New Senior Member-----HELP!!!

Pace · June 16, 2005, 07:34:02 PM

Ah, sorry about that. I checked my recently deleted mail and found it. I get so many e-mails a day, sometimes I mistake e-mail I want to read for spam and delete it. Thanks for catching that.

Daniel

Westernslope · June 18, 2005, 03:06:57 AM

I may be still a newbie on this forum but I am not new to CAP. I agree that some squadrons focus on Cadet development and know very little about Sr Mbr training.

We are an organization of volunteers so the level of expertise varies - even at the squadron commander level. So, at times, we have to learn it on our own. Also, some squadron commanders are uncomfortable with new members asking questions outside their expertise.

One successful tactic that I have recommended to new members in similar circumstances is take do the research to determine what process methods, forms, etc. are needed then ask the squadron commander or professional development officer to "verify" that the information is still current. Of course it will be current but it is better than asking "Don't you know how to do your job?"

Also you could complete the paperwork, when possible, and just present it for proper signatures. I make copies of all signed paperwork and send it to National myself . Sidebar: I keep copies of everything and have a set of my personnel records at my home.

In CAP, you can learn most everything needed, if you know where to find it or who do ask. This is not always easy but your finding this forum is a great start.

Sounds like you have done a lot of research already but suggestions of places to start include:

Obtain (download) a copy of CAPR 50-17 Sr Mbr Prof Dev Program.
Obtain (download) a copy of P7 Sr Mbr Fast Start handbook.
Obtain (download) Specialty Track Study guides for specialty tracks that interest you.
Use the CAP knowledge base to help find information
Attend a Squadron Leadership School (SLS) in your wing or a nearby wing. The Wing Prof Dev Officer should have a schedule.
Attend Wing, Region and even National Conferences. The networking alone can be worth the expense.

Based on your enthusiasm and commitment, sounds like you will be a great asset to your squadron. Just give them a little time to get to know you and realize that your commitment is for real.

PWK-GT · June 18, 2005, 03:46:08 AM

'Cadetofthe60s' pretty much nailed down what I was after. I DO realize that most of the info I need is out there, but it is sometimes frustrating trying to find it! I spend at least 2-3 hours a night poking around online after the wife and kids are fast asleep.Sleep is overrated anyhow--anyone w/kids under 2 yrs knows THAT one........HAHA

.....but I would like to make my searches a lot more time efficient.
A million thanks to all on this thread so far--- you have given me a real direction to go with my questions! I even heard from the Group PAO who is now lurking out here.......I put my original post under a different username, because I felt bad ranting about my frustrations..........but, apparently, mine are not unique to some SM's in here.

"There are no stupid questions....just stupid people"--A1c Eric Cartman

abysmal · June 18, 2005, 03:52:25 AM

Quote from: griggs5113 on June 18, 2005, 03:46:08 AM
I DO realize that most of the info I need is out there, but it is sometimes frustrating trying to find it! I spend at least 2-3 hours a night poking around online after the wife and kids are fast asleep.Sleep is overrated anyhow--anyone w/kids under 2 yrs knows THAT one........HAHA .....but I would like to make my searches a lot more time efficient.

That is EXACTLY where I was 6 months ago when I joined back up with CAP and started searching the www for all the questions that I had.

The resources we have available to us now are SO MUCH BETTER than when I was a cadet back in the 70's. THere is just no comparison to the access to information that is at our fingertips.

PWK-GT · June 18, 2005, 03:56:42 AM

Abysmal and I sound like we should be new best-buddies!!!!! HEE HEE!!!

I mean, best-buddies SIR!
Congrats on those new butter-bars!

abysmal · June 18, 2005, 04:54:02 AM

thanks.
And I see no reason at all why we shouldn't be friends.
This whole forum is filled with some VERY good hearted people.
In general, its a good reflection of what CAP is all about.

PWK-GT · June 18, 2005, 05:04:00 AM

Agreed..........I have to say that this one is by FAR the best one I have found. I know our Wing has it's problems lately, but it's nice to network w/ those guys outside the Wing

This forum is a real asset when you have no PDO available in-house.
As an aside to Abysmal, when were you 82nd? My best bud was in the Sandbox in '91...........a chemical jumper-type. He got out after that hitch, and I'm trying to get him into CAP.

abysmal · June 18, 2005, 05:07:15 AM

I joined the 82nd in 1987 as part of the 1/17th Air Cav in the 82nd Aviation Btln.
Spent all my time at Bragg, mostly on Smoke Bomb Hill.
Got out in the summer of 1990 and then called back in for desert storm in 1991.
Went through a full retraining and certification and was about to be asigned when they released our entire group and declared the war over.

abysmal · June 18, 2005, 05:10:40 AM

Quote from: griggs5113 on June 18, 2005, 05:04:00 AM
Agreed..........I have to say that this one is by FAR the best one I have found.

A few good places to drop in on from time to time are...

http://forums.military.com/eve/ubb.x/a/frm/f/1041972456
http://www.cadetstuff.org/
http://www.auxiliarypower.org/
http://capblog.typepad.com/
http://www.squadroncommand.com/

at least these are the places that I frequent when the family is asleep and I am searching out obscure CAP things...

PWK-GT · June 18, 2005, 05:22:52 AM

I had a problem w/ the Military.com one last night.....I tried to register, but every time I hit 'submit' I got a 404Error notice.
Maybe a temporary glitch??

abysmal · June 18, 2005, 06:32:35 AM

honestly don't know.
I have never posted to that forum, just read.

pixelwonk · June 18, 2005, 08:38:52 AM

Quote from: abysmal on June 18, 2005, 05:10:40 AM
Quote from: griggs5113 on June 18, 2005, 05:04:00 AM
Agreed..........I have to say that this one is by FAR the best one I have found.

A few good places to drop in on from time to time are...

http://forums.military.com/eve/ubb.x/a/frm/f/1041972456
http://www.cadetstuff.org/
http://www.auxiliarypower.org/
http://capblog.typepad.com/
http://www.squadroncommand.com/

at least these are the places that I frequent when the family is asleep and I am searching out obscure CAP things...

Dont forget, www.civilairman.com

abysmal · June 18, 2005, 04:19:01 PM

FORGIVE ME OH GREAT ONE.
I didn't think of that one.

Won't make that mistake twice....

PWK-GT · June 18, 2005, 05:55:13 PM

TSK-TSK............barely an LT, and already overworked to the point of brain-fry.

Pylon · June 18, 2005, 06:03:46 PM

Quote from: griggs5113 on June 18, 2005, 05:55:13 PM
TSK-TSK............barely an LT, and already overworked to the point of brain-fry.

Isn't that the story for us all?

abysmal · June 18, 2005, 06:20:52 PM

Hey, what about the UNDERPAID part?

??

PWK-GT · June 18, 2005, 07:25:02 PM

I thought the 'underpaid' part was a given............Doesn't CAP stand for "Can't Actually Pay-you"

Westernslope · June 18, 2005, 07:31:18 PM

Quote from: griggs5113 on June 18, 2005, 07:25:02 PM
I thought the 'underpaid' part was a given............Doesn't CAP stand for "Can't Actually Pay-you"

Could be....

I always thought it was Come And Pay

SarDragon · June 19, 2005, 06:58:22 AM

Cash And Plastic!

Pylon · June 19, 2005, 01:54:52 PM

Quote from: Cadetofthe60s on June 18, 2005, 07:31:18 PM
Quote from: griggs5113 on June 18, 2005, 07:25:02 PM
I thought the 'underpaid' part was a given............Doesn't CAP stand for "Can't Actually Pay-you"

Could be....

I always thought it was Come And Pay

Quote from: SarDragon
Cash And Plastic!

Actually, we had a thread on this very topic!

Alternative meanings for CAP