Professional Development

[Hawk200]

I like it; it's certainly a viable option.  The only issue I have though is that members lose the camaraderie with others since they're off in their own little cubby hole doing these courses. They lose the advantage of interaction between members that a classroom environment would provide. 

I'm glad it didn't sound so off-the-wall. I hadn't considered the lack of interaction though. Just an idea, but how about some kind of teleconference or webinar for an interactive setting ? (I know, it's a little more complicated, but I'm kind of thinking of things like cooking spaghetti: throw something against the wall, see if it sticks  ).

There's got to be a way we can make the same education available to everybody, regardless of their availability. We should be trying to get everyone schooled, not just leaving people behind because they have a different work schedule.

[Briski]

You know, that's a good point...

I've taken some non-CAP classes online where a required part of the curriculum was to participate in the online discussions based on the readings in a forum such as this one. That might be an option for those of us who can't devote an entire weekend to SLS or CLC, but don't want to miss out on all of the benefits of group discussion-based course. I know I'd be up for something like this.

So, now what are we gonna do with all these neat ideas?

[Flying Pig]

Personally, Id love to attend the SLS and other courses in person.  But with my employer, I work Fri-Mon and our days off are bidded by seniority as well as our vacations.  Surely there has to be something I can do to cover these courses? It could literally be years before I could attend.

Briski...make it happen.   

[Chappie]

We're just commenting on the dichotomy that you set up.  By your own definition you can't care about promotion and advancement and also care about the unit -- it is either one or the other.

Pylon and I are saying that it is possible for someone to care about their own professional development (and the promotions that go with it) and also be deeply committed to the actual missions of CAP and their unit. 

I, for one, would hope that I fit that description.  As a Chaplain, I have felt that it is necessary for chaplains to set an example within their unit in all things...including PD.   

So during my CAP career, the pursuit of excellence in order to better serve whatever unit I was assigned or fulfill whatever task given has resulted in attaining: the Yeager Award, Master ratings in Cadet Programs/Chaplain/Professional Development specialty tracks, Mission Chaplain rating, and the Gill Robb Wilson award.

The Chaplain Service in both the Wing and Region I serve has a Professional Development Officer assigned to assist Chaplains and MLOs in pursuing the advancement of their training.

[Hawk200]

It sounds very much like the proverbial horse and water source.  I can bring them there, but I can't make them do it.

My grandfather always used to snicker at that adage. When I got old enough, I finally asked him what was so funny about it. He told me: "Feed the horse salt pills and then take him to water. He'll drink."

I guess we've got to do the same thing.

[SarDragon]

Kinda gets me thinking, what do people think of a correspondence course type idea for SLS and CLC?

I like it; it's certainly a viable option.  The only issue I have though is that members lose the camaraderie with others since they're off in their own little cubby hole doing these courses. They lose the advantage of interaction between members that a classroom environment would provide. 

Exactly. I'll let y'all know more next month after my turn in the barrel teaching SLS. That's one of the things I miss about the Level I classes - the camaraderie and interactions among the students. I taught at the group level, and it was a good opportunity for members to meet folks outside their own units.

[Capt M. Sherrod]

I believe that was the point of SLS and CLC being in-residence.  They want us to get out there and interact with other squadrons and get some exposure to the wing level (at least based on the old material).  I had the experience (unfortunate or otherwise) to attend the old format SLS and CLC (death by powerpoint) and teach at the new style SLS.  I think that the new format is going to clearly be better for the organization as we move forward.

[ZigZag911]

Concern for one's own professional development and dedication to the CAP program should go hand in hand; one enhances the other....much the same with training in or expanding ES qualifications.

As for difficulty getting to SLS/CLC -- some wings have offered SLS on a series of week nights (e.g., every Thursday night for 4-6 weeks)....this helps those who work weekends...ought to work for CLC as well.

The problem with PD is over-centralization, especially in some mid-sized wings....this stuff should be offered in geographically convenient locales, not just wing HQ -- for instance, a group or several groups (or, for the wings that don't use groups, several neighboring squadrons).

CLC, by its nature, needs wing input & participation....which is still not the same as restricting it to wing HQ!

Finally, it is critical that commanders & deputies for seniors encourage participation in PD by their members....it's how we learn about CAP (for all the imperfections in the courses and sometimes the teaching), and how we expand our vision beyond the local unit.

In my tenure as group commander my deputy & I used to monitor the PD progress of the squadron commanders, squadron deputies, and our own staff quite closely, trying to help their progress wherever possible.

[IceNine]

My wing has gradually transitioned to the multi locale training we do one north, central and south.  They also try to throw in one of the other courses that are needed in these different areas while they run SLS.  For instance we may run SLS,CLC, and UCC north, SLS/CLC, and the Basic IG course South, and something else central this year.  Next year it will switch.  As in most wings this is not hard fast rule more an attempt.  we have not that I know of solved the problem for those that can't do weekends.

[Hawk200]

Concern for one's own professional development and dedication to the CAP program should go hand in hand; one enhances the other....much the same with training in or expanding ES qualifications.

I'm not usually all that concerned about my own PD, although I have made progression. I'm only a few checkmarks away from Level 4, and got about half of Level 5. A lot of folks think I'm a little too pushy on the PD, but I think they should be moving up, not stagnating. I'm just at a loss sometimes on how to get the idea across that I'd like to see them move up for their own sakes.

[ZigZag911]

. A lot of folks think I'm a little too pushy on the PD, but I think they should be moving up, not stagnating. I'm just at a loss sometimes on how to get the idea across that I'd like to see them move up for their own sakes.

Often members like this will say "I'm just here for the cadets", or "I just want to help the squadron".

Beyond pointing out to them how their training can benefit the unit/cadets and the accomplishment of the mission, there isn't a whole lot you can do.

[Hawk200]

Often members like this will say "I'm just here for the cadets", or "I just want to help the squadron".

Beyond pointing out to them how their training can benefit the unit/cadets and the accomplishment of the mission, there isn't a whole lot you can do.

I guess not. It's just a little frustrating. We have capable people, but at times some don't seem very motivated. I guess the biggest thing that frustrates me is that I see people making some of the same mistakes I did. Guess I've just got to let them make them, since they don't seem to want to learn from mine. (I don't mind looking stupid if someone else can avoid the same mistake.)

[SAR-EMT1]

As we are for the most part well aware of SLS, CLC, CAPSOC, and SOS; Id like to ask the membership if they are very active in the "other" PD, such as the multitude of AFIADL courses offered to us - anyone taken the NBC maintainers course?  
OR whether anyone has taken any AF specialist courses- for EMTs, MDs, Chaplains, PAOs or sumsuch.

Second line of thought:
Has anyone ever known any Cadet Officers that have made use of AFIADL courses? They ARE eligible.

[shorning]

As we are for the most part well aware of SLS, CLC, CAPSOC, and SOS; Id like to ask the membership if they are very active in the "other" PD, such as the multitude of AFIADL courses offered to us - anyone taken the NBC maintainers course? 

"Very" active?  Dunno, but I've taken a bunch of ECI/AFIADL courses.

OR whether anyone has taken any AF specialist courses- for EMTs, MDs, Chaplains, PAOs or sumsuch.

Um, yes.

[SAR-EMT1]

As we are for the most part well aware of SLS, CLC, CAPSOC, and SOS; Id like to ask the membership if they are very active in the "other" PD, such as the multitude of AFIADL courses offered to us - anyone taken the NBC maintainers course? 

"Very" active?  Dunno, but I've taken a bunch of ECI/AFIADL courses.

OR whether anyone has taken any AF specialist courses- for EMTs, MDs, Chaplains, PAOs or sumsuch.

Um, yes.

Sorry, guess I out thought myself. I know folks have taken them. I guess I was asking for general opinions of those courses and if any of them should be revamped.

[shorning]

...and if any of them should be revamped.

Absolutely.  With the production cycle of those materials, they are outdated by the time they hit the streets.

[acarlson]

...only one month away from completing Level 3 as a lowly 2d Lt. 

Congratulations BIG TIME Lt. Sherrod!   Excellent work!

I share your excitement!  I too find it important and enjoyable to get all of the training and education available to me... and what better Leadership training can you get for the price?

... 2d Lt" as you put it and are only one month away from getting your Level III you've earned my respect bigtime.  You should know that only about 350 Loening Awards are presented each year.  Generally, only about 20% of CAP members earn this very prestigious award.  Plus you're not only serving in a very key position as deputy commander of cadets but you're also setting a great example for others....

actually that 350 is a representation of 1% of SM each year ...

about .05% earn the Lev. 4
and .02% earn Lev 5...

My crew saw no reason for the SM program training...  they're mostly pilots ... and ex military of one form or another ...

Once I got my Sqdn Commander's support (a mission pilot too)... and we both completed Lev 2 and then Lev 3, 5 months after that... lead by example and share your excitement... 

... the AFIADL (ECI) 13 was a huge roadblock... until they went to online enrollments... they the doors opened!   the light shined.. okok... not that sudden...

actually after that we hosted the SLS in our Group area... so no one needed to stay overnight away from home... and we had 7 attend from our squadron alone.. 5 of those the previously mentioned  pilots!  wow

I greet and focus on the PD program as soon as new members join our squadron... and it's SOP to them.   ( We're using the Great Start program. )

I have about 12 currently enrolled in AFIADL 13 ... both new and long-term members...

For the group: I'm focused on visiting each squadron... meeting the CC and DCS, PDO, and SMs... getting to know them... and them, me....   get them excited about PD training... busting thru the roadblocks, with a whole lotta followup.. (that's mostly follow-up with the paperwork... that's the stuff that makes for great levels of frustration...  My job as PDO, as I see it, is to make the forms, paperwork, and followup happen... so that the pilots can be the best CAP pilots they can be... and not the best, most frustrated SMs doing PD forms!

I've also found a number of SM have the quals, but the paperwork just never was submitted (or received) for their Level Award... and/or grade promotion.  gravy!   and most happy SMs! 

AND ... get those happy SMs names in the forefront!  ... squadron, group, wing, region newsletters... Volunteer magazine... and CAP news online... then take those clippings and post them up in the squadron meeting room...  post color copies of their certificates, framed, on the walls... with pictures ...promote shamelessly!   we all like to be congratulated... AND seeing is believing... other SMs see the progress, and get to thinking...then they're asking questions... then they're making decisions... then they're submitting their CAPF 17 for the next SLS!!!

increase Professional Development training in the units, and we get more Professionally Developed members!   

and I've heard it here before... we're not just volunteers... we're Officers! 

[ZigZag911]

Lt Carlson -- what you're doing is exactly what I've been talking about...well done!

One person taking a proactive approach -- and leading by example -- does get results.

[IceNine]

Second line of thought:
Has anyone ever known any Cadet Officers that have made use of AFIADL courses? They ARE eligible.

First Cadets are eligible AFTER they complete their Mitchell Award

And yes I have known cadets to used the courses available (I was one of them), most of the time however it is only for shiny things (ES Course for the ES Badge), and occasionally AFIADL 13 will be used by cadets to fulfill the RCLS/AFIADL 13 requirement, however rare it may be.  A lot of the problem if you ask me is lack of promoting the availability of such courses.  If cadets were sent the AFIADL Course guide with their Officer packet and a letter explaining what they are allowed to take I think they would jump on the opportunity.

[Hawk200]

And yes I have known cadets to used the courses available (I was one of them), most of the time however it is only for shiny things (ES Course for the ES Badge), and occasionally AFIADL 13 will be used by cadets to fulfill the RCLS/AFIADL 13 requirement, however rare it may be.  A lot of the problem if you ask me is lack of promoting the availability of such courses.  If cadets were sent the AFIADL Course guide with their Officer packet and a letter explaining what they are allowed to take I think they would jump on the opportunity.

I would have to check with some people in the know, but it may be possible that cadets taking some of the AFIADL course could possibly recieve credit if they join the Air Force. It's only supposition, but it never hurts to try. Having the knowledge is always handy even if they don't.