2010-11 Rewrite of the Commanders Guide.

[CadetProgramGuy]

In my infinate boredom at work lately I have started on a re-write of the Commanders Guide that has been floating on this site for a while.  I am 25 pages into it, without the pictures, and on page 45 of the old guide.

Many times it has been said that the guide was outdated and needed brought back to todays information.

I need help on this project.  While I concede to do the re-write, I need topic experts to make sure the data is accurate and accourign to regs, ect....

Anyone up to helping?  Total credit will be given, the best outcome for me is a best practice item and not a new regulation or pamphlet.


Here is what i have so far,  Thanks everyone!!

[Persona non grata]

where are the pictures?


I applaud you for taking the time to do this.

[JC004]

No pictures?!  No help.  Some stick figures at least...

If I have time, I'd be interested in providing some things.  I've been sorting a lot of old CAP materials that I once worked on to update and post here as a resource.  One thing that I began work on before I was found out and black vans were sent was a revised version of this.  I had already produced a revised SM Fast Start Guide (or whatever that thing was called) and wanted to move on to this.  I must, among the stuff that I'm sorting, have at least some stuff from this project.  My Phase 1 of my material sorting/updating/distribution is ES but if I find this stuff, I can try putting it together too.  I do remember seeing a folder for it recently in papers that I've been sorting.

[Pylon]

Perhaps a collaborative Google Doc would better allow people to contribute edits and content?

[CadetProgramGuy]

I actually have it in google docs, I will post the link here at some point. (at work at the moment.)

The figures will be added later, just didn't use them yet.

It is the technical and the typos that need the most attention. I know some of the data is good, some is outdated, the last rewrite was 1994, and much has changed.

[CadetProgramGuy]

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5iID03rW9pkY2EzYTRhNDEtOGZiMC00YjM3LThkM2UtODViOTU0YTYyYjVk&hl=en&authkey=CNmU95MP

[Capt Rivera]

Thanks... Will look at it when I have a moment... Good luck on the project

[SARDOC]

TYPO under "The Three Missions of Civil Air Patrol" CAP has Performed not Preformed

TYPO under " The Senior Member Kit" The abbreviation for etcetera is Etc...not Ect

TYPO under "CAP History" Paragraph 2 sentence 2 spelling is COASTAL, PERFORMED as well as sentence Structure too many "AND"s and punctuation Recommend sentence replace with "CAP volunteers flew Anti-Submarine Coastal Patrol, Target Towing, Search and Rescue, Cargo, and Courier Service missions as well as other performing other National Defense Services during World War II."

I'll add more later as I find it.  Thanks in advance for taking on this project.

[JC004]

I still have another external HDD to search through and a bunch of paper files to find the hard copies.  I have to get back working on the ES stuff since it has been a couple weeks, so I will try to do it soon.  Might some of the materials from my revised SM Fast Start Guide and/or SLS/CLC classes that I taught be helpful materials also?

[DakRadz]

Ever wanted to cry?

I had lots and lots of suggestions and well thought out cheats to save CPG some major time...
I hit the wrong "Back" button.
Spell check showed me all of these mistakes, so.. I can't do it again. Took too long. But spell check would work.
Hyphens were missing from a few places, and ByLaws needs a lowercase L in several places. That's the major ones I remember.

Alright, here's a major thing under Counternarcotics Officer-

The counternarcotics officer should be familiar with CAPR’s 55-1, 50-15, 60-1 and Memoranda of Understanding with US Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, US Forest Service, and law enforcement agencies (as applicable).

I cannot find CAPR 55-1 nor CAPR 50-15. Does they exist? CAPR 60-1 is Flight Management, and seems incorrect as well.
CAPR 60-6 is not listed, and that is the Counterdrug Operations Reg which specifically addresses Counternarcotics.
I think this entire Regs part needs to be re-done.

On a slightly different and lesser but still a legal issue:
Memoranda should be Memorandum. NHQ has a guide to memorandums and spell checker doesn't like Memoranda either.

Below Counternarcotics, everything is correct as far as spell check goes.

[Spaceman3750]

50-15 is the old equivalent to 60-3. I believe it was entitled "Civil Air Patrol Operational Missions".

[SARDOC]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1LJTmiFKEKa-1qWWmZmltxi3dw5wNMJGyTDi0LiEHs/edit#

Minor Typo changes nothing to the content

[DakRadz]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1LJTmiFKEKa-1qWWmZmltxi3dw5wNMJGyTDi0LiEHs/edit#

Minor Typo changes nothing to the content

True. But I've seen the SMs here on CT who say the Typos are annoying, like a little gnat flying in your ear. (Check the Officer Basic Course thread for proof). Making everything look professional and cleancut is a service to our members. CPG said typos needed the most attention, so I gave it to them.

I only named typos to help others and because it was pointed out.

[AdAstra]

Thanks, CadetProgramGuy, for doing this.

I spent an hour or more making some easy "fixes": https://docs1.google.com/document/d/1GkNjSuw3dDel7EAubbw44d2onJySGhpwLdn4Q9WH548/edit?hl=en&authkey=CI2u2psI#

Some time back, I began a somewhat similar task, putting resources for commanders on a CD. For instance, we have the ability to not just refer to CAPR 50-17, but to provide a link to it. I did so in the above.

But there have been a lot of changes since the guide was published in 1994: BOG, National Administrator (!?), CSM, to name just a couple., so it will take a more thorough going-over to update the guide.

Other thoughts about what can be added (not just updated)?

[DakRadz]

First Impressions

They leave a mark. The bold title of this post probably got your attention.

The only TYPO I would like to add is the very first bolded word in the Guide-

FOREWARD should be FOREWORD

[SARDOC]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1LJTmiFKEKa-1qWWmZmltxi3dw5wNMJGyTDi0LiEHs/edit#

Minor Typo changes nothing to the content

True. But I've seen the SMs here on CT who say the Typos are annoying, like a little gnat flying in your ear. (Check the Officer Basic Course thread for proof). Making everything look professional and cleancut is a service to our members. CPG said typos needed the most attention, so I gave it to them.

I only named typos to help others and because it was pointed out.

I understand completely...My statement should have been phrased more like "I've made some minor TYPO changes but that I have not made changes to content"  just because I haven't had the chance to read the entire document and verify statements.  In my edited version I did correct that "ForeWORD" as well.  Thanks

[DakRadz]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1LJTmiFKEKa-1qWWmZmltxi3dw5wNMJGyTDi0LiEHs/edit#

Minor Typo changes nothing to the content

True. But I've seen the SMs here on CT who say the Typos are annoying, like a little gnat flying in your ear. (Check the Officer Basic Course thread for proof). Making everything look professional and cleancut is a service to our members. CPG said typos needed the most attention, so I gave it to them.

I only named typos to help others and because it was pointed out.

I understand completely...My statement should have been phrased more like "I've made some minor TYPO changes but that I have not made changes to content"  just because I haven't had the chance to read the entire document and verify statements.  In my edited version I did correct that "ForeWORD" as well.  Thanks

Roger that sir. I forgot to mention (otherwise I would have seen it in yours)- you have your document restricted. This appears when I try to access it, and I have a gmail: "You need permission to access this item."

[SARDOC]

If you sent me a request accessing it I've authorized it.  I'm new to google docs so I haven't figured out how to make it public...working on it.  Thanks

[Tubacap]

Just a quick read prior to my morning coffee and only the first couple of pages, but do we use individual unit level accounts anymore since wing banker?  This would apply to the checklist for New Commander's #3.

[arajca]

A couple of quick issues on the "Checklist for New Squadron and Group Commanders"

3. Wing Banker Program - Remove any references to any accounts in the squadron's name.

4.  S-3 is gone. Replace with "Change over inventory".  Include Communications in this item. New reg is CAPR 174-1.

7. Appoint staff members in eServices - recommended practice. CAPF 2a is acceptable, but need to make sure it gets to the right people at ALL levels.

13. Recommended practice is to designate National Publications website as the unit's "official" reg set. Do the same for region and wing publications. A simple operating instruction will cover it.

Add: Review and approve/change/remove all squadron operating instructions.

I'll come up with rewrites on these items over the next two days. I have a squadron planning weekend to go to.

[Spaceman3750]

7. Appoint staff members in eServices - recommended practice. CAPF 2a is acceptable, but need to make sure it gets to the right people at ALL levels.

Is a 2a still important for the member's file so that they can prove what they did for PD purposes?

[Eclipse]

Is a 2a still important for the member's file so that they can prove what they did for PD purposes?

It depends on the office and the wing.

eServices show the in-service dates for the appointment, but some regs still require a hardcopy because of the acceptance
of responsibility for property, etc.

[CadetProgramGuy]

All,

Thanks for making changes and fixing the typos.  I have wrote about 15 more pages to the entire book, but in hindsight, i did not pull the Google Docs to keep the changes in the master doc.

Thanks for all the hard work!!

CPG

[arajca]

Something to consider for the Table of Contents is to take advantage of Word's reference functions. Use headings for major and minor section titles (Heading 1 for "Senior Staff Positions", Heading 2 for each position) then, instead of tediously typing each one and trying to get the spacing right, use Insert|Reference|Table of Contents and presto! the ToC is created with page numbers AND links to each major and minor section. The same function exists for Table of Figures and Table of Pictures, if needed.

[Eclipse]

^ How well does that translate to other formats and platforms?

[arajca]

When converted to pdf, the table remains, and the links can be active if set properly. Open Office, I don't know. I haven't used that in a few years, but I think it has the same functionality.

[4fhoward]

I found this while poking around the Air University

Commanding an Air Force Squadron in the Twenty-First Century:
A Practical Guide of Tips and Techniques for Today's Squadron Commander

http://aupress.au.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/Smith_Commanding.pdf

[AdAstra]

I also highly recommend AU-2: Guidelines for Command, which can be downloaded free at http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/AU-2.pdf, as well as Concepts for Air Force Leadership, which can be ordered free from AU Press (still not available for download, as far as I can find out).

However, AU-2 Concepts for Air Force Leadership, and Commanding an Air Force Squadron address Air Force leadership, not CAP leadership. Lots of good thoughts and insights, but CAP has some unique differences. And articles on leadership by CAP leaders are few and far between.

FWIW, as director of Unit Commanders Courses for the last few years, I've tried to frame the content around assuming command, the priorities and important steps that a new commander should address.

Trying to find time to get back to helping with the re-write of the CO Guide....

[CadetProgramGuy]

All,

Well its been a week, and bad for me, I have not made any headway on this project.  I have had finals this week, then my paramedic test is in another week or so.

Thanks for all that assisted so far!!

[SARDOC]

All,

Well its been a week, and bad for me, I have not made any headway on this project.  I have had finals this week, then my paramedic test is in another week or so.

Thanks for all that assisted so far!!

That's okay...it'll still be there in two weeks.  Focus on your Paramedic exam...NREMT-P exam is a #&$(%...I say that but it's been about 17 years since I've taken it.

Just remember when in doubt...start your assessment from the beginning and focus on your priorities.

[Slim]

All,

Well its been a week, and bad for me, I have not made any headway on this project.  I have had finals this week, then my paramedic test is in another week or so.

Thanks for all that assisted so far!!

That's okay...it'll still be there in two weeks.  Focus on your Paramedic exam...NREMT-P exam is a #&$(%...I say that but it's been about 17 years since I've taken it.

Just remember when in doubt...start your assessment from the beginning and focus on your priorities.

And don't forget those BLS skills, either.  Most people flub the registry because they jump right into the advanced stuff.

[fyrfitrmedic]

All,

Well its been a week, and bad for me, I have not made any headway on this project.  I have had finals this week, then my paramedic test is in another week or so.

Thanks for all that assisted so far!!

That's okay...it'll still be there in two weeks.  Focus on your Paramedic exam...NREMT-P exam is a #&$(%...I say that but it's been about 17 years since I've taken it.

Just remember when in doubt...start your assessment from the beginning and focus on your priorities.

And don't forget those BLS skills, either.  Most people flub the registry because they jump right into the advanced stuff.

The skill sheets are your friends, speaking as both an evaluator and an instructor - particularly with the BLS skills. The "random BLS skill" station seems to be the killer for many in this part of the world, especially when the KED is involved.

[CadetProgramGuy]

Well, So Sorry folks, but the re-write is still in the same spot it was in December.  Haven't lost the interest, just lost most of my free time.

I passed my Paramedic and an running like a paramedic does.  I work 50+ hours a week then go home to my family.  I have even dropped my CAP membership cause I don't have the time to make it worthwhile.

However (comma) I will get back to it, then post for editing comments.

Semper Vigilans!!

CPG - James

[Capt Rivera]

Dropped your membership? What about patron status, etc?

[CadetProgramGuy]

I have several reasons for dropping the membership, all of which are personal in nature.  Patron status maybe in the future, but I no longer have the time or effort in pursuing more than what I already have.  Being highly involved in Masons at this time and possibly getting a Boy Scout Venture crew in the lodge, I have my hands full.

Thanks for caring though, I will always be a lurker in the threads.


CPG