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Historian program

Started by BillB, August 15, 2012, 12:33:22 PM

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flyboy53

Touting edcuational backgrounds is taking this post off context, so I'm not going to bother boring people.

I have a senior rating as a historian and currently serve at Group level....but I was also an assistant group historian and later subordinate unit historian on active duty and in the Air Force Reserve.

And yes, I did file a two volume document, according to regulation, this year for the group I'm assigned to.

I find the problem with the history program is that it is overwhelming for anyone under wing level and a lot of stuff goes unreported. NHQ needs to come up with a standard form or report format that a surbordinate unit historian can complete annually and submit to higher headquarters. Air Force subordinate unit historians used to file a two-page written report quarterly to the wing historian that is filed as an attachment with the formal wing history.

I also don't know who many times, the historian is never copied in any reports or records are just shredded before the historian gets a chance to see if it's important.

The other thing that drives me nuts is that squadrons are really teritorial about historical archives. I don't know how many times I've learned of a WW II unit scrap book or some other historial piece that gets taken home and is "guarded" by someone who won't share it with others. Then when that person passes away or quits, that document is lost forever...or something shows up on public display that nobody knew about. I have known of two squadrons -- one in New York and the other in Pennsylvania that are just that way. And there seems to be relative arrogance between NHQ History or Foundation people and subordinate units. Try to get one of them to return an e-mail.

tarheel gumby

Also another problem faced by unit historians is that the wings don't have any idea of what to do with an active Historian.
Joseph Myers Maj. CAP
Squadron Historian MER NC 019
Historian MER NC 001
Historian MER 001

ol'fido

How many times have historically significant photos been destroyed or deleted by over-eager PAOs who didn't want to put out a photo that wasn't "acceptable" for their use because of "uniform issues" or other reasons. At our recent encampment, I told the PAOs that I wanted a copy of all their photos: edited and unedited. Our PAOs there got it and readily agreed.

Just another example of a "roadblock" to an effective history program.
Lt. Col. Randy L. Mitchell
Historian, Group 1, IL-006

Private Investigator

Quote from: ol'fido on August 17, 2012, 11:58:02 PM
How many times have historically significant photos been destroyed or deleted by over-eager PAOs who didn't want to put out a photo that wasn't "acceptable" for their use because of "uniform issues" or other reasons. At our recent encampment, I told the PAOs that I wanted a copy of all their photos: edited and unedited. Our PAOs there got it and readily agreed.

Just another example of a "roadblock" to an effective history program.

How about the new member who wants to clean house. We had a Group Admin Officer (2 1/2 years in CAP) that was filling up a large trashcan. I saw the yearbook from last year's Encampment in the trash so I asked him about it and he was indifferent. He basically purged everything that was not important to him.

We do need to educate the membership about historical value.

Eclipse

#44
An encampment yearbook would not be a random Group Historian's responsibility, that would fall on the wing being encampments are wing activities.

A unit or group keeping every scrap of paper from every activity one of its members attends is going to be under a pile no one will ever look at. Something I've had to deal with more than once.

There's a weird phenomena in CAP that some members think anything they are done with that is remotely related to aviation, anything ever printed or produced with the English language letters "P", "C" or "A" included, and anything they have ever done in life, CAP related or not, should end up at a squadron HQ or in their member file.

The result is generally a dumpster full of stuff no one cares about, not related to CAP, and dustier then the martian surface, with a wailing and gnashing of teeth when you suggest that 10 year old "Flying" magazines can be tossed (etc.).

"That Others May Zoom"

AdAstra

Quote from: tarheel gumby on August 17, 2012, 11:00:30 PM
Also another problem faced by unit historians is that the wings don't have any idea of what to do with an active Historian.

My first reaction was to give you comfort and consolation: yes, we historians are ignored and.... But looking at your signature block, you're also working at wing and region levels. So what do you do with active unit historians?
     > Acknowledge that you've received their annual unit history?
     > Respond to questions and inquiries?
     > Actively seek them out and introduce yourself?
     > Encourage and mentor them?
     > Offer a seminar at the wing conference?
     > Write guidelines for the annual unit history?
     > Ask for their assistance in research or writing projects?

Just a few ideas off the top of my head. Any other suggestions to add?
Charles Wiest

AdAstra

Quote from: ol'fido on August 17, 2012, 11:58:02 PM
How many times have historically significant photos been destroyed or deleted by over-eager PAOs who didn't want to put out a photo that wasn't "acceptable" for their use because of "uniform issues" or other reasons. At our recent encampment, I told the PAOs that I wanted a copy of all their photos: edited and unedited. Our PAOs there got it and readily agreed.

Just another example of a "roadblock" to an effective history program.

My mantra with PAOs is: you successfully recorded and shared our unit's activities, awards and accomplishments during the year. Thank you. On 1 January it becomes "history" and the unit historian is responsible for preserving it.

Warning to CAP historians: CAPR 10-2 (Files Maintenance and Records Disposition) is our enemy! We've all known the zealots who toss out files the very day they "expire". And as Eclipse pointed out, those zealots who save everything.

CAPR 10-2 only mentions "records of historical significance" without offering any guidance whatsoever.

Early in this thread, the talk turned to offering our "archives" to some state-level institution to lovingly preserve and watch over. The term "archives" connotes something of value to be treasured. But it's just "stuff", something that we may treasure but others may not. So, Private Investigator, it's OK to toss out that extra copy of the encampment yearbook, right? I'll waffle: maybe.

So what do we save? Remember, every archive is limited by physical storage space available; area of of interest; manpower; and of course, the cost to organize, maintain and store it. We all acknowledge CAP's limited resources in these areas: small, local, one, and none.

Focusing on the unit historian, what tells the story of our unit, its accomplishments, activities and members? Personnel authorizations and org charts, promotions and awards, newsletters, newspaper articles, photographs, after action reports, and yes, maybe that encampment yearbook if it highlighted unit members. Ask yourself what you would like to know about your unit 10 or 20 years ago. It may not be much different than what unit members would like to know 10-20 years from now. That's what you save.
Charles Wiest

Eclipse

Quote from: AdAstra on August 18, 2012, 11:25:09 PM
So what do we save? Remember, every archive is limited by physical storage space available;

Virtualization negates physical space. 

Scanning and photographing things preserves the information and memory without taking any physical space - we've taken
to doing that with the kids' schoolwork and art projects.  A few gems are kept, the rest is scanned or photographed and then tossed.

They will have lots of memories, few of which will be in our attic.

"That Others May Zoom"

MisterCD

#48
Quote from: AdAstra on August 18, 2012, 11:25:09 PM
Quote from: ol'fido on August 17, 2012, 11:58:02 PM
How many times have historically significant photos been destroyed or deleted by over-eager PAOs who didn't want to put out a photo that wasn't "acceptable" for their use because of "uniform issues" or other reasons. At our recent encampment, I told the PAOs that I wanted a copy of all their photos: edited and unedited. Our PAOs there got it and readily agreed.

Just another example of a "roadblock" to an effective history program.

CAPR 10-2 only mentions "records of historical significance" without offering any guidance whatsoever.

Early in this thread, the talk turned to offering our "archives" to some state-level institution to lovingly preserve and watch over. The term "archives" connotes something of value to be treasured. But it's just "stuff", something that we may treasure but others may not. So, Private Investigator, it's OK to toss out that extra copy of the encampment yearbook, right? I'll waffle: maybe.

So what do we save? Remember, every archive is limited by physical storage space available; area of of interest; manpower; and of course, the cost to organize, maintain and store it. We all acknowledge CAP's limited resources in these areas: small, local, one, and none.

Focusing on the unit historian, what tells the story of our unit, its accomplishments, activities and members? Personnel authorizations and org charts, promotions and awards, newsletters, newspaper articles, photographs, after action reports, and yes, maybe that encampment yearbook if it highlighted unit members. Ask yourself what you would like to know about your unit 10 or 20 years ago. It may not be much different than what unit members would like to know 10-20 years from now. That's what you save.

Value is subjective to the person then who selects items, versus the researcher years or decades later who attempts to piece together what was.  At the moment, the bulk of CAP history trends to antiquarian aspects such as uniforms, insignia, and personalities.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but then come the aspects of policies, plans, operations, funding, government relations (state and federal).  How much information on the latter is saved?  Seemingly very little record-wise that does not find its way into a newspaper article or unit newsletter. The records pertaining to these aspects of CAP are not necessarily the records that a PAO would save, but a unit historian should. 

Hence the matter of becomes fighting the battle of "access" to convince staff members that it is important to cut the squadron/group/wing historian in on the decision making so it can be properly documented.  It took writing an annual wing history and letting people know that their decisions and actions in essence never happened in record unless they provide the historian with something to write about and record for various staff members to finally share information with me. 

One cannot save anything, but an important consideration is what you as a historian would use to write a history of an event or organization, and then what primary sources pertinent to this written secondary document can and should be saved.  The annual wing histories provide one outlet for this, with the second volume including the source records.  If facing matters of space and storage of records, publishing a block of primary documents in a white paper and then distributing this tome to an archive or certain members of the organization (taking OPSEC into account), this provides an orderly and hopefully accessible means to record the past. More importantly, this provide a demonstrable example for fellow members to learn what is considered important to the unit historian so they have a guide for what to funnel to the historian.

As for those people talking about scanning, I just spent 6 hours last night scanning several years of wing histories.  Scanning is all well and good, but when trying to cover decades of backlogged material and a program devoid of a history for almost two decades that it can drive someone batty.

Quote from: tarheel gumby on August 17, 2012, 11:00:30 PM
Also another problem faced by unit historians is that the wings don't have any idea of what to do with an active Historian.

A solid observation. I tend to take the offensive, shifting from what the wing can do for me, and more of what I can do for the wing.  The Congressional Gold Medal effort has thus been my focus.  The histories I have written, web-work, insignia, etc. are all oriented to bringing attention to the fact that yes, the wing has a historian again, but also working with the PAO and Government Relations to bring attention to the CGM effort.  Documents tailored specifically for the wing's involvement in World War II brought both senators to co-sponsor the legislation in Congress and brought a slew of current and former wing members to contact me with records, artifacts, and information to further document the past and promote the wing to the general public.  This has brought me into contact and interaction with Cadet Programs and Recruiting and Retention to bring in new members and keep others in the program.  I haven't touched on AE, but I pass information on to them as well for their work.  The more I publicize what I have and can do with the past, the more the aspects of the present see the utility and capability that a historian can provide.

ol'fido

I like the idea of a unit history that is something like what Robin Olds described in his bio, "Fighter Pilot".

While serving as an exchange officer right after WWII with an RAF squadron, one of the first things they had him do was to go through the "bumpf". Basically, these were the squadron's scrapbooks that dated back to the beginnings of the unit that were even before the RAF and the RFC to when it was a balloon observation unit about the time of our Civil War.

These scrapbooks, and there were several apparently, were maintained by the squadron adjutant(admin officer in our case) and recorded the significant events of the squadron in chronological order from the beginning to the present day. They included transfers in and out, change of commands, mission reports, photos, etc. If you want to know what else, read the book.

Olds felt that these conveyed a better sense of the history of the unit than did a dry, packaged, and polished statistical report that passes for unit histories in a lot of CAP and the USAF. They also gave new members of the unit a sense that they were now a part of something larger than themselves and that they could become a part of that history. It also reminded them that they had a lot to live up to thanks to those that went before them.

That's what history should be. It should be a tool to allow us learn from and live up to. It should make us feel pride in our unit and what it has accomplished and make us want to contribute even more to its "story".
Lt. Col. Randy L. Mitchell
Historian, Group 1, IL-006

AdAstra

Quote from: ol'fido on August 19, 2012, 02:27:20 AM

Olds felt that these conveyed a better sense of the history of the unit than did a dry, packaged, and polished statistical report that passes for unit histories in a lot of CAP and the USAF. They also gave new members of the unit a sense that they were now a part of something larger than themselves and that they could become a part of that history. It also reminded them that they had a lot to live up to thanks to those that went before them.

That's what history should be. It should be a tool to allow us learn from and live up to. It should make us feel pride in our unit and what it has accomplished and make us want to contribute even more to its "story".

Well said! When I speak to CAP groups and when I set up my annual display, I insist on referring to "CAP Heritage." For many, "history" suggests rote memorization of dates and names, but it should be far more than that. We have a proud legacy left to us by our predecessors, and we should learn all we can. It is constantly changing even as we watch; realize that our actions and accomplishments add to this legacy. And be aware that we have an obligation to carefully preserve this heritage and pass it along to our successors.
Charles Wiest

jimmydeanno

Quote from: Eclipse on August 18, 2012, 07:22:03 PM
An encampment yearbook would not be a random Group Historian's responsibility, that would fall on the wing being encampments are wing activities.

A unit or group keeping every scrap of paper from every activity one of its members attends is going to be under a pile no one will ever look at. Something I've had to deal with more than once.

There's a weird phenomena in CAP that some members think anything they are done with that is remotely related to aviation, anything ever printed or produced with the English language letters "P", "C" or "A" included, and anything they have ever done in life, CAP related or not, should end up at a squadron HQ or in their member file.

The result is generally a dumpster full of stuff no one cares about, not related to CAP, and dustier then the martian surface, with a wailing and gnashing of teeth when you suggest that 10 year old "Flying" magazines can be tossed (etc.).

Are you sure we haven't been in the same squadron?
If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law. - Winston Churchill

FLWG Historian

Two people assigned to the National level in history does NOT cut it. (If there are more they have taken a very low profile). I maintain the History program has been undermanned for decades. The History Program needs people that inspire and move beyond "one community projects"  to a National Program with depth and outreach. In part  the Foundation might have been the vehicle for doing that but you have to go to them which isn't exactly out reach. Yes we all excel in our little areas (mine is WWII ASW).  In my own list of personal"failures " a similar string of buried in projects is rampant. All the people that "have the most history" (at least in my WG) are burned out or 2-Bed (some with good cause some not IMHO) and have it in their closet as personal property vice community heritage. I would love to get closure on the fact that CAP provably did not sink any U-boats in WWII. I had a very Senior COL ask me incredulously "Is this really important to you?" How to answer a question I have spent decades studying and have the ground cut out just like that! :'(
In summary the problems with the history Program is that it is too big  for the limited resources it has attracted. Those of us in it up to our necks flail. But would we divert resources from a SAR/ DR mission to history, NOT IN MY LIFE!
With out a valid history program CAP will continue to move away from its routes because it has allowed them to wither in place. I am dissatisfied with myself and with where we sit today Lets all move forward and fix the known weaknesses. Reinforcing our successes is important  going further is critical.
Practically everybody in CAP is doing all they can  :clap: but are we doing it as smart as we can? ;)

James Shaw

Some thoughts: (have more but this is a few)

Recruit those that have professional training in many of the areas people are speaking about and ask them to assist the Historical group in updating much of this information. If they choose to help, request that they be allowed through their respective COC's to assist. We do have a lot of talent out there that are not CAP Historians but have the training and skills that could help move us forward more.

Receive quarterly reports of activities from all respective historians in addition to their required Unit, Wing, or Regional requirements.

Promote Historical Network from Unit level Historians and up. This would be a non-formal collection of CAP Historians from all levels that will actively share their work and support CAP through authorized activities falling with the guidelines of CAP's regulations and pamphlets. Just like PAO's and other specialty track personnel do.

Receive and provide feedback on CAP history related items from the unit level up. This will be separate from their Professional Development submissions they have to do. This would be more of an information exchange than a reporting process. All historians would have to report their work as any other person would have to do to their respective COC's, but provide a dotted line submission process for peer review.

Provide additional support to COC's in clarification and acceptance of papers from Historians for PD credit. 

Encourage and support all CAP Historians in their PD requirements as best as possible and within the scope of their respective COC's.

Provide historical guideline to all historians for their use.

Provide historical preservation guide to all historians for their use.

Establish reporting requirements for CAP Historical Inquiries from NHQ, Reg, Wing, and Unit Level.  A track able system that will help keep up with unit needs and historical support.

Consult with appropriate individuals with respect to any articles, messages, stories received or seen from internal or external resources, such as to respect CAP's status as a 501 (c) (3).

Compile and publish list of authorized and recognized CAP Member Historians. This is so people will know who they are dealing with and what they are doing as part of the historical rank and file.

Confer with CAP Squadrons and the use of related historical materials authorized for websites.

Promote the display and sharing of archive pieces and information for member use. We have many forms of technology that can be used and should utilize them more.
Jim Shaw
USN: 1987-1992
GANG: 1996-1998
CAP:2000 - Current
USCGA:2018 - Current
SGAUS: 2017 - Current

spacecommand

#54
Quote from: FLWG Historian on September 15, 2012, 02:56:19 PM
Two people assigned to the National level in history does NOT cut it. (If there are more they have taken a very low profile).

According to the Winter National Board Historical Slide (page 3 of the PDF):
http://www.capmembers.com/events/cap_winter_national_board/

There are at least 12 members on the National Historical Staff doing various duties.

The National Historian spot of course now open to be filled.

A lot of work needs to be at the Wing level and the squadron level.  I spoke with the diversity officer about this (the diversity program isn't just about skin color or gender).

Recruiting members to do historical work is hard, and is generally not priority number 1 especially when it comes to Civil Air Patrol, so getting the right people who want to do it is difficult.  It's quite rare to have somone join a unit and say (I want to be a historian vs aircrew/ground team member), so working on converting current members or recruiting new members can be tough.  I pretty much accidentally became a CAP historian, but because I love history and my unit is really old it worked out great for me in the end.  I essentially (like many other unit historians I'm sure) work autonomously doing our best.   But I can understand how difficult it can be to recruit members to be historians. 

Working with Public Affairs is very important, for old and especially new units.  I tell other units to SAVE their  locally produced newsletters and not toss the extras into the trashbin.  Today's news is tomorrows history!

MisterCD

Several people claimed recruiting of myself into CAP, including members of the national historical staff, which is inaccurate.  I largely joined because I enjoy the field, am a veteran who enjoys volunteer work, and saw opportunity to work with folks to at least get the wing history program operational again.

The ideas being floated around are all worthwhile but it seems that what is lacking is a vision.  What does the history program wish to accomplish and how does it intend to integrate itself fully with the organization, on the intra and inter levels?  National historical projects are a means to do this.  There used to be an aircraft marking project, another to identify founding members, and a national historical committee which published several monographs.  There has been an effort to establish a CAP museum and archive, which is a highly commendable effort and one that would go far to benefit the organization, logistical difficulties aside.

A personal opinion I have is one involving the rebirth of the historical committee and an effort to rally people around larger history efforts.  One prominent example is planning and preparing products for the seventy-fifth anniversary.  This sort of event requires planning now, not months before the occasion.   People often inquire about heraldry but the communication on this matter is limited to the knowledge base or postings hereon CAPtalk.  A heraldry committee underneath the history office would not be a difficult undertaking.  Plenty of CAP members collect insignia or publish on the matter.  Presumably they would care to be part of a larger history project to assist in the creation and documentation of past, present, and future unit insignia.

These are just ideas.  Whoever takes up the position can chose to continue the present path, or expand the circle to bring more people into the fold and bring the program to a new level. Improved communication and a climate of nonpartisan cooperation will be paramount to this.

FLWG Historian

Great ides but the hard part is finding people to do complex history projects. We all agree! That is fantastic  :clap: Everybody that has ideas has vision (at least some vision any way :o). Why has this conversation had to come to this outside CAP media forum? IMHO because the "leadership" in the history program did not come inside CAP and ask others to perform. I blame the lapse on overwork and insufficient manpower to accomplish any but one man tasks ie no time to think nor plan, no capacity to absorb the smallest unexpected event. What ever significant progress has only occurred as one person effort and team work did NOT happen.
It would be easy to assign individuals  blame at this point, massive omissions have been made, allegations of misconduct stand resolved in format only but open to absolute suspicion of misconduct. Some mistakes and some misconduct will almost certainly happen in CAP's future.  :'(
The only valid question is where to from here? Every last one of us needs hope for a better future. Even the criminals I have had occasion to meet think towards their future.Only a George Patton could say, after slapping a shell shocked soldier "I wish I had kissed the ...." (historians can shorten the story   >:D) just as we must move on from this point, recover what we can and  move on to better things. ;D