Cadet Advisory Counsil

[U.S.A.F. C.A.P.]

How do I get on the Cadet Advisory Counsil?

[Eclipse]

Council

You discuss your interest with your commander.

[Tim Medeiros]

You read CAPR 52-16 (which you should be reading already considering your a C/SMSgt), Chapter 7 covers CAC, and discuss your interest with those in your chain of command.

[DCCDaubach]

The best way to get onto your Cadet Advisory Council is to speak with your Squadron Commander.  Express your interest and make sure that your Wing has a working CAC.  Many wings are starting to fall behind in the CAC.  You and your commander will need to submit a CAPF2a to your Wing DCP (Director of Cadet Programs).  After that, you should be contacted by the Wing CAC Chair and allowed to participate.  I would also suggest looking at Chapter 7 of the CAPR 52-16, CAPP 52-19, and the new Leard To Lead Leadership in Committee.

[Garibaldi]

The best way to get onto your Cadet Advisory Council is to speak with your Squadron Commander.  Express your interest and make sure that your Wing has a working CAC.  Many wings are starting to fall behind in the CAC.  You and your commander will need to submit a CAPF2a to your Wing DCP (Director of Cadet Programs).  After that, you should be contacted by the Wing CAC Chair and allowed to participate.  I would also suggest looking at Chapter 7 of the CAPR 52-16, CAPP 52-19, and the new Leard Learn To Lead Leadership in Committee.

FTFY

[whatevah]

Welcome to CAP-Talk, but that red box saying "Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 60 days. Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic." means it's a dead thread.  The original poster hasn't been on here since February.

[C/2d Lt]

Is there a specific grade that rank to participate in CAC Cadet at the squadron or group Level?

[spaatzmom]

Is there a specific grade that rank to participate in CAC Cadet at the squadron or group Level?

The answer is in the previous posts on this thread.  This also should have been taught to someone of your rank far earlier than this.

[CAPDan]

CAPR 52-16

7-2. Composition.
a. Allotment of Seats. Commanders may appoint one primary representative and one assistant to serve on the CAC at the next higher echelon.
(1) Region commanders appoint a national CAC representative and assistant. Only Phase IV cadet officers or Spaatz cadets from their region are eligible.
(2) Wing commanders appoint a region CAC representative and assistant. Only cadet officers from their wing are eligible.
(3) Composite and cadet squadron commanders should appoint a wing (or group) CAC representative and assistant. Unit commanders should appoint only cadet officers from their unit. However, if the unit does not have a cadet officer, the commander may appoint any cadet from the unit, or leave the position vacant.

[Eclipse]

(3) Composite and cadet squadron commanders should appoint a wing (or group) CAC representative and assistant. Unit commanders should appoint only cadet officers from their unit. However, if the unit does not have a cadet officer, the commander may appoint any cadet from the unit, or leave the position vacant.

Interestingly, a lot of commanders read the above as an indication that a cadet of any grade may be appointed, however clearly the intention
is for this to be officers-only.

Further, the above clearly leaves the door open for any commander that does not have officers to not appoint any rep at all at his discretion.

The there's the third possibility - we have officers, and they aren't interested - I would say in that case, by the reg, the CC is also free not to appoint
anyone, as is the case in many units.

[C/2d Lt]

In the situation above, where no officer wanted the position, and a NCO cadet wanted it could it be given given it to them. Wouldn't it look better to have someone in the position rather than to keep it vacant and in the process deny a cadet this grate experience just because they are a NCO?

In addition, I am all about complying with regulations however I researched multiple CAC all the way from squadron to wing, some of them have NCO in the primary position, for a wing position there must be officer available. It is not as if these NCO have a long periods of experience seaming that they do not have there two year service ribbon.  How often is this rule really enforced?

[jimmydeanno]

A lot of things in the cadet program are granted by commanders who think it is better to fill a position so a cadet doesn't lose out on the experience, or because the cadet wants the position, etc.  In reality, different parts of the program are designed to teach cadets certain things at certain points.

C/Amn types are supposed to be learning how to master "personal leadership."  That's taking care of yourself.  Things like wearing the uniform, learning what it means to be a follower, integrating the core values, etc.

C/NCO types are supposed to be learning about small team leadership.  That's taking care of yourself, but also a few other people.  Element leader, flight sergeant, first sergeant, you get the idea.

C/Company Grade Officers should be learning about indirect leadership.  That's where you lead, but you aren't the front man.  Instead you lead others who directly lead. 

C/Field Grade Officers should be learning about strategic leadership.  That's the big picture stuff.  These should be your cadet commanders, encampment cadet commanders, National CAC advisors, etc.  Its about seeing the big picture, and how all the pieces fit together, not calling "Left, FACE" to three or four cadets.  It's steering the ship.

CAC is the same idea.  It is about indirect and strategic leadership.  CAC members should be able to view the big picture, and have expertise in the cadet program.  Putting a cadet who should be learning about how to directly lead an element does not meet the intended  leadership goals of the CAC.

From the CAC Pamphlet:

In their home squadron, a cadet's leadership experience is limited to local concerns and is mostly tactical in nature. CAC service is an opportunity for cadet officers to develop a more extensive approach to problem solving and a broader perspective on CAP issues. By influencing decisions that affect multiple squadrons, wings, or CAP as a whole, cadets are introduced to the strategic arena of leadership, and develop long-term goal-setting and indirect leadership skills.

The CAC provides a venue where the unit commander may gain a thoughtful perspective, representative of the Cadet Corps, on matters involving cadets.

Few C/NCOs would be able to provide a true representation of the Cadet Corps, having never been a C/Officer, or having the breadth of experience and knowledge about CAP stuff in general.

As an advisory body, the CAC affords cadet officers opportunities to assist the echelon commander in leading the Cadet Corps.

So, you can see that the CAC isn't really intended for those that are C/NCOs as it doesn't coincide with the learning objectives for cadets at that level.  If the cadet wants to be a CAC representative, they can wait until they're a cadet officer, just like a unit can wait to fill the role of Cadet Commander if a C/FGO isn't available.  Filling the position for the sake of filling it does nobody any good.