ACUT

[Daniel]

I have a few questions about ACUT. First, do you need to have your BCUT first or not? I would rather just skip the 'middle man.' Second probably a dumb question, do you have to buy your own radio? Do you need a radio to get an ACUT ROA? thanks Daniel

[JoeTomasone]

The ACUT training includes the BCUT training, so most (all?) Wings offer them together.   You do not need a radio to get your ACUT - in fact, an ACUT is required to be assigned a Corporate radio.    Some Wings require an ACUT and a radio to issue a callsign.

You can buy your own radio or have one assigned to you; however any of the newer equipment purchased by USAF is issued according to a mandated table that slots equipment to Ground Teams, ICs, and UDF teams first, others later.    So you may or may not be able to get one assigned to you depending on who you are and what equipment is available.   It sucks, but it is what it is.  If you decide to purchase a radio, check with your Wing/DC first to make sure that it meets the NTIA narrowband specs (since the NB transition is in process in most Wings).

[Daniel]

How long does it take to be assigned on? and can my SD administer the course?

[SJFedor]

How long does it take to be assigned on? and can my SD administer the course?

ACUT is not something that state directors administer.

Speak with your commander or comms officer, see if they can get you hooked up.

[Daniel]

Well, I was trying to make referance my squadron commander, the question was can my squadron commander adminster the test? Is that normally carried in any testing officers binder?

[SJFedor]

Well, I was trying to make referance my squadron commander, the question was can my squadron commander adminster the test? Is that normally carried in any testing officers binder?

That depends on how your state does BCUT and ACUT certification. When I was in PA, there were certain Wing level designated instructors that had to sign you off for it. Tennessee has it's own set of rules down here. You really need to start with your commander and go from there to find out what your state does.

But it's not JUST a written test, there's classroom stuff you need to go through as well. But if you wanna get a head start, start reading all the 100-series regs (comm regs)

[Daniel]

I know he has the test.. I've seen it, but that was at his house when I was getting my uniform. With the way things are, I am wayyyyyy further along then the other cadets, I was thinking that I could teach myself the course as I have with all the ES stuff (I took it online.)

[JoeTomasone]

Well, I was trying to make referance my squadron commander, the question was can my squadron commander adminster the test? Is that normally carried in any testing officers binder?

That depends on how your state does BCUT and ACUT certification. When I was in PA, there were certain Wing level designated instructors that had to sign you off for it.

The Wing designated instructors are per 100-1.   Must be approved by the Wing/DC.

[JoeTomasone]

I know he has the test.. I've seen it, but that was at his house when I was getting my uniform. With the way things are, I am wayyyyyy further along then the other cadets, I was thinking that I could teach myself the course as I have with all the ES stuff (I took it online.)

100-1 requires you to attend the course -- which doesn't mean that you can't read 100-1 and 100-3 beforehand....

[Daniel]

According to my research Mo wing has no 'course' but i did find a powerpoint with the course on the national site
powerpoint =/= course? 

[SJFedor]

^---- See? I'm absolutely braindead when it comes to comms stuff.

Joe will take care of ya from here on out. I'm gonna just shut up and color....

[Daniel]

Ok so reading the section of 100-1, apparently. ACUT or BCUT is a no go for me :/

[JoeTomasone]

Ok so reading the section of 100-1, apparently. ACUT or BCUT is a no go for me :/

How did you draw that conclusion?

[Daniel]

To be in Comms there has to be a course, for you to take a course there has to be one . Or was that question sarcastic, and to think this is what I REALLY wanted to do in CAP.

[JoeTomasone]

To be in Comms there has to be a course, for you to take a course there has to be one . Or was that question sarcastic, and to think this is what I REALLY wanted to do in CAP.

Before you conclude that it's futile, contact your unit Comms Officer and inquire about BCUT or ACUT training and ask when and where it's available.   The question might have to go up the chain to the Wing/DC, but there has to be training somewhere.   All but four ES qualifications require BCUT, so if no one is getting at least BCUT training, you've got a much larger problem in your Wing.

[Daniel]

We have no comms officer

[JoeTomasone]

We have no comms officer

Then your Commander, who can inquire for you.

[Daniel]

Why would someone have a test they couldn't administer?

[SJFedor]

Why would someone have a test they couldn't administer?

Daniel, it's not just a test. There's a lot of knowledge that goes into it, especially at the ACUT level. BCUT level is essentially knowing how to speak on a radio, turn them on/off, and change channels. ACUT is a lot more in depth, and gets into the equipment a lot more. It's not something you can just leap right into.

Things take time, especially in CAP. Patience is key.

[DBlair]

Daniel-

I realize you are eager, but don't give up on Comm just yet. You haven't been in the program very long and you'll notice over time that with some things (courses, etc) in CAP, they take time to be scheduled and held. Sometimes they might not be held for a few months, but they will indeed be held. It is just a matter of figuring out when/where and making sure to attend. It all comes with time. I too was very much into ES and Comm as a Cadet and so I realize that you are very eager to get involved, but try to relax and take things slowly. Your commander should be able to find out for you when there will be the next ACUT class- he'll probably just have to contact the Group Comm Officer or Wing Director of Communication. So, don't worry about it and I'm sure you'll get your ACUT soon enough.

Sidenote- congrats on being promoted to C/A1C!

[ThorntonOL]

For communications Daniel, there is two different sets of tests.
There is the test for your Specialty Track which does require you to have BCUT then ACUT, then there is the set of tests which are for the use of the radios which are in order BCUT, and ACUT.

[Daniel]

I'm not a senior, I dont have a speciality track. I'm talking the use tests.

[DBlair]

I'm not a senior, I dont have a speciality track. I'm talking the use tests.

As a Cadet, if you wanted to go for the Comm Badge later on, you would have to take those Senior Member specialty track tests.

[JoeTomasone]

And let me throw this out there -- unless you know that you're going to be assigned a radio, there's pretty much zero need for you to get the ACUT over the BCUT.   Not to discourage you -- by all means, get the ACUT if you want -- but it will afford you pretty much zero benefit as a cadet over a BCUT.   YMMV, but probably doesn't. 

As a FLWG BCUT/ACUT instructor, I teach many more BCUTs than ACUTs simply because relatively few people require an ACUT to perform their duties.

[davidsinn]

And let me throw this out there -- unless you know that you're going to be assigned a radio, there's pretty much zero need for you to get the ACUT over the BCUT.   

That depends on the wing. Here in INWG everybody that has taken ACUT get's a tactical call sign whether they have a radio or not. It's motivating for a cadet to be assigned a Redfire call sign.

[SarDragon]

That's not practical in a large wing like CA or FL. We'd quickly run out of call signs.

[BrandonKea]

That's not practical in a large wing like CA or FL. We'd quickly run out of call signs.

Do callsigns ever get recycled?

[JoeTomasone]

That's not practical in a large wing like CA or FL. We'd quickly run out of call signs.

Do callsigns ever get recycled?

In FL they do, when someone quits, etc.

[SarDragon]

That's not practical in a large wing like CA or FL. We'd quickly run out of call signs.

Do callsigns ever get recycled?

Usually, unless retired. Since there are only 900 general call signs available (in our particular structure), giving one to everyone who passes ACUT would exhaust the supply far too soon.

[davidsinn]

That's not practical in a large wing like CA or FL. We'd quickly run out of call signs.

Do callsigns ever get recycled?

Usually, unless retired. Since there are only 900 general call signs available (in our particular structure), giving one to everyone who passes ACUT would exhaust the supply far too soon.

I take it your call signs are 3 digit? That's kind of odd since it's such a large wing. We have 4 digit call signs here allowing for 10,000 before we have to recycle. The only time you have to state all 4 numbers is if that call sign has 4 numbers. Mine's RF162. I'd say it as one, sixty-two. My unit's call sign is RF5227(Fifty-two, twenty-seven)

[JoeTomasone]

Mine's RF162. I'd say it as one, sixty-two. My unit's call sign is RF5227(Fifty-two, twenty-seven)

Ahh, negative, Ghost Rider...   Only CAPFLIGHT callsigns may have their numerals grouped as per CAPR 100-3.   Your callsign is (whatever RF stands for) one-six-two and your unit's is (RF) five-two-two-seven.


(sections 1-8 and 2-3 if you're so inclined....)


- Joe

[BrandonKea]

Mine's RF162. I'd say it as one, sixty-two. My unit's call sign is RF5227(Fifty-two, twenty-seven)

Ahh, negative, Ghost Rider...   Only CAPFLIGHT callsigns may have their numerals grouped as per CAPR 100-3.   Your callsign is (whatever RF stands for) one-six-two and your unit's is (RF) five-two-two-seven.


(sections 1-8 and 2-3 if you're so inclined....)


- Joe

RF for Indiana is either Red Fox or Red Fire, I can't remember which...

[davidsinn]

Mine's RF162. I'd say it as one, sixty-two. My unit's call sign is RF5227(Fifty-two, twenty-seven)

Ahh, negative, Ghost Rider...   Only CAPFLIGHT callsigns may have their numerals grouped as per CAPR 100-3.   Your callsign is (whatever RF stands for) one-six-two and your unit's is (RF) five-two-two-seven.


(sections 1-8 and 2-3 if you're so inclined....)


- Joe

RF for Indiana is either Red Fox or Red Fire, I can't remember which...

Red Fire. The grouping is new to me. I took BCUT and ACUT with the wing DC and ASSUMED that what I was thought was gospel. Live and learn I guess.

[CAP_truth]

Illinois Wing uses RED FOX call signs

[caprr275]

Michigan Wing is Red Robin

as an ACUT/BCUT instructor I would say read the 100-1, look at the powerpoints and if your unit does not have a comm officer use your chain of command to get in contact with the group comm officer.

the ACUT test is open book and any testing officer can give the test but only approved members can teach the ACUT/BCUT class

keep working you will be a cadet sgt in no time