IT Specialty Badge

[CAP Producer]

So, we've got a nice and pretty badge all approved, but haven't bothered to actually create the program for which the badge would be awarded?  Glad we have our priorities straight!

Now to be fair....from what I understand...they are working of the IT specialty track.  It's just quicker and easier to make a badge than it is to push through anysort of regulation/pamplet in this organisation.

Last I heard, they had a framework all setteled, the argument was about what sort of outside certifications the IT specialists were going to have to have.

Just take a look at the recruiting specialty track and the people who have problems with that.

Yup the Recruiter track is tough but I was able to get my master's rating.   Had to produce lots of documentation to show I didi everything but if you want it you can do it

Let's see what the IT Track brings.

[Lancer]

Does the Senior rating have "2.0" on the top in place of a star?

Yeah, and the Master rating has "BOFH" on top. 

I talked to our wing 'IT Officer' last week, who had spoke with Col. Saile, who was *just* at Maxwell taking the Wing Commanders course. He brought back a 'draft' pamphlet regarding the ITO track. Still waiting on him to send me a copy. Time to ping him again. 

I could care less if the bling comes before or after the track is finalized, as someone who works in IT I for one am anxious to see this come to fruition.

[DNall]

The problem with stuff like admin, personnel, RnR, IT, PA, etc is someone is goig to see that on your record & ask you to do the job. Screw that.

[Lancer]

The problem with stuff like admin, personnel, RnR, IT, PA, etc is someone is goig to see that on your record & ask you to do the job. Screw that.

Awww.... you mean someone has to do some 'real' work in CAP? Oh fiddle sticks...

[NIN]

The problem with stuff like admin, personnel, RnR, IT, PA, etc is someone is goig to see that on your record & ask you to do the job. Screw that.

Awww.... you mean someone has to do some 'real' work in CAP? Oh fiddle sticks...

Then again, some of us don't want to do our day to day jobs for another few hours for someone else and not get paid.

I run the IT department of a college.   The LAST thing I want to do when I get home at night is run ANOTHER IT department in my VOLUMINOUS (insert dripping sarcasm) spare time..   (that happened to me last year. Not even a "Hey, do you want to do this?" it was more of a "Hey, this guy is our new IT guy.." "I AM?"  I made the best of it, but changes in my personal life forced me to re prioritize my volunteer time and doing my "Real Life" job during my "Volunteer Life" time had about as much appeal as sticking my head in a blender, so I stopped that.)

No, I work wtih cadets to satisfy an entirely different part of my brain, I think.  I hope.  That's why bling-bling doesn't do much for me. I'm paid in different currency.

[Lancer]

Then again, some of us don't want to do our day to day jobs for another few hours for someone else and not get paid.

Oh, totally understandable. But Dennis asserted pretty much all positions that require some level of drudgery aren't worth doing. Someone's got to do it, that's the bottom line.

I run the IT department of a college.   The LAST thing I want to do when I get home at night is run ANOTHER IT department in my VOLUMINOUS (insert dripping sarcasm) spare time..   (that happened to me last year. Not even a "Hey, do you want to do this?" it was more of a "Hey, this guy is our new IT guy.." "I AM?"  I made the best of it, but changes in my personal life forced me to re prioritize my volunteer time and doing my "Real Life" job during my "Volunteer Life" time had about as much appeal as sticking my head in a blender, so I stopped that.)

I support 100+ users daily and like you, when I'm not here, helping other people with their computer issues comes at a price. With CAP and my other volunteer obligations, what I do is done only to insure proper operation of said organization.

No, I work wtih cadets to satisfy an entirely different part of my brain, I think.  I hope.  That's why bling-bling doesn't do much for me. I'm paid in different currency.

I'd like to say a lot of us are in CAP to work with the cadets and get some level of satisfaction knowing you helped shape their future. As we were both cadets in a previous life, I think we owe a lot to the program for making us the people we are today.

The badge is neat and all, but secondary in my mind. Although it will probably be my only claim to fame in CAP these days.

[DNall]

The problem with stuff like admin, personnel, RnR, IT, PA, etc is someone is goig to see that on your record & ask you to do the job. Screw that.

Awww.... you mean someone has to do some 'real' work in CAP? Oh fiddle sticks...

Oh I do a crap load of work, 60-80 hrs a months on CAP actually, that's actually at Sq or an activity time, not homework or talking to you guys. And wile my file lists a lot of sign offs for spec ratings, I've tried over the years to keep the one at National just saying Cadet Programs. I don't want to go to an new base, walk over to the Sq & volunteer to help with cadets, then have them say 'well we're full up there right now, but I see you got this tech in personnel...' Like I said, screw that. Due respect to the people that do those jobs, I wouldn't feel like I was getting anything done & fall over dead.

[LtCol White]

I think the specialty badges are important but I dont think we should have TOO many of them. I agree with them being grouped along the same lines as how USAF designates theirs.

[TankerT]

I was told this past weekend at the National Boards is that they will be releasing the IT Specialty Track later this month.  It will go into effect on 1 April (not meant to be an April Fools joke) and that Wing CC's will have the option of evaluating people's IT qualifications (education, work experience, certifications) for the first 120 days after the release, and can award any level of the track.  (Apparently, the expectation is that there will be a few techs per wing, a handful of Seniors, and one or two master ratings...)  After that 120 day window, all personnel will have to go through the process, which will include the time lengths specified for IT service for CAP specifically.

I have not seen the requirements.  Apparently, this information was announced at the recent Wing Commander's Course at Maxwell in February.

[JC004]

Apparently, this information was announced at the recent Wing Commander's Course at Maxwell in February.

Anybody here have access to the info?

[SarDragon]

The problem with stuff like admin, personnel, RnR, IT, PA, etc is someone is goig to see that on your record & ask you to do the job. Screw that.

But even if they don't see it, you get asked anyway.

[DNall]

The problem with stuff like admin, personnel, RnR, IT, PA, etc is someone is goig to see that on your record & ask you to do the job. Screw that.

But even if they don't see it, you get asked anyway.

I think we probably all floated around early on & not so much by choice. If you asked me to do logistics now 12 years after I got the tech & hadn't touched it since, I couldn't help you much. If it'd stuck to my record I might get asked though & that's a hassle. Luckily I'm pretty well experienced in my primary & secondary now so that I don't tend to have to deal with that kinda thing.

[arajca]

What the crap?


Looks pretty, I guess...

[ rant ] I understand now.  Vanguard was busy producing this instead of the grade slides for the parka?  At least they'll be ready for summer.  [ / rant ]   

The IT badge was approved a year ago. The grade slides were approved a few months ago. They have some time before you can truly compare them.

[Lancer]

This was the reply given to an e-mail request from our Wing ITO.

The IT guide (CAPP 227) is in coordination and should be published soon at www.cap.gov/pubs

VR,

John D. Sanderson
Safety Administrator and Publications Manager

[Lancer]

*BUMP*

http://level2.cap.gov/documents/P227.pdf

From: Sanderson, John [mailto:jsanderson@capnhq.gov]
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 8:56 AM
To: XXXXXX
Cc: XXXXXX
Subject: CAPP 227, Information Technology Officer Specialty Track Study Guide



For your attention,

CAPP 227, 22 Mar 07, is posted on the publications page at http://level2.cap.gov/documents/P227.pdf

Thank You,

John D. Sanderson
Safety Administrator and Publications Manager

Finally, something I can sink my teeth into. 

[sschwab]

Wow, I have been on a specialty track for a while, and did not know it 

I am glad to an IT support being recognized as a helpful part of squadron.


Scott Schwab
2LT Gateway Squadron
Missouri Wing

[floridacyclist]

Activities
During the training period, each Information Technology
Technician candidate must complete at least five of the following:......

7. Regularly participate in the National IT Program Discussion
Forums.

I wonder if participation in the CAPTALK IT Specialty Badge thread will satisfy this requirement?

[A.Member]

Whether the specialty track is in development or not, creating and announcing the badge before it is finalized is absurd.  After the specialty track is approved, move forward with the other stuff.  Who knows when or even if a track will ever be approved.  Nothing like putting the cart ahead of the horse.  Honestly, all this kind of stuff really makes a person wonder if there was a run on common sense.

[Lancer]

Quote
7. Regularly participate in the National IT Program Discussion
Forums.

I was wondering when someone was going to point that out. 

This thread, as well as this thread.

Of course I'm not suprised to not see this information on the, unofficial, CAP IT website.

[TankerT]

Whether the specialty track is in development or not, creating and announcing the badge before it is finalized is absurd.  After the specialty track is approved, move forward with the other stuff.  Who knows when or even if a track will ever be approved.  Nothing like putting the cart ahead of the horse.  Honestly, all this kind of stuff really makes a person wonder if there was a run on common sense.

Well.... lets face it... when they announce a new uniform something... and Vanguard doesn't have anything in stock... everyone complains.

So... now you're complaining because they had it in stock before it could be worn...

It's not a perfect system.  But, absurd?  I don't see it that way. 

Timing was off, but that happens when you deal with lots of projects.