Air Force Base Augmentation Program

[SAR-EMT1]

OK..I'm going to take my last post from a recent thread and use it to create a new thread.

HERE IS THE SENARIO- Unlikely as it might be-  Assuming TP and CAP-USAF announce tommorrow that beginning Fiscal Year 08, CAP Seniors may augment on base in ANY NONCOMBAT POSITION or if some would prefer; may assume any job currently held by a civilian contractor
THEN; what roles would / could we as a group and individually strive to integrate with?

As possible examples: Desk Clerk at AF Inn, support at base clinics/hospitals, clerks in Personnel and Admin Flights.  Assistant Gate Staff (CAP unit at Scott AFB has done this in the past) Chaplains, Lawyers, etc...

IF GIVEN FREE REIGN ; what would / could YOU do on base?

[DogCollar]

Chaplaincy roles.  This is being done in some areas already.

[Al Sayre]

That's a pretty broad area.  Based on my past military experience and civilian jobs, I can think of a number of jobs I could do with a minimal amount of training besides the "warm body" jobs.

Avionics/Electronics Technician
Avionics/Electronics Shop Supervisor
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Aircraft Maintenance Officer
Vehicle Maintenance Technician
Vehicle Maintencane Shop Supervisor
Vehicle Maintenance Officer
Transportation Officer
Base Engineering-Electrical Engineering

The problem with filling some of the "warm body" jobs and the specific jobs you mentioned that civilian contractors hold is that many of those contractors are military spouses suplimenting their families income.  I don't think the military people are really going to want a volunteer taking a job that is putting money in their wife's/husband's/kid's pocket.  Also, what would be the economic impact to the surrounding communities if say 50-100 jobs on any given base were suddenly removed to be staffed by volunteers.  These are all things the USAF would have to consider in using CAP volunteers in a real and meaningful position.  There are some areas where we could provide augmentation, based on individual skills and abilities,  but I don't think they would be critical and certainly would not displace contractors.  

[SAR-EMT1]

Well consider the fact that DoD is already downsizing the Air Force  so that the Army can be beefed up. Some reports say that some of these AD positions that are being taken away are going to be immediately given to civilian contractors. 
   So... if the AF is looking to cut back regardless I can see why a CAP member - either vollunteer or paid-per diem - would be of greater interest then a contractor to whom you also pay insurance, health care etc....
In that realm, giving us job protection,  then "calling us up on orders"  to augment one day, 2 days, a week, a month etc...  doesnt seem like a stretch. Especially if they give us a small per diem. <-- they'd still save money

  I am sure that many spouses are employed on base; but I also know that the DoD is currently investigating the charge that over 5000 current contractors are not in the US legally.

[JohnKachenmeister]

This was reviewed a lot on a previous thread.

Here's some ideas:

1.  Pilots could work in operations as briefers.

2.  Public Affairs qualified folks could augment the PA office as media escorts, briefers, and journalists.

3.  Medical folks with civilian licensure could work in Health Services.

4.  Chaplains... well they're already there.

5.  Lawyers could augment the base legal office, especially in the labor-intensive work of preparing wills for deploying troops.

6.  We could assist in the SF office by issuing base decals, day passes, etc.

7.  We could assist in processing security clearances for military personnel and contractors by fingerprinting and doing the initial interview and application review.

There is plenty we could do.  I still think that CAP pilots could fly UAV's, which would free up military pilots.

[Dragoon]

This was reviewed a lot on a previous thread.

Here's some ideas:

1.  Pilots could work in operations as briefers.

2.  Public Affairs qualified folks could augment the PA office as media escorts, briefers, and journalists.

3.  Medical folks with civilian licensure could work in Health Services.

4.  Chaplains... well they're already there.

5.  Lawyers could augment the base legal office, especially in the labor-intensive work of preparing wills for deploying troops.

6.  We could assist in the SF office by issuing base decals, day passes, etc.

7.  We could assist in processing security clearances for military personnel and contractors by fingerprinting and doing the initial interview and application review.

There is plenty we could do.  I still think that CAP pilots could fly UAV's, which would free up military pilots.

I think your number 5 is on to something.

CAP isn't that good at long term commitments, but we surge well.

Having CAP assist in the deployment processing of units and personnel would be a good thing - it's not constant work, but it is scheduled in advance and only lasts a week or so.  It's primarily administrative work, but if we could get enough folks interested, it might work - and it provides direct support to USAF's warfighting mission.

[afgeo4]

This was reviewed a lot on a previous thread.

Here's some ideas:

1.  Pilots could work in operations as briefers.

2.  Public Affairs qualified folks could augment the PA office as media escorts, briefers, and journalists.

3.  Medical folks with civilian licensure could work in Health Services.

4.  Chaplains... well they're already there.

5.  Lawyers could augment the base legal office, especially in the labor-intensive work of preparing wills for deploying troops.

6.  We could assist in the SF office by issuing base decals, day passes, etc.

7.  We could assist in processing security clearances for military personnel and contractors by fingerprinting and doing the initial interview and application review.

There is plenty we could do.  I still think that CAP pilots could fly UAV's, which would free up military pilots.

1. CAP pilots cannot and will not be allowed to conduct combat or combat training (which is everything USAF does) briefings due to lack of experience in combat, aircraft used, tactics, etc.
3. CAP doctors, nurses, and emt cannot perform any medical functions for the military due to Geneva Conventions and UCMJ regulations (they have insurance too).
4. Assessing security clearances to base facilities is of the outmost importance to USAF and will never be handed off to civillians. The ultimate authority on such rests with the base commander.

I think that any on base augmentation will require USAF to open their tech schools to our members, either in house or through correspondence.

The few areas I see that can be helped with OJT training are:
1. Admin
2. Personnel
3. Finance
4. Logistics (mainly ordering and storage of cargo and parts)
5. Aerial Port (cargo and pax processing)
6. Visitors Center (processing base passes and doing orientations)
7. Recruiting assistance
8. Public Affairs assistance
9. Base museums
10. Services - Dining (serving meals and cleaning up)
11. Services - Recreation (base gym and MWR facilities)
12. Services - Honor Guard (cadet honor guard)
13. Transportation - delivery of supplies and parts on base.
14. Operations Liaison - part of CAP-USAF - a CAP counterpart to our reserve liaisons that would serve to advise base Ops or commanders on CAPs ability to assist the Air Force in support and operational missions/training.

[sandman]

A lot of areas within the US Coast Guard have CG Aux augmentees as you know to include medical.

Here's food for thought: http://www.opr.auxnstaff.org/aux_pal.htm

The framework is there, someone in USAF-CAP needs to develop some brass (reproductive organs)

[RiverAux]

3. CAP doctors, nurses, and emt cannot perform any medical functions for the military due to Geneva Conventions and UCMJ regulations (they have insurance too).

hmmm, the CG Aux has a medical augmentation program.....

Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult for anyone on the outside to predict where CAP members could best be used in an augmentation role without having a fairly complete list of individual jobs being performed on the base or in any one unit. 

[afgeo4]

Who does medical work for USCG?  I thought it was done by the national health administration or whatever it's called...

[Al Sayre]

Depends on the location, I've seen quite a few Coasties at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and at the Navy Health Clinic in Jacksonville when I was on AD.

[sandman]

USCG health is covered by the US Public Health Service. I have contact info for CG AUX medical professional (MD, RN, etc) who would be interested in volunteering time in some local USCG clinics....

[afgeo4]

So does that mean the USCG Aux augment the US Public Health Service?  Is that through an MOU?

[SAR-EMT1]

Who does medical work for USCG?  I thought it was done by the national health administration or whatever it's called...

Im in the program. I serve as an EMT for the coast guard on a regular basis.
It is run through the CG HQ - maybe thats what you mean-  but any qualified auxiliarist can do it.  I can serve as a sick bay technician at a local station for a day or so at a time or as an EMT onboard during a cruise for up to two or three weeks etc.  I can also assist at a Navy base IF THEY ARE SHORTHANDED - ae its not a routine thing.
I know several med personnel were called up from the Aux to assist during Katrina for example.  You are actually on orders etc... and those in the program get a CG CAC card with "Aux" in the rank/grade area.

Meh...hope it helps

[sandman]

So does that mean the USCG Aux augment the US Public Health Service?  Is that through an MOU?

Not really. If the Auxiliarist volunteers in a large clinic that happens to have a USPHS officer on board, then they will work together. Not by MOU. The Auxiliarist will need to undergo a credentialing process similar to AD.

More often that not, the scenario involves an auxilarist working with the enlisted clinic staff (some HC's and IDC) doing things ranging from administrative to pre-deployment physical exams.

[SAR-EMT1]

So does that mean the USCG Aux augment the US Public Health Service?  Is that through an MOU?

No idea... the only med staff Ive actually encountered wore CG uniforms. As to wether or not they were a Public Health type in a CG uniform I dont know. (public health does have a uniform, but its a variation of the warrant officer  uniform if I remember correctly)

[sandman]

So does that mean the USCG Aux augment the US Public Health Service?  Is that through an MOU?

No idea... the only med staff Ive actually encountered wore CG uniforms. As to wether or not they were a Public Health type in a CG uniform I dont know. (public health does have a uniform, but its a variation of the warrant officer  uniform if I remember correctly)

Refer to www.usphs.gov, scroll over the tab "About The Corps", select "uniforms" for an example.

When PHS officers are assigned to the "OPDIV" U.S. Coast Guard, they wear the CG uniform with PHS device on the hard shoulder boards, collar/sleeve devices, and service cap(s).

[JohnKachenmeister]

This was reviewed a lot on a previous thread.

Here's some ideas:

1.  Pilots could work in operations as briefers.

2.  Public Affairs qualified folks could augment the PA office as media escorts, briefers, and journalists.

3.  Medical folks with civilian licensure could work in Health Services.

4.  Chaplains... well they're already there.

5.  Lawyers could augment the base legal office, especially in the labor-intensive work of preparing wills for deploying troops.

6.  We could assist in the SF office by issuing base decals, day passes, etc.

7.  We could assist in processing security clearances for military personnel and contractors by fingerprinting and doing the initial interview and application review.

There is plenty we could do.  I still think that CAP pilots could fly UAV's, which would free up military pilots.

1. CAP pilots cannot and will not be allowed to conduct combat or combat training (which is everything USAF does) briefings due to lack of experience in combat, aircraft used, tactics, etc.
3. CAP doctors, nurses, and emt cannot perform any medical functions for the military due to Geneva Conventions and UCMJ regulations (they have insurance too).
4. Assessing security clearances to base facilities is of the outmost importance to USAF and will never be handed off to civillians. The ultimate authority on such rests with the base commander.

I think that any on base augmentation will require USAF to open their tech schools to our members, either in house or through correspondence.

The few areas I see that can be helped with OJT training are:
1. Admin
2. Personnel
3. Finance
4. Logistics (mainly ordering and storage of cargo and parts)
5. Aerial Port (cargo and pax processing)
6. Visitors Center (processing base passes and doing orientations)
7. Recruiting assistance
8. Public Affairs assistance
9. Base museums
10. Services - Dining (serving meals and cleaning up)
11. Services - Recreation (base gym and MWR facilities)
12. Services - Honor Guard (cadet honor guard)
13. Transportation - delivery of supplies and parts on base.
14. Operations Liaison - part of CAP-USAF - a CAP counterpart to our reserve liaisons that would serve to advise base Ops or commanders on CAPs ability to assist the Air Force in support and operational missions/training.

George:

The security clearance processing would be limited to fingerprinting and completion of the initial packet.  These are not critical tasks, and are frequently handled by low-level clerical personnel, including civilians.

I'm pretty well-versed in the Law of War, having served on a general staff, and having participated actively in writing the SOP for EPW operations for the Army.  Please cite for me which Protocol that you think would ban irregular troops from providing medical support.

In order to be a flight briefer, it is not necessary to know the specific flight characteristics of each aircraft.  You just have to know about weather reporting and forecasting products, which any pilot would know, and you have to understand airspace restrictions, TFR's and similar navigational issues.  Again, this does not relate to specific aircraft performance, that's for the pilot to worry about.  The last time I was briefed at an Air Force base in flight operations, it was by a senior airman who never even asked what type of aircraft I was flying until he filled out the flight plan form.  Also, I don't understand how you consider flight briefing to be "Combat."

[aveighter]

Hey Maj. K, after we're done assisting in Air Ops, we can swing by the mess hall and if George is done sweeping up the deck and wiping down the trays, we'll take him out for a drink and hearty congratulations on a job well done!

[mikeylikey]

I know several med personnel were called up from the Aux to assist during Katrina for example.  You are actually on orders etc... and those in the program get a CG CAC card with "Aux" in the rank/grade area.

Very interesting!  Why can't CAP get the same when performing AIR FORCE missions?  I just don't understand what is up with the AF.  They assign us to work for them, but treat us worse than contractors.  More than not, the members of CAP are more educated, more mannered and capable of a whole lot more than the local burger king kid (who gets a CAC for working for AAFES) on Base.  Heck, the PRISONERS at MAXWELL AFB who perform custodial work in the NHQ building get CAC cards.    PRISONERS?!? 

I guess I have no idea what I am talking about.