Hey, first post :)
This might be the wrog area, but nonetheless,
I already have my ACUT cert.
My questions lie with the 25% of the nets that I need to check into... And with one mission...
I ask in order of the chain of command, and my cadet commander had me talk to the communications officer who replied with "goodluck" and said the local net is down, and the mission is a possibility(local airshow, and last weekend was the squadron bivouac) so how do I get credit for communications capacity? Should I ask permission to talk to the squadron commander, and 25% of 0 is 0 so did I already get that done?
I ama c/airman, first class after I take a review board, and I am hoping to get this quickly :)
Thanks for reading!
Since your Squadron Commander posts regularly on CAPTalk, he should get your question without going through the chain of Command.
Where did you get that my cmdr posts on here?
And you only answered one of my questions
You list your unit in your profile...
There is no reason you cannot run a net with just your Squadron, or within your group, etc. There are procedures for establishing one, but nothing says
it has to be "The" net, only "a" net.
As to a mission, you will have to be at least fam/prep'ped in MRO in order to participate in a mission at the level which will give you credit. The ACut, alone, won't even allow you in the door.
I'm a bit of a noob on terminology, whats MRO?
What criteria us needed for it to be good enough to qualify to give me credit? Would an airshow count? Squadron bivouac?
MRO is Mission Radio Operator. All of the required tasks are listed on the MRO SQTR which you can find in E-Services under my Operations Qualifications then click on Entry/View Worksheet.
Quote from: Dagreatsoupbowl on April 20, 2011, 01:10:44 AM
I'm a bit of a noob on terminology, whats MRO?
MRO stands for Mission Radio Operator. That is the ES Rating that would qualify you to act as a radio operator during a mission.
The actual tasks that must be completed to qualify are listed in the Specialty Qualification Training Record (known as "SQTR") that you can find in eServices under My Ops Quals.
Quote from: Dagreatsoupbowl on April 20, 2011, 01:10:44 AM
What criteria us needed for it to be good enough to qualify to give me credit? Would an airshow count? Squadron bivouac?
Depends on what we are talking about. If you want Net credit towards the Senior Member Communications Specialty Track Technician rating, then the net would be a regular, scheduled net run by any CAP echelon. It can be hosted by your unit, another unit, your Group/Wing, etc.
However, this is completely different than qualifying for MRO. Part of the requirement for that is that you act AS the MRO (while in Trainee status) for two actual or practice missions, which by definition have to have a mission number assigned.
Talk to your Comms and ES Officers for more info on each.
The more important point is that if you are this unfamiliar with the program and requirements, you need to sit down with your unit CC or ESO and get things straight.
MRO doesn't have a lot of FAM/PREP - the ACut will cover that, most other ES ratings have a page of tasks and tests to complete, however you will have to complete your GES & ORM online, and be approved by your CC to participate in ES. If you are a cadet in good standing this will not be an issue, but if you are struggling on progression or elsewhere, he may feel ES is too much of a distraction.
Ok, so I need the GES and ORM to get the MRO so I can go on missions?
I looked at the MRO and all of the tasks are a lame... But they all seem to need to happen on a mission, or exercise... It also says I need to participate in an exercise, I assume this would be something I need to talk to the comm officer about? He is a bit new at it... Soo....
P.S. Sorry if I am being a bit slow, long day.
Telling us that you think requirements are lame wasn't the best idea you've had today. Each of the items in the list is a skill that you need to learn and be proficient at to be an effective radio operator. Pushing a button and talking into a mic is a small part of the duties as an MRO.
Go here (http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/Mission_Base_Staff_Task_Guide_D05D81F929EB2.pdf) and download the task guide. Look at the SQTR for MRO, and then refer to those tasks to see what you need to know to do the job.
I agree it wasn't sorry... :/
Thanks for the link
Lame?
For starters, it isn't just the one sentence, there will be a list of specific things you must demonstrate to the satisfaction of an SET.
MRO isn't rocket science, but it also isn't a HAM day or a net check-in.
Trying doing some of those tasks in a high-pressure, real-world mission with 5 aircraft, 6 ground teams, and 12 base staff buzzing around
your head.
Remember, you're preparing to be the "voice of command", not just add a badge to your uniform.
I would suggest you spend a little time with the ES curriculum before you call anything "lame".
SARDRAGON beat me to it on the task guide.
Ok, I've been thoroughly chastised.. I didn't mean lame as in stupid, I meant I thought it'd be more... Which SARdragon showed me with that manual.
If you have access to a shortwave receiver, tune in on the MARS nets above and below the amateur bands. It might help to listen to the flow of a directed net, message passing, etc.
john
Some of those tasks on the MRO SQTR may seem pretty basic, but I've watched intelligent people lose 40 IQ points when they grab a microphone.
Work with your local resources to find or make opportunities to practice. Repeat as needed. Practice some more. It can be as simple as a few people with ISR's working a fake mission and keeping that all important log. The concepts are pretty simple, but making it work in a high tempo, noisy environment is a bit more challenging.
The idea is to avoid choking on air when people are counting on you. People depend on efficient communicators, even at training events. A big SAREX is not the time to start your comm training.