Congratulations, your're the new National Commander...now what.

Started by Nick Critelli, July 15, 2007, 02:42:34 PM

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

peter rabbit

Not the most important item, but what appears to be a relatively easy fix:

Encourage NHQ to add the equivalent of online SQTRs for the four Professional Development levels above Level One. How hard, how much time could this take versus the continued paperwork handling and delays?

JeffDG

Quote from: peter rabbit on June 02, 2011, 02:58:16 PM
Not the most important item, but what appears to be a relatively easy fix:

Encourage NHQ to add the equivalent of online SQTRs for the four Professional Development levels above Level One. How hard, how much time could this take versus the continued paperwork handling and delays?
It would be nice to do each of the PD tracks the same way too, so you could track your Technician, Senior and Master levels.

The CyBorg is destroyed

Quote from: SAR-EMT1 on June 02, 2011, 06:57:50 AM
Permanent status as US Air Force Auxiliary. Change all patches, paperwork etc to reflect this.
Allow for most patches for the BDU to be offered in a more professional Subdued version.

I agree, but it will never happen.  The "low-light/at-a-distance" lot would give birth to a Mk 82 Snakeye with fuse extender.

Quote from: SAR-EMT1 on June 02, 2011, 06:57:50 AM
Push USAF to provide detailed CAP briefings to all in BMT, OCS, ROTC... AND give the same info during separation. (They already get info on the reserves and ANG...why not us?

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

This, I believe, would go much further than any tinkering of uniforms and wringing of hands about "low-light/at-a-distance" and "looking distinctive."

It would take very, very little time away from another marathon session of folding underpants and tee shirts for an MTI to give, at the very least, an evening dayroom briefing on the basic facts about us.


  • They are uniformed civilians who look like us with slightly different insignia
  • You do not have to render their officers a salute, but they appreciate it if you do
  • They have to render Armed Forces and CAP officers senior in grade a salute
  • They give of their time, talent and treasure to support the USAF and receive no pay
  • They have three functions: Emergency Services, Cadets and Aerospace Ed.
  • Many of them are former Active, Reserve and Guard
  • They won the first Air Medals of WWII
  • They've been around longer than the independent Air Force!

I read on the "CAP Major trolling for salutes" thread where one Airman said that his/her MTI said "if you encounter CAP personnel, ignore them."

That is inexcusable and the MTI should be reprimanded for misinforming his/her recruits.  I personally wouldn't mind a chat with said MTI myself (I've dealt with MTI's, DS's and a lot worse besides), not as a CAP Captain trying to pull rank, but as a CAP Captain expressing my own personal opinion of his/her pedagogical methods.  Of course, s/he may tell me to get bent, but I've heard worse from better people.
Exiled from GLR-MI-011

jks19714

The Communications CAPP was last updated in 1994.  A few things have changed and it is in serious need of a few edits!  For one thing, participation in nets is a LOT more difficult since we require the use of NTIA-compliant radios.
Diamond Flight 88
W3JKS/AAT3BF/AAM3EDE/AAA9SL
Assistant Wing Communications Engineer

JC004

Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on May 31, 2011, 03:51:22 AM
...
12.  Remember that we are the Civil Air Patrol and stay within the charter bounds of federal law & AF regulations.
RM

Why do you type things that don't make sense?

Quote from: jks19714 on June 02, 2011, 09:15:03 PM
The Communications CAPP was last updated in 1994.  A few things have changed and it is in serious need of a few edits!  For one thing, participation in nets is a LOT more difficult since we require the use of NTIA-compliant radios.

You mean the specialty track pamphlet?  I think many, if not all of the specialty tracks should be revised in at least a minor way.  Some in a major way.

------------------------------
In previous work, I became aware of these wonderful little gems - "@Google Talks."

Here's an example of a good one and some links to lists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ5k_Byd9Fs
http://www.youtube.com/user/GoogleTechTalks
http://www.youtube.com/user/AtGoogleTalks

As your new National Commander, I will be implementing a similar setup so that you can hear from members of the national staff (NHQ and volunteer), as well as other people who would help you do your jobs more effectively.  Imagine having the ability to hear from leadership experts, Air Force folks, and others who could offer you practical advice on management, leadership, and skills - for instance, a marketing expert, a business leader, an astronaut like Eric Boe, etc.

My thought is that it would:
1. engage members (when done as live seminars on ustream or a similar service)
2. educate members about things like leadership, functional skills (marketing, ES-related items, volunteer management, communication, etc.), and what the National level is doing
3. open people's minds up as far as their attitudes toward NHQ and the direction of CAP. This begins changing hearts and minds away from the us vs. them attitude that many have towards higher headquarters (or simply that they want nothing to do with higher hq).
4. allow members to engage directly with National staff and other people of significance (in the case of the interactive seminars)

What say you people of this idea?

The CyBorg is destroyed

My first order of business would be to get the SECAF, CSAF and CMSgtAF together, preferably in person, but cyberconference if not, and ask them a few questions.

Prior to that, I would forward them a list of these questions so they're not blind-sided at the meeting itself.


  • Mr/Madam Secretary, General, Chief, I came into CAP in the early '90s, after some major breakdown in the relationship between CAP and USAF.  What really happened to let things get to the point they are now?
  • What do you want and need from us?
  • What would it take for us to become the full-time USAF Auxiliary again?  I think most of us in CAP cherish our connection to the Air Force.  I would not have joined if not for that essential link.  The "AUXON/OFF" has been demoralising for not a few CAP members.
  • Why are new Airmen coming out of Lackland AFB not given at least basic instruction as to who we are, given that they are very likely to encounter us at some point?
  • We would be potentially useful to ANG and AFRC units undergoing mobilisation.  Is there any way we could assist with that?
  • Many of our pilots are former military pilots, and even those who are not have many hours of flight time, with CFI/CFII ratings.  We could be a force multiplier in terms of our pilots helping with the Initial Flight Screening.  Is that possible?  Why or why not?
  • Overall, how, if possible, can we get back to this sort of relationship?  As National Commander of Civil Air Patrol, I give you my word that I will do everything within my power to re-engage this relationship.



Respectfully submitted,

Cyrus Borg
Major General, CAP
Exiled from GLR-MI-011

RiverAux

Quote from: CyBorg on June 03, 2011, 11:02:05 PM
My first order of business would be to get the SECAF, CSAF and CMSgtAF together, preferably in person, but cyberconference if not, and ask them a few questions.

Prior to that, I would forward them a list of these questions so they're not blind-sided at the meeting itself.


  • Mr/Madam Secretary, General, Chief, I came into CAP in the early '90s, after some major breakdown in the relationship between CAP and USAF.  What really happened to let things get to the point they are now?
I think the chances that any of those individuals are going to have a clue as to what you are talking about are slim to none.  I seriously doubt they even came close to being involved in any of those situations and its not like it was a big enough deal for the AF as a whole that the rumor mill got started on it.  I doubt that even the SECAFs back then had much to do with it.  [/list]

AbnMedOps

First, after consolidating my power base, I will launch a non-attributable,  black ops "grass roots" campaign for legislation to DITCH THE AIR FORCE AND REALIGN CAP WITH THE ARMY! (or even the Navy, or perhaps even the Coast Guard..

This would result in either: 

1. The USAF suddenly deciding "Hey, they are trying to steal OUR CAP! We need to really get serious about pumping up this valuable asset we have been ignoring, and get them some money, and some missions, and maybe a Reservist assigned to each CAP squadron as a Unit Administrator, and lots of other cool stuff!"

2. Or, USAF decides, "Hey, times have changed, and it's time to cut dead wood. All this stuff about Minute Men of the Air in little bug smashers is a bunch of romantic nonsense and totally irrelevant, especially since we decide to focus on UAVs and cyberwar. Besides, we really don't get our money's worth from the CAP cadet program anyway - more of them join the Army or other services than enlist in the Air Force. The little buggers all want to be Rambo, not sign up for "Corrosion Control Specialist", or to be the guy who fixes the airconditioner on the Drone Control Trailer. Let 'em go and good riddance!"

Either way, SOMETHING would get shaken up!

The SEC Army might very well say, "Hey, it's always good to have some more good folks on the team. We are so much bigger than the Air Force, and have such a diversity of missions, we can find a home and some worthwhile work for these guys. Love those cadets! Lets get the ROTC machine lashed up with them, and go to Congress for a few bucks. Hmm...didn't we used to own the Air Corps? The wheel has now turned...hey, Army Aviation Branch Chief! Guess what, you guys now have an Auxiliary! Yeah, yeah, we realize we don't know much about civilian fix-wing, but your mission is to figure it out and get up to speed with these Cessna geezers and we'll develop the concept from there. Hey, Guard and Army Reserve..figure out how to align efforts with CAP in your AO, and brief me in 6 months. Army, this a great opportunity to do something, not exactly sure just what yet, but we will figure it out. The important thing is we stole CAP from the USAF, and in this era of resource constraints, that's gotta be good!"

Of course, US Coast Guard might also be a good candidate to take over the whole shebang...someone who post here says to the Coasties really know how to appreciate their Aux!

But whatever - shake this thing up!

AirDX

Even a real two-star does not just call and set up a sit-down with SECAF and CSAF.  A little chain of command issue.

Might need to get buy-in from the 3-star that runs AU, and his boss, the 4-star that runs AETC.
Believe in fate, but lean forward where fate can see you.

FW

^ Actually, for real "buy in" at that level, the BoG would need to agree (in closed session, of course) on the black ops.  The members would only know about it when the uniform change came down from above or, Colgan would proclaim himself as our new leader and begin the new branding campaign... >:D

BillB

If I was elected National Commander by the National Board, my first duty would be to.....resign
Gil Robb Wilson # 19
Gil Robb Wilson # 104

James Shaw

Quote from: BillB on June 04, 2011, 11:40:04 AM
If I was elected National Commander by the National Board, my first duty would be to.....resign

Is this along the lines of.....

"Any club that would have me as a member, I wouldn't want to join?"
Jim Shaw
USN: 1987-1992
GANG: 1996-1998
CAP:2000 - Current
USCGA:2018 - Current
SGAUS: 2017 - Current

Nilsog

In addition to what a lot of the other guys here have said,

I'd amp up the Health Services program, make it so that qualified medical personnel could perform their duties properly. Come up with a specialty track guide that can get new HSOs into their duty position quicker and easier, and actually tell them what they should be doing.

I would do my best to ensure equality for all our members by removing the weight/grooming requirements. I believe that there would still need to be some sort of grooming standard for hair, however. Neatly trimmed facial hair and a conservative haircut sounds like a resonable compromise to me. We are civilians and there is no physical requirement to be a member, why are there physical requirements to wear uniforms?

If I could accomplish the above goal, I would then nix all the corporate uniforms other than the polo combo, which I would classify as casualwear for classrooms or other such environments.

Reinstitute an enlisted program for the senior side, without prior service as a requirement. SM? Now Airman Basic. Take the advanced promotions/occupational list and lower them all to 2d or 1 Lt. I don't have all the answers yet, but institute some sort of training/PD class with AF enlistedmen/NCOs, where our new members can learn to be good followers and leaders. These are basic skills we all need to be good members, and if we require our cadets to learn this, why don't we teach seniors as well? This could also bring us closer to the AF and possibly help heal old wounds.

Try to pass job protection legislation for QUALIFIED non-essential employees who are called up on CAP missions. Similar to many laws regarding Vol firefighters.

Just a few ideas... (don't throw me out.. please...)
Kenneth Goslin
1st Lt., CAP

JC004

Quote from: FW on June 04, 2011, 10:35:10 AM
^ Actually, for real "buy in" at that level, the BoG would need to agree (in closed session, of course) on the black ops.  The members would only know about it when the uniform change came down from above or, Colgan would proclaim himself as our new leader and begin the new branding campaign... >:D

If this occurs, it's your own fault because I've been training hundreds of followers to carry this out for a decade.  It began more or less with your signature.  Now people will need to deal with the implementation of my platform (http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2426.msg55054#msg55054)

JeffDG

Quote from: BillB on June 04, 2011, 11:40:04 AM
If I was elected National Commander by the National Board, my first duty would be to.....resign
I'd initiate 2b's on every member of any Board that elected me...They'd obviously be completely incompetent to make serious an error in judgement.

The CyBorg is destroyed

Quote from: AirDX on June 04, 2011, 08:24:52 AM
Even a real two-star does not just call and set up a sit-down with SECAF and CSAF.  A little chain of command issue.

Might need to get buy-in from the 3-star that runs AU, and his boss, the 4-star that runs AETC.

Understood.

Colonel (insert name) commanding CAP-USAF
Lieutenant General (insert name) commanding Air University
General (insert name) commanding Air Education and Training Command.
Exiled from GLR-MI-011