Members ID Cards Problems

[RADIOMAN015]

My source tells me there's a problem with the contractor that is suppose to be spitting out those plastic cards to the members.  Some members have been waiting close to a month with no receipt yet even of the temporary plastic card.

One source says that the National paid staff is recommending that the picture ID card be procured because it's done "in house" and will get done faster.

Got to wonder now what went wrong with such a simple process

RM   

[Persona non grata]

Ordered my new one last week and arrived today, no problem here.   And yes I was wearing the AIR FORCE style uniform when the picture was taken .

[Capt Ford]

I know I got a new one in the mail about 2 weeks after I got the temporary one. From what they told me in the letter was that the printing process the company was using was wrong and that the wording on the cards would fade away after a couple of weeks from the wear it would get going in and out of wallets. So paying 4 extra dollars to get the nicer picture ID is worth it in my opinion.

[Eclipse]

One week from order to door, arriving yesterday.

[capmaj]

At the same time though, I have yet to see a CAP  photo ID card that didn't have a problem with wear on the picture surface after a couple of months of use.

[Eclipse]

At the same time though, I have yet to see a CAP  photo ID card that didn't have a problem with wear on the picture surface after a couple of months of use.

Which is the case for any ID-style card(s) left in a wallet and subjected to constant friction, heat, and abuse.  I always order two - one for my "wallet" (actually a Slim Clip), and one for my ES arm band.   The wallet one looks as worn as expected from 3 years of constant use and abuse (as does my driver's license), the ES one, under plastic and rarely actually touched by human hands, looks brand new

CAP can't cold start a warp core in less than 30 minutes, nor change other laws of physics.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Was I supposed to get an ID card saying I'm a SM? Just realized all I have by way of CAP is my C/Capt Picture ID.

[Eclipse]

Was I supposed to get an ID card saying I'm a SM? Just realized all I have by way of CAP is my C/Capt Picture ID.

You should be a new one that says "SM" - you might actually have to request it.

[DBlair]

Was I supposed to get an ID card saying I'm a SM? Just realized all I have by way of CAP is my C/Capt Picture ID.

You should be a new one that says "SM" - you might actually have to request it.

As SMs, don't we also get new cards when we promote? Seems like they may have forgotten about mine.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Was I supposed to get an ID card saying I'm a SM? Just realized all I have by way of CAP is my C/Capt Picture ID.

You should be a new one that says "SM" - you might actually have to request it.

I figured they send it with some sort of confirmation of the transfer in status...none so far.

[JeffDG]

Was I supposed to get an ID card saying I'm a SM? Just realized all I have by way of CAP is my C/Capt Picture ID.

You should be a new one that says "SM" - you might actually have to request it.

As SMs, don't we also get new cards when we promote? Seems like they may have forgotten about mine.

You're supposed to, but only when changing category...from Cadet to Senior, but not when just changing grade, like Capt.->Major

[vmstan]

Shortly after my 2d Lt showed up in eServices, I requested a new Photo ID card. I received the photo ID within 10 days, I still have yet to receive my CAP library card with updated rank, or do they even send one? This was over a month ago.

Either way, I don't need it. I don't use the library card for anything, other than as a name plate inside my notebook.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Shortly after my 2d Lt showed up in eServices, I requested a new Photo ID card. I received the photo ID within 10 days, I still have yet to receive my CAP library card with updated rank, or do they even send one? This was over a month ago.

Either way, I don't need it. I don't use the library card for anything, other than as a name plate inside my notebook.

I didn't get mine either when I renewed membership. Seems that if you get B, they don't send A.

[vento]

Was I supposed to get an ID card saying I'm a SM? Just realized all I have by way of CAP is my C/Capt Picture ID.

You should be a new one that says "SM" - you might actually have to request it.

As SMs, don't we also get new cards when we promote? Seems like they may have forgotten about mine.

You're supposed to, but only when changing category...from Cadet to Senior, but not when just changing grade, like Capt.->Major

Hmmm, as a Senior Member, I got a new library card everytime I got promoted...

[jimmydeanno]

^until recently, when they decided that to save money, they weren't going to do it anymore.

I recently transferred units, didn't automatically get a new one.  Promotions?  Not automatically anymore.  I won't get another automatic one, with the current, correct information until I renew my membership in three years.

[SarDragon]

When I was at the NB, I got a new pic done, and I got the impression that there would be one or the other - pic ID or membership card.

[spacecommand]

I think there was the proposal to get rid of the library card one and move over to a Photo ID membership card, minus your unit information on it.  Cadets and other non active Senior members will get a card with the CAP logo on it instead of a photo.  Transfers, promotions etc would not automatically get you a new card (you have to request for it)  , however change in status will get you a new card (eg cadet to senior).

I don't have all the exact details though.

[MSG Mac]

 There was a proposal in the May 2010 NEC agenda that stated that one would only get 1 membership card a year due to the cost of producing and mailing them. WE have about 60,000 members and National was sending out about 80,000 a year due to lost cards, transfers, promotions, etc. The agenda stated that they would send out a new card if you paid $3 or $4 for the replacement. There is also  an option of printing out your free card in E-Services.

[Patterson]

^printing out a paper "temporary card" is worthless when you try to get in anywhere that an actual person has physical control over...i.e. an Air Force Base

How about a new card when you promote and if you change units or categories.  Make those that loose them pay.  Don't make me pay because I get promoted.  That is like "good work your now a Major, give us $4.00".

Has anyone noticed that it is taking a little bit longer to get the new Cadet and Senior Member Binders now?!?!

[Pylon]

How about a new card when you promote and if you change units or categories.  Make those that loose them pay.  Don't make me pay because I get promoted.  That is like "good work your now a Major, give us $4.00".

1.  That's how promotions already work.  If you put in for a promotion and get it, expect to pay to change insignia, etc.   I paid about $90 in insignia for my last promotion once I figured in everything from mess dress and blues to flight suits and BDUs.  Don't want to pay more than you have to, that's cool, you can still volunteer without getting promoted in CAP.


2.  I don't see a regulation that requires you to carry a membership card with your current grade on it.  If you get promoted to Major and your membership card says Captain, it still identifies you properly as a dues-paying member through the expiration date on the card.  That's the purpose of the card in the first place: to verify membership status, not as a check on an individuals' grade or unit affiliation (some grades aren't even denoted on cards including all CAP NCOs, Cadets, and Flight Officers).


3.  Reducing the amount of cards sent out frees up our limited dues money for other NHQ resources.  I'd rather have $4 go towards the cadet programs directorate or something useful than another membership card for me (when the one I have will do just fine).

[Майор Хаткевич]

^printing out a paper "temporary card" is worthless when you try to get in anywhere that an actual person has physical control over...i.e. an Air Force Base

How about a new card when you promote and if you change units or categories.  Make those that loose them pay.  Don't make me pay because I get promoted.  That is like "good work your now a Major, give us $4.00".

Has anyone noticed that it is taking a little bit longer to get the new Cadet and Senior Member Binders now?!?!

The cards aren't free...go to picture only (past initial card) and charge the $4 bucks. Cadets only need one, and SMs don't promote that often.

[Capt Ford]

^printing out a paper "temporary card" is worthless when you try to get in anywhere that an actual person has physical control over...i.e. an Air Force Base

How about a new card when you promote and if you change units or categories.  Make those that loose them pay.  Don't make me pay because I get promoted.  That is like "good work your now a Major, give us $4.00".

Has anyone noticed that it is taking a little bit longer to get the new Cadet and Senior Member Binders now?!?!

Now that you mentioned it, yea, when I joined in '07 it took around a week and a half to get my binder, and now I've noticed that new cadets in my squadron are getting theirs about a month after they've joined.

[NC Hokie]

2.  I don't see a regulation that requires you to carry a membership card with your current grade on it.  If you get promoted to Major and your membership card says Captain, it still identifies you properly as a dues-paying member through the expiration date on the card.  That's the purpose of the card in the first place: to verify membership status, not as a check on an individuals' grade or unit affiliation (some grades aren't even denoted on cards including all CAP NCOs, Cadets, and Flight Officers).

There's a simple solution to the membership card problems caused by promotion; just remove the member's grade from them.

[RADIOMAN015]

Got to wonder now what went wrong with such a simple process

RM   

Just an update, the new member hit the 1 month mark without even a temporary plastic ID card issued to him.   He even talked to National Hdqs about the access issue to the military base the unit meets on, and the importance of the "plastic" card.

Surely a new motivated member would be very impressed with the responsiveness of CAP, wouldn't they
RM

[PHall]

Got to wonder now what went wrong with such a simple process

RM   

Just an update, the new member hit the 1 month mark without even a temporary plastic ID card issued to him.   He even talked to National Hdqs about the access issue to the military base the unit meets on, and the importance of the "plastic" card.

Surely a new motivated member would be very impressed with the responsiveness of CAP, wouldn't they
RM

Does he even show up on e-services? I'm willing to say he/she doesn't because their membership app got lost somewhere.

[RADIOMAN015]

Got to wonder now what went wrong with such a simple process

RM   

Just an update, the new member hit the 1 month mark without even a temporary plastic ID card issued to him.   He even talked to National Hdqs about the access issue to the military base the unit meets on, and the importance of the "plastic" card.

Surely a new motivated member would be very impressed with the responsiveness of CAP, wouldn't they
RM

Does he even show up on e-services? I'm willing to say he/she doesn't because their membership app got lost somewhere.

Yes he shows up in E services with an ID card#, but still a "P" status.
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough to the "protectors of the establishment" looking for excuses for the poor performance of National Headquarters
RM

[ßτε]

I believe I read that as part of a cost saving measure, Membership cards aren't being sent until the FBI screening is complete. That way they aren't sending two cards for a new member.
If the status is "P" that means that the FBI screening is pending. This is most likely due to an incomplete or smudged fingerprint card.

[Pylon]

Yes he shows up in E services with an ID card#, but still a "P" status.
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough to the "protectors of the establishment" looking for excuses for the poor performance of National Headquarters
RM

You know, not everything is a conspiracy theory.   


And frankly, I like the policy of not issuing any membership card until the FBI screening is complete.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Yes he shows up in E services with an ID card#, but still a "P" status.
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough to the "protectors of the establishment" looking for excuses for the poor performance of National Headquarters
RM

You know, not everything is a conspiracy theory.   


And frankly, I like the policy of not issuing any membership card until the FBI screening is complete.

True, but I send in my paperwork on August 3rd *or so*, and showed upas a SM transfer on the 20th of August. It's been a month, and no newcards for me!

[RADIOMAN015]

I believe I read that as part of a cost saving measure, Membership cards aren't being sent until the FBI screening is complete. That way they aren't sending two cards for a new member.
If the status is "P" that means that the FBI screening is pending. This is most likely due to an incomplete or smudged fingerprint card.

CAP does not send finger print cards anywhere.  They are scan at National HQ, and they know relatively quickly if it's an issue with the quality of the prints.

Likely the unit commander is just going to have to get involved.

As far as policy on plastic temporary ID cards, he was never told that NO card is issued until the FBI screening check is completed.  Surely I would think that National Headquarters has a processing standard that they have to meet and that is monitored by someone there. The new member really is motivated about CAP, we don't need to de motivate him, do we   ).
RM

[PHall]

Can't you get him a temporary ID card off of e-services?

[Pylon]

As far as policy on plastic temporary ID cards, he was never told that NO card is issued until the FBI screening check is completed.  Surely I would think that National Headquarters has a processing standard that they have to meet and that is monitored by someone there. The new member really is motivated about CAP, we don't need to de motivate him, do we ).
RM

There are plenty of organizations that don't allow people to become members, employees, or participate until their background checks are complete.  I think CAP does a pretty good job of bridging that gap with a policy of allowing supervised participation for processed members who are pending an "all clear" return from their FBI screening.


Regardless of how motivated a person might be, I think it's prudent to restrict their participation until we get a completed screening.


It's your challenge at the unit to keep motivated interested recruits engaged through the very-necessary membership process.  There are plenty of things to keep our newest volunteers engaged with that don't require base access and participating in unit activities: a thorough study and completion of the Foundations module, CPPT, and OPSEC is one thing recruits can spend time doing.  Learning more about CAP, the unit, and specialty tracks they have interest with is another. 


Any reasonable person will understand there is a waiting period associated with joining any organization of this sort, and any truly motivated and excited individual won't be dissuaded by a few weeks of waiting.  If they are, then they were probably going to quit on you soon enough anyways.

[MSG Mac]

Can't you get him a temporary ID card off of e-services?

Yes

[arBar]

My membership card took over 3 weeks to get, and my membership packet a little longer.  I wish thngs would have been quicker, but can accept it.  My frustration had more to do with my eagerness to get started.  I do agree with Pylon above though.

In my case, I contacted them after 1.5 weeks, and got an email back with my ID#, which I used to set up my eservices acct and finish level 1, all before I got my official welcome kit.  It just seemed slow to me, and maybe the backwards way of doing it.

Because I got on the ball, I was able to finish Level 1 and attend SLS within a month of joining.  If I had waited until getting the welcome kit I may not have made the SLS and it would have probably delayed my PD.

 

[MSG Mac]

Your Commander or Personnel Officer should be checking their Squadron roster on a regular basis and when a new member pops up, notify them of their CAP ID number and how to log into E-services, download a temporary ID card, and begin the Level I training.

[AirDX]

Your Commander or Personnel Officer should be checking their Squadron roster on a regular basis and when a new member pops up, notify them of their CAP ID number and how to log into E-services, download a temporary ID card, and begin the Level I training.

Amen, brother.  I added PDO to my hats about a month ago, that's exactly what I've done, checked e-Services every afternoon.  As soon as their CAP ID# appears, I shoot them an e-mail with instructions for establishing an e-Services account, and links to the Level I materials.  Keep 'em moving, let 'em know we want 'em in the squadron.

[NC Hokie]

Amen, brother.  I added PDO to my hats about a month ago, that's exactly what I've done, checked e-Services every afternoon.  As soon as their CAP ID# appears, I shoot them an e-mail with instructions for establishing an e-Services account, and links to the Level I materials.  Keep 'em moving, let 'em know we want 'em in the squadron.

In the interest of not reinventing the wheel...can you post a copy of that email?

[EMT-83]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record...

You are doing your new members a great disservice by sending them an email link and wishing them the best of luck.

Take the time and print out everything a new member needs to get started, put into a binder and hand it to them. Include all the CPPT material, foundations and a copy of Great Start. List instructions on how to establish an eServices account and take OPSEC and EO on-line.

You can expect 100% compliance with Level 1 within the first 30 days of membership, and it sends the message to new members that they are required to put in some effort.

[peter rabbit]

In the interest of not reinventing the wheel...can you post a copy of that email?

If you send me a PM, I'll email you what we send our members, then followup to make sure they complete.

[MSG Mac]

I use Stonewall's New Member Guide which he put on the CAPTALK site, several months ago. Just have to update the information and modify to fit your unit's focus.

[AirDX]

You are doing your new members a great disservice by sending them an email link and wishing them the best of luck.

Take the time and print out everything a new member needs to get started, put into a binder and hand it to them. Include all the CPPT material, foundations and a copy of Great Start. List instructions on how to establish an eServices account and take OPSEC and EO on-line.

With all due respect....

You are wrong.  This is the year 2010.  We are supposed to be getting away from killing trees, not doing more of it.  The people we have coming in to my squadron are computer literate and do not need more paper to clutter their lives.  In the working world today, you are not handed a pile of paper to look at.  Things take place online, from timesheets to e-mail conversations to electronic files to computer-based training.  For better or for worse, and mostly it's better, that's where we are.  The world is mobile and we need to follow suit.  People are NOT impressed by being handed a ream of paper.

Next you are assuming this is all taking place in a vacuum.  I'm e-mailing folks that I've already spent a couple of hours talking to, about CAP, about what our squadron and Wing does, and about the process of becoming involved in the squadron, and exactly what and why I'm e-mailing it to them.  I have their e-mail addresses and phone numbers; they have mine if they have question or need other help.  I can follow their progress on e-Services; I'll be seeing them at the next meeting they attend.

What I'm doing is cutting the snail-mail wait time out of the loop.  The level of people I am getting and want to keep interested will not respond well to me and CAP sitting on our hands waiting for the mailman.   

[AirDX]

In the interest of not reinventing the wheel...can you post a copy of that email?

Not really... other than a couple of boiler plate paragraphs about Level one and some links, I write it individually.  These are people I've talked to and I address their interests.

If you write something personalized and from the heart, it will go a lot farther than a form letter.

[a2capt]

I too, tend to write that kind of stuff individually, nothing fits each situation exactly, and something that feels like a form letter .. sucks.  As well, aside from a paragraph or two that may be the same and I may go and retrieve a past message and by the time I'm done with it, it's been all replaced but it served as a template.

..and nothing wrong with email and links, individualized. National sends out a packet of stuff. They can print what we give at the unit level if they wish, or.. leave it stored in the clouds.

In my 'short' time in CAP, I have amassed so much paper.. that I was certain it really meant Compile A (lot of) Paper. Time to start eliminating that madness.

[EMT-83]

You are doing your new members a great disservice by sending them an email link and wishing them the best of luck.

Take the time and print out everything a new member needs to get started, put into a binder and hand it to them. Include all the CPPT material, foundations and a copy of Great Start. List instructions on how to establish an eServices account and take OPSEC and EO on-line.

With all due respect....

You are wrong.  This is the year 2010.  We are supposed to be getting away from killing trees, not doing more of it.  The people we have coming in to my squadron are computer literate and do not need more paper to clutter their lives.  In the working world today, you are not handed a pile of paper to look at.  Things take place online, from timesheets to e-mail conversations to electronic files to computer-based training.  For better or for worse, and mostly it's better, that's where we are.  The world is mobile and we need to follow suit.  People are NOT impressed by being handed a ream of paper.

Next you are assuming this is all taking place in a vacuum.  I'm e-mailing folks that I've already spent a couple of hours talking to, about CAP, about what our squadron and Wing does, and about the process of becoming involved in the squadron, and exactly what and why I'm e-mailing it to them.  I have their e-mail addresses and phone numbers; they have mine if they have question or need other help.  I can follow their progress on e-Services; I'll be seeing them at the next meeting they attend.

What I'm doing is cutting the snail-mail wait time out of the loop.  The level of people I am getting and want to keep interested will not respond well to me and CAP sitting on our hands waiting for the mailman.   

We might be talking apples and oranges here – I'm talking about completing Level 1 once membership is approved. The folks I talk to in training and at conferences (as well as comments posted here on CT) indicate it can be like pulling teeth to get people through Level 1. I've heard of it taking 3 to 6 months.

Except for OPSEC and EO, Level 1 is done with pencil and paper. Until NHQ changes the process, why not hand them the paper instead of pointing to a link and asking them to print the material? My experience shows that it consistently works.

[arBar]

Sounds like there's a fine line between being too hands off vs. too hands on with a new member.  In my case, even before joining, two of the senior leaders of our squadron strongly emphasized the need for personal drive/motivation as opposed to waiting around for someone to tell me what to do.  They spent alot of time with me answering questions and gave me materials to read, but referred me to the CAP website for further info. 

I feel pretty good about their approach, and appreciated the honesty.