THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISCIPLINE AND ABUSE

**Introduction**

***"Discipline makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the
weak, and esteem to all" - George Washington***

Maintaining good order and discipline in a unit is the cornerstone of
all military organizations. Discipline is a delicate topic for a
volunteer organization such as the CAP because of the way it is
administered, including the reasons for applying discipline. CAP Senior
Members must set the example, provide guidance to cadets, and impose
disciplinary action when appropriate. In cases when it is necessary to
impose disciplinary action, leaders should consider all alternatives and
choose that which will best correct the problem and prevent its
recurrence. Persons in leadership positions must remain objective --
haste and partiality can do much to harm the leader's image. It is
imperative that CAP Senior Members understand what tools are available
for discipline, and what actions may be considered too harsh or abusive.

**Standards for Leadership**

Senior members, cadets, and persons who supervise cadet activities or
serve in leadership positions must possess high moral and ethical
standards, be emotionally stable, and demonstrate leadership qualities
necessary to serve as positive role models.

All senior members are screened in accordance with CAPM 39-2*, Senior
Member Program* and undergo cadet protection training before working
with cadets (CAPR 50-17, *CAP Senior Member Training Program*). Members
who have not completed the screening process and received their
"approved" status will not be permitted to act as the primary supervisor
at cadet activities or associate with cadets in any way without the
**in-person** supervision of a senior member who is currently in
"approved" status.

**Approved status** is defined by a leadership code of "A" on the
monthly membership listing and the issuance of a membership card that
does not reflect the word "temporary". The only exception to this policy
is for FAA certified flight instructors participating in National
special activities. These individuals must have received their
"temporary" membership card and completed Cadet Protection Program
Training prior to the start of the activity; however, the in-person
supervision of an "approved" member is not required during periods of
dual flight instruction or orientation flights where the cadet is
accompanied by one of these instructor pilots.

# CAP Cadet Protection Policy

CAP is committed to doing everything reasonably possible to combat the
potential for child abuse within our organization and to discourage our
cadets from illegal use of alcohol and other drugs. CAP members are
expected to avoid even the appearance of impropriety involving cadets,
and should report suspected abuse immediately.

For the purpose of CAP policy, abuse is defined in two categories. The
first is sexual abuse. Cadets will not be subjected to sexual
molestation, touching, contact, exposure, suggestions, or other
incidents of a sexually oriented nature. Physical abuse is the second
type. Cadets will not be physically struck, hazed, or assaulted in any
way.

**Definition of Hazing**

Hazing is defined as any conduct whereby someone causes another to
suffer or to be exposed to any activity that is cruel, abusive,
humiliating, oppressive, demeaning, or harmful. Actual or implied
consent to acts of hazing does not eliminate the culpability of the
perpetrator.

Examples of hazing include using exercise as punishment or assigning
remedial training that does not fit the deficiency (such as making a
cadet run laps for having poorly shined shoes). According to the Air
Force Judge Advocate General, *physical contact* is not necessary --
verbal or psychological abuse will suffice. Soliciting or encouraging
another to engage in such activity is also considered hazing.

***Hazing, as defined in CAPR 52-10, CAP Cadet Protection Policy, is
considered a form of physical abuse and the reporting procedures for
physical abuse must be followed.***

**Reporting Requirements**

Senior members, cadets, and parents/guardians should immediately report
incidents of observed or suspected abuse to the unit commander or
commander at the next higher level of command. Whenever a commander has
received a report of abuse, suspects that abuse has occurred or may
occur, or believes there is an appearance of impropriety in the nature
of cadet abuse by a member of CAP, the commander will immediately
suspend the member from working with cadets and will report the abuse in
accordance with CAPR 52-10.

**Personnel Actions**

Commanders will initiate appropriate personnel actions when they
determine there is cause to separate any member (cadet or senior) from
contact with cadets. Personnel actions involving sexual abuse cases must
be coordinated in advance with the General Counsel. The personnel action
will depend on the nature and seriousness of the incident. Available
options include suspended status (CAPR 35-1, *Assignment and Duty
Status*) or nonrenewal action (CAPM 39-2, *Civil Air Patrol
Membership*).

**Techniques to Guard Against Abusive Behavior**

**Commander Involvement**

Commanders must be sensitive to the potential for cadet abuse and carry
out the policies and procedures set forth in CAPR 52-10. As a minimum,
commanders will:

1\. Exercise judgment and discretion when selecting senior members,
cadets, and other persons to conduct or supervise cadet activities.

2\. Encourage members to report any observed or alleged abuse.

3\. When cadet abuse is alleged and/or verified, suspend the member from
all CAP activities, make immediate notification, and take appropriate
personnel actions in accordance with the provision as described above.

4\. Ensure that at least two "approved" senior members are present at
all overnight cadet activities. Encourage at least two senior members to
be present at all cadet activities (with the exception of chaplain
counseling or cadet orientation flights). *This policy is for the
protection of the senior members as well as the cadets.*

5\. Conduct periodic orientations for senior members to ensure they
understand the procedures and policies set forth in this regulation.

6\. Ensure cadets are informed of the policies contained in this
regulation.

7\. Spot-check signatures on permission slips.

8\. Provide parents with a calendar of activities and notify the parents
when a scheduled activity is cancelled, relocated, or changed.

9\. Give the parents an opportunity to personally meet the senior
members by periodically designating meetings as "parents night".

10\. Mail parents a current roster of members who supervise or conduct
cadet activities.

# Parental Involvement

Parental involvement is one of the most effective deterrents of child
abuse. The following suggestions are ways to encourage parental
involvement:

1\. Conduct periodic meetings with other parents to discuss child abuse.
Let the other parents know CAP is making an effort to prevent such
abuse.

2\. Establish a parents committee to provide input on cadet activities.
Membership in CAP is not necessary to be a part of this committee.

3\. Require a permission slip, signed by the parent or guardian, for
each activity outside of the regular squadron meetings.

# Conclusion

Maintaining good order and discipline is essential in a military
organization. Applying discipline in a volunteer organization that
mirrors the military, as does CAP, is a delicate topic. Members must
understand how to instill appropriate discipline, and never cross the
line toward being abusive. Using the techniques we have presented can
help prevent abuse, but using good judgment is the key when members
apply discipline in their unit.