Is It Possible To Be A Member In Two Squadrons ?

[exFlight Officer]

Question: Is it possible to be a member of two squadrons at once? If so, will I be able to have duty positions within both squadrons? How does this work if possible?

I belong to a squadron two hours from where I live. There is currently another squadron about an hour from where I live. I have researched this on CAP Knowledgebase and Google but with no results so I turn to the CAPTalk community.

I raise this question because the squadron that I am at now (2 hours away) is a great squadron that I would like to remain a member of but I would save money driving to the other squadron (1.5 hours away) on occasion.

Any words of wisdom?


Thanks!

[a2capt]

If your Group or Wing .. higher HQ does some appointing, I would imagine. IAOD is how you would show on the PA, but as far as who you are attached to - there's only one. Pick one.

Generally it's you are assigned to one and IAOD at another above or below, I've not come across parallel like that, on the PA anyway. As for helping out at other units, I've done that plenty of times.

[CAP Producer]

Regulatiuons are not crystal clear on this. You can only be a member of one unit at a time.

There is nothing that prevents you with the concurrance of both commanders to do what you suggest.

As far as holding a duty position at more that one unit, it can be done. I know members who hold duty positions from region down to squadron levels as well as within multiple units. its not an issue as long as the assigning commander and your immediate commander concur.

I don't personally like this business of members serving say as a PAO at squadron, group and wing at the same time. You can only serve one "master" at a time, but its ok to help other people when they need it.  I help out where I can but people understand who my boss is and if priorities conflict where my primary "loyalty" is.

FYI, CAP regulations do not provide for concepts like TDY and ADOD. Theese are convenient conventions created by members with some military experience but they do not apply to CAP. You are a member of one unit at a time and have a single immediate commander.

[Al Sayre]

I've held duty positions in multiple squadrons.  Another SQ/CC was having trouble with his Ops Quals stuff, so I had him temporarily appoint me as his Ops Officer so I could sort it out for him.  No big deal, the temporary appointment expires automatically in 30 days.  It didn't affect my membership in my main squadron.

[Custer]

Question: Is it possible to be a member of two squadrons at once? If so, will I be able to have duty positions within both squadrons? How does this work if possible? Thanks!

It is not possible to be ASSIGNED in more than one place.  However you may hold as many additional unit staff jobs in as many additional units as the joint commanders concur.

Eservices will only show you as a member of one unit - as you only have one set of records, and only one commander can approve personnel actions on you.  However you will appear on the staff rosters of all the other ones as though you were actually assigned to those units.  My own group headquarters, for example, only has the minimum number of members assigned to it - its fully staffed by IAOD people.

[HGjunkie]

Can any of this apply to cadets?

[davidsinn]

Can any of this apply to cadets?

Officially no, since cadets can not be assigned senior staff positions. However if both CCs approve a cadet could assist another unit in a cadet staff slot.

[Eclipse]

A four-hour round trip to a unit meeting is not reasonable for the average member.

You best bet would be to transfer to the closer unit and then participate in other unit activities when time permits. 

[a2capt]

I don't see why it can't apply to cadets, though OTOH I don't see it applying to cadets nearly as much. Until it's obvious they're serious about the program and are at least Phase II, if not really IV, I just don't see cadets performing actual cadet staff duties at more than their own unit all that often.

[lordmonar]

Technically you can't be in two squadrons at once.

Having said that.....there should be no proble with you going TDY.  It is done all the time.  Get with the two squadron commanders and make sure that they are both on board with it.  Make sure that YOU understand who your boss is and who signs off what (ES, Promotions, Etc).

But there is really no problem with you belonging to one squadron and helping out another.

[FW]

As far as eservices (and NHQ) is concerned; you can NOT be am assigned member of two units.
However, you may associate yourself with as many squadrons as you wish.  And, yes, this applies to cadets.  When I went off to college, many decades ago, I was "associated" with the squadron meeting at the campus while still keeping my membership at my home squadron.  Today, I associate at a wing unit, a local unit, my "home unit" and, anywhere else I may be of assistance.
Each unit commander has no problem giving me assignments and, I have no conflicts in keeping them.

BTW; your home unit commander is the one responsible for all your PD affairs.  Make sure all your "official" documents go to your home unit.

[RVT]

As far as eservices (and NHQ) is concerned; you can NOT be an assigned member of two units. However, you may associate yourself with as many squadrons as you wish.  Today, I associate at a wing unit, a local unit, my "home unit" and, anywhere else I may be of assistance.

I understand having a duty assignment at a different one than my home unit - I am not an actual member of group headquarters, just IAOD there - but I do not know of any formal way in CAP to be "attached" to another unit.  Do you even need to be?  Unless there is some special need to document the fact you were there I think it would just be a case of show up and attend activities as a guest.  You should be able to do everything the regular members of that squadron are doing.

Even if there IS some way to officially attach you there your home unit chain of command has to actually do everything on you anyway.

[CAPC/officer125]

I am considered a "member" at 2 different squadrons. I am on the roster for KS-001 as member of wing staff, but I attend meetings regularly at KS-125 because it is not only my original squadron but closer. KS-125 still calls me one of their cadets and I serve as a mentor and advisor whenever needed. I participate in as many activities for both squadrons that I can.

[HGjunkie]

Just wondering, how is a C/Officer on wing staff?

[SarDragon]

Why not? Nothing I know about says it's not possible.

[a2capt]

Just wondering, how is a C/Officer on wing staff?

On the PA, I'm sure.

[CAPC/officer125]

Just wondering, how is a C/Officer on wing staff?

It is an opportunity given to the Phase 4 (and some Phase 3) cadets in our wing. Most, if not all the cadets that we have on wing staff, have been C/CC at their squadrons and have held every position between basic and there. It gives us an opportunity to experience wing level preparation and enforcement and get better mentors. We serve as assistants and have senior members looking after us.

[DBlair]

Just wondering, how is a C/Officer on wing staff?

It is an opportunity given to the Phase 4 (and some Phase 3) cadets in our wing. Most, if not all the cadets that we have on wing staff, have been C/CC at their squadrons and have held every position between basic and there. It gives us an opportunity to experience wing level preparation and enforcement and get better mentors. We serve as assistants and have senior members looking after us.

Once upon a time when I was a Cadet, I was on Wing Staff (ADY, in assistant positions) and also I was a 'fixer' in that certain units had me come in (TDY/ADY) and serve in the C/CC role for a while (perhaps a few/several months) and help develop their unit in a variety of different ways. My official 'membership' stayed at my home unit, but my focus was primarily in other roles.

This was after I was C/CC of my home unit and developed a variety of programs and as I was a C/Lt Col by the time I was 16, there was a point where I had BTDT and was looking to do more.

Currently at Group Hq, we are in the process of bringing on (ADY) a variety of Cadets to serve in Assistant roles, both on my CP staff and also as assistants to other Staff Officers.

My point to all of this is answering the question asked throughout this thread...

1) Yes, a member may be involved in more than one unit, but their membership must be parked somewhere.
2) Yes, this applies to Cadets as well, being involved with other units and also on higher echelon staff.

[IceNine]

Just wondering, how is a C/Officer on wing staff?

It is an opportunity given to the Phase 4 (and some Phase 3) cadets in our wing. Most, if not all the cadets that we have on wing staff, have been C/CC at their squadrons and have held every position between basic and there. It gives us an opportunity to experience wing level preparation and enforcement and get better mentors. We serve as assistants and have senior members looking after us.

Fundamental misrepresentation.

You are not considered a member at 2 squadrons you are considered a member at KS125 with a job at Wing HQ.

You can have as many jobs as there are titles in 20-1 in as many units as there are charters all of these just take a stroke of a pen.  But at the end of the day if the commander at your unit of assignment has a bad day and decides that you can't go play outside their sandbox they can prevent a lot of opportunities for you in your future should you not decide to put your toys somewhere else.

[Eclipse]

You are not considered a member at 2 squadrons you are considered a member at KS125 with a job at Wing HQ.

Actually, she is assigned to KS-001, which then prompts the question as to how she can actually continue to progress as a "cadet" (vs. a "mini senior").

Wing HQ's are not operational units, they are Headquarters components.  As such they do not operate in the way that a cadet needs
to be considered "active" - no formations, other cadets to counsel and lead, just staff work and external responsibilities.

Not the place for a cadet - as a diamond you should be in a squadron giving back to the program by building the next generation of cadets.
I'd have no issue doing an ADY assignment as an assistant wing "whatever", but actual transfer does not seem appropriate, even for a Phase 4, and no way for a phase 3.