Will Civil Air Patrol look good on my application?

[AcademyHopefulOne]

A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.

If you're accepted into the Academy based on a lie, how can your classmates trust you to live by this most important ideal?

As for the studying for ACT/SAT.. The main benefit of these standardized tests are for college admissions. The main benefit of Scouting is not a box on an application. Scouting teaches brotherhood, leadership, and life skills and values. Being able to write BSA on a résumé or application is for a young man who has put several years and countless hours becoming a better young man.

I never said I was going to lie and I don't intend on lying. You don't seem to be aiming to help me(Your first post was kind of a jeer, the rest of them have been quite attacking as well imo), you seem to just want to insult me. You also don't seem to understand a lot of the things I am trying to say, so I would really appreciate it if you stopped replying to this thread. I apologize if those were not your actual intentions, that's just the way it came off to me. Thank you.

It might not seem this way, but I'm trying to help you. As an Eagle Scout Candidate and Co2019 USMA Appointee, I'm looking at things from my perspective. Joining Scouts for the benefit and not the experience is a watered down version of Stolen Valor in my opinion. You put in none of the work but expect the rewards.

To me, not telling the whole truth is essentially lying.

Stubborn is not a good way to describe yourself. As has been stated, FFRs browse these forums. If yours happens to read this thread and see the things you've been saying, it won't be difficult to know your identity when you're applying. I'm just trying to help, friend.

 

[frenzymando]

A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.

If you're accepted into the Academy based on a lie, how can your classmates trust you to live by this most important ideal?

As for the studying for ACT/SAT.. The main benefit of these standardized tests are for college admissions. The main benefit of Scouting is not a box on an application. Scouting teaches brotherhood, leadership, and life skills and values. Being able to write BSA on a résumé or application is for a young man who has put several years and countless hours becoming a better young man.

I never said I was going to lie and I don't intend on lying. You don't seem to be aiming to help me(Your first post was kind of a jeer, the rest of them have been quite attacking as well imo), you seem to just want to insult me. You also don't seem to understand a lot of the things I am trying to say, so I would really appreciate it if you stopped replying to this thread. I apologize if those were not your actual intentions, that's just the way it came off to me. Thank you.

It might not seem this way, but I'm trying to help you. As an Eagle Scout Candidate and Co2019 USMA Appointee, I'm looking at things from my perspective. Joining Scouts for the benefit and not the experience is a watered down version of Stolen Valor in my opinion. You put in none of the work but expect the rewards.

To me, not telling the whole truth is essentially lying.

Stubborn is not a good way to describe yourself. As has been stated, FFRs browse these forums. If yours happens to read this thread and see the things you've been saying, it won't be difficult to know your identity when you're applying. I'm just trying to help, friend.

My apologies, but your first post on this did seem like a jeer to me and in my opinion it was inaccurate.

I am ignorant in regards to scouts so I apologize if I offended you, that was not my intent. But I feel that if joining scouts didn't benefit the people joining, nobody would join. I feel that every joins because they feel that it will benefit them, each in different ways. That is just my opinion, I hope you respect it and I will return the favor to you.

Sorry for another dumb question, but what is an FFR and how could they identify me?

 

[USMCGrunt]

In no small way, this entire thread is like herding cats.

Too many uniformed comments from the OP and too many condemnations from the high pedestals of responders.

It has spun way out of control.

frenzymando: do whatever you think makes your application the most competitive and live with the consequences.

 

[AcademyHopefulOne]

FFR - Field Force Representative

They're volunteers who serve as your liaison to connect you and West Point. They usually conduct an interview and evaluate you multiple times throughout the application process.

When you submit your application to them, they'll see that you were X class rank, X rank in AFJROTC, and X position on an "elite" football team.

 

[frenzymando]

FFR - Field Force Representative

They're volunteers who serve as your liaison to connect you and West Point. They usually conduct an interview and evaluate you multiple times throughout the application process.

When you submit your application to them, they'll see that you were X class rank, X rank in AFJROTC, and X position on an "elite" football team.

I see, well thank you for everyone's input! A lot of it was very helpful. After thinking about it I have decided to do Boys state instead of Boy Scouts and Civil Air Patrol simply because it is what I want to do. I also came to the realization that doing things I don't want to do creates a sort of false image for me, which is lying in a way. I'll just be who I am as a person and hope that everything turns out just fine. I feel that if I simply do the things I want to do, my resume will turn out fine. Thanks again everyone!

 

[MemberLG]

I wouldn't lie, I would answer it in a way that wouldn't make me look bad.

"What made you decide to join boy scouts?"

"I thought it would be beneficial to me and help me become a better person."

I didn't lie by answering that and I wouldn't look awful. Boy scouts helps me get into the academy which is beneficial to me, and I honestly believe that being at the academy will make me a better person.

"Why did you join boy scouts at such a late age?"

"I wasn't aware of all of the great things that could result from being a scout."

Again, I didn't lie, and I didn't say "I wanted to put it on my resume."

I am a FFR and serve on my Congressman's nomination panel. I tried not to judge and usually give benefit of doubts to candidates I interview and work with. What I do during an interview is to listen first than ask follow up questions. So if I doubted your motive for joining the Boy Scouts at a such late age, I might ask "Why did you think joing the boy scout wil be beneficial to you and help you beocme a better person?" "What are the great things that could result from being a scout?" "Typically, kids don't join the Scouts in a such late age, so what could have been an alternative?" If I don't like your anwers, I might ask "So what did you learn so far," "Give me some examples of how the Scouts made you a better person." If I really wanted to throw you a curve ball, I might ask your opinion if you considered Boy Scout's position on not allowing people with certain sexual orientaiton to be part of the organization before joining. There are no right or wrong answers.

The point I am trying to make here is that you will have answers that you think are good or good enough or sound good. The unknown is if the questioner will accept your answer or believe you.

 

[MemberLG]

I wouldn't lie, I would answer it in a way that wouldn't make me look bad.

"What made you decide to join boy scouts?"

"I thought it would be beneficial to me and help me become a better person."

I didn't lie by answering that and I wouldn't look awful. Boy scouts helps me get into the academy which is beneficial to me, and I honestly believe that being at the academy will make me a better person.

"Why did you join boy scouts at such a late age?"

"I wasn't aware of all of the great things that could result from being a scout."

Again, I didn't lie, and I didn't say "I wanted to put it on my resume."

I am a FFR and serve on my Congressman's nomination panel. I try not to judge and usually give benefit of doubts to candidates I interview and work with. What I do during an interview is to listen first than ask follow up questions. So if I doubted your motive for joining the Boy Scouts at a such late age, I might ask "Why did you think joing the boy scout wil be beneficial to you and help you beocme a better person?" "What are the great things that could result from being a scout?" "Typically, kids don't join the Scouts in a such late age, so what could have been an alternative?" If I don't like your anwers, I might ask "So what did you learn so far," "Give me some examples of how the Scouts made you a better person." If I really wanted to throw you a curve ball, I might ask your opinion if you considered Boy Scout's position on not allowing people with certain sexual orientaiton to be part of the organization before joining. There are no right or wrong answers.

The point I am trying to make here is that you will have answers that you think are good or good enough or sound good. The unknown is if the questioner will accept your answer or believe you.

 

[MemberLG]

Stubborn is not a good way to describe yourself. As has been stated, FFRs browse these forums. If yours happens to read this thread and see the things you've been saying, it won't be difficult to know your identity when you're applying. I'm just trying to help, friend.

I did find a candidate I interviewed on this forum - once.

 

[Dixieland]

Boys State would not appear to be padding since it's a one time only thing. I'm sure you would also learn something there. There is no chart for the WCS. It's a closely guarded secret. I'm not even sure the President has been briefed on it, as it's strictly need to know. The rumor mill says Boys State is worth as much as BSA.... but then who really knows?

Not rumor, truth. West Point values Boys' State as much as Eagle Scout.

(From the Community Leader scoring list)
600:
(3) Participation in Boys/Girls State, President of National Honor Society, or recipient of a
National or State award;
(4) Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts) or Gold Award (Girl Scouts);


Frenzy, you might find this old thread helpful: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/sports.40172/

 

[hooah21]

Civil Air Patrol does offer nominations to the Air Force Academy...but they are extremely competitive.


USMAPS C/O 2016 APPOINTEE

 

[hawk]

Same for Boy Scouts. Unless you are reaching levels like Spaatz award (civil patrol) or senior patrol leader/Eagle Scout, it just looks like you are doing the events to pad your resume for your application.

If he is a Junior now it would be very difficult (Impossible?) to make Eagle just based on the time in rank requirements alone.

And certainly could not do it 1 hr/wk. If I recall correctly, Girl Scout Silver and Gold do not have the prerequisite requirement, so females could possibly start those late.

 

[frenzymando]

Same for Boy Scouts. Unless you are reaching levels like Spaatz award (civil patrol) or senior patrol leader/Eagle Scout, it just looks like you are doing the events to pad your resume for your application.

If he is a Junior now it would be very difficult (Impossible?) to make Eagle just based on the time in rank requirements alone.

And certainly could not do it 1 hr/wk. If I recall correctly, Girl Scout Silver and Gold do not have the prerequisite requirement, so females could possibly start those late.

Yeah I'm not going to be able to get any honors in boy scouts or civil air patrol in such a short amount of time so I have decided not to do boy scouts or civil air patrol; I am going to do Boys State instead.

 

[Dixieland]

Great choice, Frenzy! My sons thoroughly enjoyed Boys' State! It's a very special and interesting week and they met a lot of neat kids. You won't be sorry! Good luck!

 

[kinnem]

Yeah I'm not going to be able to get any honors in boy scouts or civil air patrol in such a short amount of time so I have decided not to do boy scouts or civil air patrol; I am going to do Boys State instead.

I think that is a sound decision.

 

[NavyHopeful20]

Hi everyone,

I find myself in a similar situation to OP, late coming to the "game." A good friend of mine is the cadet commander of the local CAP chapter, and invited me to a meeting. I REALLY enjoyed everything about CAP when I went, and I want to join, but I don't want it to be viewed as "padding" when in fact I was genuinely doing something I enjoyed. Any suggestions?

 

[frenzymando]

Hi everyone,

I find myself in a similar situation to OP, late coming to the "game." A good friend of mine is the cadet commander of the local CAP chapter, and invited me to a meeting. I REALLY enjoyed everything about CAP when I went, and I want to join, but I don't want it to be viewed as "padding" when in fact I was genuinely doing something I enjoyed. Any suggestions?

You could just join and not mention it, but I doubt having it on your resume would harm you; it might not help you but I don't think it will harm you either.

 

[NavyHopeful20]

That certainly is an option, but my desire to attend an academy and to serve is extremely strong, and so I don't want to deny myself any sort of help in the application department. Though, if that did turn out to be the best option, I would be okay with it.

 

[kinnem]

That certainly is an option, but my desire to attend an academy and to serve is extremely strong, and so I don't want to deny myself any sort of help in the application department. Though, if that did turn out to be the best option, I would be okay with it.

If you can honestly say in an interview that a friend introduced you to it and you found you really enjoyed it and decided to participate then I think you'll be fine. Being able to expand on what you liked, and why, would go even further. Attitude can make all the difference sometimes.

 

[civic29]

Boys state was fun for me but I don't know about other programs


2019 WestPoint class appointee

Recipient of 4 year army rotc scholarship.

 

[frenzymando]

Boys state was fun for me but I don't know about other programs


2019 WestPoint class appointee

Recipient of 4 year army rotc scholarship.

Are you going to accept the ROTC scholarship or go to West Point?