Professional appointments

[Hawk200]

For professional appointments, a member can be promoted to an advanced rank, and can continue promoting without regard to professional training.

The question posed to me is this: What happens (or should happen) if a member promotes in this manner, but never advances in the specialty track? I did some quick digging, but think I missed my answer somewhere.

The member has apparently never actually complied with the requirements in the pamphlet concerning the specialty track, and doesn't even show a level in E-services (shows "None" for the track they promoted in, but a "Technician "level is shown for four other specialty tracks).

Gonna need references to pubs on this, can't just take someone's word for it.

[Eclipse]

For professional appointments, a member can be promoted to an advanced rank, and can continue promoting without regard to professional training.

Anyone receiving a special appointment promotion for any other reason than military equivalence must "catch up" their PD to the level of the grade they received before they can advance any further. (i.e. a CFI receiving Captain must complete level 3 plus standard TIG to be eligible for Major).

See CAPR 50-17, Para 5-1a, CAPR 35-5, and there's a KB article on this as well: http://tinyurl.com/ydzk6v7

There are no automatic ramifications if a member receives an advanced promotion and then does not participate in professional development, however a demotion for non-participation, or failure to provide the service they promised (CFI who won't be a check pilot, pilot who doesn't fly, etc.) is an option at the commander's discretion within the prescribed procedures.

Otherwise they go on the "Lifer Captain's List" like thousands of others.

[Short Field]

Read CAPR 35-5, Para 5-4 for details on future promotions after initial professional promotion.  It varies by speciality.

[arajca]

CFI is not a Professional Appointment. CAPR 35-5, Sect. E, para 5-1 says

5-1. General. This section prescribes the requirements and procedure for initial appointment and subsequent promotion of CAP members who serve as chaplains, character development instructors, health service personnel, legal officers, professional educators serving as aerospace education officers and financial professionals serving as finance officers.

As for trainign requirements,

5-2. Training Requirements. Professional personnel must complete Level I prior to appointment to CAP officer grade. Health Service personnel, legal officers, professional educators serving as aerospace education officers and financial professionals serving as finance officers are exempt from all other training requirements prescribed for promotion to additional grades.

Health service and Legal officers do not have to complete anything other than Level I, even if they are not serving in that duty assignment. The rest are exempt as long as they are serving in that duty assignment. If your CPA decides he's done with finance, he has to meet the requirements for any further promotions.

[Eclipse]

Health service and Legal officers do not have to complete anything other than Level I, even if they are not serving in that duty assignment.

True, but why would you give a medical professional advanced grade if they aren't going to serve in an HSO / MO capacity?

Legal Officer special appointments go directly to NHQ and do not stop at Wing or Region, however again, this is only if they are an LGL.  Lawyers, in and of themselves don't get bling just for the sheepskin and the license.

[RiverAux]

I don't see where they are ever required to do anything else after getting that initial bump.  I suppose that technically you could demote them based on CAPR35-5 1-9 for failure to perform their duties satisfactorily, but I think that would be a HUGE stretch. 

The same could be said for mission-related skills appointments.  Say you gave a guy Capt. for having an CFI rating and three years later he drops his pilot license entirely due to a medical issue.  Are we going to demote him back to the lowest rank he is otherwise qualified for?  I think not.

While I certainly hate the idea of even having mission or professional-related appointments even I will admit that the data shows that the majority of folks do eventually catch up in their PD training if they stay in very long. 

[IceNine]

I think the take away here is don't promote them until they are actively meeting appropriate requirements.

Lawyers should be doing legal or IG stuff, doctors should be HSO'ing, etc. 

You can justify demotion any way you feel is appropriate.  You can also ensure that people are not promoted just because they can be.

[RiverAux]

Agree 100% on being strict about that initial appointment.

Now, if you have someone who got that initial appointment and is sitting in a staff job and never does the actual work, I certainly wouldn't keep him in that job where he is accumulating time that could count towards specialty track advancement.  I wouldn't demote him for not doing the job, I'd just remove him from the position. 

Unfortunately, our inspection program basically urges commanders to put bodies in slots on the chart even if those bodies aren't doing anything. 

[AirAux]

A lawyer joins with 9 years legal experience and is given Captain rank.  A year later he/she has 10 years experience and gets promoted to Major.  In reality, Legal Officers and Medical Officers have very little to do in fulfilling their duties.  By completing National Legal Officer College (a week at a very nice hotel), they can be promoted to Lt. Col.  They are rewarded for their education and their presence in CAP and the sphere of influence they have (supposedly).  They have the opportunity to meet with and talk to legislators, etc.  They do carry a bigger stick than your everyday ground team leader or peter pilot.. JMHO..

[Eclipse]

A lawyer joins with 9 years legal experience and is given Captain rank. 

Not quite.

A lawyer joins CAP and is appointed by the Wing (or higher as per the latest reg) as a Legal Officer and they become eligible for Captain (etc., etc.).

You don't get anything if you're a lawyer who is also a pilot and just wants to fly (assuming you're following the spirit of the program).

[AirAux]

Considering the discussion was of professional appointments, I assumed that was a given that was understood by all.  My sincerest apologies for the oversight..

[Eclipse]

Considering the discussion was of professional appointments, I assumed that was a given that was understood by all.  My sincerest apologies for the oversight..

Sadly its not.  There plenty, far too many, people who are recruited based on shoulder bling, or made promises after they join and read the regs that say what is possible, given advance grade and then do little or nothing justifying the appointment.

Personally I look for 6+months of actual performance of "whatever" before I'll consider any advance grade.
Fly some O-rides (which means you're a CAP pilot), etc., and then come see me.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Two contrasts in professional appointment as Chaplain...but keep in mind that this was well over 15 years ago, and I was new to CAP myself and had no clue how such things worked (not that I do now, for that matter).

My unit got a Chaplain who was an ordained minister in the Baptist Church.  He came in automatically as a 2/LT, if I remember correctly.  It took a long time to get his ecclesiastical endorsement, since his particular division of Baptists had no central authority to speak of.  But when he finally did, he got bumped up to 1/LT, which he remained until he got a call to another church and left.

I thought Chaplains automatically came in as Captains once their ecclesiastical endorsement came in but didn't hold rank until then.   I don't remember this Chaplain being an SMWOG for too long.

Another Chaplain was already well-established in CAP when he came to us as a Captain.  He was also a rated Observer, did comms...lots of other stuff besides Chaplaincy.  He told me about the "catch-up" factor before he could be promoted to Major, but I don't know that he ever was, as he also took a call to another church and moved away.

Both of them were great guys but I don't remember the first guy doing much in the way of professional development, while the second guy did quite a lot.

But I could be completely wrong, since I think CAP treats Chaplains different to other direct-professions.

[Eclipse]

Chaplains are different situations altogether.

The are appointed by the National Commander (as a matter of regulation, if not in practice).

The cannot be demoted - if a situation arises which would warrant demotion, they are terminated from CAP.

While serving in the role of a Chaplain, they are exempt from all other professional development requirements except for time-in-grade.

Termination of their Chaplain appointment requires the approval of at least the Wing.

Below is the criteria:

Chaplains. Concurrent with appointment as chaplain in CAP, chaplains may be appointed to an appropriate grade as outlined below. Requirements for appointment as CAP chaplains are outlined in CAPR 265-1, The CAP Chaplain Program.

(1) First Lieutenant. A clergyperson with a bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited college (listed in the Higher Education Directory or recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board), and at least 5 years ministry experience meets the qualifications for a chaplain waiver appointment as outlined in CAPR 265-1.

(2) Captain. A clergyperson with a bachelor's degree and seminary degree or a bachelor's degree and more than 7 years of ministry experience.
14 CAPR 35-5 21 AUGUST 2008

(3) Major. A clergyperson with an earned doctorate degree in a ministry related field and 1 year time-in-grade as a captain.

With that said, this only applies to members in "Chaplain" status - like anything else, just being a member of clergy is not enough, you have to agree to accept the duties of the CAP Chaplain service, and the unit or Group CC has to be interested in having you be his Chaplain.

If you step back from being a Chaplain, then you're just  a regular member, subject to all the same PD requirements as everyone else, and I would say subject to demotion if you don't perform at the grade level you hold. (i.e a Major who got it because of the Chaplaincy, knows nothing about CAP, and performs well below grade level or make a big boo-boo).

[Hawk200]

The individual in question received an advanced promotion as an AE officer(Captain initially, major a year later). There was prior staff experience as a college professor(not currently associated with a college or university).

E-services shows the individual with the AE track, but no level shows "None".

So, it's not a chaplain being discussed.

[Eclipse]

Well, unless anyone has a problem with his current service, he can stay a Captain forever, but he's got to complete Level III to be considered for Major, including getting to a Senior level in a specialty.

[Cecil DP]

The individual in question received an advanced promotion as an AE officer(Captain initially, major a year later). There was prior staff experience as a college professor(not currently associated with a college or university).

E-services shows the individual with the AE track, but no level shows "None".

So, it's not a chaplain being discussed.

To have received an appointment as an AEO, based on his being on the faculty of a college, he must be a current member of the faculty former doesn't count. Same with Physicians, Teachers, lawyers, and clergy. A current license to practice or state or Bar certification is required. For Chaplains their endorsments agency must still be current.

[DogCollar]

b]While serving in the role of a Chaplain, they are exempt from all other professional development requirements except for time-in-grade.[/b]Termination of their Chaplain appointment requires the approval of at least the Wing.

Below is the criteria:

Chaplains. Concurrent with appointment as chaplain in CAP, chaplains may be appointed to an appropriate grade as outlined below. Requirements for appointment as CAP chaplains are outlined in CAPR 265-1, The CAP Chaplain Program.

(1) First Lieutenant. A clergyperson with a bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited college (listed in the Higher Education Directory or recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board), and at least 5 years ministry experience meets the qualifications for a chaplain waiver appointment as outlined in CAPR 265-1.

(2) Captain. A clergyperson with a bachelor's degree and seminary degree or a bachelor's degree and more than 7 years of ministry experience.
14 CAPR 35-5 21 AUGUST 2008

(3) Major. A clergyperson with an earned doctorate degree in a ministry related field and 1 year time-in-grade as a captain.

As of the Winter boards, Chaplains have no exemption from professional development requirements for advancement.  In other words, the Chaplain that comes in and is appointed at the grade of Captain, must still complete all the requirements of Level III, including time in grade, before promotion to major.

Chaplains also no longer have anything that will substitute for SLS or CLC.  Chaplains must take those classes in order to promote. 

Also, Chaplains are no longer automatically given the technician rating in the specialty track (please know that the chaplain specialty track has been completely re-written and is going through the approval process now).  In other words, Chaplains can be appointed at an advanced grade, however to promote beyond that grade we are now subject to the regular senior member professional development requirements.

I sure hope that Chappie will correct anything I've gotten wrong here !

[Hill CAP]

Since we are on this topic I will start here as not to create another thread.

I have a SM 2d Lt that just transfered to us from National Patron Squadron and got his 2d Lt. He is retired from the Immigration Service and holds a GS-13. He says that the GS-13 is equiv to a Military Lt Col.

He is pushing both me as the Personnel Officer and our Commanding Officer to put in for Exceptional Qualification to the grade of Lt Col.

He was in the Air Force as a TSgt and completed the Command NCO Academy. Which he has been credited ECI 13.

What would be the best source of explaining to this member that I have already spoke to NHQ and there is no way they will allow the promotion based upon a GS-13 rating?

[heliodoc]

Hey... about direct appointments for outdoor specialists, wildland firefighters, foresters, SF types, SERE types, airborne life support specialists, real infantry types and others who spend MORE time in the outdoors living and practicing outdoor skills such as land nav, map reading, GPS work, survey work, etc.

How a bout a direct "CAP commission" to 1LT or CPT?

These folks are doing this everyday and when or if they come into CAP how about a little tidbit for them?

CAP seems to put tooooo much time worrying about the CFI's, MD's and lawyers and in turn those folks worry too much about "rank" they can get.  This is where, in some cases, CAP gets its wannabee stigma from those professionals who can now tout "I am a LT COL in the CAP!!!!!"

I was just happy to get 1LT based on my US Army NCO Academies, FAA Commercial ticket, and A&P

But then, what do I know about that desire to get all the CAP "rank"  based on my civilian skills