CAP Talk

General Discussion => Membership => Topic started by: glm705 on February 12, 2020, 08:18:41 PM

Title: Cadets on Staff
Post by: glm705 on February 12, 2020, 08:18:41 PM
I'm just kinda curious: in what fields in your group/wing/region are cadets on staff at a higher echelon than the squadron?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: arajca on February 12, 2020, 08:35:17 PM
None.
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: TheSkyHornet on February 12, 2020, 08:50:10 PM
There shouldn't technically be "cadets on group/wing/region staff."

Some locales may have a cadet assist in the echelon level role, but really, there is no such thing as a cadet assigned to an echelon above a squadron. All cadet members are housed within a squadron/flight roster. The only cadets assigned to a wing roster are those in a holding pool for termination/disciplinary action.

So you may see a cadet who assists with group-level emergency services, but they aren't a direct report of the Group Commander.
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: Spam on February 12, 2020, 08:51:20 PM
I'll back Arajca and Hornet up on their input there.

I've served in/commanded units in five Wings in 3 Regions, and the most I've ever seen is one or two Spaatz cadets serving in Advisor roles to the Wing CC or the DCP.

Keep in mind that until they've completed their contracts (Spaatz Award) cadets should be in a line unit (only) and should be assigned to the training program there (per 20-1 job descriptions). Any other assignments (e.g. CAC) are by design temporary and only secondary/collateral appointments. There are zero billets for cadets above the Squadron level authorized, unless you can find an approved and current Wing Supplement on the NHQ site.

R/s
Spam
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: Eclipse on February 12, 2020, 09:05:07 PM
Gonna 3rd or fourth on this.

I've seen cadets assigned to Group and Wing roles (usually in name only), never for the right reasons,
and rarely with productive outcomes.
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: NIN on February 13, 2020, 12:42:25 AM
I've seen cadets with an ADY assignment at wing that worked well.

In the modern era, not so much.
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: Fester on February 13, 2020, 03:25:05 AM
My Wing has cadets assigned to Wing, Region and National Staff.  Our CAC is also exploring adding cadets to Group staffs.
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: Mitchell 1969 on February 13, 2020, 07:33:24 AM
I was a cadet, assigned to Wing HQ. Not ADY, but actually transferred there and holding a staff position in Cadet Programs. I wasn't the first one, either.

That was a long time ago, however. There was a requirement that cadets so assigned had to have completed all of the achievements, as there was no signature authority for anyone at Wing to sign off on contract completion. So, only C/Lt Col and C/Col were eligible. (C/Lt Col could still take the Spaatz exam from their Wing position, but completion of the final achievement was considered to be "completing the cadet program").

It wasn't done all of the time, meaning no slot was reserved for it. And, it was only one at a time. It worked out OK, both for me and Wing HQ.

My next assignment after that was as Cadet Programs Officer at Group HQ, still as a C/Lt Col. Again, an actual transfer, not ADY. That only lasted about three months, I became a Warrant Officer under "Advanced Cadet Transition" program and was asked to take over a squadron as commander shortly before my 21st birthday, promoting your 1st Lt a week after (I was never a 2nd Lt).

Was it a good idea? For then, yes, under specific needs and circumstances. For now? I don't know, but it doesn't matter - it doesn't appear to be viable, based on the other responses.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: TheSkyHornet on February 13, 2020, 03:19:24 PM
Quote from: Fester on February 13, 2020, 03:25:05 AMMy Wing has cadets assigned to Wing, Region and National Staff.  Our CAC is also exploring adding cadets to Group staffs.

So what do these cadets do, and how does the Wing assign a cadet to Region or National Staff (I would imagine those echelons assign their staff)?
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: baronet68 on February 13, 2020, 04:49:26 PM
We have two cadets on wing staff, actually assigned to 001 and not a squadron, both have grade of C/Lt Col.  One is college student assigned as Cadet Activities Officer and the other works in aircraft manufacturing and is assigned as Cadet Operations Officer.  From what I've seen, they seem to be engaged and effective in their roles.
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: TheSkyHornet on February 13, 2020, 06:44:00 PM
So what does a Wing Cadet Activities Officer do?
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: baronet68 on February 13, 2020, 09:01:39 PM
Quote from: TheSkyHornet on February 13, 2020, 06:44:00 PMSo what does a Wing Cadet Activities Officer do?

The same as a squadron activities officer... just on a larger scale:

Plans and conducts interesting and challenging activities for CAP cadets, to include but not limited to:
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: Spam on February 13, 2020, 09:32:43 PM
Quote from: TheSkyHornet on February 13, 2020, 06:44:00 PMSo what does a Wing Cadet Activities Officer do?

See the new CAPR 30-1, of 13 January 2020 at https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/CAPR030_001_13_Jan_2020_FINAL_versi_28EBC2829FF2A.pdf (https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/CAPR030_001_13_Jan_2020_FINAL_versi_28EBC2829FF2A.pdf)
and
Figure 12Cadet Squadron Organizational Chart (Senior Member Positions)

Figure 12 authorizes an Activity Officer billet at the Cadet Squadron level (not, apparently, at Group or in Composite units).

The new R30-1 no longer has the position descriptions which the legacy 20-1 had.


As a former Wing DCP, I used an Activities Officer to assist with planning events, but the old (20-1) system position description referred to using them for special activities selection and planning. I would consider it a serious breach of responsibility to appoint a cadet to take part in selective actions against their peers for NCSA and scholarship awards.

Old PD:
38 CAPR 20-1 ICL 18-06 4 SEPTEMBER 2018
Cadet Special Activities Officer (Applicable to Regions, Wings, Groups)


Supervises National Headquarters-level and command-level cadet special activities participation. They shall:
Monitor cadet special activities selection processes.
Provide and coordinate intra-command transportation for cadet special activities.
Disseminate information that pertains to cadet special activities in a timely manner.
Provide intra-command cadet special activities.
The cadet special activities officer should be familiar primarily with CAPR 52-16, CAPP 216 and other CAP directives in the, 52, 76, 160, and 900 series

and on p.38:

Activities Officer (Applicable to Cadet and Composite Squadrons Only)
Plans and conducts interesting and challenging activities for CAP cadets, to include but not limited to:
Field trips.
Participating in emergency services exercises.
Sports competitions.
Social functions.
Community betterment projects.
Aerospace education activities (in coordination with aerospace education officer).
The squadron activities officer should be familiar with CAPR 52-16, CAPP 216 and CAP directives in the, 52, 76, 160, and 900 series.
Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: TheSkyHornet on February 14, 2020, 03:54:58 PM
The Cadet Special Activities Officer is a senior member duty, not a cadet duty.

They're referring to Wing CSAs, Regional CSAs, and National CSAs.

Title: Re: Cadets on Staff
Post by: Blanding on February 14, 2020, 07:52:58 PM
Quote from: baronet68 on February 13, 2020, 04:49:26 PMWe have two cadets on wing staff, actually assigned to 001 and not a squadron, both have grade of C/Lt Col.

Under what authority are they assigned there?

CAPR 60-1 states:
1.8. PROGRAM SETTINGS
1.8.1. Units. Cadets experience the Cadet Program through a community- or school-based unit. Regardless of setting, there is only one Cadet Program; all cadet units use the same curriculum and operate in accordance with this regulation.


Not to mention there could be conflicts having the wing commander being the cadet's unit commander, such as:

-The wing commander being the person to receive a report of a suspicion of abuse (CAPR 60-2 4.2.1)
-The fact that to take a Spaatz test both the "unit and wing commanders" must approve (CAPR 60-1 5.8.1)
-The fact that a wing commander endorses cadets for NCSAs and now has a cadet applicant on a different echelon (CAPR 60-1 8.7.2)