What is/are the best specialty track(s) for a commander to have under the belt?

Started by Hawk200, November 17, 2018, 02:21:00 AM

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Hawk200

Friend and I discussed this, but thought I'd ask here: What do people in general think would be the best specialty track for a commander to have under their belt? And, why? We also considered different types of units, and from the perspective of only having a single specialty as well as having two or three.

There's no bet on this or anything, we're both just curious as to what other people think.

EDIT: We were talking about what tracks before becoming a commander, not the track one would have as a commander. Just for clarification.


CAP9907

I'd add Administration to the list, perhaps also Financial Management
21 yrs of service

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NIN

Honestly a good commander surrounds him or herself with the people in those specialties.

I got to thinking about this today WRT wing commanders: your job isn't necessarily to be a specialist, but to mentor the subordinate commanders and let the staff be the specialists.

I don't need to be a logisitican to be a good commander, but I better find and train a good LG.
Darin Ninness, Col, CAP
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arajca

If you're in a cadet or composite squadron, Cadet Programs. In a senior squadron, Ops or ES.

Eclipse

Quote from: arajca on November 17, 2018, 03:15:02 AM
If you're in a cadet or composite squadron, Cadet Programs. In a senior squadron, Ops or ES.

+1 Senior-level before being considered for the job.

"That Others May Zoom"

GaryVC

 It was recommended to me that I do inspections. Both on CAP Talk and by the previous commander. [Commander for a month]

Spaceman3750

If you dedicate yourself to general aptitude and serving your people, the technical skills will follow in time. Our cadet program is outstanding and well documented. It does have nuances but you're going to find those regardless of your specialty track level.


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etodd

How often do ES heavy Squadrons (as in lots of pilots and airplane focused) have Commanders who have no ES training, not even MS, and have never flown in the plane?  Does it make a difference?
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
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Spaceman3750

Quote from: etodd on November 18, 2018, 04:06:58 AM
How often do ES heavy Squadrons (as in lots of pilots and airplane focused) have Commanders who have no ES training, not even MS, and have never flown in the plane?  Does it make a difference?

I think you'll find a lot of even ES-focused commanders who rarely fly. There is limited amounts of funding, pilot, and aircraft availability. "I'd like to work on my MO, but Smith needs to work on his AP. Take him, I'll get my stuff done later. I have a TPS report to fill out anyways." Repeat every month for a different person.


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Holding Pattern

Quote from: Spaceman3750 on November 18, 2018, 04:21:52 AM
Quote from: etodd on November 18, 2018, 04:06:58 AM
How often do ES heavy Squadrons (as in lots of pilots and airplane focused) have Commanders who have no ES training, not even MS, and have never flown in the plane?  Does it make a difference?

I think you'll find a lot of even ES-focused commanders who rarely fly. There is limited amounts of funding, pilot, and aircraft availability. "I'd like to work on my MO, but Smith needs to work on his AP. Take him, I'll get my stuff done later. I have a TPS report to fill out anyways." Repeat every month for a different person.


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With the exception of MO being MS, this is precisely my situation. The last flying opportunity for MS I placed myself on the bottom of the priority list to make sure we had our active members get priority.

This in fact paid dividends later when we got a string of actual searches afterwards. I'm more use in the mission base pushing paperwork anyways.

Holding Pattern

Quote from: Hawk200 on November 17, 2018, 02:21:00 AM
Friend and I discussed this, but thought I'd ask here: What do people in general think would be the best specialty track for a commander to have under their belt? And, why? We also considered different types of units, and from the perspective of only having a single specialty as well as having two or three.

There's no bet on this or anything, we're both just curious as to what other people think.

EDIT: We were talking about what tracks before becoming a commander, not the track one would have as a commander. Just for clarification.

You should be in the command track before becoming a commander. Among other things, when done right, this gets you a mentor in advance. That alone is worth its weight in gold vs any other track in question.

Eclipse

Quote from: etodd on November 18, 2018, 04:06:58 AM
How often do ES heavy Squadrons (as in lots of pilots and airplane focused) have Commanders who have no ES training, not even MS, and have never flown in the plane?  Does it make a difference?

Not even MS? The bare minimum ES rating in CAP? Wow.

Too bad there isn't a whole set of ES ratings that don't ever include an aircrew.

The answer is >often<, and a lot of times they need to work harder then necessary because of
the mistaken attitude that someone who doesn't fly can't manage people who do.

"That Others May Zoom"

SarDragon

Unless things have changed, enrollment in the Command track doesn't happen until AFTER assignment as a commander. There used to be an explanation somewhere in the regs as to exactly why. IIRC, there's no 200-series pamphlet for that track.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

Eclipse

Quote from: Holding Pattern on November 18, 2018, 04:36:37 AM
You should be in the command track before becoming a commander. Among other things, when done right, this gets you a mentor in advance. That alone is worth its weight in gold vs any other track in question.

For what it's worth, the existing command track is essentially dead.

There is a committee developing a new one, which is said to include a whole new round of jumpstarts,
but who can say when or if it will ever be released.

With that said, reviewing the pamphlet wouldn't be a bad idea as it has some good places to start.
In reviewing it just now, it's not very comprehensive, and puts off some important things way too long
into Senior and Master.

"That Others May Zoom"

Eclipse

Quote from: SarDragon on November 18, 2018, 04:41:27 AM
Unless things have changed, enrollment in the Command track doesn't happen until AFTER assignment as a commander. There used to be an explanation somewhere in the regs as to exactly why. IIRC, there's no 200-series pamphlet for that track.

CAPP 222: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/P222_95366131D292D.pdf

Correct in that the Wing CC has to enroll the member.

"That Others May Zoom"

Holding Pattern

Quote from: SarDragon on November 18, 2018, 04:41:27 AM
Unless things have changed, enrollment in the Command track doesn't happen until AFTER assignment as a commander. There used to be an explanation somewhere in the regs as to exactly why. IIRC, there's no 200-series pamphlet for that track.

Then I broke the mold!

Also: CAPP 222
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/P222_95366131D292D.pdf

"Successful completion of the
Technician level prepares the trainee for command at the squadron
or group level (if applicable). Successful completion of the Senior
level prepares the trainee for command at the wing level. Successful
completion of the Master level certifies the trainee as a "Master Level
Commander" eligible for further executive-level (regional or national)
command or staff assignments, and continued executive
development. "

Holding Pattern

That said, I've been waiting on a mentor for 11 months now, and I have a sneaking suspicion I'll hit the one year mark without one regardless of how many times I've asked the group and wing commander for one.

SarDragon

Re: replies #15 and 16, I sit corrected. Since CC is not on my radar, I've not paid attention to that track.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

EMT-83

I wouldn't do anything different. CC is a temporary gig.

Follow the path that meets your long term CAP goals.