New Wing King

[Short Field]

I have been told that the USAF would not have a non-pilot in command of a USAF unit up through and including Wing.

You have been told wrong.

[Larry Mangum]

Form my own USAF experience. most commanders of non flying units, i.e. maintainers and support staff are in fact mostly non-rated officers.

[flyguy06]

  Of course, we all know that it is almost an unoffical requirement...

In your dreams.

Are you disputing the fact that pilots disproportionally serve in command slots in CAP?  I'm not even saying that it shouldn't be that way, but it is a fact that non-pilot Wing Commanders are in the minority when in fact an overwhelming majority of CAP senior members are not pilots. 

This "rule" isn't quite as strong at the squadron level, but non-pilots in command of flying squadrons are pretty rare (though it happens -- heck, I was one).

I have been told that the USAF would not have a non-pilot in command of a USAF unit up through and including Wing.

But, as I have been told many times by my good friends here...,

we are not the USAF.

You were told wrong. I used to think that myself. But think about Mission Support Group Commanders, Maintenece support , medical Supprt Groups. These wil more thanlikelyt be held by non pilots.

I read about a female Air Force One Star who was thehead of al the Security Forces inthe USAF. She was not a pilot. She was a SF officer.

I used to think that you had to be rated in order to move up inthe USAF so when I realized I couldnt fly, I joined the Army. Now adays I am seeing all these O-5's and O-6's that ar enot rated and I kick myself. At Lackland AFB where Air Force basic is held most of the training WIng Commanders are not rated. Now when you talk about General Officers. yeah, most of them will be rated officers.  I have only seen one four star USAF General that wasnt rate. Forgot his name but he was an Intel officer and became the NSA for th POTUS I believe.

[Short Field]

My old boss - Gen Mike Hayden.

[flyguy06]

My old boss - Gen Mike Hayden.

yep. Thats him.

[DG]

My miscommunication.

I meant to say that I have been told...,

"The USAF would not have a non-pilot in command of a USAF flying unit (pilots) up through and including Wing."

[Nolan Teel]

Must be the year for Ladies.


Lt. Col. Lisa Robinson Appointed Wing Commander-Elect for Alabama Wing   


Lt. Col. Lisa Robinson, of Birmingham, Alabama, has been selected as the Wing Commander-elect for the Alabama Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.  The Change of Command Ceremony will be held at the Wing Conference in Birmingham, February 6-7, 2010.  Col. Michael Oakman, current wing commander also of Birmingham, will relinquish command to her in a formal ceremony presided over by national and regional officers with Alabama CAP volunteers in attendance.  Robinson will be the first woman to command the Alabama Wing.


Lt. Col. Robinson has completed the five levels of senior member training, concluding with the Gill Robb Wilson Award in December, 2007.  This award recognizes those senior members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in Civil Air Patrol.  It was first awarded in 1964 and honors the late Gill Robb Wilson, the founder of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and its first executive officer.

Each level required Robinson to become more involved in CAP activties, master skills in one of 23 technical areas and develop leadership ability.  She has a master rating in flight operations and cadet programs, as well as a senior rating in public affairs.  A private pilot, she is also a Satellite-Transmitted Digital Imagining System (SDIS) operator, a mission observer, and mission Information Officer in addition to other ES qualifications.
She has multiple Civil Air Patrol awards, including an Exceptional Service Award, Commander's Commendation with three bronze clasps, and the Yeager Award.  Other awards were given for her excellence in service to the Alabama Wing and Civil Air Patrol.

Lt. Col. Robinson is currently Chief of Staff and Acting Vice Commander for the Alabama Wing.  She has held commander, deputy commander for seniors at Alabama's 117th CAP Squadron in Birmingham. She completed National Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Ala, in 2007.


Robinson is employed by the Baptist Health System in Birmingham, Ala., as an application analyst, providing 24-hour support for the Radiology Management System, networked to seven facilities.  She earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Radiological Technology with honors from Jefferson State Jr. College, a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Ive worked with Lisa before as a cadet at the ALWG Encampment!  She will do a great job in ALWG!  Congrats!

[SarDragon]

My miscommunication.

I meant to say that I have been told...,

"The USAF would not have a non-pilot in command of a USAF flying unit (pilots) up through and including Wing."

The canoe club alternates commanding officers of flying units between pilots and GIBs, so the GIBs can have command opportunities. When the CO is a pilot, the XO is a GIB, who moves up to CO, and then the new XO is a pilot. Rinse, repeat.

[flyguy06]

SARDragon, why are you using acronyms you know we dont know what they mean? GIBS?  Canoe CLub? I have no idea what you are talking about.

[Cecil DP]

GIB (Guy in Back)= Weapons System Oficer or Radar Intercept Officer aka RIO

Canoe Club= United States Navy

[SarDragon]

SARDragon, why are you using acronyms you know we dont know what they mean? GIBS?  Canoe CLub? I have no idea what you are talking about.

When I am given an opportunity to learn something new, I take it. Google is a great friend of mine.

OTOH (on the other hand), it seems you waste those opportunities, and only complain about your lack of knowledge.

Getting back to the topic, I have had the opportunity to meet three female wing commanders - Col. Nanette Spears, NJWG, my first wing commander, nicknamed "The Dragon Lady"; Col. Louisa Morse, formerly of DEWG; and Col. Virginia Nelson, former CAWG commander. All very nice ladies, and all competent as commanders.

[flyboy53]

And I think it's great. I've thought that our current national commander has done much to heal this organization in light of what went on before her and steer the CAP toward a more dynamic path that will insure a viable future for all of us.

Isn't it time for us to look for the positives of such a change, especially when these people  are so dynamic and have demonstrated records.

By the way, being rated doesn't mean you can't be a commander in the Air Force. That changed back in the late 1970s.

[BillB]

DG
But how many CAP unit's are "flying" units. The majority are Cadet or Composite Squadrons.

[DG]

DG
But how many CAP unit's are "flying" units. The majority are Cadet or Composite Squadrons.

That's right.

Another way we are very different from the USAF.

[flyguy06]

SARDragon, why are you using acronyms you know we dont know what they mean? GIBS?  Canoe CLub? I have no idea what you are talking about.

When I am given an opportunity to learn something new, I take it. Google is a great friend of mine.

OTOH (on the other hand), it seems you waste those opportunities, and only complain about your lack of knowledge.

Getting back to the topic, I have had the opportunity to meet three female wing commanders - Col. Nanette Spears, NJWG, my first wing commander, nicknamed "The Dragon Lady"; Col. Louisa Morse, formerly of DEWG; and Col. Virginia Nelson, former CAWG commander. All very nice ladies, and all competent as commanders.

I dont mean to belabor this point. So i will say this then drop it. yes I understand what google is but  I am on THIS site for only a minute.

[RiverAux]

DG
But how many CAP unit's are "flying" units. The majority are Cadet or Composite Squadrons.

That's right.

Another way we are very different from the USAF.

I'd almost be willing to wager that at the squadron level there are more non-flying AF squadrons than flying AF squadrons.  Last time I looked at a AF Wing web site there seemed to be 2-3 nonflying squadrons for every flying squadron.

[flyguy06]

The percentage of rated Airmen is a lot smaller then the percentage of non rated officers inthe USAF yet rated officers have most of the senior level command positions.

[MAJORZ04]

A Col Joyce Brookshire was the Wing CC of North Carolina... way back .  She worked her way up from SM. :clap:  She was very active on the ES side and earned Senior Observer Wings.
Then  she became the Region Deputy Commander.  She is still a member
and has a great interest in CAP affairs.
A commander is a commander, no matter the gender. :clap:

[Spike]

But how many CAP unit's are "flying" units. The majority are Cadet or Composite Squadrons.

So Composite Squadrons can not be "flying units"??

I am the Commander of a Composite Squadron, which happens to have an aircraft assigned.  We fly all the time.  We fly just to fly sometimes, and I get flown everywhere.  It is good to be the Commander of a "flying unit".  I also do not fly for CAP, though am qualified should I wish.  So, a "non-rated" Commander of a "flying unit"!

 

[Spike]

The percentage of rated Airmen is a lot smaller then the percentage of non rated officers inthe USAF yet rated officers have most of the senior level command positions.

It is about who you know and where you fly in the USAF.  Remember when Officers records are being picked through for promotion time, those fliers get points for just flying on missions.  That is why there are two categories; rated and non rated, so that the two distinct Air Force Officer types do not have to compete unfairly against each other.  Remember it is the AIR force.  It helps if you are rated in your progression through rated positions.