What course would you make?

[RiverAux]

Lets say NHQ has been reading your posts here and has decided you're just the guy to design a new CAP-specific training course.  You're going to be given whatever you need in terms of money and manpower to put together the materials, develope powerpoints, make new training aids, and whatever you need. 

So, what sort of course would you design?  In other words, what training does CAP really need that we're not getting now?  I'm talking professional development, emergency services, aerospace, cadet-focused....whatever. 

[SarDragon]

That's easy - Instructor Training. See my earlier posts on the subject for a broader look at the subject.

[SDF_Specialist]

I would probably revamp the current Level 1 adding in OPSEC, and GES. This seems to be something that is always put off, then it's somehow the fault of the ESO.

[SarDragon]

OPSEC is a part of Level I. As for adding in GES, that should be optional at the unit level. I know members who have no interest in participating in ES, and would find GES training to be boring and a waste of their time.

[Hawk200]

I would have a few courses in mind, but I think the biggest thing would be Level 1 as well.

Go a little more in depth on it, covering customs and courteousies, a primer on D&C (nothing too in depth, probably a video demonstrating it), proper uniform wear, chain of command, short introductions to the various specialty tracks, something a little more in depth on CAP and Air Force history, expand on the missions.

Expand it to more than just a couple hours of video. Have some legitimate instruction on it. What we have now is nowhere near in depth enough for anyone.

All in all, I would like to see the kind of instruction that when our new folks meet military members, the military personnel consider us squared away, not "playing" Air Force.

As far as other courses, trash the CAP Officer course, and write a new one. It's woefully outdated. And potentially make it part of Level One. Make those 2LT bars worth earning.

[SarDragon]

Well, the olde Level I course used to be much of what you are asking for. It needed new videos, a little content revision in a real lesson guide, and instructors with some instructor skills.

I taught over a dozen classes over about six years, and managed to include customs and courtesies, a little D&C (primarily how to salute, stand at attention, parade rest, etc.), proper uniform wear and its importance, chain of command, short introductions to the various specialty tracks, and the missions.

Hey, Grump, tell 'em about our classes!

[JC004]

and feel free to actually develop these courses.   

We've got a whole bunch of people developing courses for the e-Learning site.

We can certainly use more.

[CAP_truth]

When I first entered the CAP senior program you were required to complete ECI 07c before you could be promoted to any office grade. That included former cadets turning senior.

[mikeylikey]

When I first entered the CAP senior program you were required to complete ECI 07c before you could be promoted to any office grade. That included former cadets turning senior.

What course is that?  I would rather ask here....then go digging for it, thanks!

[SarDragon]

ECI 7c is the predecessor to ECI (AFIADL) 13, the CAP Officer Course. The content was different, and was required to become a 2nd Lt.

[ZigZag911]

Re-tool the UCC to provide more pragmatic information and skills.

[flyerthom]

CAP basic History. Any organization that wants to last should acknowledge its past. Completion would grant a bronze prop to the membership ribbon. 

[Major Lord]

How about a Senior Member Officer Basic School? (Then we would not have to explain to cadets why senior members can't read rank insignia, march, or say "sir" . ) 10 days should just about do it, and people could be "fast-tracked" to Second Lieutenant for spending ten days of their own time on initial professional developments. We could then refer to CAP butterbars as "10 day wonders".

Major Lord

[Eagle400]

What course would I make?  Heh... that's easy...

AN OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR ALL WINGS!

One that would be the same for every wing.  CAP is desperate for something like this.  The new Level I just isin't cutting it.  CAP officers are learning stuff in SLC/CLC that they should have learned in Level I. 

I would pattern the CAP Officer Training School after the State Army National Guard OCS programs, but make them shorter (3 weeks instead of 14 months).   This would be a Wing activity, held in different areas of each state and sponsored by the squadrons in those areas.

I understand Iowa Wing already does something like this, though it's a little different than what I have in mind. In their training, ES is included. I would leave out the ES and focus solely on leadership and management. The goal being to get officers through the training as quickly as possible while giving them the tools they need to be effective. The way I see it, the Level I that exists now still needs to be beefed up.

One thing I would include in the training is emphasis on group and organizational behavior. Things like verbal and non-verbal communication, synergistic decision making, relationship awareness, group content & process & dynamics, problem solving, effective listening skills, and conflict management. There is an excellent text called A Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction by Stewart L. Tubbs that covers all these things in detail.

Group & Org could be incorporated into the training on the third weekend. Here's what I'm thinking...

Weekend 1 - Intro to Level I
History & Organization
Policies
Uniforms

Weekend 2 - Customs and Courtesies
Core Values
Leadership

Weekend 3 - Group and Organizational Behavior
CAP's Relationship with the USAF
Graduation - Appointment of 2d Lt's

CPPT and OPSEC would be prerequisites to Level I under my plan - Level I would not be taken by anyone who has not completed these two items.

There would also be no more open-book exams for the CAP Foundations Course - all would be taken in class, closed-book, with a passing score of 70% required to move to the next phase of training. The tests would be taken the week following the course instruction, with materials given to the trainee so he/she can study at home. The material/questions on the tests would remain the same.

My rationale for the tests is this: if cadets are required to take closed-book tests and pass with at least 70%, why shouldn't officers? Also, it's hard to tell who will solicit help from others and who won't when new members (who have barely been seen before) take the take-home exams. Under the current program, too much is being trusted in the hands of the trainee.

For Group and Organizational Behavior, as well as CAP's Relationship with the Air Force, there would be no tests. However, for Group & Org, there would be team building exercises that help the trainees improve their teamwork/decision making/leadership skills. Not every incoming CAP officer has military or corporate leadership experience, and this would help those who are in careers that either don't offer this or have the training but it hasn't been completed yet.

My goal is an in-depth training program where trainees not only learn about CAP and it's missions, how to wear a uniform, customs and courtesies, etc., but also get hands-on training on how to work with people.

[BillB]

Great idea to hold a series pf classes like National Guard OCS over three weekend. Except for one thing, National Guard gets paid to attend and gets free room and board. And in a Wing like Florida that stretches 700 miles from one end to the other, travel could be a problem in addition to the living expenses.
And how often would you hold these weekend classes? You have members joining in some areas almost weekly. Granted Level 1 teaches nothing of importance to a new senior member. It should be revised to cover the material you list in shortened form and let the Squadron training take over from there. I witnessed a Level one where each question were answered by by new members in turn. One member missed all but one question he was asked and he was already a Captain. (long time member and former Squadron CC) And yet he passed and was signed off.

[Eagle400]

Great idea to hold a series pf classes like National Guard OCS over three weekend. Except for one thing, National Guard gets paid to attend and gets free room and board. And in a Wing like Florida that stretches 700 miles from one end to the other, travel could be a problem in addition to the living expenses.

My plan would be for the OTS's to be wing activities but sponsored by each individual squadron so there wouldn't be any travel or room/board issues.  Another way to do it is to have each group sponsor an OTS, but I think it would work better having each individual squadron sponsor an OTS because some wings don't have groups.   

And how often would you hold these weekend classes? You have members joining in some areas almost weekly.

Once a month.

Granted Level 1 teaches nothing of importance to a new senior member. It should be revised to cover the material you list in shortened form and let the Squadron training take over from there.

Agreed.  Level I is not challenging enough, and one weekend is not enough time to train a potential officer.     

I witnessed a Level one where each question were answered by by new members in turn. One member missed all but one question he was asked and he was already a Captain. (long time member and former Squadron CC) And yet he passed and was signed off.

Doesn't surprise me.  The current system that is in place allows for that.  That's why I am so against open-book, take home tests for CAP officer trainees.

Of course, that won't solve the oversight problems in CAP, either.      

[jb512]

I don't think you could apply a good solution to this problem in a volunteer organization. 

You could base your instruction and raise your standards by making people apply, interview, TEST, and then place them accordingly based on skills, intelligence, and other applicable criteria.

You could let volunteers sign up for any level they want, from golf-shirted parents who just want to drive cadets to functions, all the way up to prior military, command oriented uniformed types, pilots who just want to be pilots, ES people who want to be ground pounders, ES people who want to command ES units...  any level, as long as they qualify.  Pick the best from those and offer them opportunities to be instructors in their field.

In return for having your members work harder, meet higher standards, and be more professional, I'd push for more monetary support during operations and training.  Have lodging and meals furnished during SAREXs as well as officer training courses.  Maybe start a uniform budget, but require a commitment.  Sound like a job yet?

You can't expect to gain a higher class of person without offering a higher standard of care and training.

Ok, so yeah.  We're still at the same spot and I don't have a solution for the current level we're at.

[ZigZag911]

Here's a thought....keep existing Level 1 & CPPT for all members.

Add "CAP Officer Basic Course" or OTS or something of that nature for anyone (duty performance, mission related, special appointment) wishing to earn officer grade.
It must be completed prior to initial officer appointment.

If you are content to remain in a squadron staff role, most likely as an assistant, fine....you do so as Senior Member Without Grade (until and unless we establish either an FO or NCO program open to all). Such individuals would also be ineligible for any and all command roles (including temporary ones, such as a bivouac weekend), deputy commander slots, and higher HQ staff service (this latter point might be re-considered at some future time)..

[SarDragon]

Agreed.  Level I is not challenging enough, and one weekend is not enough time to train a potential officer.

Why do we need to challenge the new folks right away. Let's give them some training on what we're all about and get them integrated so they have some idea what to expect. This isn't boot camp, nor do I think it needs to be.

Doesn't surprise me.  The current system that is in place allows for that.  That's why I am so against open-book, take home tests for CAP officer trainees.

Of course, that won't solve the oversight problems in CAP, either.      

The current system relies on two things - the integrity of the member (an adult), and the use of tests as a learning exercise, not as a pass/fail with consequences evolution. The tests are not even scored, just reviewed with the new member to fill in the holes in comprehension or understanding. Cheating accomplishes nothing, and has no real benefit for anyone.

I think your lack of BTDT is showing again.

[Grumpy]

Well, the old Level I course used to be much of what you are asking for. It needed new videos, a little content revision in a real lesson guide, and instructors with some instructor skills.

I taught over a dozen classes over about six years, and managed to include customs and courtesies, a little D&C (primarily how to salute, stand at attention, parade rest, etc.), proper uniform wear and its importance, chain of command, short introductions to the various specialty tracks, and the missions.

Hey, Grump, tell 'em about our classes!

He has a point.  We used 3 or 4 instructors and broke down the subject material between us we also included CPPT.
At one time it took two days but they had us cram it into a one day course.

After TP came on the scene NHQ reduced it to what we are doing today.  Give them all a lick and a promise and send them on their way.

It's funny, just before I saw this entry SARDRAGON I was going to email you and ask you what you thought of the new system.  I can answer it in 5 letters, S U C K S.