How to become a GTM-3

[Stonewall]

BITD, like 20 years ago, getting GTM (no GTM1,2,3) was easy. GES + GTM CLASSROOM + ROA + FIRST AID + TWO MISSIONS meant you were a GTM.

In 2015 my ops quals expired while I was busy playing dad to two kids who were too young for CAP.  Last year, my son joined CAP on his 12th birthday and I've been working to get back up to GBD, just re-earning that GTL title today.

In working with cadets in my squadron to set goals to become a GTM-3, I realized that it is NOT EASY. It is a cumbersome task.

So, I put together a step-by-step document that takes you from "hey you got your Curry Achievement" or "Level I" to GTM-3.

I'm asking for feedback and any tips or tricks on making this flow better. If you have a better product, share it! If someone wants this in Word so you can make it yours, PM me your email and I'll send it to you.

See attached.

[Eclipse]

You misspelled QUESTIONNAIRE.   

Seriously, though, looks pretty good to me, and you actually found a decent graphic of the badge!

My biggest frustration with new GTMs has always been the circular issues in getting started, and
the fact that newer members don't get the difference between "listening in the back row" and "performing a task",
with the hardest part being the initial gear checks.

Far too often I've brought mine in on a meeting night to go through it / explain some quality decisions I made, etc.,
only to have members think they are "done".  Sometimes that's enough to stall them on their excitement.

Same for the compass course - it takes 45 minutes and requires setup, it's not knowing the thing points "North".

I've found it helps to make sure everyone knows you don't even need to >own< the gear yourself, lots of
units have GTM kits with unit owned gear.  I don't check nametags, you just have to do the tarp spread and
show me everything you have during the task eval (with the caveat that during missions, you have to have your own, of course).

Something I've found very effective - break the tasks up and schedule 1-2 every meeting, starting with the easier ones.
Orientate a map to North, do terrain association, find your location, phone trees. Get a few signed off and have everyone else
watch, if they can't knock it out cold after watching, they will be ready next week.

I also agree that getting them UDF-T quickly is a great start, as with like 2 tasks they are qual'ed to earn a ribbon.

Frankly, with GES now being a QCUA point, all units should be treating is as mandatory.  No idea why NHQ doesn't,
but getting cadet through the silly test holds back a whole floodgate of other stuff.

[Stonewall]

You misspelled QUESTIONNAIRE.   

Seriously? Son of a...

Back to the drawing board.

Thanks for pointing that out. Never fails.

[Stonewall]

Frankly, with GES now being a QCUA point, all units should be treating is as mandatory.  No idea why NHQ doesn't,
but getting cadet through the silly test holds back a whole floodgate of other stuff.

Cool thing about having my son in and going through the ropes is that I can look over his shoulder to see how things have changed.

Unfortunately, that GES questionnaire has NOT changed and, in my opinion, is WAY over the top and irrelevant for not just cadets, but even most entry level ES'ers.

[Gunsotsu]

Don't agree with UDF as a stepping stone towards GTM3. GTM3s can do the UDF mission, while the inverse isn't true.  Otherwise it looks great.

Personally I'd like to see GES 116 completion tied into whatever the successor to (not so) Great Start is. Getting that out of the way from the start gets cadets prepared to participate in ES (whether GTM3, UDF, MSA, etc.). Not to mention GES completion is one of the metrics in the QCUA.

[husker]

Same for the compass course - it takes 45 minutes and requires setup, it's not knowing the thing points "North".

Something that our organization still struggles with - meeting the evaluation criteria of the task guide.  We have some severe integrity fails within segments of operations training.  For example, we have rated GTM3s come into the national school almost every year who have never touched a compass or DF unit. 

[husker]

Looks really good Stonewall, thank you for doing this.  I may ask to copy this for a couple of my programs to help newbies get started.

[Stonewall]

Looks really good Stonewall, thank you for doing this.  I may ask to copy this for a couple of my programs to help newbies get started.

No prob. I'll correct the spelling error tomorrow that Eclipse pointed out and send you the Word version so you can edit as needed.

[SarDragon]

Don't agree with UDF as a stepping stone towards GTM3. GTM3s can do the UDF mission, while the inverse isn't true.  Otherwise it looks great.

Personally I'd like to see GES 116 completion tied into whatever the successor to (not so) Great Start is. Getting that out of the way from the start gets cadets prepared to participate in ES (whether GTM3, UDF, MSA, etc.). Not to mention GES completion is one of the metrics in the QCUA.

I disagree. The UDF tasks are more extensive than GTM3:

From the GTM3 SQTR
Complete Task O-0301 Determine distress beacon bearing)
Complete Task O-0302 (Locate a distress beacon)

From the UDF SQTR
Complete Task O-0301 Determine distress beacon bearing)
Complete Task O-0302 (Locate a distress beacon)
Complete Task O-0303 (Deactivate a distress beacon)
Complete Task O-0304 (Triangulate on a distress beacon signal*)

From the GTL  SQTR
Complete Task O-0301 Determine distress beacon bearing)
Complete Task O-0302 (Locate a distress beacon)
Complete Task O-0303 (Deactivate a distress beacon)
Complete Task O-0304 (Triangulate on a distress beacon signal*)

So, the GTL is the one doing the same "job" as the UDF team member in an ELT situation.


*The SQTRs say single; the Task Guide says signal.

[Fester]

I also agree that getting them UDF-T quickly is a great start, as with like 2 tasks they are qual'ed to earn a ribbon.

What ribbon?

[Stonewall]

I also agree that getting them UDF-T quickly is a great start, as with like 2 tasks they are qual'ed to earn a ribbon.

What ribbon?

Pretty sure he means that as soon as you are UDF there is potential fork you to earn a FIND ribbon.  As an example, my son is UDF and was called out for an ELT two weeks ago. They got a FIND ribbon. He's not GTM-3 yet.

[Eclipse]

Yep.

[Stonewall]

Here we go. Corrected spelling.

[TheSkyHornet]

Good work, Pete.

Shared with my unit ES guys.

[arajca]

Here we go. Corrected spelling.

Found another. In the "Basic First" section, fourth line, "and cuts one my get" my should be may.

[Stonewall]

Here we go. Corrected spelling.

Found another. In the "Basic First" section, fourth line, "and cuts one my get" my should be may.

Ugh. Thanks: need y'all to come to my office and do a complete review.

Tough doing this in at my actual job.

[Spam]

Same for the compass course - it takes 45 minutes and requires setup, it's not knowing the thing points "North".

Something that our organization still struggles with - meeting the evaluation criteria of the task guide.  We have some severe integrity fails within segments of operations training.  For example, we have rated GTM3s come into the national school almost every year who have never touched a compass or DF unit.

Sir... Suggest that you consider directly contacting those members Wing CCs (NOT their DO/DOS obviously) as quality control feedback. While its not the students fault we need to yank some SET qualifications immediately and consider training for staff and commanders. It may be negligence and lack of staff functional training as much as integrity breaches. Yet the first step is building that wall to plug the quality control leaks.


If there are GA Wing leakers I need to know ASAP please. I have a strong feeling that SER CC would want to know also.


Respectfully submitted
Spam

[NEBoom]

Stonewall, Would like a Word format copy of this please!  Check your PM.
Thanks much, great work!

[wacapgh]

I may have missed the reference to it in the document, but doesn't ICUT have two parts? The online videos and quizzes followed by the in-person evaluation with actual CAP radios.
There is a time limit between passing the last quiz and completing the practical evaluation - Isn't it 90 days?

If your unit does not have a radios issued to it, your unit will have to arrange to borrow some or visit another unit to use theirs.

[Holding Pattern]

I may have missed the reference to it in the document, but doesn't ICUT have two parts? The online videos and quizzes followed by the in-person evaluation with actual CAP radios.
There is a time limit between passing the last quiz and completing the practical evaluation - Isn't it 90 days?

If your unit does not have a radios issued to it, your unit will have to arrange to borrow some or visit another unit to use theirs.

180 days for the time limit.

[Stonewall]

Stonewall, Would like a Word format copy of this please!  Check your PM.
Thanks much, great work!

On the road. Will send later this evening.

[NovemberWhiskey]

180 days for the time limit.

That time limit was removed in latest revision of CAPR 100-1.

[Stonewall]

I may have missed the reference to it in the document, but doesn't ICUT have two parts? The online videos and quizzes followed by the in-person evaluation with actual CAP radios.

There is a time limit between passing the last quiz and completing the practical evaluation - Isn't it 90 days?

If your unit does not have a radios issued to it, your unit will have to arrange to borrow some or visit another unit to use theirs.

I was thinking a hands-on portion would be required. In fact, it should. I'd rather spend an hour or so teaching radio ops, procedures, and protocols than having people do the online videos and quizzes.  However, we've had three cadets complete the online training this past week and as soon as they finished, it showed up as "green" (accomplished) in their SQTR. That tells me no practical training is required, or at least is not required as far as the SQTR is concerned.

I started with having to get my FCC restricted radio operator permit before I was allowed to touch a CAP radio. Then, I had to memorize all the prowords and phonetic alphabet. Then, go through two hours of training. Then, CAP moved to the ROA, then BCUT and ACUT. Now, ICUT.

[Ozzy]

I may have missed the reference to it in the document, but doesn't ICUT have two parts? The online videos and quizzes followed by the in-person evaluation with actual CAP radios.

There is a time limit between passing the last quiz and completing the practical evaluation - Isn't it 90 days?

If your unit does not have a radios issued to it, your unit will have to arrange to borrow some or visit another unit to use theirs.

I was thinking a hands-on portion would be required. In fact, it should. I'd rather spend an hour or so teaching radio ops, procedures, and protocols than having people do the online videos and quizzes.  However, we've had three cadets complete the online training this past week and as soon as they finished, it showed up as "green" (accomplished) in their SQTR. That tells me no practical training is required, or at least is not required as far as the SQTR is concerned.

I started with having to get my FCC restricted radio operator permit before I was allowed to touch a CAP radio. Then, I had to memorize all the prowords and phonetic alphabet. Then, go through two hours of training. Then, CAP moved to the ROA, then BCUT and ACUT. Now, ICUT.

That is weird. There is supposed to be a hands-on portion tested by the comms officer or something like that.... here is from the online ICUT:

"Upon completion of this program you will have 180 days to complete a hands-on evaluation. For information on evaluators please refer to your Squadron Communications Officer, Commander, Wing DC or the new CAP Regulation 100-1 par 5.2 Subsection "

CAPR 100-1 states:
"5.2.3. Communications staff member recorded in eServices at any level, including cadets, may
serve as mentors/evaluators. All mentors/evaluators must have completed ICUT and Skills
Evaluator Training (SET) before they may supervise performance of skills and procedures of ICUT
students. The mandatory standardized checklists and guidelines for mentors/evaluators may be
found by qualified evaluators in the Communications section of eServices.
5.2.4. Students completing online ICUT instruction or classroom instruction must demonstrate
required skills to a qualified evaluator, IAW paragraph 5.2.3, above. When a student has performed
the required skills and procedures satisfactorily, the student may enter the training approval in OPS
QUALS, similar to conventional ES training. Although a separate section of OPS QUALS is
provided for Communications training, the training will cross-reference into ES training SQTRs.

[SarDragon]

I've been doing ICUT SET since its inception, and I've never seen someone go all green without completing the practical portion.

[NIN]

Then, CAP moved to the ROA, then BCUT and ACUT. Now, ICUT.

ROA? New guy.

ROP FOREVER!

[Eclipse]

I've been doing ICUT SET since its inception, and I've never seen someone go all green without completing the practical portion.

Well, that's what should happen...
CAPR 100-1, Page 14: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/R100_001_162D77B8183A1.pdf

"5.2.4. Students completing online ICUT instruction or classroom instruction must demonstrate
required skills to a qualified evaluator, IAW paragraph 5.2.3, above. When a student has performed
the required skills and procedures satisfactorily, the student may enter the training approval in OPS
QUALS, similar to conventional ES training. Although a separate section of OPS QUALS is
provided for Communications training, the training will cross-reference into ES training SQTRs.
5.2.5. Local mentors/evaluators may deliver a "live" version of the ICUT course, showing the
training videos in a classroom setting, administering the written test and following the instructor's
guide found in the downloadable ICUT materials in the Communications section of eServices.
Any unit/wing/region/national Communications staff member recorded in eServices who has
completed ICUT, may serve as mentor/evaluator for the live ICUT classes. In live instructional
settings, the Instructor's Guide must be followed faithfully."

The practical is a full set of instructions available to ICUT SETs that basically has the operator
assemble an HT and/or Mobile radio and perform some common functions. then moving into passing messages
and some other related skills. Takes about 10-15 minutes for someone prepared.

I found the document online, but it's from a typical CAP "you're not supposed to post this online" website, so
I'll let Google be the leaker here.

However, for those who had A-Cuts (not likely too many left at this point) a practical wasn't / isn't required.
As I recall wasn't there a deadline of 1 year from April 2016 when 100-1 was pub'ed?

"5.2.6. Members who previously held a valid ACUT qualification, documented in eServices, are
required to take only the OP1 section of the ICUT course, which is an orientation to the 21st
Century CAP Communications system; however, they have the option of not taking the ICUT
sections about operation of VHF-FM radios (T1) and radio operating procedures (OP2). The
Learning Management System, used for online ICUT instruction, and OPS QUALS are structured
to reflect this option. It is recommended that all communicators take all sections of ICUT in order
to be familiar with the training received by newer members."

With both the above said, CAP still has plenty of Commanders who think Level 1 is online as well.
The system requires input, but nothing stops an inclined person with the mouse who has this idea
from just clicking.

[Stonewall]

Just went back to eServices to look at the SQTR of two cadets that just completed their ICUT online WITHOUT any hands-on training or assessment and they are both green on ICUT. It was automatic as soon as they completed the online training.

Not agreeing with it at all. Just saying it's what is happening.

[Eclipse]

Assuming no integrity issues, then something is broken,
as it's always required the SET to manually enter
the practical.

[Ozzy]

Assuming no integrity issues, then something is broken,
as it's always required the SET to manually enter
the practical.

There was the change of doing ICUT over to Axis... maybe that is the issue? Wasn't coded right?

[NovemberWhiskey]

There was the change of doing ICUT over to Axis... maybe that is the issue? Wasn't coded right?

I would think it would be possible to verify whether the T1/OP2 practical portion was entered (and by whom) by the appropriate Communications Officer checking in Ops Quals.

An issue we recently saw was that you can retake ICUT theory in Axis and it will update your qualification dates in Ops Quals so it looks like the ICUT practical was done before the theory portion was completed.