OK, firing squad. Step up to the line and take aim.
While I am waiting for my ticket to the "big show" (awaiting ANG NAV seclection), I have been serving in CAP. And I am here to tell you, you're right about almost damn near everything said about CAP.
Much of the leadership in this program has major "little emperor" issues and are proud to strut around tossing out orders. Many of the leaders are training the cadet members like the boy scouts and do concern themselves with saluting and the appearance of leadership rather than the actual practice. And yes, many (probably the majority) of our memebers think that this is a flying club so that fat civilians can "burn holes in the sky" in a T-41 on Uncle Sam.
But there are some redeming parts of the program too. Believe it or not, there are CAP units out there that do what needs to be done. They train and prepare for the emergency services missions seriously. They teach cadets how to be true leaders, by example and by taking care of their people. They do it as unpaid professionals who are ready to kick ass at a moment's notice to rescue those in need--even military pilots.
Think about that the next time you see some CAP members on base. You can make the assumption that they are no-nothing wanna-bes or you can actually oberve what the individual is doing and see if it has merit. Otherwise it would be like saying that all officers in the USAF are shoe clerks or SNAPs, which we all know isn't true.