By AuxBeacon News Staff

CAP Col Stanley A. Skrabut (CallSign: TUBARKS) who served as Wyoming Wing Commander and North East Region Director of Recruiting has retired from Civil Air Patrol.

In February of 2017, an AuxBeacon contributor revealed that Col Skrabut prepared a lengthy video presentation along with Lt Col Darin Ninness explaining why members were leaving Civil Air Patrol. Their findings were summarized in a previous story here on AuxBeacon. Those findings are reiterated below.

Civil Air Patrol details the restrictions on “retired” members of the organization in CAPR 39-2, Chapter 4, Paragraph 3.

4.3. Retired Membership. A member in good standing with a minimum of 20 years service as a active member, not necessarily continuous, is eligible to retire from Civil Air Patrol.

Prior to requesting retirement, members are asked to consider transferring to Patron Membership as described in paragraph 4.2.1. above in order to continue to support the organization. If the individual elects to retire, once the retirement is processed the member will not actively participate.

Retired individuals may attend wing or region conferences and the CAP National Conference when the general membership is allowed to attend, or when invited by the host commander.

Attendance at other meetings, conferences, training sessions, or non-social activities conducted by CAP is not allowed unless the retiree is invited by the wing or region commander of the unit hosting the event.

Attendance at social functions is authorized, but requires a formal or specific invitation and prior approval of the commander hosting the event. Retired members may purchase a subscription to the Volunteer magazine at half the regular price. Retired individuals will wear the current CAP blazer uniform (with the last grade earned as an active member) or appropriate civilian attire when attending social functions as a guest.

Retired individuals will not be listed on Military Support Authorizations.

While retired, any individual who brings discredit to CAP may be barred from any event by the National Commander.

IN TRIBUTE to the newly relaxed Stan Skrabut, his Magnum Opus is shared with Civil Air Patrol members and AuxBeacon readers one. more. time.

Why CAP Members are Leaving:

According to these two [redacted]:

1) A large number of members leave because they feel their time and talents were not needed or valued.
• Lack of a good CAP membership orientation
• False Expectations
• Not trustworthy

2) Some members do not have enough time to commit for CAP because of work and other commitments.
• Overwhelm members with too many tasks
• Lack of meaningful positions and tasks
• Lack of good training
• No vision

3) We have some members who are poor leaders and are driving people away.
• Egotistical civilian/military dictator style leaders
• No accountability
• Unable to resolve conflicts
• Not respected or treated fairly

4) Some members joined because their child was a cadet, now the child has left the CAP.
• Lack of meaningful interests, activities and events
• Program is not rewarding
• Lack of respect and core values
• Emergency Services cliques
• Nepotism

5) Some members joined because of the promise of flying, but slowed by training and paperwork.
• Members not actively involved
• Lack of a good Level 1 orientation and good mentors
• Lack of flight opportunities
• Too much red tape

6) Over time, a member’s interest in CAP may diminish to the point he or she is no longer interested in CAP.
• Ignoring member feedback and comments
• Fear of change
• Not attending to needs of the members
• Lack of good communication with members
• Lack of transparency and the silent treatment

7) CAP wasn’t what they thought it would be.
• Told of “grand stories” and other lies when recruited
• Hire slow, fire fast
• Lack of missions
• Very political and rampant favoritism
• Unsafe environment and negative impact on the youth

8) Many members leave because they are bored due to the lack of activities and missions.
• Endless training and qualifications that are rarely or never used
• Lack of a unit plan and meeting focus
• Refusal to listen/apply member feedback
• Not utilizing members appropriating where they can benefit the unit