Congratulations to the newly selected NHWG Commander, NIN!!

[HandsomeWalt_USMC]

I just received an all NER email announcing our very own NIN as the new New Hampshire Wing Commander! Congratulations, Colonel (Select) Ninness!!

Unfortunately I will be teaching at an SLS during your conference, but I will ask a friend of mine from NHWG to buy you a beveragem

[mdickinson]

Congrats, Darren!

(Lest someone think this is some sort of April fool's joke, here's the announcement sent out today by the region commander:

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jack Ozer via Seniors <seniors@ner.cap.gov>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2019 at 8:48 PM
Subject: [Region Seniors] NHWG Commander
To: Mail List region <region@ner.cap.gov>


I would like to announce that Lt Col Darin Ninness has been selected to become the next NHWG Commander replacing Col Kevin Harbison whose term is coming to an end. Col Harbison has done an outstanding job for the last four years as NHWG Commander and will be a hard act to follow. But I am sure Lt Col Ninness will do a great job.
The change of command is scheduled for 18 January during their conference. Details to follow.

--
Col. Jack Ozer, CAP
Northeast Region Commander

[MSG Mac]

Congratulations Your Eminence

[Stonewall]

I'm gonna need some of those Wing Commander pardons we talked about a few years ago.

Congrats! I'll be taking notes. You never know...

[Huey Driver]

The Granite State will be in great hands! Congrats, and well-deserved, Nin!

[ColonelJack]

Outstanding, NIN!  Very happy for you ... best wishes in making NHWG the best!  They couldn't have made a better choice.

Jack

[THRAWN]

Good for you. Can't think of a better choice. Door is open if I can do anything!

[TeamBronx]

Congratulations Colonel Ninness!

[Майор Хаткевич]

Well congrats!

Please be a core values leader, don't just give them lip service.

[MacGruff]

Adding my congratulations to the chorus!!!

[NIN]

Well congrats!

Please be a core values leader, don't just give them lip service.

Why would I be anything but?  Anybody who knows me can tell you I'm not a lip service sort of dude.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Well congrats!

Please be a core values leader, don't just give them lip service.

Why would I be anything but?  Anybody who knows me can tell you I'm not a lip service sort of dude.

You? Don't have the pleasure to know you that well. Some others I've known in the past? Surprised me, some in different directions.

[754837]

Well congrats!

Please be a core values leader, don't just give them lip service.

Why would I be anything but?  Anybody who knows me can tell you I'm not a lip service sort of dude.

Well said!

[Spam]

Congratulations, Sir!

V/r
Spam

[BJD]

NHWG is in the most capable hands.  Congratulations!

[MSG Mac]

The things you'll do to get a fancy badge

[NIN]

People do crazier things for a hat

[Shawn W.]

Congrats on your Command Sir!

[ProdigalJim]

Congrats, brutha!

Now, about that GA-8... 

[NIN]

Congrats, brutha!

Now, about that GA-8... 

The door is limited to 100kts in flight. Just saying.

[PHall]

Congrats, brutha!

Now, about that GA-8... 

The door is limited to 100kts in flight. Just saying.

Is there an STC for a roll up door?

[NIN]

Is there an STC for a roll up door?

Nope.  100kts isn't a big deal. Only when the door is open.

[JohhnyD]

That is awesome, congratulations!

[GroundHawg]

Well the good thing is that you probably never have to worry about swapping out your rank ever again, though a star(s) would be nice!

[NIN]

Well the good thing is that you probably never have to worry about swapping out your rank ever again, though a star(s) would be nice!

Owww, my wallet!

[MSG Mac]

Well the good thing is that you probably never have to worry about swapping out your rank ever again, though a star(s) would be nice!

Owww, my wallet!

Use your NH income tax refund

[Shuman 14]

Congratulations Sir!

:clap:

[NIN]

Use your NH income tax refund

Thats a great ide-  hey, wait a second!

[NIN]

Everybody: thank you so much for the kind words. 38 years ago, C/AB Ninness looked at our then-Wing Commander (Col Paulson, as I recall) and never, ever did the thought cross my mind that I could even deign to believe I could be a wing commander, let alone actually become one.

The next 4 years will be an interesting time. I know when I wake up every morning that I have to earn our member's trust.  And every bit of that starts on Day 1 and doesn't end until Day 1,460.

[Fester]

Everybody: thank you so much for the kind words. 38 years ago, C/AB Ninness looked at our then-Wing Commander (Col Paulson, as I recall) and never, ever did the thought cross my mind that I could even deign to believe I could be a wing commander, let alone actually become one.

The next 4 years will be an interesting time. I know when I wake up every morning that I have to earn our member's trust.  And every bit of that starts on Day 1 and doesn't end until Day 1,460.

Isn't the Wing King term 3 years?

[PHall]

Everybody: thank you so much for the kind words. 38 years ago, C/AB Ninness looked at our then-Wing Commander (Col Paulson, as I recall) and never, ever did the thought cross my mind that I could even deign to believe I could be a wing commander, let alone actually become one.

The next 4 years will be an interesting time. I know when I wake up every morning that I have to earn our member's trust.  And every bit of that starts on Day 1 and doesn't end until Day 1,460.

Isn't the Wing King term 3 years?

3 years extendable to 4. And just about every wing commander has gone 4 years under the new rules so far.

[Eclipse]

Isn't the Wing King term 3 years?

3 years extendable to 4.

4 years with a possible 1-year extension.
CAPR 20-1(I), Page 5: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/R_020001I_2_Jan_13_ICL_17_Nov_15_IC_AF3D3687D1D1D.pdf

"b. Wing commanders are appointed by the region commanders and have command authority over all CAP units, and
members within their respective wings. Wing commanders shall serve a four-year term of office. The region commander
may grant an additional one-year term with the concurrence of the National Commander."

And just about every wing commander has gone 4 years under the new rules so far.

I would be willing to bet at least 50% of Wing CC's do not complete their full four years.

[NIN]

I would be willing to bet at least 50% of Wing CC's do not complete their full four years.

I'd take that bet. The majority complete at least 90% of 4 years. (Sometimes for timing reasons you might have a wing king punch out at little early. Or moving up..)

Since the elimination of the probationary period, there is more incentive to keep a wing commander as opposed to arbitrarily deciding to jettison at day 364, which happened a lot.

[sardak]

We're on our sixth wing commander in 10 years.

Mike

[Gunsotsu]

And some need to be removed for Core Values violations.

[NIN]

We're on our sixth wing commander in 10 years.

Well, thats another issue and sometimes its due to a very small talent pool. And when the ONE guy who applied and was picked has a life change, *pow* bring in the next guy.

[Eclipse]

It's a lot of reasons - some unfortunate, and many because of progression, life change, or simply "had enough",
but there's no way the majority do 4 years.

[Spam]

When my boss got tapped to move up to SER/CC this fall, I apologized but (having been her Wing Vice/CC for a couple of years or more) I knew that my family health situation would not allow me the time needed to do the WG/CC job justice, declined to apply, and respectfully requested relief to focus on our situation. (I've told my members for 30 years: your faith, your family, and your job MUST come before CAP, to allow you to pivot off a strong base to serve CAP). Having seen the sheer amount of personal time and funds necessarily sacrificed to do a decent job - to do it the right way - I knew that it wasn't the right season.

With that experience behind me (and having served in five or so Group and Squadron commands in five Wings and three Regions, and on several Wing staffs) I am convinced that a good number of aspirant Wing Commanders have zero idea what they're getting themselves into. Perhaps the majority. Maybe it sinks in when they go to "charm school", and they start edging towards the door...

Command at Wing level is not (should not be) about power tripping, settling old scores, advancing pet projects and agendas, or preening with chicken insignia on your shoulders, or as a step to get stars. Yet, how many active duty military officers have we seen exhibit those same human frailties (many/constantly, to our sorrow).  If we manage to weed out the marginal candidates within six months before they can do real damage, I'm ok with that. I feel that a tighter vetting process, coupled with a backup/failure mode should a Wing (or Region!!!) fail to have any suitable candidates, is justifiable. Better yet - require candidates to serve at least a year as a Vice prior to selection (with exposure to all the fun of finance requirements, safety and mishap reviews, termination proceedings, SUI arbitration and Wing level IG inspections, etc.).

R/s
Spam

PS, not implying that NIN has any pet projects or anything. "All RIGHT, NH Wing, here's my War Plan against Canada... No longer shall they pre-vert our precious bodily fluids!  So, the Wing maintenance officer is at my command taking the permissive action links down on all our aircraft and we'll launch our sorties at 0800"!!!
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true?verso=true

[NIN]

I haven't told anybody about Wing Attack Plan R.

How did you know? The Canadian air defences all face the pole. They'll never see it coming

[PHall]

PS, not implying that NIN has any pet projects or anything. "All RIGHT, NH Wing, here's my War Plan against Canada... No longer shall they pre-vert our precious bodily fluids!  So, the Wing maintenance officer is at my command taking the permissive action links down on all our aircraft and we'll launch our sorties at 0800"!!!
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true?verso=true

You don't want to know how true that article is. How we made it through the late 50's and early 60's, including the Cuban Missile Crisis without an "accidental" nuclear war is nothing short of a miracle.

Maybe Gary Seven had something to do with it...

[MSG Mac]

I am convinced that a good number of aspirant Wing Commanders have zero idea what they're getting themselves into. Perhaps the majority. Maybe it sinks in when they go to "charm school", and they start edging towards the door...



R/s
Spam


PS, not implying that NIN has any pet projects or anything. "All RIGHT, NH Wing, here's my War Plan against Canada... No longer shall they pre-vert our precious bodily fluids!  So, the Wing maintenance officer is at my command taking the permissive action links down on all our aircraft and we'll launch our sorties at 0800"!!!
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true?verso=true

When I last attended National Staff Collège BG Larry Myrick spoke to the students and one thing I noted was his comment that As he went from Squadron to Group to Wing, Region, and National he was astounded by how the scope of problems and responsibilities expanded the higher he went.

[CapStranger]

Congrats!

[Майор Хаткевич]

PS, not implying that NIN has any pet projects or anything. "All RIGHT, NH Wing, here's my War Plan against Canada... No longer shall they pre-vert our precious bodily fluids!  So, the Wing maintenance officer is at my command taking the permissive action links down on all our aircraft and we'll launch our sorties at 0800"!!!
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true?verso=true

You don't want to know how true that article is. How we made it through the late 50's and early 60's, including the Cuban Missile Crisis without an "accidental" nuclear war is nothing short of a miracle.

Maybe Gary Seven had something to do with it...

Perhaps that was our Great Filter.

[Spam]

PS, not implying that NIN has any pet projects or anything. "All RIGHT, NH Wing, here's my War Plan against Canada... No longer shall they pre-vert our precious bodily fluids!  So, the Wing maintenance officer is at my command taking the permissive action links down on all our aircraft and we'll launch our sorties at 0800"!!!
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true?verso=true

You don't want to know how true that article is. How we made it through the late 50's and early 60's, including the Cuban Missile Crisis without an "accidental" nuclear war is nothing short of a miracle.

Maybe Gary Seven had something to do with it...

Perhaps that was our Great Filter.

Pray let it be so. Whether Gary Seven (and his hot cat) had anything to do with it or not.

[PHall]

PS, not implying that NIN has any pet projects or anything. "All RIGHT, NH Wing, here's my War Plan against Canada... No longer shall they pre-vert our precious bodily fluids!  So, the Wing maintenance officer is at my command taking the permissive action links down on all our aircraft and we'll launch our sorties at 0800"!!!
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true?verso=true

You don't want to know how true that article is. How we made it through the late 50's and early 60's, including the Cuban Missile Crisis without an "accidental" nuclear war is nothing short of a miracle.

Maybe Gary Seven had something to do with it...

Perhaps that was our Great Filter.

Pray let it be so. Whether Gary Seven (and his hot cat) had anything to do with it or not.

Her name was Isis.

[Spam]

PS, not implying that NIN has any pet projects or anything. "All RIGHT, NH Wing, here's my War Plan against Canada... No longer shall they pre-vert our precious bodily fluids!  So, the Wing maintenance officer is at my command taking the permissive action links down on all our aircraft and we'll launch our sorties at 0800"!!!
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true?verso=true

You don't want to know how true that article is. How we made it through the late 50's and early 60's, including the Cuban Missile Crisis without an "accidental" nuclear war is nothing short of a miracle.

Maybe Gary Seven had something to do with it...

Perhaps that was our Great Filter.

Pray let it be so. Whether Gary Seven (and his hot cat) had anything to do with it or not.

Her name was Isis.

Ah, yes... Isis. And Teri Garr, and the Atavachron (er, Beta 5, not to be snobbish). Fun memories!

[CAP9907]

And that'll do it.

Congrats to Col Darin Ninness.

~9907