How long before becoming a CC?

[Al Sayre]

I was a cadet for about 5 years, then a long break that included my Navy service.  When I rejoined as a senior, I was given the command after about 4 months...

[dwb]

Well In IAWG, under the Old- New Wing transition, only company grades were allowed to have command of the squadron.  All Field grades were to be assigned to the wing.

Wow, and I thought NYWG had some dumb policies in the past.  Way to discourage people from promoting.

On the topic, I have to change my vote, because I can't add.  I took command of my squadron in my 11th year of service.  But some of that time was as a cadet, and I think I was too young to be squadron commander.

[Fifinella]

I joined CAP to volunteer "3 hours a week".  10 months later I was the Sq/CC.  (Don't ask how many hours a week I spend on CAP - it's WAY more than 3.)

No previous experience with CAP, but 4 years as a cadet at USAFA, followed by 9 years as AF pilot.  Master's in Organizational Behavior.  AND I hired a DCC who had 28 years CAP experience, and was a previous Wing DCP.  I spent a LOT of time in the regs, and took as much training as I could get, as fast as I could get it, traveling across the US to get it.

Were there times I had to say, "I don't know, but I know where to look it up"?  Sure.  Did I ever say, "Well, I'm not sure how it's supposed to be in CAP, but the AF rule is.."? Yes.  But I learned.

[SDF_Specialist]

Were there times I had to say, "I don't know, but I know where to look it up"?  Sure.  Did I ever say, "Well, I'm not sure how it's supposed to be in CAP, but the AF rule is.."? Yes.  But I learned.

I think everyone who wants it should get the chance to be a Squadron CC. If they like it, then pursue it up the chain. If they had their fun, then that's that. Now I have a question. If you get a new CC, and he/she is just not hacking it after a year, what do you do? If you see that there is no action being taken at any level, what do you do? No one wants to be involved in a unit that could care less if the members show up, or if the regs are even remotely followed, or if the uniforms are semi proper. If you care about the unit, and enjoy CAP, are you expected to just sit back, and let the unit go down the drain?

[NYWG Historian]

11 years total before taking a Squadron CC slot--5 as cadet (then 5 years out), then 6 as senior, including DCC and Group ES (ADY) tenures.

That 2 year stint was probably my happiest within CAP.  Group CC for 3.5 years after, but nowhere near as much fun!  A couple of my former cadets still recall Capt Turecek's death march across the George Washington Bridge and along the Palisades trail....Would definitely return to a Squadron some day if the rest of life would slow down enough....

[Flying Pig]

6 years as a cadet.  4 year break for the Marines.  5 years as a Senior as the DCC. 3 year break.  Came back and spent  1 year as Deputy for Seniors/ ES Officer, then suddenly thrust into SQ. Comm by default 3 months ago.

[DrDave]

One year.

Came with the job as Group Commander (i.e. Group HQ "squadron" command).

(Yep, went to group command after being in CAP one year and no prior squadron command experience -- working out okay.  Used to be the largest group in the wing, currently overseeing 11 squadrons.  Do NOT compare me with "he who shall not be named", who also shot up the command tree.)

Dr. Dave

[DrDave]

Were there times I had to say, "I don't know, but I know where to look it up"?  Sure.  Did I ever say, "Well, I'm not sure how it's supposed to be in CAP, but the AF rule is.."? Yes.  But I learned.

I think everyone who wants it should get the chance to be a Squadron CC. If they like it, then pursue it up the chain. If they had their fun, then that's that. Now I have a question. If you get a new CC, and he/she is just not hacking it after a year, what do you do? If you see that there is no action being taken at any level, what do you do? No one wants to be involved in a unit that could care less if the members show up, or if the regs are even remotely followed, or if the uniforms are semi proper. If you care about the unit, and enjoy CAP, are you expected to just sit back, and let the unit go down the drain?

That's when the Group Commander should take an active interest in that squadron.  Start showing up to meetings, observe and interview both cadet and senior members, see directly how the squadron is doing and if the squadron commander needs a little push or a big kick in the pants, or even removal.

I make it a policy to go to as many of my squadron's meetings as possible, mainly unannounced.  At first it scared the bejeebers out of my squadron commanders when I walk in, but now they're used to it.  Keeping a finger on the pulse of my squadrons.

Dr. Dave