Where to start?

[diegoochoaaa]

Hello!  I'm interested in ES and becoming ES Certified.  The only problem is, where do I start!
If anyone is ES certified please let me know what you did to start.

Thanks

[Eclipse]

This is really too large a discussion to be meainginful here, however the
first thing you'll need to do is complete the OPSEC training online and then get your 101 card.

This unit has a nice site with details: http://www.lebanoncap.org/resources/getting-your-101-card/

Beyond that, you should ask at your squadron, because available resources for training and evaluation
will be very inconsistent unit-to-unit.

Or you could go to NESA:  https://nesa.cap.gov/
(ignore the security error.)

[Holding Pattern]

Hello!  I'm interested in ES and becoming ES Certified.  The only problem is, where do I start!
If anyone is ES certified please let me know what you did to start.

Thanks

The first thing to do is to look at your 101 card.
Log into eServices and look at your card here (Punch your CAPID into the requested field: https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.OPSQuals.Web/EmergencyServices/101Card.aspx )

That is your 101 card. There are many like it, but that one is yours!
Oh wait... the back of the card is empty!
Next to the card, you'll see a giant list of qualifications. Most of these qualifications have stacks of prerequisites.
What you want to do is complete the pre-requisite courses for participation and speak to your commander for approval to begin training.

My suggestion is to do the following to get your 101 card filled out for the basics:

1. Complete the GES courses located here:  https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.LMS.Web/Default.aspx
You'll find the courses you need to complete under the "Emergency Services" section. Complete all sections.
2. Go to the Communications section of that site and complete all sections there.
Ask your commander for permission to participate in the next ICUT (Introductory Communications User Training) class and find out when that class is.
3. Now you have some FEMA classes to take online. They can be found here:
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.b
https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-700.a
https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-800.b

The important ones you need are the 100 and the 700 course; but if you complete all four you won't have to worry about taking another fema course until you are 18. Upon completing the courses, you'll need to upload the certificates into eservices (see someone in your squadron familiar with eServices to have them walk you through this the first few times you do this.

Finally, before doing any of the above steps, talk to a cadet and senior member in your squadron that is already participating in ES activities. Ask for their advice, and ask them if the above information is good advice.

Different squadrons have different methods of prioritizing.

[etodd]

.

This online document is 17 years old. Does it still apply? Does each squadron have 'mentors' who should be working closely with each new member (Cadet or SM) and anticipating their questions?

WHAT IS MENTORING?

Mentoring is an essential ingredient in developing
well-rounded, professional, and competent future leaders.
The goal of mentoring in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet
Program is to help cadets reach their full potential, thereby
enhancing the overall professionalism of CAP.

Mentor means a trusted counselor or guide, tutor, or
coach. Mentors are helpers.

Mentoring is a relationship in which a person with
greater experience and wisdom guides another person to
develop both personally and professionally. Mentoring is
one of the broadest methods we have available today to
encourage human growth and develop the talent pool for
today's and tomorrow's CAP!

http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/P052_006_204F34CBD9CF4.pdf

.

[Spaceman3750]

.

This online document is 17 years old. Does it still apply? Does each squadron have 'mentors' who should be working closely with each new member (Cadet or SM) and anticipating their questions?

WHAT IS MENTORING?

Mentoring is an essential ingredient in developing
well-rounded, professional, and competent future leaders.
The goal of mentoring in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet
Program is to help cadets reach their full potential, thereby
enhancing the overall professionalism of CAP.

Mentor means a trusted counselor or guide, tutor, or
coach. Mentors are helpers.

Mentoring is a relationship in which a person with
greater experience and wisdom guides another person to
develop both personally and professionally. Mentoring is
one of the broadest methods we have available today to
encourage human growth and develop the talent pool for
today's and tomorrow's CAP!

http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/P052_006_204F34CBD9CF4.pdf

.

Should they? Yes. Do they? Varies by unit. We've been working through this locally in recent weeks.

[diegoochoaaa]

Hello!  I'm interested in ES and becoming ES Certified.  The only problem is, where do I start!
If anyone is ES certified please let me know what you did to start.

Thanks

The first thing to do is to look at your 101 card.
Log into eServices and look at your card here (Punch your CAPID into the requested field: https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.OPSQuals.Web/EmergencyServices/101Card.aspx )

That is your 101 card. There are many like it, but that one is yours!
Oh wait... the back of the card is empty!
Next to the card, you'll see a giant list of qualifications. Most of these qualifications have stacks of prerequisites.
What you want to do is complete the pre-requisite courses for participation and speak to your commander for approval to begin training.

My suggestion is to do the following to get your 101 card filled out for the basics:

1. Complete the GES courses located here:  https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.LMS.Web/Default.aspx
You'll find the courses you need to complete under the "Emergency Services" section. Complete all sections.
2. Go to the Communications section of that site and complete all sections there.
Ask your commander for permission to participate in the next ICUT (Introductory Communications User Training) class and find out when that class is.
3. Now you have some FEMA classes to take online. They can be found here:
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.b
https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-700.a
https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-800.b

The important ones you need are the 100 and the 700 course; but if you complete all four you won't have to worry about taking another fema course until you are 18. Upon completing the courses, you'll need to upload the certificates into eservices (see someone in your squadron familiar with eServices to have them walk you through this the first few times you do this.

Finally, before doing any of the above steps, talk to a cadet and senior member in your squadron that is already participating in ES activities. Ask for their advice, and ask them if the above information is good advice.

Different squadrons have different methods of prioritizing.

Thanks for the advice!

[jdh]

Your first two steps are as follows:
1) Complete your Curry Achievement or Level 1 (if youre a senior)
2) Complete the GES 116 exam

After that you will be eligible to start training in an ES qualification, you would then need to check with your unit to see if you can train locally of if you will have to go elsewhere.

[Spam]

... with Commanders approval...

V/R
Spam

[Sketch]

On top of the great advice already posted, you can also look into attending NESA next year in Indiana. NESA (National Emergency Services Academy) is a fantastic school to get ES training and qualifications.
http://nesa.cap.gov/