CAP Professional Development - Problems and Solutions

[PHall]

The poorly supervised unescorted cadets with nothing to do are another issue.

The exact reason CAWG has a seperate Cadet Programs Conference!

[Private Investigator]

The average CAP member is not going to attend more than one Conference per year.  I would also say, that most CAP members do not attend a Conference their first year in the program. 

I always thought the Conference requirement in PD was to add time and inconvenience to the process.  Our unit (here in Petticoat Junction ) encourage our membership to attend, to support their specialty area seminar (especially finance), and give support to members throughout the Wing that are being recognized. 

I didn't go last year, but will probably go this year.  But, I still contend it lends very little to a members training or quals.

catrulz and I will likely fly into the Conference from Petticoat Junction  since I missed it last year too. The new people in Finance, Logistics and Communications need to network. But after so many years it gets routine. At my age I really only go for the change of command ceremonies. 

[Ned]

The poorly supervised unescorted cadets with nothing to do are another issue.

The exact reason CAWG has a separate Cadet Programs Conference!

And the reason for the relatively new regulatory guidance in para 2-4e of CAPR 52-10 specifically designed for conference type events and provides minimum standards of practice for supervision of cadets at conferences.

[Alaric]

We had a cadet conference at the CT/NER conference this year, they seemed to enjoy it

[catrulz]

The average CAP member is not going to attend more than one Conference per year.  I would also say, that most CAP members do not attend a Conference their first year in the program. 

I always thought the Conference requirement in PD was to add time and inconvenience to the process.  Our unit (here in Petticoat Junction ) encourage our membership to attend, to support their specialty area seminar (especially finance), and give support to members throughout the Wing that are being recognized. 

I didn't go last year, but will probably go this year.  But, I still contend it lends very little to a members training or quals.

catrulz and I will likely fly into the Conference from Petticoat Junction  since I missed it last year too. The new people in Finance, Logistics and Communications need to network. But after so many years it gets routine. At my age I really only go for the change of command ceremonies. 

I'm assuming change of command will be at a Commander's Call in March this year.  Yes they traditionally occur at conferences.  With the schedule being thrown off, I wonder if they will ever re-align CoC with conference?  Even though I'm not currently a CC, I will probably attend this Commander's Call.

[Private Investigator]

The average CAP member is not going to attend more than one Conference per year.  I would also say, that most CAP members do not attend a Conference their first year in the program. 

I always thought the Conference requirement in PD was to add time and inconvenience to the process.  Our unit (here in Petticoat Junction ) encourage our membership to attend, to support their specialty area seminar (especially finance), and give support to members throughout the Wing that are being recognized. 

I didn't go last year, but will probably go this year.  But, I still contend it lends very little to a members training or quals.

catrulz and I will likely fly into the Conference from Petticoat Junction  since I missed it last year too. The new people in Finance, Logistics and Communications need to network. But after so many years it gets routine. At my age I really only go for the change of command ceremonies. 

I'm assuming change of command will be at a Commander's Call in March this year.  Yes they traditionally occur at conferences.  With the schedule being thrown off, I wonder if they will ever re-align CoC with conference?  Even though I'm not currently a CC, I will probably attend this Commander's Call.

I like going to the CoC just to be supportive of the new Wing King/Queen. Also to preempt them from asking, "you want to be the Wing IG?" When a Commander rocks their Commander's Call you know you have a good year ahead. Of course if the Commander is burnt out it is very obvious in their Commanders Call. 

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

The PDO in my Wing still wouldn't accept that.  All this person would accept was a "meal ticket" proving I had been to the BANQUET.

I'd have asked "Where does the regulation require me to go to the banquet?"

I'll answer with "Nowhere"  Never been to a Wing Banquet.  Been to 3 or 4 wing conferences, always as a presenter...can't stand formal banquets

I have been to six wing conferences and one region conference.  Only three times did I stay for the banquet; one year because that's where I got my Yeager presented, one year because I got my CommComm presented, and one year because the wonderful (and tolerant, patient, long-suffering and amazingly willing to overlook my many foibles and defects of character) lady who is now my wife and I had just got engaged and I requested the honour of her presence.

I tried bucking "the system"...however, the PDO was a Lt Col and I was a Captain...and neither my Squadron nor my Wing CC would intervene on my behalf.  My squadron CC even said that this PDO "is not someone you want to get on the bad side of."  He even suggested to wait until another region conference came around and "this time save your meal ticket."

I asked him if I could seek advice from National.  He said yes, but he must not have thought I was really going to do it.  National said that this situation was completely out of line and they would "look into it."  Apparently they did, because my squadron CC phoned me and basically burned my ears off...he said I was going to be responsible for an Air Force IG investigation, and that from then on I should even stay away from Wing HQ.

I submitted my resignation the next day, amidst much grief, and, I will admit, tears.  Eight years of service to CAP, for nothing because a PDO was able and permitted to make their own rules.

I don't know if the AF IG investigation ever happened or not.  I did contact National and they suggested I either go on Patron status, look for a unit in another Wing (closest one was 150 miles away) or just "lay low for a while."  Bull[mess] to all that.