What are the differences between the two? What makes CAP better? What makes JROTC better?

Having a son who did both at the same time (CAP and AFJROTC) and a daughter who is C/2LT in CAP I must say that in my opinion AFJROTC is more structured and valuable for a career in the AF. AFJROTC seems to be more accepted by the mainstream AF types (CAP has a lot of image problems that are well known). If you want an AF career do both if you can. If you must do 1 I'd say AFJROTC.

Gonna have to come in and agree with Stengle. CAP is too amazingly inconsistent because of their senior program. JROTC uses ex-military, and I have never seen one with a pedophile for an advisor. Besides, the program is inconsistent too, and more closely confroms to the army structure than that of the Air Force

Sky - You had a pedophile too? Small world. We should tip a brewski someday and swap horrr stories. Have a good weekend! Bill

JROTC benifits from being 5 days a week...CAP is one a week or less.

CAP has the benifit for more extra curricular activites that you can't get in JROTC. (Encampment, flight training, o flights, ES Training, etc).

JROTC has the benifit of having paid instructors with a central curriculm and training system.

CAP is hit or miss depending on how well your local squadron is supported by the wing and how good your local volunteers are.

While CAP has had and still has some incedences of undesirables getting into the program....so has just about every school system in the country.

In the long run...the programs have the same end goal....training leaders and citizens. They use different methods to get there.

If you can only do one....it makes no real difference, just stick with it.

Okay. But which do colleges, real ROTC, and service acadamies value more, CAP or AFJROTC?

six of one and half dozen of the other.

So they are viewed equally by the acadamies/ROTCs?

I guess that depends on the school. Some may some may not.

I think if you manage to get the Spaatz in the cadet program that it will probably look real good on your application for the academies. I don't think JROTC has any real equivalent to that.

If you won't quite get that high I suspect that they will rate either CAP or JROTC experience about as equally unless you really have a chance to excel in some of the CAP stuff (emergency services) that JROTC doesn't do.

They see both as an extracirricular activity where you can get leadership experience. The more you have on you applications, the better it looks for you. As far as which they rate higher, they are probably near the same. Join the one you enjoy more. But don't narrow yourself to just those. If you have the time, pick up a sport, run for student government, join clubs, etc... CAP/JROTC is a piece of the puzzle, but it isn't the whole thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MCO85,

Well ive been in afjrotc for 3 semesters and have gone to vadet leadership school and was supposedto go to honors camp this year at the university of oklahoma but i wont because i am getting out of the class
from my experience ( and i can almost gurantee my unit isnt the only one that has this problem ) all we ever seem to do is here our sasi talk about his glory days in the airforce and our assistant sasi takl about how the sasi is bullshiting us about his glory days
i got into the class because i believed it could give me some tools that i mgiht use in college rotc but i dont really seem to know anything more than i did except how to drill
also the class does not count towards my hope
Grant gpa so i basically wasted time in a class that does not help me much in the long run also much of the cadet leadership is made up of people who have no desire to go to college but of those who can simply dedicate 80 percent of there time on there knees blowing the sasi while the others like myself who plan on goin to college are at home doin homework or are involved in numerous afterschool clubs and cannot devote aka waste that much time
so im joining cap nto only because i wont have to deal with it every single day wich really isnt a problem to me as long as i dont have to hear some guy talk bad about every other branch of the military and inform us daily of his adventure flying c-130s in terrible rainstorms while getting struck by lightning carrying a firetruck while drinking jack daniels.
and of course the topic that everyone in the unit calls ( 37 wars ? )
well in any other occasion i would have just erased everything i typed cause i basically just turned my entire comment into a rant but since i have wasted this much time on the topic i will not
so for that i apologize and im sure in most cases cap and jrotc are both things you can benefit from
just seems that is not the case at my unit
good luck pal

ohhh im also sorry for using the worst grammar in the history of the human race

You can go back and edit your post if you want. Click on the middle yellow button on the lower right side of your post and you can edit it.

quote:

Originally posted by Skyray:
Gonna have to come in and agree with Stengle. CAP is too amazingly inconsistent because of their senior program. JROTC uses ex-military, and I have never seen one with a pedophile for an advisor. Besides, the program is inconsistent too, and more closely confroms to the army structure than that of the Air Force

I agree with Skyray. The mismanagement of the senior program is a lot of what gives the Air Force heartburn with CAP. Like one person said in a different thread, if you want to wear the rank of a military officer, you must be held to the same standards. Well, CAP officers aren't and many do not deserve to be officers.

The best activities I participated in as a cadet were those run by the Air Force, in whole or in part. Some of the worst actitivies I participated in were run only by CAP. That tells me a lot about CAP.

I also have to agree that the CAP cadet program follows the Army structure more than the Air Force structure. I think this has a lot to do with CAP's great relationship with the Army versus their lackluster relationship with the Air Force.

There have been great improvements in the CAP cadet program since I got out, but there is still some work to be done as far as getting the cadet program more aligned with the Air Force.

And as far as the senior program is concerned, there are so many inconsistencies and snafus I don't even know where to begin. But I think officer training would be a good start, along with professional development.

I have two teenagers who are both in JROTC at their highschool, and all 3 of my teenagers are in CAP. As the Group 1 Commander for the Virginia Wing CAP, we have had a banner year for our CAP cadets, 4 are now heading to the Air Force Academy. And they all 4 say it was CAP that got them there. I've had at least 10 cadets get to either the Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard academy in my 5 years as the Group Commander. None of the 9 schools in my Group area that have AFJROTC can match those numbers.

Gene Jackson
Group 1 Commander
Virginia Wing CAP
Danville VA.

Check out both. I know that seems simple, but it's really important in this case. For CAP especially, the quality depends almost entirely on your local situation. So find out when a meeting is and just check it out. Pay close attention to the quality of the personnel, especially the:
1. Cadet Staff: these guys will have the most direct impact on your experience. However, cadet positions can change quickly as people are promoted (TIG is only 2 months per grade) and graduate.
2. Cadet Commander: this is the cadet in charge. if he/she is good, there's a good chance they'll make sure everyone else is, including his/her successors. Cadet Commander turnover can also be high, because they're most likely older (e.g. high school senior) and will graduate soon.
3. Deputy Commander for Cadets: this is the senior (adult) officer in charge of the cadets of the squadron. They should be experienced and dedicated, and preferably have a good support staff (e.g. Aerospace Education Officer).
4. Squadron Commander: If he/she sucks, there's a very good chance the squadron will suck.

If possible, talk with these people directly, but the proof's in the pudding, so definitely watch them in action. If your guys are as good as you say, this shouldn't be a problem, but you should really check it out in person.

As for the difference between JROTC and CAP, (I can only speak from experience about CAP) from what I know, it's the extra stuff. If you have any AFJROTC squadron or decent CAP squadron, you'll get similar aerospace education, leadership training, moral leadership, teambuilding, Air Force history/values, physical training, etc. You should even get roughly the same community service opportunities, etc, but make sure you check with your CAP unit to see what they do. Some units are great at some things and don't even touch on others.

Anyway, AFJROTC has what it call "Honors Camp". Don't know much about it, but I found this word document of the 2006 schedule. It's about a week long and looks highly selective and does PT, aerospace and career overviews, lectures, base and lab visits, etc, and is hosted by an AFROTC unit. CAP doesn't have that. No, CAP has this, which we call National Cadet Special Activities. These are also around a week, but range from PJ and space career familiarization courses to power and glider academies, to survival/search and rescue training, to cadet officer school, to the international air cadet exchange. Basically, there's a lot more you can do. Plus, you can only attend these after you've gone to a 9-day basic encampment (the same type of thing as basic training, but much, much, much, much easier). CAP also has similar but shorter types of things, especially staff training for various camps, during the school year.

Also, CAP does actual missions. In fact, we do about 95% of all federal inland search and rescue missions. Granted, that's about the only mission cadets can do, but it's still pretty cool (adults fly counter-drug, border patrol, etc missions). As a cadet, you cannot fly, but you get to be part of the ground team after you're training. If you're into that, that's one thing CAP definitely has over JROTC.

Finally, CAP runs event security at various military and aviation events. Cadets may be assigned to anything from flightline security (basically standing beside the runway and making sure no one does anything stupid, which, believe me, they can) to parking detail of air shows, aviation days, reenactments, and even AFB open houses. I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think JROTC does that.

Hope at least some of that was useful information. If not, feel free to redirect me or ask further questions.

EDIT: oh yes, the academy/ROTC question. Only thing I can add to what others said is that, for ROTC, if you Spaatz (achieve highest rank of C/Col) or at least get Earhart (C/Maj) and/or Mitchell (C/2Lt) the unit commander can give you GMC credit. It's up to the commander what you get. CAP ranks are the same as AF's, but everyone's mustang (i.e. AB, Amn, A1C, SrA, SSgt, TSgt, MSgt, SMSgt, CMSgt, 2Lt, 1Lt, Cpt, Maj, LCol, Col).
For JROTC, a year of JROTC is a semester of ROTC's GMC. So, if you do 3 years of JROTC, you get 1.5 years of GMC credit. If you do 2 years, you get 1 year of credit. Anything under 2 years doesn't count.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AFAuxCadet,

quote:

Originally posted by RiverAux:
I think if you manage to get the Spaatz in the cadet program that it will probably look real good on your application for the academies. I don't think JROTC has any real equivalent to that.

JROTC also has awards for glittering up service academy application. CAP has one advantage JROTC lacks (most college/university bound JROTC cadets are submitting for direct admission to a service academy, but so are the college bound CAP cadets) and this is, “Finally, at least one CAP cadet will be appointed to the Air Force Academy Preparatory School annually from a list of nominees provided by CAP National Headquarters, if otherwise qualified.” Reference AFI- Ref AFI 10-2701 ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION OF THE CIVIL AIR PATROL

quote:

Originally posted by AFAuxCadet:

Also, CAP does actual missions. In fact, we do about 95% of all federal inland search and rescue missions. Granted, that's about the only mission cadets can do, but it's still pretty cool (adults fly counter-drug, border patrol, etc missions). As a cadet, you cannot fly, but you get to be part of the ground team after you're training. If you're into that, that's one thing CAP definitely has over JROTC.

Yes, “CAP cadets are an additional source of personnel that can augment senior members in responding to emergencies or disasters.” However, “Mission approval authorities will consider the risks associated with assigning a specific mission to a civilian volunteer organization. Operational Risk Management (ORM) techniques may be utilized to determine and minimize this risk as needed.” Pertinent to this “CAP personnel are divided into two categories: volunteer cadet members (aged 12 –17) and volunteer senior members (aged 18 and older). CAP senior members are the primary personnel to respond to emergencies or disasters.” Consequently age 18 is an important participation eligibility qualification in doing tasks and operations that are considered hazardous. “CAP members (18 years old and older) participating in AFAMs are eligible to apply for benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) protection. The Department of Labor (DOL) administers this act. There is no Federal loss protection provided for any other CAP missions.”

I’m not saying CAP cadets less than 18 years of age are not a mission utilized asset or resource, but I’m advising there are limits and restrictions on what cadets can be tasked or utilized to do when augmenting senior personnel doing Federal missions. The bolded text enclosed by the quotations are exact cut and past of text from AFI 10-2701 Organization and Function of the Civil Air Patrol.

Particpation...is participation...even if in a limited capacity.

So a 12 year old may be limited from going out on GSAR missions....there are plenty of important duties that they can and do perform that JROTC cadets don't get any chance at doing.

As I said before....each program has its pros and cons....in the end I don't think one is better then the other...they are just different.

quote:

Originally posted by Lordmonar:
So a 12 year old may be limited from going out on GSAR missions....there are plenty of important duties that they can and do perform that JROTC cadets don't get any chance at doing.

It is the CAP members pursuing the how CAP cadet and JROTC cadet programs differ. It is CAP members suggesting CAP cadets are somehow more nobler, honorable, better, or superior because they can participate in doing “missions” and respond as volunteers to participate in doing something during times and location of Natural Disaster or other emergency incident. There is currently two active JROTC vs CAP discussion and the “Idea: Same system of Rank as the Coast Guard Auxiliary” is possible third discussion.

Arnold Air Society/Silver Wings, Joint National Project 2005-2006 “Supporting Future Leaders” Booklet provides an interesting read as it identifies an interesting list of affiliate programs. The list includes Junior AFROTC, CAP, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Boy and Girls Clubs.

There is no denial by me that CAP has participation. I do however question suggestions CAP cadets are on a daily basis more involved in participating than JROTC cadets.

Pertinent to volunteerism, what prevents a JROTC cadet from participating as a volunteer? The number, type and size of cadet community projects are limited only by their imagination. All that is needed for JROTC cadets to be involved in some of the things CAP members suggest is their domain of right or ownership is a release of liability signed by the Parent or Guardian and somebody in the JROTC to coordinate the participation.

Junior AFROTC has the following ribbon recognition awards:

GOLD VALOR AWARD: Awards consist of a medal, ribbon, and certificate. The Gold Valor Award recognizes the most outstanding voluntary acts of self sacrifice and personal bravery by a cadet involving conspicuous risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

SILVER VALOR AWARD: Awards consist of a medal, ribbon, and certificate. The Silver Valor Award is awarded to a cadet for a voluntary act of heroism, which does not meet the risk of life requirements of the Gold Valor Award.

CADET HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Award consists of a ribbon and certificate and recognizes humanitarian effort or performance by cadets involving actions above and beyond the call of duty. This award is not to be used to recognize community service.

It is certainly true membership in a volunteer organization opens easier opportunity for 12-17 year old CAP cadet to participate, but this doesn’t mean a JROTC cadet can’t volunteer participate through a different path of opportunity and in the process perform duties just as important as the duties performed by the CAP cadet.

I agree each program has its pros and cons, but common similarity is of the CAP cadet program and JROTC are both a youth development program offering opportunity to learn and assist in developing future leaders. This is the same similarity both have to Future Farmers of America, 4H, etc. The day to day activities of CAP cadet is not preparation and readiness to participate in doing a mission or responding to emergencies and disasters.

March Volunteer of the month