Article from the nationals website
http://www.cap.gov/documents/news/u_sky_web_03_21_2008a_13_032408092859.pdf
Sounds like he's doing a heck of a lot more than just handing out towels at the weight room.
hmmm.....they called him a CAP Captain. Did the world just fall apart? Won't that confuse those he works with? Are the Enlisted Airman walking around in circles outside the DIFAC now, because they are so confused?
Give me a break. Great article, bad polo shirt! Looks purple, and we already had polos that could have been worn.
Is this the CAPT we have on CAPTALK now, telling us the "whats up" over in the other VSAF thread??
Yep, thats him
Seems like a CAP written article to push the program, so not all that convinced the wider program will have lots of involved positions, still waiting to see on that.
God I hate having my picture taken.
Yes that is the same CAP Capt we have on CAPTALK...me
No it wasn't CAP written, it was actually put together by the Major I work for and my self, then approved through my Group CC and the AF Lt Col over the program. CAP didn't have anything to do with it for the most part. The Major loves the program (free help) and called the base news paper and asked them to do another story on the VSAF program.
Curious... just how many hours a week do you put in at the shop Captain?
How much do you put in at your normal paying job?
The way the article paints it, you are working as a vollunteer 40 + hours a week.
Many of us cant do that, but I would be able ot put in, say... one or two 24 hour days a month.
Well, I have an unusual situation. I am a firefighter in the real world, so most weeks I will have two or three days off throughout the work week (I work 24 hours and then off 48 hours). Most firefighters have side jobs to keep them busy on their days off, I use VSAF.
So, VSAF is not part of CAP? Would that mean a citizen who is not a CAP member who goes through background/security checks can volunteer strictly for VSAF?
No, VSAF is just another CAP program. They hope that people join CAP just to participate in the program (assuming it goes national at some point).
Quote from: RiverAux on March 27, 2008, 10:17:32 PM
No, VSAF is just another CAP program. They hope that people join CAP just to participate in the program (assuming it goes national at some point).
I hope this program extends to ANG bases and such including major AF bases or Naval ports, etc as of right now the pilot program is only running on two major AF bases it seems.
Quote from: mynetdude on March 27, 2008, 11:12:00 PM
Quote from: RiverAux on March 27, 2008, 10:17:32 PM
No, VSAF is just another CAP program. They hope that people join CAP just to participate in the program (assuming it goes national at some point).
I hope this program extends to ANG bases and such including major AF bases or Naval ports, etc as of right now the pilot program is only running on two major AF bases it seems.
I wouldn't even consider Wright-Patterson a "Major" Base. They have such a tiny Commissary and BX to begin with, and most of their day to day opps are R&D, and warehousing. (Plus, I hear that is where the aliens from Area 51 are stored).
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 27, 2008, 11:19:31 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 27, 2008, 11:12:00 PM
Quote from: RiverAux on March 27, 2008, 10:17:32 PM
No, VSAF is just another CAP program. They hope that people join CAP just to participate in the program (assuming it goes national at some point).
I hope this program extends to ANG bases and such including major AF bases or Naval ports, etc as of right now the pilot program is only running on two major AF bases it seems.
I wouldn't even consider Wright-Patterson a "Major" Base. They have such a tiny Commissary and BX to begin with, and most of their day to day opps are R&D, and warehousing. (Plus, I hear that is where the aliens from Area 51 are stored).
hmm that sounds major enough to me, but I don't know a thing.
speaking of Area 51, I thought it was in Nevada? Heck, recently I saw a movie called "showdown at Area 51" and Area 51 was in Missouri, granted it was just a movie.
We are the home of the 88th Air Base Wing, 445th Reserve Command, Air Force Material Command, and all the R&D stuff too. WPAFB is bigger than one might think. There are more O-5's and O-6's than I ever care to see.
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 27, 2008, 11:19:31 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 27, 2008, 11:12:00 PM
Quote from: RiverAux on March 27, 2008, 10:17:32 PM
No, VSAF is just another CAP program. They hope that people join CAP just to participate in the program (assuming it goes national at some point).
I hope this program extends to ANG bases and such including major AF bases or Naval ports, etc as of right now the pilot program is only running on two major AF bases it seems.
I wouldn't even consider Wright-Patterson a "Major" Base. They have such a tiny Commissary and BX to begin with, and most of their day to day opps are R&D, and warehousing. (Plus, I hear that is where the aliens from Area 51 are stored).
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 02:25:26 AM
We are the home of the 88th Air Base Wing, 445th Reserve Command, Air Force Material Command, and all the R&D stuff too. WPAFB is bigger than one might think. There are more O-5's and O-6's than I ever care to see.
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 27, 2008, 11:19:31 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 27, 2008, 11:12:00 PM
Quote from: RiverAux on March 27, 2008, 10:17:32 PM
No, VSAF is just another CAP program. They hope that people join CAP just to participate in the program (assuming it goes national at some point).
I hope this program extends to ANG bases and such including major AF bases or Naval ports, etc as of right now the pilot program is only running on two major AF bases it seems.
I wouldn't even consider Wright-Patterson a "Major" Base. They have such a tiny Commissary and BX to begin with, and most of their day to day opps are R&D, and warehousing. (Plus, I hear that is where the aliens from Area 51 are stored).
That's convincing enough to indicate thats a major AFB IMHO.
you don't care to see them? You gotta salute them? :P
I do salute (when in an actual uniform not VSAF), but there is one every time you turn the corner at WP. Don't get me wrong, there are some great ones, but there are enough on Base to also get the people who tell you that they are a Col every five words. ;D
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 03:08:12 AM
I do salute (when in an actual uniform not VSAF), but there is one every time you turn the corner at WP. Don't get me wrong, there are some great ones, but there are enough on Base to also get the people who tell you that they are a Col every five words. ;D
*laughs* I can imagine, though they have EARNED it and they want your respect even as a civilian wearing USAF uniform. Although, I am sure they take it extra seriously they wouldn't want to see their lower ranking guys see you ooof or get a "break" ;).
Seriously, I'd be all for VSAF as I am sure there is stuff I could do in the IT field like what you were doing in the photo shown in this thread. IT is more likely what I'll stick to during my entire CAP career.
Glad you like it, and congrats on taking it on in the pilot program :).
Quote from: mynetdude on March 28, 2008, 03:14:44 AM
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 03:08:12 AM
I do salute (when in an actual uniform not VSAF), but there is one every time you turn the corner at WP. Don't get me wrong, there are some great ones, but there are enough on Base to also get the people who tell you that they are a Col every five words. ;D
*laughs* I can imagine, though they have EARNED it and they want your respect even as a civilian wearing USAF uniform. Although, I am sure they take it extra seriously they wouldn't want to see their lower ranking guys see you ooof or get a "break" ;).
Seriously, I'd be all for VSAF as I am sure there is stuff I could do in the IT field like what you were doing in the photo shown in this thread. IT is more likely what I'll stick to during my entire CAP career.
Glad you like it, and congrats on taking it on in the pilot program :).
Earned it they have, but much like any office, corporation, or branch you always have those few that give the rest a bad name. I have yet to have one talk down to me in a VSAF form. Everyone that I have worked with has done nothing but go out of their way to tell me what a good job I am doing and how happy they are to have me there.
I think if you talk to whoever is heading up your VSAF program (when it starts where you are) they can try to find a job that fits to you. Like me, the Major I work with tells everyone I am a perfect fit for the office. I have background in military, law enforcement, fire/ems, and emergency management. All are offices and programs we work with.
A lot of what jobs come open, depend on how publicised the program is on your base. The base offices have to sign up to have VSAF people in their office, and if they don't know who we are or the ways we can help, then you stand a chance of having not so hot jobs. From what I was told, they brought the program up in a Wing Staff Meeting and it went from there. I think some offices were waiting to see how things go before jumping into the pit. I have been working on base for a about a month now and have seen a lot more jobs come open.
"Earned it they have" almost sounds like Yoda again :P
Well yeah I agree like I was saying before, some can go a bit too far with it however to each his own.
Well as long as VSAF portrays a good image, I'll bet there is a good chance word will spread faster than a blink of an eye.
Nearest military installation (bases) to me is 2hrs away :( But it would be worth it if I went twice a week in the summer time or as needed in a series of days then several weeks off and then back on. The other one is 4 1/2 hours the opposite direction so that one isn't so much of an option. There are a few other military installations that are not bases, such as Camp Riley, Oregon Military Academy, etc I don't know if they would solicit the need for VSAF but then again those are all too far away for me.
I don't know how far they plan on taking it, or the time line. I do know that while on VSAF I am on an "Air Force Assigned Mission," mostly for insurance purposes I believe. So I don't know if they have thought about or would do other services, I hope so though.
Really? so every time you are needed NOC issues you a mission number? I bet they use a special designator to indicate its a VSAF. Or perhaps they use the same mission number just for that base for that year, I would presume fuel reimbursements are not included? Not that makes any difference, I wasn't planning on that but since you brought up AFAM I just had to ask.
I've done countless volunteer work for various places, and plenty on my own for CAP I pay for my own fuel I am just as happy. I was just curious if it applied to VSAF on AFAMs.
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 03:46:54 AM
Like me, the Major I work with tells everyone I am a perfect fit for the office. I have background in military, law enforcement, fire/ems, and emergency management. All are offices and programs we work with.
...The base offices have to sign up to have VSAF people in their office.... I think some offices were waiting to see how things go before jumping into the pit. I have been working on base for a about a month now and have seen a lot more jobs come open.
I hope you take that situation as a compliment on a job very well done.
^ hear hear! :)
Quote from: mynetdude on March 28, 2008, 04:05:04 AM
Really? so every time you are needed NOC issues you a mission number? I bet they use a special designator to indicate its a VSAF. Or perhaps they use the same mission number just for that base for that year, I would presume fuel reimbursements are not included? Not that makes any difference, I wasn't planning on that but since you brought up AFAM I just had to ask.
I've done countless volunteer work for various places, and plenty on my own for CAP I pay for my own fuel I am just as happy. I was just curious if it applied to VSAF on AFAMs.
Not sure how that works, I never see the mission number, just know I am on an Air Force mission. And no I don't get fuel paid for, but I can claim the miledge on taxes..... thats about it.
Quote from: DNall on March 28, 2008, 06:24:16 AM
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 03:46:54 AM
Like me, the Major I work with tells everyone I am a perfect fit for the office. I have background in military, law enforcement, fire/ems, and emergency management. All are offices and programs we work with.
...The base offices have to sign up to have VSAF people in their office.... I think some offices were waiting to see how things go before jumping into the pit. I have been working on base for a about a month now and have seen a lot more jobs come open.
I hope you take that situation as a compliment on a job very well done.
I do. I think this is a great program an is going to work out well for all of those involved. I have even build some bridges so if I get tired of my current line of work, I might end up as a civilian on base ;)
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 11:14:26 AM
Quote from: DNall on March 28, 2008, 06:24:16 AM
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 03:46:54 AM
Like me, the Major I work with tells everyone I am a perfect fit for the office. I have background in military, law enforcement, fire/ems, and emergency management. All are offices and programs we work with.
...The base offices have to sign up to have VSAF people in their office.... I think some offices were waiting to see how things go before jumping into the pit. I have been working on base for a about a month now and have seen a lot more jobs come open.
I hope you take that situation as a compliment on a job very well done.
I do. I think this is a great program an is going to work out well for all of those involved. I have even build some bridges so if I get tired of my current line of work, I might end up as a civilian on base ;)
I'd like that actually... but I'd think they would prefer you have some kind of college education as most civvie jobs on base seem to require a college education at least that is what I have been told by several RM folks. I don't know about you personally, you probably have a lot more experience on your belt than I of course so when I say you I wasn't implying you specifically.
As for fuel, I wasn't sure thats why I asked... yeah most of the fuel that I use is counted towards my tax deduction which is what I would have expected for any volunteer work I would do military or not.
A round of applause is most certainly deserved, good sir. You are doing great work for the Air Force and are also helping Civil Air Patrol's sometimes-tarnished image with many AF personnel.
Keep us posted! Very interesting stuff.
Heres a poser for you? Why did CAP national develop a special page for the VSAF program and then put it in the "Events" section of the web site?
http://www.cap.gov/visitors//events/
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 04:01:13 AM
I don't know how far they plan on taking it, or the time line. I do know that while on VSAF I am on an "Air Force Assigned Mission," mostly for insurance purposes I believe. So I don't know if they have thought about or would do other services, I hope so though.
Are you covered, then by FECA? So if you are injured yo get some compensation?
Quote from: Eclipse on March 30, 2008, 07:10:22 PM
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 28, 2008, 04:01:13 AM
I don't know how far they plan on taking it, or the time line. I do know that while on VSAF I am on an "Air Force Assigned Mission," mostly for insurance purposes I believe. So I don't know if they have thought about or would do other services, I hope so though.
Are you covered, then by FECA? So if you are injured yo get some compensation?
Good Question, I really don't know. But I do have AFLAC through work, so I am covered either way.
Quote from: GPVIIOps on March 30, 2008, 07:56:54 PM
Good Question, I really don't know. But I do have AFLAC through work, so I am covered either way.
Maybe - you might want to re-read that. AFLAC does not get a Christmas card from me because of all the limitations they put on "risky" activities, and related situations.
If NHQ handles this as a AFAM, then the least they can do is provide FECA, especially considering the cost savings they are getting in not have a paid person in the slot.
If it is being done as an AFAM, then all the stuff that applies to other AFAMs should apply here.
As noted in older threads about possible augmentation programs, current AF and CAP regulations and procedures regarding AFAMs are not set-up for such individual missions. I suspect this is an issue that they will need to work on prior to any national launch of the program.
Given how other things are going, I bet that we will end up with some sort of monthly VSAF mission assigned at the Wing level in WMIRS and that individual members will need to report their time somehow into the system.