Starting new units

[desert rat]

Have any of you  ever started a new squadron? 

[RiverAux]

Been involved with trying to re-invigorate one that was down to me and 2 other active members. 

Is this a brand new unit in a brand new town or are you trying to reactivate a lapsed unit that was previously disbanded but for which there may be some former CAP members you could talk back into service? 

[desert rat]

New, but have 9 people wanting to join as senior members and three cadets so far.  It is really needed in the area.

[flyerthom]

A lot depends on membership availability. In our area there are two composite squadrons, a cadet squadron and a senior squadron. There is, at least from what I've heard an attempt to start a squadron in the major outlying area. The questions to ask are:
Is there a need?
Is there interest?
Is there a membership pool available (without doing damage to established units)?

[swya]

well as desert rat said

New, but have 9 people wanting to join as senior members and three cadets so far.  It is really needed in the area.

it is needed in the area

[Pylon]

It's hard and takes enormous effort on part of your senior members.

It requires Wing Approval, which can take some time.

It requires time.  Lots of it.  And money helps, too.

[ZigZag911]

New, but have 9 people wanting to join as senior members and three cadets so far.  It is really needed in the area.

What's your own CAP background?

Do you have a prospective commander?

Do you have the support of your wing (and group, if applicable)?

When I ran a group, we had two new units start.....some inquiries about two more, but they never went anywhere...some 'lessons learned':

1) a new unit needs an experienced team (at least three) of officers to get things going, ideally

2) where that is not possible, newer folks can do it but they need some hands on mentoring by group/wing staff, probably someone dedicated to their well-being (at least initially), preferably attending initial organizational meetings, early training activities....of course, two is better than one!

3) where THAT is not possible because of distance, 'remote' mentoring by phone, fax & email or instant messaging could fill some of the gaps

4) if you are not getting a 'cadre' of cadet transfers (often happens when a unit starts closer to home), then you need to 'borrow' a couple of experienced cadets to help train & mentor charter member cadets, if possible.....some times a former cadet commander is ideal for this.

We used to have new units begin as unchartered flights -- if there was a well established squadron nearby, that would be the parent unit, otherwise group HQ....in either case, one or two group staff were assigned as mentors....once a core group of seniors had Level 1 & SLS, members were through GES and beginning some other training, and they had at least 6 months meeting independently, we'd schedule a Staff Assistance Visit (bear in mind, there had been group staff officers in and out of unit's meetings, and providing training classes regularly from the beginning)........we'd review the results of that with the unit staff, offer remediation where needed; when they seemed to have their acts together, which might mean allowing weeks or even months more for further training, we'd do another SAV, smaller scale, focusing on the prior weak areas .....then we'd schedule a formal inspection (which at this point they were more than ready for), it was sort of the unit's "graduation from basic"...once they passed that, the recommendation went to wing for chartering, the squadron knew they had something solid going -- which the wing CC or CV saw on presenting the charter.

Both squadrons were chartered around 2000....both have earned wing, region & national recognition, both still going strong....cadets in service academies, former cadets in all armed services deployed, seniors commanding wing wide activities.....definitely success stories, first and foremost because they had committed members.

Both had some real bumps in the road since, too, CAP being composed of human beings!

We didn't make it easy for them....but we worked right along with them getting them to where they needed to be.

[MajorSER]

What we did is that we had a nearby squadron come over and start a "flight" at our location.
No paper work to start a new flight- They got an increase in membership and we got well trained officers to start us off. Later on when we get big enough and feel we can stand on our own, we then can file to be a new squadron.

[JohnKachenmeister]

I started a new Cadet squadron.  It is a lot of work, but it is rewarding.

The advice I would give is this:

1.  Identify your commander early.  He or she needs to direct the operation from the beginning.

2.  Make a deal with your group HQ to serve as a "Holding unit" until you are up to strength.  In other words, recruit, sign people up, but put them against the Group's charter number.  Start having meetings as a squadon, even if you have no charter.  When you have enough folks, transfer your people into your new unit, and apply for a charter.

3.  I would avoid using another squadron for the "Holding Unit" unless Wing was in on the arrangement.  Just as soon as the Wing King would be writing his letter congratulating the commander on his improving strength, 15 people transfer out.  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (over)?

4.  Get a GOOD place to meet.  Someplace that let's you have privacy, breakout rooms, secure storage for supplies and equipment, and 24-hour access.  Plus you will need bulletin boards, and classroom equipment.