Creating a historian course

[tdepp]

^^^^
Todd;
There is nothing small about the Dakota Flooding. I've got friends out of the Denver Regional FEMA Office who've been on duty
up there for 4 years. If I am not mistaken, I was lead to believe that - this is the longest running ongoing FEMA mission, right now. Even running longer than Katrina... but perhaps I misunderstood this casual conversation.
My point is:
1. Everything we do, every training session, every piece of learning, every mission is capable of being a part of history. My squadron built the original Scanner, Observer, Mission Pilot training syllabus. Jim Smith and Norm Kholos wrote the same basic training manuals that we use today. Others participated but these two dedicated members worked through the issues in their basement offices. I wish I had pictures. Norm died a little over a year ago. Jim is no longer a member. I'd give anything to have that piece of my squadron's history. I'd love to tell that story in full. It is all part of our history. Unfortunately it might have slipped right through my fingers.

2. To be a historian, like acting, like Olympian, like any real thing... you must live in the verb not the noun. You must commit. You must record. You must do. Recognize the worth of what you see as eventually being historical that is what you must do. If you are right 5 percent of the time then you are a genius historian. To see then predict the eventual outcome of importance is the development of this 6th sense. One must literally be a fortune teller to be a good historian. To predict what will BECOME important is much tougher than looking back like some Monday Morning Quarterback, researching records that are provided by other, and picking up the pieces, is frankly easier.

I am a PIO, Historian, and ES Officer. I am always amazed at how looking for people in the woods and looking for people in the words is often the same.

Ed:

Thanks.  I hope to meet you some day.  Besides being a historian, you're also a philosopher.  And, I might add, a bodhisattva.    Namaste.

[Smithsonia]

^^^^
Todd;
bodhisattva? Well thank you. Nice Hindu cultural reference. I am not sure that it applies to me, but it is nice of you to say so.

And yes we historians should all get to know one another, share materials, keep in touch, and hang out together. For most members that would be like a librarian's convention... but that isn't the worst thing I can imagine. "And then Lt. Spaatz says, I've got to land this? there?" Followed by gales of polite laughter and dignified applause.

[JC004]

This sounds like a good idea.  I would be willing to provide support in setting up online courseware (as my time permits), if that is the route you would want to go.  I did this for PAWG before they made me shut it down because the training was "not sanctioned by NHQ" (even though the first courses were all simply national materials in an online format).

I'm currently doing the same thing for my work (a non-profit) to train our volunteers, so I should be developing my skills a bit more in this area soon.

[tdepp]

^^^^
Todd;
bodhisattva? Well thank you. Nice Hindu cultural reference. I am not sure that it applies to me, but it is nice of you to say so.

And yes we historians should all get to know one another, share materials, keep in touch, and hang out together. For most members that would be like a librarian's convention... but that isn't the worst thing I can imagine. "And then Lt. Spaatz says, I've got to land this? there?" Followed by gales of polite laughter and dignified applause.

Ed:

Actually, Buddhist (But you're on the right track: Hinduism :: Buddhism as Judaism :: Christianity), as in an enlightened individual who has attained enlightenment and could also achieve nirvana but would rather stay on earth and help poor schlubs like me be more enlightened and compassionate.  To us Buddhists, to be called a bodhisattva is a high compliment.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva

A CAP historians' convention?  Watch out for the hardest drinkin', roughest, toughest, footnotin'est bunch of pointy-headed history freaks this side of Harvard Square!  Sounds like fun.  I'll bring the beer.   

[Maj Daniel Sauerwein]

A CAP historians' convention?  Watch out for the hardest drinkin', roughest, toughest, footnotin'est bunch of pointy-headed history freaks this side of Harvard Square!  Sounds like fun.  I'll bring the beer.   

First, I love this and needed the laugh. Obviously, someone has been to a history conference or two and knows how we can get  . Second, thanks everyone for your suggestions and inputs. My apologies for being away for a while, but with so many things going on, I can't get to CT all the time. It is good to know that there are others who share a passion for history and want to expand it. Don't hesitate to PM or email me with any suggestions.

[Smithsonia]

^^^^^
A good laugh? That is why they call this section hysterical history, I suppose. It's better that way but then everything is!!!

[tdepp]

A CAP historians' convention?  Watch out for the hardest drinkin', roughest, toughest, footnotin'est bunch of pointy-headed history freaks this side of Harvard Square!  Sounds like fun.  I'll bring the beer.   

First, I love this and needed the laugh. Obviously, someone has been to a history conference or two and knows how we can get  . Second, thanks everyone for your suggestions and inputs. My apologies for being away for a while, but with so many things going on, I can't get to CT all the time. It is good to know that there are others who share a passion for history and want to expand it. Don't hesitate to PM or email me with any suggestions.

Capt Dan:
You've all been a little busy in Nord Dakoda, der, with flooding and sandbagging and all.  Your first beer or CAP monograph is on me.  Your choice.

[Orville_third]

I'm a historian who really needs to do more and an aspiring librarian. I'm definitely interested in learning more about CAP history and putting it down- and I'd love the convention idea!
(As for the librarians, I can say the ladies I've met are rather nice and helpful, especially if you want to be a librarian.)