Character Development Instructor Shortage

[UWONGO2]

Howdy!

I'm curious if folks here are also encountering a CDI shortage and how you're dealing with it. We're doing about 5-6 Curry Awards every two months which requires the special CD session, plus the regular monthly session we do and that's a lot for our squadron commander to handle since we don't have a chaplain or CDI.

I looked into the CDI requirements and I have no idea why they are so stringent - I don't see how a college education equates to being able to discuss moral issues and our core values, but thems the rules and I don't have anyone that's interested who qualifies.

We've checked with our neighboring squadrons, they're also without chaplains, so we can't borrow anyone from another squadron.

Oh, I'm basing the requirement that a chaplain, CDI, or squadron commander lead the "discussion" and the achievement 1 lesson based on this:

A CAP chaplain or character development instructor (CDI) should coordinate the program. In units without a chaplain or CDI, the commander may temporarily lead character forums, but should endeavor to recruit a chaplain or CDI as soon as possible.

Am I misunderstanding the regulation?

[coudano]

If I were the squadron commander in your situation, I would delegate the duties to a responsible senior member who was willing to do it well.

**FWIW, at my squadron we offer CD once a month, every month.


The reg (used to) (and i'd argue that it should still) state that in the absence of a chaplain or CDI, the squadron commander may appoint "a senior member" to do it.  That's what we did then, and when the rules changed, the same senior member (who does an incredible job but isn't able to qualify as a MLO/CDI by the restrictions in the regs) continued doing it.

The religious restrictions on Character Dev Instructors is widely thought to be unfair, unreasonable, and potentially discriminatory.

In my opinion, character development should be owned by cadet programs, and not the chaplain service anyway.

[Eclipse]

Anyone can moderate CDI classes.

[UWONGO2]

Anyone can moderate CDI classes.

With the regulation specifically stating chaplain, CDI, or squadron commander, how is this true? I have a couple of different senior members I'd love to assign character development to, I just want to make sure I'm within regulations when doing so.

In my opinion, character development should be owned by cadet programs, and not the chaplain service anyway.

I agree!

[elipod]

If you meet on a military base, surely they have a chaplain for that base. We meet on a small Army base, and the Chaplain, (a Major), comes in every month and quite enjoys the sessions.

[elipod]

Even a local church will do. Pastors, if i'm not mistaken , are eager to share about good character/how to be a moral person/how to be a good person in general, without including 'the gospel'. (since CAP doesn't want us teaching strait from the Bible, obviously)

[Eclipse]

Anyone can moderate CDI classes.

With the regulation specifically stating chaplain, CDI, or squadron commander, how is this true? I have a couple of different senior members I'd love to assign character development to, I just want to make sure I'm within regulations when doing so.

In my opinion, character development should be owned by cadet programs, and not the chaplain service anyway.

I agree!

See CAPR 52-16, Page 4, Feb 2011,

(b) Character  Forums. Unit commanders will provide a character development
program for cadets, using the resources  found at  capmembers.com/character. A CAP chaplain or character development instructor (CDI) should coordinate the program.  In units without a chaplain or CDI, the commander may temporarily lead character forums, but should endeavor to recruit a chaplain or CDI as soon as possible. During character forums, cadets examine moral and ethical issues, but the forums are not religious meetings

It is important to understand the meaning and use of "should" vs. "will" in a regulatory environment.  "Should", is the suggested best-case, however
it does not form a requirement.

Considering that CAP does not, and cannot, mandate the appointment of a religious leader for every unit, there is no way to enforce the
requirement that CDI classes be moderated by a Chaplain or CDI.

Any commander in your chain is free to strengthen the "should" to a "will", which would be an outstanding way to bring the cadet program in
that AOR to a grinding halt.

At the risk of generating apoplexy twice in a week, I share the concerns regarding the implication that Chaplains or other religious leaders
are more and better prepared to moderate CDI forums than other rank and file members, especially members with more specific experience
in counseling and youth programs who are from a secular background, especially in light of the fact that these discussions are supposed to
be specifically agnostic.

How can anyone suggest that someone like say NIN, with his 25 years in, most dealing with cadets, as well as other life experience in the
military and other similar programs, is less qualified, than a brand-new, slick-sleeve deacon who's never worked with kids?

[Eclipse]

If you meet on a military base, surely they have a chaplain for that base. We meet on a small Army base, and the Chaplain, (a Major), comes in every month and quite enjoys the sessions.

Is he a CAP member, because if not, he has no business leading a CDI discussion.  Even having him there at all is questionable.

Being a member of local clergy, military or otherwise, does not give you special powers to participate in CAP activities, and is actually a risk
from a CPPT and regulatory standpoint.   A military chaplain is likely to be more than versed in where the lines are he can't cross, but a
local clergy is unlikely to understand the rules, and more likely to assume he is included specifically for his religious viewpoint, which isn't even supposed
to be included in the discussions.

[Al Sayre]

If you meet on a military base, surely they have a chaplain for that base. We meet on a small Army base, and the Chaplain, (a Major), comes in every month and quite enjoys the sessions.

Is he a CAP member, because if not, he has no business leading a CDI discussion.  Even having him there at all is questionable.

Being a member of local clergy, military or otherwise, does not give you special powers to participate in CAP activities, and is actually a risk
from a CPPT and regulatory standpoint.   A military chaplain is likely to be more than versed in where the lines are he can't cross, but a
local clergy is unlikely to understand the rules, and more likely to assume he is included specifically for his religious viewpoint, which isn't even supposed
to be included in the discussions.

CAPR 265-1 Sect C Para 15.h (1) &(2)
h. Additional Personnel. Commanders may supplement the CAP Chaplain Corps program as follows:
(1) Active duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Veteran's Administration chaplains serving CAP units as CAP non-members.
(2) Clergy from the local community will be escorted at all times by a senior member in compliance with cadet protection requirements. Community clergy will have the approval of the region or wing chaplain as applicable and will serve in this capacity for a maximum of 6 months. Community clergy who are successful in providing ministry to CAP units should be encouraged to join the CAP Chaplain Corps.

Also Ref CAPR 52-10 Para 3-d.(2) 

[Eclipse]

I'm aware of the regs in this case.  The allowance of the practice doesn't make it a better idea.
I stand by my opinion that if they want to help they should join, and that CAP as a whole needs to
reconsider its opinion that clergy are critical to the CDI process.

[coudano]

Is he a CAP member, because if not, he has no business leading a CDI discussion.  Even having him there at all is questionable.  Being a member of local clergy, military or otherwise, does not give you special powers to participate in CAP activities, and is actually a risk from a CPPT and regulatory standpoint.

oh bull puckey
we use external guests speakers and teachers all the time.
CPPT only requires that cadets not be left alone with them
as long as a CPPT approved senior member is present, you're good to go

A military chaplain is likely to be more than versed in where the lines are he can't cross, but a
local clergy is unlikely to understand the rules, and more likely to assume he is included specifically for his religious viewpoint, which isn't even supposed to be included in the discussions.

Oh I dunno,
the primary function of a military chaplain is to provide religious services, and they can be just as preachy (depending on religious affiliation) as any other minister.  They can also pull the preachy out and talk plain ethics just as any other minister.  52-16 "used to" specifically allow the squadron commander to invite local clergy to supplement discussions.

I see no reason at all why the squadron commander shouldn't be able to invite the local ethics professor (who doesn't necessarily have a religious affiliation) at the local college or university just as well, however the regs (seem to) prohibit this.

I think that we can all agree that it is certainly /not/ the intent of the program for *anyone* (CAP Chaplain, Military Chaplain, Local Minister, or joe blow senior member) to proselytize or 'bible thump' cadets in a character development session.  --nevertheless, it still happens anyway, in some squadrons (unfortunately).

[Eclipse]

I think that we can all agree that it is certainly /not/ the intent of the program for *anyone* (CAP Chaplain, Military Chaplain, Local Minister, or joe blow senior member) to proselytize or 'bible thump' cadets in a character development session.  --nevertheless, it still happens anyway, in some squadrons (unfortunately).

And that is my issue, based on personal, painful experience at multiple levels and including large activities.

I think the assumption is that Chaplains, especially, will have college-level training in counseling, which is not always the case, and certainly not the
case with CDI's.  At a minimum CDI should be opened up to people with verifiable secular counseling and therapy training, however I will grant that
the risk is a pendulum swing too far the other way as well.

That's why this is such a minefield, because much of morals character, is the subjective opinon of the person or body writing the curriculum.
Perhaps ethics would be a better avenue than "character".  Both are dicey, but ethics tend to be grounded in subjects which are more practical
day-to-day and centered on personal choice.

[Ed Bos]

At a minimum CDI should be opened up to people with verifiable secular counseling and therapy training, however I will grant that
the risk is a pendulum swing too far the other way as well.

I'm curious why you think counseling and therapy have anything specific to do with Character Development.

Despite having been involved with the Cadet Program for several years, and been a professional counselor in the past, I don't see the connection.

I think the "ethics professor" mentioned in coudano's post seems like a more closely-aligned selection.

[Eclipse]

At a minimum CDI should be opened up to people with verifiable secular counseling and therapy training, however I will grant that
the risk is a pendulum swing too far the other way as well.

I'm curious why you think counseling and therapy have anything specific to do with Character Development.

Honestly, in our context, they don't necessarily.

I was frankly making an assumption that formalized training in counseling and therapy or related disciplines was the reason(s) that the Chaplain corps has been "given" CD, and if that isn't the reason, then I am hard-pressed to know why a Chaplain or other clergy is more capable of moderating CD discussions than any other member with reasonably similar program knowledge / experience and common sense.

[coudano]

In my opinion, anyone who has a brain in their skull, the nod from someone responsible (like the squadron commander) and has passed an undergraduate college level introduction to ethics class probably has what it takes to lead a character development discussion for a bunch of CAP cadets.

[Eclipse]

In my opinion, anyone who has a brain in their skull, the nod from someone responsible (like the squadron commander) and has passed an undergraduate college level introduction to ethics class probably has what it takes to lead a character development discussion for a bunch of CAP cadets.

And that is something CAP could provide to those so inclined, perhaps as a pre-requisite for CDI qualification (or you'd find one at your local community college).  Then at least in theory, everyone would be on the same page in regards to the discussions.

[Ed Bos]

...an assumption that formalized training in counseling and therapy or related disciplines was the reason(s) that the Chaplain corps has been "given" CD...

Roger.

In my opinion, anyone who has a brain in their skull, the nod from someone responsible (like the squadron commander) and has passed an undergraduate college level introduction to ethics class probably has what it takes to lead a character development discussion for a bunch of CAP cadets.

And that is something CAP could provide to those so inclined, perhaps as a pre-requisite for CDI qualification (or you'd find one at your local community college).  Then at least in theory, everyone would be on the same page in regards to the discussions.

Agreed, and I think that would give a more standardized skill-set to the CDI program... If we moved to that I would think the right thing to do would be to eliminate the CDI specialty track, and make it an sub-specialty or qualification for Cadet Program Officers.

[coudano]

make it so, number one.