Achievement Ribbon?

[biomed441]

Pardon me if this question is outdated. I've been out of the program for 7 years and am not just getting involved again. I was browsing (insert hate here)guard and noticed this new, well new to me achievement ribbon. Just wonder what the criteria for that is? Havn't been able to find any info on it.

[Pylon]

Pardon me if this question is outdated. I've been out of the program for 7 years and am not just getting involved again. I was browsing (insert hate here)guard and noticed this new, well new to me achievement ribbon. Just wonder what the criteria for that is? Havn't been able to find any info on it.

Group Commander is the approving authority.  His or her discretion on awarding it; no hard criteria.  Similar to the Commander's Commendation but approved at the echelon below.  Falls directly below the CommComm in the order of precedence as well. 

[James Shaw]

Criteria is supposed to be less than a " Commanders Commendation" but more than a "Certificate of Appreciation". I would say for like a single event or something of that sort. SLS,CLC Director, UCC Director, Large recruitement drive or maybe something that helps the squadrons. When one of my regional historians takes their private collection to a Wing or Reg conf.

Approved at group level.

[biomed441]

Ah I see. Not sure if thats a necessary award, but I guess if the group was feeling left out as an award giving body, then that should make them happy I guess. More for the fruit salad eaters.

[Pylon]

Ah I see. Not sure if thats a necessary award, but I guess if the group was feeling left out as an award giving body, then that should make them happy I guess. More for the fruit salad eaters.

The USAF has a theoretically commensurate award, the Achievement Medal.

[jimmydeanno]

I would say for like a single event or something of that sort. SLS,CLC Director, UCC Director, Large recruitement drive or maybe something that helps the squadrons. When one of my regional historians takes their private collection to a Wing or Reg conf.

Well gosh, In all honesty I would hope that it would be a bit more than that.  If you use that criteria, I would qualify for about 6 of those in 2009 already and about 20 from last year.  Seems a bit 'low' for criteria.

[arajca]

Ah I see. Not sure if thats a necessary award, but I guess if the group was feeling left out as an award giving body, then that should make them happy I guess. More for the fruit salad eaters.

Given the number of complaints about people getting a CommComm for serving on sqdn staff, or other such stuff, it was needed.

[biomed441]

Ah yeah put that way I suppose so.

[Eclipse]

Several Group CC's in my wing got together an decided we would consider these as a group, should we feel like giving one.

We do not intend for this to become a defacto "don't want to ask wing, or didn't get a comm-comm" award.

The general criteria was that the commendable event would be something that has a Group-level scope, so SLS/CLC/UCC, by their nature, would be wing level, as would encampments and similar.

My Wing's CV was included in the discussion and concurred, so we're hoping this will be the plan going forward.

[jimmydeanno]

This may sound horrible, or whatever, but I think I'm starting to get ill with the thought that someone might even be considered for a commander's commendation or even an achievement award for something like SLS or CLC.

Actions are supposed to be above and beyond.  The senior PD program requires that somebody do those things during their CAP career.  Not exactly 'above and beyond' or outside the scope of their normal duties.

If wings award awards like that, its their prerogative, but as I pointed out earlier - using that as criteria my unit would have about 20 Commander's Comms and probably 15 achievement awards this year already.  YMMV

[Eclipse]

This may sound horrible, or whatever, but I think I'm starting to get ill with the thought that someone might even be considered for a commander's commendation or even an achievement award for something like SLS or CLC.

I have to assume these would be given for running the seminars, not simple participation.  Perhaps for a series of excellent sessions over a period of years, etc., or restarting a program in a wing where its been failing.

[jimmydeanno]

But even teaching a seminar is part of the PD program, in theory everyone will do it. 

I just feel like I would be cheating or shortchanging the award if someone gave me a CC for directing an SLS or an AA for teaching at one...

[ZigZag911]

But even teaching a seminar is part of the PD program, in theory everyone will do it. 

I just feel like I would be cheating or shortchanging the award if someone gave me a CC for directing an SLS or an AA for teaching at one...

True, but there are those who generously serve in these capacities multiple times. "First timers" are,as you point out, fulfilling a requirement and don't need further recognition; after that, it is in fact 'above and beyond'.

[Nathan]

But even teaching a seminar is part of the PD program, in theory everyone will do it. 

I just feel like I would be cheating or shortchanging the award if someone gave me a CC for directing an SLS or an AA for teaching at one...

Sort of like awarding a cadet an achievement ribbon for doing things they're supposed to be doing anyway...

But to be fair, the award is called, "The Achievement Ribbon." If the criteria are that the member "achieves", and it doesn't specify that it actually HAS to be above the call of duty, then achieving a certain level in the PD program could technically be considered an "achievement." After all, the word "achievement" is generally associated with steps toward an overall objective anyway, not stand-alone occurances.

[jimmydeanno]

Sort of like awarding a cadet an achievement ribbon for doing things they're supposed to be doing anyway...

Uh, no not like that at all.  More along the lines of us awarding both the AE master badge and the Crossfield if you're looking trying to relate them like that. 

But, like I said before, I think it would be cheating the intent of the award to give them for something as minor as teaching or directing one of CAPs PD courses.  It seems a bit off balanced to me. 

Again, if I used myself as an example and a wing was awarding them to someone who has taught a seminar or directed something in addition to what they were 'required' by the PD program, it might work for someone who does one every couple years or so.

However, last year I directed two courses and taught about 15 of the seminars.  I'm signed up this year already to teach 3 seminars at our upcoming CLC.  They look for seminar instructors, but the same people end up being called.

So...should I have received two CCs and 15 achievement awards (had the award been available)?  I don't think so and I don't think that you would say so either. 

EDIT: Oh, and I did a bunch of Level 1 orientations last year, I was only 'required' to do one - what would I get for that?

[Eclipse]

So...should I have received two CCs and 15 achievement awards (had the award been available)?  I don't think so and I don't think that you would say so either. 

Not 17 decs, but maybe one - that's over and above what many would do.

EDIT: Oh, and I did a bunch of Level 1 orientations last year, I was only 'required' to do one - what would I get for that?

Presumably informed and prepared new members?   

[arajca]

Question for the masses:

Should a Squadron Cadet of the Quarter be eligible for the Achievement Award?

A little more detail:
The CoQ is determined using entirely objective criteria, unless there is a tie. Criteria include:
Test scores, meeting attendance, achievment/milestone completion, activities, other awards.
If a tie, the winner is determined via discussion between CC, CDC, and C/CC (unless C/CC is in the tie, than the most senior cadet) based on attitude and leadership skills.

Currently, the CoQ wears a shoulder cord (approved by the wing/CC) for the quarter following the one they were recognized for.

[Eclipse]

I'd personally say that the cord is enough - maybe if you had a cadet who won for a whole year or something...

[DC]

I'd personally say that the cord is enough

Ditto, wearing the cord for three months, and maybe a nice certificate should be adequate.

- maybe if you had a cadet who won for a whole year or something...

If they win for the whole year then you should give them the AFA Cadet of the Year award, more appropriate IMHO.

[Pylon]

Our squadron uses the AFA Cadet of the Year, AFSA Cadet NCO of the Year, and the VFW Cadet Officer of the Year and VFW Cadet NCO of the Year awards to de facto recognize our squadron's top cadets each year.   Assuming your unit is taking advantage of these awards and their availability, the Achievement Award on top of that would likely be overkill and double-dipping, too.  Plus, even though it's not a permanent form of recognition like a ribbon, they do they the shoulder cord as temporary recognition.