|
Master Sergeant's Corner Joseph J. Wilson, Jr. MSgt, CAP
|
||
|
You may not know me, but have seen me around the squadron or at Civil Air Patrol outings and events. Many of you probably wonder who is this guy and what does he do? So let me tell you. I began as a Civil Air Patrol cadet in a High School Cadet Squadron in Boise Idaho in 1964. I attended classes in school. Studied and tested on many of the same subjects you now learn in CAP today. I went on many community service projects, CAP outings, a Wing Encampment, and even a couple of orientation flights as a cadet. (If there was an activity involving CAP I made every attempt to participate). Although the testing has changed over the years I obtained the rank of Cadet Technical Sergeant, achieving the Rickenbacker, Doolittle and Curry awards, as well as a commendation for merit.
(Cadet Wilson - 1966) After high school and during the height of the war in Vietnam I joined the Army. I served as a senior transportation sergeant reaching the rank of Sergeant First Class. I retired in Colorado Springs after 22 years of active military service. In 2008 I joined the Civil Air Patrol and became the Information Technology Officer and assumed the Air Force equivalent of my Army rank (Master Sergeant) in the Civil Air Patrol. I am currently a senior member in the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron. I see cadets with great potential ahead of them. I know from experience that each of you is destined for great and wonderful things, but first you must glean from those around you. What I learned from CAP was that I could accomplish things I thought were impossible. This prepared me for what was to become a full military career. I have created the Master Sergeants Corner as a way of passing to each of you important points for leadership and "follower ship" in Civil Air Patrol. I welcome your comments @ jjwilson@pcisys.net. Joseph J. Wilson, Jr. Master Sergeant, CAP
From: Civil Air Patrol • Level One Foundations Course • Module Five CAP Core Values The core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect serve as CAP’s ethical framework for its service to America. These are based on the core values of the U.S. Air Force: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. The CAP core value “volunteer service” adds the concept of volunteerism to the Air Force core value “service before self” since this essential concept is the basis of the CAP organization. “Respect” was also added to the CAP core values for additional emphasis on the importance of interpersonal relationships. As a volunteer force, it is especially important that each member internalize these character traits in order to ensure CAP’s success.
A Civil Air Patrol cadet must learn the four values which are founded in United States Air Force values and are the heart and the meat of Civil Air Patrol. I want to go deeper into these four basic values. What are core values? Why are they called core values? What do core values really mean? The answer to these and other questions can be found below. Let’s say you are between the ages of 12 and 18. You come from a normal family and have brothers and/or sisters. Mom and dad are the average working parents, gone all day. You are in either middle/high school. What do you believe about yourself? What are your values? What do you pride yourself on? What do you want to change about yourself? What really makes you tick?
CAP Core Values Examined
Integrity Do you mean what you say and say what you mean? Can others depend upon you? Are you honest with others? Or are you mean spirited to others at school and at home? Are you selfish and always want what you want, no matter who it hurts? Do you care about the feelings of others? Are you the bully at school? Are you the cry baby at home? Do other kids always want to be around you or do the other kids not want you around them? What is important to you? What are your values? The first core value is Integrity. How you answered the questions above shows your Integrity. When you give your word, it’s the same as signing a contract with someone. You have agreed to do something and have given your name as proof that you will keep up your end of the bargain. That’s Integrity. When you fail to do something you’ve agreed to, you’ve broken the agreement. You have not only disappointed the other person, but have failed yourself. It shows others that you are not a fair person, cannot be trusted to make good on your word. A person without Integrity goes around looking for ways to get others to do what he wants, no matter who gets hurt in the process. Persons like that are selfish and only care about themselves. At home they want to watch their programs on TV, no matter who wants to watch something else. They often cry to get their way. Their feelings get hurt often and they are mad at everyone else. It’s everyone else’s fault. Life is not fair. At school it’s the same thing. They do badly in school because the teacher is picking on them. Other kids don’t want to play with them. Nobody likes them. Boo Hoo. A Civil Air Patrol cadet learns what it means to have Integrity, to keep their word no matter what. Integrity means looking at self and liking what you see. You are a cadet. You serve others by serving with the Civil Air Patrol. Whether in uniform, or in civilian clothes, at home or at school you are still a cadet. You must set an example for others to see. You are a cadet. Others see you in class, on the playing field, at home in your room or helping out around the house. They know you are different. When asked, you simply tell them you belong to Civil Air Patrol. Integrity is doing the right thing, all the time, no matter what. Do you have it?
|
Volunteer Service Do you go out of your want to help others? When you see someone in trouble (real or imagined) do you step in or walk away? At home do you look for ways to do things to help mom and dad? Do you help your brother or sister with their homework? Do you keep your room nice and neat? When you come home from school do you take off your school cloths and throw them on the floor? At school do you walk around in a cloud of dust, even when walking down the hall? When someone has dropped something, like a book or even a pencil do you pretend you didn’t see, or do you stop to pick it up and hand it to them (even if they don’t know they dropped it)? Do you “suck up” to teachers and/or other adults? Do you “tattle tale” on your brother/sister just to get them in trouble? Do you have problems making or keeping friends? Are you always in trouble at home/school? The second core value is Volunteer Service. The way you answered those questions determines whether your attitude needs adjusting. It can show you that your way of thinking may be totally wrong. To go around taking care of others before self, is known as Volunteer Service. To see someone who needs help and stepping in (without being asked) is commendable and demonstrates Volunteer Service. When asked to do something by another (even mom or dad) and not complaining about it says a lot about a person. At school when sides are being formed for a team, and you let someone else take the last spot that leaves you sitting on the bench or sidelines is a demonstration of Volunteer Service. A person without Volunteer Service goes around stepping on or over others to get ahead. They are selfish and self centered. They don’t have time to volunteer. They are too busy. They don’t see any sense in volunteering to help others. When they see someone attempting to cross the street, they honk the horn and think it’s funny to startle people. A Civil Air Patrol cadet learns what Volunteer Service means. A cadet learns that volunteering for training or outings helps to build the team spirit. Bonds are formed with other cadets when you struggle together for a common cause. It you’ve been to encampment you know what I’m talking about. If you’ve gone to a fund raising event or on a field trip you know that other cadets share some of the same memories and/or experiences you had during the event. When you wear your Civil Air Patrol uniform you are publicly demonstrating your spirit of Volunteer Service. Do you have it?
Excellence Are you satisfied doing something mediocre or halfway? Is it simply just “good enough” to get by? Do you wear anything just because it’s handy or just “good enough”? When doing homework at school are you rushing through the test material, hurriedly choosing or writing down your answers because they are “good enough”? At home do you leave your bicycle on the lawn or in the driveway because its “good enough”? When doing chores at home, do you do your best or just “good enough” to get by? What if you got a new bicycle in a box for Christmas or for your birthday? It came with instructions, but was made by someone who thought it was “good enough” but didn’t have all the needed parts? Maybe the parts didn’t fit together correctly? We’d call it faulty or defective, but in fact it could have been done better had someone cared about excellence in their work. Maybe someone you know had to have heart replacement surgery? The doctor has operated and is preparing to place the “new heart” in, but it came out of the box just “good enough” but no battery inside. Does the doctor continue to put in the defective heart? Does he grab the old heart and put it back in? What to do? What to do? The third core value is Excellence. The way you answered those questions says a lot about you. Many people do things half way and say its “good enough” or “it’s good enough for government work”. They go through life doing things marginally and are satisfied with not doing their best. A person without Excellence does not worry about the consequences of their actions. They tend to go through life using others, doing the minimum to get by. They do not seem to learn that everything has a price. One of the life principles we must learn is for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. Nobody wants to hold a nail for someone who is preparing to hit it with a hammer, if maybe hitting the nail was “good enough”? Would you? A Civil Air Patrol cadet learns that Excellence in everything is important. Before putting on the cadet uniform one must be thinking of Excellence. Is my uniform ready? Are the ribbons, the rank and the name tag mounted or displayed correctly? Are my shoes/boots highly shined or just “good enough”? Do I need a haircut? Is my uniform the proper one for tonight’s meeting or event? Is tonight testing? Did I prepare properly? Am I ready? I set the example. I am a cadet.
Respect How do you feel about yourself? How do you feel about others? Do you treat yourself as someone special? Do you treat others as someone special? Do you have a boy/girl friend? How do you treat that person? Think about how you treat your family at home? Do you talk back to your parents? Do you hate it when they tell you to do something, anything? Do you feel like running away? Do you sometimes wish you’d never been born? At school is everyone out to get you? Do you have no friends? Do you spend time brooding because someone hurt your feelings? Maybe it’s time to get over it? The fourth core value is Respect. The way you answered those questions says a lot about how you feel about yourself and about the world around you. Did you know that you are NOT the center of the universe? Did you know that much of how others see you reflects on how you see yourself? Your name is your most prized possession. It is how you are identified throughout life. A good name is to be had, rather than a bad name. The choice is yours and yours alone. A person without Respect goes around with a huge chip on their shoulder. The world is against them. Nobody likes them. They see themselves as a failure. They find that others tend to move away when they come around. If they are playing on the monkey bars at school, kids will tend to move over to the swings or to the slide or anywhere else, just to get away from such a “sour puss”. At home they blame everyone else when they constantly get in trouble. It’s always someone else who’s at fault. Is that you? A Civil Air Patrol cadet learns the meaning of Respect both for themselves and for others. A cadet is proud to be in the Civil Air Patrol. They are eager to learn new and exciting things. They want to be part of the team and will strive to do their best. Respect begins with self. A cadet knows they are an individual, with unlimited abilities and goals. They quickly learn to Respect the rights and property of others. A cadet learns that everyone is addressed by their military/CAP rank and everyone is to be shown the greatest Respect at all times. Those in authority are to be obeyed. A cadet learns how to march, how to salute and how to wear the cadet uniform. A cadet learns that testing is essential and promotions must be earned. Promotion brings responsibility and with responsibility comes Respect for authority. Do you have what it takes?
|
|
