Proposed Communications Training Curriculum

[CAP.is.1337]

I've glanced through the proposed training, and I think I like what I see. I'll have to read more in order to comment on it any more than that.

What are your thoughts regarding it?

[SarDragon]

So far, so good. There will be some changes down the line, according to my sources.

Now CAP needs to get on the ball to train instructors for this, and all our other, training program.

[SDF_Specialist]

I personally am looking forward to every bit of it. I'm not saying anything more. 

[IceNine]

I'm just scared that we're going to go into this like all of the other programs that have been re-vamped.  And in 2 years the requirements will be dummed down to a first grade level, and become meaningless.  TTT->Set

OR even worse start requiring these courses for advancement in the comm program but never offer them.

Just like UCC, and TLC

[lordmonar]

If anything...this will be a smartening up of the Comm Training.

Right now the A-CUT/B-CUT classes are full of stuff most comm users do not need and do not contain enough practical training on how to use the radios.

The new plan will allow you to tailor your training to your specific needs...as needed.

Also with 95% of the training being delivered via the internet we save a lot of wasted time sitting in a class room getting coached on pro words and phonetic alphabet and other things we can read in our leasure time (what ever that is  ).

[Eclipse]

If anything...this will be a smartening up of the Comm Training.

Right now the A-CUT/B-CUT classes are full of stuff most comm users do not need and do not contain enough practical training on how to use the radios.

Exactly - radios are for one thing, ES support. Any other use of them is convenient happenstance, not by design. (i.e the USAF does not spend money for radios destined only to be used at encampments, air shows, and net check ins).

ES people need simple instructions, big knobs, and no background noise (both figurative and literal). 

Yes we need qualified CUL-types to install and maintain the repeater infrastucture, program and certify radios, and related tasks, but the average member has no interest in or need for the majority of the information in the current training.

The days of CAP being a nationwide information net are over, we need to accept that and move on.

[JayT]

If anything...this will be a smartening up of the Comm Training.

Right now the A-CUT/B-CUT classes are full of stuff most comm users do not need and do not contain enough practical training on how to use the radios.

Exactly - radios are for one thing, ES support. Any other use of them is convenient happenstance, not by design. (i.e the USAF does not spend money for radios destined only to be used at encampments, air shows, and net check ins).

ES people need simple instructions, big knobs, and no background noise (both figurative and literal). 

Yes we need qualified CUL-types to install and maintain the repeater infrastucture, program and certify radios, and related tasks, but the average member has no interest in or need for the majority of the information in the current training.

The days of CAP being a nationwide information net are over, we need to accept that and move on.

It might just be the fact I watched "Testament," "The Day After," and "Threads" a few to many times when I was at an impressionable age, but I don't think we should totally give that up.

[ZigZag911]

I've been involved since cadet days in the early 70s, and this is the first comm curriculum that is broadly based and addresses more than "user training".

It's a step in the right direction -- here's hoping it works out well!

[wuzafuzz]

At the risk of sounding clueless, and for the benefit of others who might be wondering, is there a link to this proposed training?  Or is it intended for a limited audience at this point?  (I don't know the secret handshake...)  ;-)

[arajca]

They're on the NTC website under Communications Publications and Downloads. I don't have the link to the NTC handy now.

[wuzafuzz]

They're on the NTC website under Communications Publications and Downloads. I don't have the link to the NTC handy now.

Thanks for the info!  Here is the link to NTC:  https://ntc.cap.af.mil/login.htm

[Tubacap]

This looks like a great proposal.  This has been a huge sticking point for me, and I hope that it is implemented with great haste, but with much care to ensure quality training.

[IceNine]

-Bump-

Here we are 8+ months after the proposal, and this thing has gone dark.  At least to the casual observer, and unplugged non DC types.

What is the status of the CAP Comm Program Miracle Drug? 

[tribalelder]

I don't know the status, but think it is a great idea.

In the olden days (I got my Radio Operator Profiency Card in 1967), a lot of information went by formal messages from NHQ to the field by radio.  There were nets on the converted CB set channel (FOUO). We're going to go back there.

But, if we are going to stay in the ES business, we require the infrastructure independence that a decent radio network can supply.  HF/ALE can give us reliable, infrastructure independent nets, provided the equipment is distributed on the correct basis.  That correct basis does NOT include one for me. 

Corporate equipment has, in some wings, been distributed as if it is a 'perk' .

The longstanding training program, ACUT/BCUT, doesn't deal with installation, antenna tuning and fabrication or many of the other comm station tasks.  The multiple module approach - training technicians of sorts, as well as operators -- is more consistent with the national standards approach we've already taken in ES - the green, yellow and pink books. 

The internal political question is "Should this be Comm's or E/S's curriculum?" There are arguments for both.

Like the Signal Corps, should mission Comm be responsible for your mission base IT ? 

Should we have mission comm forward E/S specialties- Comm guys who pack 72 hour gear along with their masts kits ?

For the last several years, Illinois Wing has been conducting a one week comm training program concurrent with the Cadet Summer Encampment; the Encampment needs comm support; the trainee operators need mike time.  The students have studied HF propagation and seen it work, been 'hands on' with an antenna analyzer, erected field masts, grounded towers and equipment, installed coax connectors, used WMU, learned the controls on common corporate radios, run contact schedule HF exercises, and studied for and passed Ham exams, all besides the ACUT.  Looking at the proposed curriculum, Illinois is already covering a lot of the technical (vs comm officer management) topics. 

And I'm sure some other wings are doing something similar.

[arajca]

The status is...delayed.

The implementation plan was approved in May at the NEC meeting, per the NB direction.

Initially, National had planned to use Flash and other similar technologies, only to find the financial aspect put them out of reach. They reset and are planning to use Blackboard, courtesy USAF, for the new training. However, developing the materials for that has a learning curve.

Then, in late July, National decided to move ahead with the transition to NB. Since many of the folks working on the new training program are also intimately invloved with the transition, the training program got delayed again.

Realistically, don't expect to see the new materials up until March/April 2009. My opinion only. There is no current official release date, just "As soon as we can".

[Ricochet13]

The days of CAP being a nationwide information net are over, we need to accept that and move on.

Had to smile at this.      Kept thinking of those in positions of authority in the USAF during the Cold War who thought new fighters like the F-4 didn't need a gun!     Always have to consider the "worst case" scenario.  May be that 1 in a 1000 event which will require a nationwide information net.  You never know.

You're probably correct though regarding involvement with non-CAP agencies and organizations.  HAMs participating in ARES, RACES, MARS and SHARES, etc. will be the first to be involved.  I've heard several County ES managers say that HAMs are the "go to people" in case of communications failure.

CAPR 100-1 12 MAY 2008
CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1. Mission. The mission of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Communications Program is to organize and maintain a reliable, nationwide, point-to-point, air-to-ground, and ground mobile radio capability in support of the missions of CAP.
a. Emergency Services. Emergency Services is the primary user of the CAP Communications System. Most support provided is tactical in nature requiring the highest degree of flexibility.
b. Cadet Programs. Not only a prime training ground for tomorrow's leaders, but also a contributor of today's mission ready assets. Support provided to this function is both tactical and administrative in nature.
c. Aerospace Education (AE). While not as heavy a user of the CAP Communications System, AE is no less important. As one of our congressionally-chartered missions, it plays an important part in the overall mission of CAP. Support to this function is primarily administrative in nature.

1-2. Purpose. The primary purpose of CAP communications is to provide commanders with the means for controlling units and activities. In addition, it provides commanders at each echelon the ability to communicate with superior and subordinate commanders.

CAP Communications exists for supporting the commanders and the missions assigned, although I note that primary purpose, not only purpose is used in the reg.   Oh, and it does say nationwide too.   

With regards to the proposed new training program, think it will bring a needed revision to better address specific needs of "users" in specific mission situations, while allowing "technicians" to be better informed in the area of mission support requirements.

[JoeTomasone]

The days of CAP being a nationwide information net are over, we need to accept that and move on.

You're probably correct though regarding involvement with non-CAP agencies and organizations.  HAMs participating in ARES, RACES, MARS and SHARES, etc. will be the first to be involved.  I've heard several County ES managers say that HAMs are the "go to people" in case of communications failure.

And quite frankly, that's the way it should be.   Hams were, are, and will be more expert as a group in establishing communications under stressed conditions.     In a just world, we would be a served agency for hams like the Red Cross, EOC, and other agencies are and would let them help us communicate.

[Ricochet13]

The days of CAP being a nationwide information net are over, we need to accept that and move on.

You're probably correct though regarding involvement with non-CAP agencies and organizations.  HAMs participating in ARES, RACES, MARS and SHARES, etc. will be the first to be involved.  I've heard several County ES managers say that HAMs are the "go to people" in case of communications failure.

And quite frankly, that's the way it should be.   Hams were, are, and will be more expert as a group in establishing communications under stressed conditions.     In a just world, we would be a served agency for hams like the Red Cross, EOC, and other agencies are and would let them help us communicate.

I agree.  A lot of good people dedicate their time to supporting those activities.  :clap:

[Eclipse]

The days of CAP being a nationwide information net are over, we need to accept that and move on.

You're probably correct though regarding involvement with non-CAP agencies and organizations.  HAMs participating in ARES, RACES, MARS and SHARES, etc. will be the first to be involved.  I've heard several County ES managers say that HAMs are the "go to people" in case of communications failure.

And quite frankly, that's the way it should be.   Hams were, are, and will be more expert as a group in establishing communications under stressed conditions.     In a just world, we would be a served agency for hams like the Red Cross, EOC, and other agencies are and would let them help us communicate.

I assume you mean service agency, and if you do, we do that all the time as one of our missions.

[arajca]

The days of CAP being a nationwide information net are over, we need to accept that and move on.

You're probably correct though regarding involvement with non-CAP agencies and organizations.  HAMs participating in ARES, RACES, MARS and SHARES, etc. will be the first to be involved.  I've heard several County ES managers say that HAMs are the "go to people" in case of communications failure.

And quite frankly, that's the way it should be.   Hams were, are, and will be more expert as a group in establishing communications under stressed conditions.     In a just world, we would be a served agency for hams like the Red Cross, EOC, and other agencies are and would let them help us communicate.

So, in your 'just' world, we would not have CAP communications because the hams would do it for us?

It's kind of interesting, because, IIRC, ham EMCOMM used CAP as a model when it began.