CLC now offered Online!

[EMT-83]

Unless there's been a recent change, SLS is only available on-line for chaplains. Everyone else must complete classroom training.

I'm aware of a member getting permission from the Wing PDO to take CLC before SLS, due to a scheduling conflict. However, I don't know of any rule that says you can or can't take them out of order.

I would think that on-line SLS and CLS would be a last resort, to be used only if classroom training isn't available. As others have mentioned, the real value of these programs is the interaction between participants. Sure, you could read the slides and instructor notes, but you won't get as much out of it.

I have no idea why it can be like pulling teeth to get these courses scheduled. It's really not very difficult. We recently conducted an in-house SLS and just received approval to run a TLC. If there's enough interest, I'm thinking about doing CLC as well.

Yes, these are supposed to be Group or Wing level programs. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.

[AdAstra]

You must complete SLS before CLC. This came up following the SLS & CLC on 22-23 May at Travis AFB. This is in CAPR 50-17, but in the past wasn't strictly enforced.

My personal guess is that about two years ago the eServices programmers finally formally entered this requirement in coding. Today, the Professional Development Registrar cannot input a student for SLS unless he/she has completed Level One and is enrolled in a Level II specialty track. Likewise, she cannot input a student for CLC unless he/she has completed SLS. And I get a "tsk-tsk" message from PDR!

[Eclipse]

Unless there's been a recent change, SLS is only available on-line for chaplains. Everyone else must complete classroom training.

For better or worse they appear to be accepting applications from the general population, now.  I have at least one member in my group who is signed up.  It remains to be seen whether his non Chaplain-ness will be vetted before he starts.

[Dad2-4]

I signed up for the online CLC course. Let's see how it goes.
It took me 3+ years to have the chance to do SLS. I had to drive 4 hours to get there, pay for gas, a hotel, 4 meals, and the course itself. Several segments were spent listening to pilots tell of their flying adventures, so I paid a lot of money to get very little new information.

[MIKE]

I assume that I have to have taken SLS before I can take CLC, right?

Too bad, I'll have to wait awhile on this online option.

I think MAWG might have done either SLS or CLC recently... I forget which.  They are usually done at the Hanscom FSC.

[DBlair]

I just noticed this in the PD News section...

CLC & SLS On-line
(27 May 10)

On-line CLC & SLS are now available! On-line CLC & SLS are open to all eligible candidates who would not otherwise be able to attend in residence.  To register for either course click this link which takes you to the On-line Courses & Exams page in CAP University.  Please note that the primary method of completing CLC & SLS is in residence and the on-line option is primarily for those who cannot attend in residence.

PD Staff

I'm noticing how they are stressing "eligible candidates who would not be able to attend in residence." I'm curious as to what qualifies a person to take these online courses- what defines "eligible" and what defines not being able to attend in residence. It seems there is more to it than just whoever wants to take it online.

[DBlair]

Update:

This morning, I received information regarding this online CLC course and getting started. Seems like it is being hosted by Wyoming Wing. I'll report back with details about this experience as they happen.

I was wondering if anyone here on CAPTalk is in my class?

[Tubacap]

I signed up for the class, but haven't gotten any word yet.  I have been looking to get into CLC for about a year and a half.  Trying to find a weekend it is offered and I am not working has been difficult.

[SARDOC]

How does the online CLC address the WING SPECIFIC Learning objectives as outlined in CAPR 50-17 5-3 a..  I'm all for an online CLC but are there really 52 different versions depending on which wing you're in?

[Eclipse]

The short answer is "yes", and it clearly can't - which may be enough justification to deny permission to members in all but the most
extreme cases of "I can't get there...".

My wing, for example, adds sessions on Logistics and the IG, and as someone who directs and instructs them annually I can tell you we
are being as locally specific in all the classes as possible.

The risk here is that these become like RSC and NSC where the questions start "but in my wing..." and the instructors can't reasonably address it.

My single biggest concern here is that it appears the system is accepting applications without any approval or even notification of the commander, which runs contrary to the idea that commanders need to approve participation in everything.  My wing runs 3-4 a year,
geographically spread reasonably for the membership - afterwards the members return to their units better informed and energized.

I really don't want my people taking some genericized curriculum that has little connection to day-to-day real CAP life, and spreading it out over 8 weeks isn't going to energize anybody, let alone foster any new connections that are meaningful locally.

[Star-Maker]

I assume that I have to have taken SLS before I can take CLC, right?

Too bad, I'll have to wait awhile on this online option.

I think MAWG might have done either SLS or CLC recently... I forget which.  They are usually done at the Hanscom FSC.

Yep.  It was SLS, and it conflicted with the wing comm exercise, which I needed for my Comm tech rating and which I had been told happens very rarely.

Ah well, I'll do it the next time it comes around.

[DBlair]

Anyone else scheduled to start CLC on Wednesday, 23 June?

I received the initial email, but haven't heard anything further.

[Cecil DP]

I assume that I have to have taken SLS before I can take CLC, right?

Too bad, I'll have to wait awhile on this online option.

You can take CLC prior to SLS, BUT you won't get credit for it until you complete the SLS (and then you have to either resubmit the CAPF11 for the CLC as proof or send a copy of the CLC Diploma).

[Cecil DP]

It shouldn't cost the member anything, certainly not overnight travel money.  That's a wing problem that needs to be fixed in the wing.
Ours are generally 1 - N, 1 Mid, 1 S.  1-2 hours travel tops, and I try not to charge anything for the seminar, though someone always sneaks in copies on me.

1 a year per state is unacceptable.

Actually the Wing should be telling each group that they are required to put on one of each course a year (SLS, CLC, TLC)  in coordination with WIng and adjacent groups. I've actually had people drive to Marietta GA, from Jacksonville FL. for a SLS, because it was closer than the training available in FLWG.

[Cecil DP]

I just applied for the on-line course.

For me I live in St John's County Florida and most of the CLC I have seen hosted are over in the panhandle or way down south. I am currently a SLS/UCC Director and was told the reason they will not let me run a CLC with it is because they are not going to send instructors for CLC when only one person needs it referring to me.

I am sure I am not the only person in the area that needs CLC heck I can count two others in my Squadron who need CLC but I'm not going to fight with Wing Prof. Development to get the course.

You're not the only one in Group 2 that needs it, but the Group HQ has gone several years without it and seem to be very happy with the situation.

[Custer]

CAP is slowly turning into a correspondence course, with less and less need to ever show up to a unit meeting.  This is not a good thing.

In my case the online courses are quite valuable.  My "weekend" is Tuesday / Wednesday.  Virtually all resident classes are taught on Weekends and I can't make it to them.

I can't take weekends off, but call a search on Monday afternoon and I can stay out four days straight.

[Rotorhead]

INew York is a very big state, and long drives are the norm, especially for the edges of the state (Jamestown, Plattsburgh, Eastern end of Long Island, etc.)  I imagine California, Texas, and Florida have similar experiences.

Given that you could drop the "very big" state of NY into these states, yes, they do.

[RVT]

Its on line - but unlike the IS100 & IS700 courses there is still interaction with a living instructor.  These classes have specific start times and a "Virtual Classroom" environment.  I have yet to do one myself but I would not be surprised for there to be set times to log in and watch a live web broadcast of the instructor doing what he otherwise would have been doing in person, with all of the students logged into a chat room.

Or it may not be that high tech.

[Cecil DP]

I assume that I have to have taken SLS before I can take CLC, right?

Too bad, I'll have to wait awhile on this online option.

I think MAWG might have done either SLS or CLC recently... I forget which.  They are usually done at the Hanscom FSC.

Yep.  It was SLS, and it conflicted with the wing comm exercise, which I needed for my Comm tech rating and which I had been told happens very rarely.

Ah well, I'll do it the next time it comes around.

If MAWG doesn't have one that is convenient for you check out the NH, RI, and CT Wings for their  courses. Nothing to prevent you from taking the course there, and it gives you another Wing's perspectives on local issues.  Since you're located at Hanscom, it's only an hour drive to RI and/or NH Wing HQ's