difference. That way, the Cadet will not want to let the team down, and will have the self-discipline to try to make activities.

All we are saying ...

Invest yourself into your people, keep them excited. Anyone can shepherd 100 sheep for a day and lose a few, but the good shepherd will leave the ninety-nine to find and save the one that is lost1. Be a good shepherd.

Sidebar: "A Way of Life for youth in an Aerospace Age"

One of the more recent recurring ideas among Cadet Programs Leaders today is that Cadet Programs is just one of many activities for youth to become involved in. Years ago, When I Was a Cadet (WIWAC), the CAP Recruiting pamphlets used to refer to the Cadet Program as "A way of life for youth in an Aerospace Age." That's right. A Way of Life.

CAP wasn't "something to do", it was The Thing to do. In the Middle 1990's, Colonel Issacson's Cadet Programs Directorate tried to re-iterate this idea, calling CAP an Alternative, Drug-Free Lifestyle for youth. [My Paraphrase]

While some people would just do Cadet Programs as a part-time thing, the idea was that some others would truly live the lifestyle, with something to do for CAP just about every weekend. This would not only keep cadets off drugs, it would keep them on to learning, to aerospace, and to careers. The running joke with some CP and ES folks was "You save lives your way, I'll save them mine."

And, ten years later, for some reason ... I still think that's the way that it's supposed to be.