In a couple of threads over the past two weeks comments were made on how units are designated and used. I would like to suggest that the term "Operations and Training Squadron/Group/Wing" be adopted. Example: 85th (or state name) Operation & Training Wing, Civil Air Patrol
851st Operations and Training Group
8511th Operations and Training Squadron (does not need to be ID'd as Sr, Cdt, or Comp.)
The units below wing provide administrative support to their personnel, who are then called on to perform missions (AE, Cdt, ES) at the unit level and above.
Thanks for looking.
Been suggested before, but there's really nothing wrong with the way we do it now.
And assuming this was a good idea, who covers the significant expense of new flags, patches, business cards, collateral, and website updates?
And not to mention the current prohibition on such nomenclature by CAPR 20-3.
There are a double hiney load of units that are named after significant contributors to CAP, the unit, etc.
Taking away that heritage for a random number and some other wording is wrong on several accounts.
For instance, Illinois Wing has a unit named after a Tuskegee Airman who commanded that unit for something like 35 years (give or take up to a decade).
I am sure saying you will now be the 0U812 Admin unit would soil in a few peoples cornflakes
My guess is that the reason for names being based on local geography/political boundaries is to emphasize that CAP units are supposed to be getting involved with local government, and not just waiting for taskings from Wing.
Of course, since we don't TRAIN our commanders on how to do this, nor evaluate how well they do this, we may not be getting the desired results in many place.