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#71
Final Salute / Cadet 2nd Lt. Jason Brunsman
Last post by ironputts - March 05, 2024, 12:14:46 PM


March 5, 2024

Cadet 2nd Lt. Jason Brunsman
Mount Vernon Composite Squadron
National Capital Wing

Jason Emeric Pius Brunsman, 19 of Occoquan, VA, passed away on February 14th in the year of our Lord, 2024.

Jason was born in Falls Church to David and Lori Brunsman on the 21st of August 2004. Guided by his curious, passionate, and exuberant spirit, Jason dedicated his life to service through his time with the Knights of Columbus, the volunteer fire department, and more. His service-forward heart and selfless sacrifice to others was felt by all those who met him. Playing on the Varsity Football Team, Jason graduated from John Paul the Great Catholic High School, Dumfries, VA in 2022. Jason served as Cadet 2nd Lieutenant (C/2d Lt) with the Civil Air Patrol, National Capital Wing, having earned the CAP's Billy Mitchell Award and therefore joining a long list of distinguished recipients throughout history. Jason is remembered for his love of family, motorsports, and Disney, but most importantly as a stalwart member of the Catholic Church, regularly found practicing his faith in word, action, and prayer.

Jason is predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Gary Barnett.

He is survived by his parents, David and Lori of Occoquan, VA, siblings Karen and Matthew (Rutowski), Kristine, Alexandra (August), Luke and Sarah, Zane, Eleanor and Joe (Lacharite), and Dominic. He is also survived by grandparents Carolyn (Barnett) of Park Forest, IL, Michael and Mary Beth of Cincinnati, OH, as well as a long, loving list of aunts, uncles, cousins, a niece, and a nephew throughout the country. Jason also leaves behind his long-anticipated life partner, Skyler Yingling.

Jason Brunsman accident
#72
Cadet Programs Management & Activities / Re: Color Guard Flags
Last post by PHall - March 04, 2024, 08:19:28 PM
Quote from: NIN on March 04, 2024, 03:35:40 PMI've been in that boat where we were asked to present state flags at a veteran's event or similar (not a CAP event).  It would have made little sense to carry a CAP flag there, so we said "Sure, no problem!" and carried the state flag, POW/MIA flag, etc.

I got an earful from someone who claimed that it was "illegal" (love that word in a CAP regulatory context) to carry anything but the US flag and the CAP flag. 

I mean, really, you're asked by a community organization if you can provide a color guard for a community event. Do you say "Sure, but we can't carry any flag but our own. Sorry, its illegal.." ?  Heck no.




That's when I get to play my favorite game, "You get a reg cite for that claim of yours?"
And then when they can't produce one, because there isn't one, they usually come back with "well it should be illegal."  ::)
#73
Cadet Programs Management & Activities / Re: Color Guard Flags
Last post by NIN - March 04, 2024, 03:35:40 PM
I've been in that boat where we were asked to present state flags at a veteran's event or similar (not a CAP event).  It would have made little sense to carry a CAP flag there, so we said "Sure, no problem!" and carried the state flag, POW/MIA flag, etc.

I got an earful from someone who claimed that it was "illegal" (love that word in a CAP regulatory context) to carry anything but the US flag and the CAP flag. 

I mean, really, you're asked by a community organization if you can provide a color guard for a community event. Do you say "Sure, but we can't carry any flag but our own. Sorry, its illegal.." ?  Heck no.

#74
The Lobby / Re: 2024 Winter Command Counci...
Last post by NIN - March 04, 2024, 03:31:17 PM
Part of the problem with Axis was substantially structural: its not designed as a true "learning management system" like, say, Blackboard or Moodle (two older systems that are used in higher ed). Axis is more  "corporate training system," like "OK, time do to your annual cyber refresher" or "Its March, its Ladder Safety Month!"

It wasn't really designed as full-on "courseware."

Also, getting data from Axis pushed back in to eServices in a format that was usable to that system required some periodic ETL processes.  Having done that sort of thing in my day job, built a function to grab one kind of data out of a system, massage it, and push it into another system, I'm guessing that it wasn't pretty and probably required a lot of "help."

I'm led to believe that Absorb is much more of a true LMS with "courses" and "lessons" and more segmentation.

#75
Tools of the trade / Re: Jerry-rigged ELT locater
Last post by Slim - March 04, 2024, 04:39:23 AM
A good chunk of my non distress finds have been made with a low end Radio Shack scanner with or without the antenna, using body blocking and frequency stepping.

Another favorite (if you can find one) is the old Realistic Jetstream AM air band radio.
#76
The Lobby / Re: 2024 Winter Command Counci...
Last post by PHall - March 04, 2024, 04:07:00 AM
AXIS has been a train wreck from the start and there have been many complaints mostly that it is NOT user friendly at all. One of the biggest problems we have with new cadets is teaching them how to use this pos program.
#77
The Lobby / Re: 2024 Winter Command Counci...
Last post by heliodoc - March 04, 2024, 03:41:58 AM
My point exactly...training next to nil UNLESS ya sit for 120 hours self teaching self inflicting

Before anyone suggest going to a Region charm school for this...CAP might want to get a gaggle of IT gurus in those nearly little used Mahindra/ Gipps GA8s and puts on Wing wide shows
#78
The Lobby / Re: 2024 Winter Command Counci...
Last post by ML07 - March 04, 2024, 02:34:41 AM
Quote from: heliodoc on March 04, 2024, 02:17:48 AMWhat? WMIRS and AXIS not working properly? 

Isn't AXIS still relatively new as well; 2019/2020 rollout if I remember correctly? As for WMIRS, it's kinda over due in my humble opinion. As a frequent user, I think it works great, but training new users can be difficult because some features, such as uploading vehicle fuel receipts, are not very intuitive. For some, it is, and that's great. Recently, I had to take care of all of the mission reimbursements for a GT tasking because none of the SMs knew how to use it, one was a GTL...
#79
The Lobby / Re: 2024 Winter Command Counci...
Last post by heliodoc - March 04, 2024, 02:17:48 AM
NHQ decided about 3 days ago that they will be building a replacement of WMIRS (not an upgrade to WMIRS). It will be a from-scratch creation and involve input from volunteers, OPRs, and CAP-USAF. They haven't started putting a list of names together for the working group the decision was so fresh.

Niiiiiice

Now to learn WMIRS and the new "AXIS" all over again

Reminds me of the Army getting rid of AKO accounts and now getting rid of/ learning new on line education

What? WMIRS and AXIS not working properly?   Took awhile in my AOR on how to use it or more like self taught and maybe get "beat up" once n while on how wrong one was in entries

Hope there's a funded study on both WMIRS and AXIS and maybe surveys on customer satisfaction in the future on these "new fangled" "user friendly" systems

Standing by for gnashing of teeth and mentioning success rates of cadets and seniors having to "advance" in the world of CAP IT
#80
The Lobby / Re: 2024 Winter Command Counci...
Last post by HandsomeWalt_USMC - March 03, 2024, 11:39:12 PM
Quote from: Stonewall on March 03, 2024, 10:03:03 PM
Quote from: HandsomeWalt_USMC on March 03, 2024, 09:20:36 PMBe interesting to see if the mil ribbons on corporates carries on to mil badges on BBDUs too. I wouldn't mind tossing my wings on my BlueDUs.

That question was asked and answered, however, not specific to BBDUs, but corporates in general.

"Any military awards and badges earned through military service  may be worn."

Remember, it was stated they this is APPROVED but NOT PUBLISHED as 1 March.


I'll wait for an ICL or at least a verbal okay from my Wg/CC to toss mine on then. Thanks!