WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." These are famous words spoken by President Kennedy more than three decades ago, and are anything but a slogan for the "what's in it for me" generation of today.

Kennedy was speaking of volunteerism. In the 1950s and early 1960s, Americans were still flushed with pride by the victory of World War II, a just war which ended the brutality of Hitler's Nazis and the Imperial Japanese. During the war, national pride swelled and volunteers filled the ranks of the armed forces and service organizations like the USO, the American Red Cross, and yes, Civil Air Patrol..

During the war, CAP's ranks numbered 125,000 strong. All volunteers, all looking to serve their nation in time of need. Today, CAP's membership numbers at 54,000, all still volunteer. CAP's new national commander, Brig Gen Paul Bergman has said that we need to "rededicate our efforts to foster an atmosphere. . . where our people understand the purpose of their volunteerism.

What exactly is a volunteer? My dictionary defines "volunteer" as "one who enters into any service of his own free will." That certainly describes CAP members. We pay membership dues, wear the uniform, and participate in the various activities of the organization under our own free will without coercion. Should we grow tired, or if our priorities change, we are not obligated to continue - we can quit, without even giving two weeks notice!

The next question then is "What do CAP's members get out of CAP?" In short, 'What's in it for me?"

Well, if you are looking for material rewards, you are definitely in the wrong organization. If you are in CAP just because you want to fly, go join a flying club. If you are here because you want to play with radios, go join a radio club. And if you are here just for the thrill of search and rescue, go join a local SAR organization, fire department, rescue squad or sheriff's posse. These are all fine organizations, and each has its own purpose. Many CAP members belong to these organizations as well.

What do CAP members get out of their membership? Well, recognition among our peers is important, from the award of command pilot wings to a longtime member, or even a membership award ribbon awarded to the latest senior to complete Level I. That's why we have ribbons, badges and certificates. It is important for unit commanders, administrative officers and personnel officers to submit their members for awards they are entitled to. It is equally important that we ensure all the "i's" are dotted and all the "t's" are crossed when we submit the award packages so higher headquarters will not have any reason to reject them, and lower echelons will know what is expected of them.

So what do CAP members get out of their membership? Receiving awards, medals, ribbons and certificates is great. Seeing their names in the Civil Air Patrol News is a good ego booster, and reading their name in the local newspaper is even better. But what is it that CAP members really get out of their membership?

I have been a cadet, a deputy commander for cadets, and a squadron commander over the years. I also took a break from CAP when my personal life demanded it. What brought me back is what I get out of CAP. I will never forget the caring and sharing of people who lost everything when a West Virginia dam broke and washed away their town. They were grateful I was there to provide a radio contact with the rest of the world and relay information in and out of a Red Cross shelter that had no other means of communication. I remember the pride I felt when two of "my" cadets earned the Spaatz Award. I remember how good it felt when one of "my" cadets received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after I had written him a recommendation. What brought me back to CAP? What do I get out of CAP? The sense of making a difference in this world.

I think General Bergman summed it up best: 'Hundreds of you. . . have touched a life of a young man or young woman through your experiences and made a difference. That is what we are all about - touching lives and making a difference. This I firmly believe: years from now, it will not matter what was in my bank account, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a young person when it really mattered. Now, isn't this what we're really all about? Yes, this, and much more like it!"

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