The very best part of Arlington this year was the ABSENCE of the CAP.

Everything runs smoother without the input from this group of marching
morons.


How so? Do the kids lack ...focus, or are there other issues - at the
command (adult) level?

Yes! g

Only speaking from my experience from camping right next to the capies at
OSH, I have a little insight that may carry over when talking about
Arlington.

The commanding officer is all important, when it comes to the attitude of
the boys, but that does not go "all of the way" towards fixing all of the
problems. Some years (read most) the capies yell at the top of their lungs
while they are doing morning formation and exercise, "wake up boy scouts"
over and over again. Our boys do not need to be on duty for an extra hour,
and even then, that is only the people scheduled for the first shift. Many
of them are typical teenagers, and sleep in, or try to, with all of the
yelling going on. There is no room, or need, for that kind of behavior, and
the commander needs to be all over that kind of thing. Most did not correct
it, or even make an effort to, even after the problem was pointed out.

At OSH, the capies compete from all over the country for the right to be
there. Strike one. They all (or many, at least) have a "I'm better than
all of the rest of you mortals" attitude.

It is a semi military unit. Perhaps an "all of the way military" unit.
They are constantly ramped up, gung ho, get it done, "I know what all of the
answers are." Strike two. They are given far more authority (at least
they think they have) than they have answers for, but they would rather
bluff their way through, than admit they don't know something. At times, it
appears as they need a better adult-student ratio, so they are more closely
supervised by someone who is experienced in what needs to happen to get the
job done.

The regimented structure and "only one right answer" is a good thing at
times, but there are times where things do not go as planned, and
improvisation is needed. Strike three. When more flexibility is needed, it
requires judgement; possibly beyond their years, and most definately beyond
their experience.

By the way, most of the youth in the Aviaton Explorers unit do not
appreciate being called Boy Scouts. Many of them are girls. g Only a
few of them know how to tie a knot or start a campfire. Aviation Explorers
are a branch of BSA, called "Learning for Life.")

The Boys Scouts at OSH always have an adult within quick reach, that has
been doing the same job for many, many years. About half of the youth are
returners from previous OSH years, and that helps them know what to expect
and what to do. Add to that, the fact that most of the units help with 1 or
more airshows per year in their own communities. It all adds up to youth
and adults with more airshow specific experience, and more adults to keep
things straight when things don't go as planned. Granted, things still do
not always go as planned, but that is not for lack of effort and desire.

I don't want to come off as totally badmouthing the Capies. Many of them are
fine young boys and girls, who really want to do a good job. Unfortunately,
when they all get in the group, they lose some of their personal idenity,
and some of them get carried away, and get a little too much "mob
mentality."

I am just pointing out a few of the reasons (IMHO) that some people have
mentioned that things went better without them there. I was not there, so I
can't make a call on that one. I would think that if no group stepped up to
fill their place, they would be missed.
--
Jim in NC