Has anyone purchased these two publications from Vangaurd? I am wondering if they are worth the purchase or if the information in them could be found elsewhere online?
http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-a-higher-plane-p-15771.html (http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-a-higher-plane-p-15771.html) "A Higher Plane"
http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-commander-s-guide-p-15857.html (http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-commander-s-guide-p-15857.html) "Commander's Guide"
Thanks,
I picked up a copy of "Commander's Guide" at wing conference last weekend. It's the long overdue update of the pamphlet from the 1990s. It's intended as a short, handy summary of "Big Blue," AKA "Everything You Need to Know and Do in CAP." According to the Foreword: "This pamphlet should be be carried at all times, especially when Internet access, file material and reference materials are not readily available. More detailed information is available in CAP directives (manuals, regulations, and wing-level publications as well as resources available online at www.capmembers.com."
Like the old version, it does have several pages to fill in "My Chain of Command," "My Unit," "My Unit Assets," etc.
National Headquarters will send a copy of "Commander's Guide" out to every unit.
I'm not sure what JC004 was working on for his "Commander's Guide," but an App would be nice...
I, too, am wondering about "A Higher Plane".
Carry it with you at all times? Really? Now, that is funny.
Not sure about the version that Vanguard is selling, but mine came with a pop-rivet gun and ICL about body piercing. ;)
The phrasing is slightly different than the 1994 edition: "This pamphlet may be carried at all time when..."
I've been meaning to start this topic but didn't get a chance yet. Thanks for saving me some work. >:D
Quote from: AdAstra on September 01, 2011, 07:32:09 PM
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I'm not sure what JC004 was working on for his "Commander's Guide," but an App would be nice...
...
I haven't seen it and can't find it for download. I hope it's not a Vanguard item only since it's an official CAP publication.
I imagine that my approach is different since this is a tiny little thing. I'm taking more of an approach based on equivalent military guides and it isn't a pocket thing. It's a commander's guide more than a little handbook.
An app could be considered if I can get a hold of the pamphlet. PDF is great and all, but not optimal for small screens.
I'd like to know about the book too.
Quote from: Flight Officer on September 01, 2011, 06:13:10 AM
Has anyone purchased these two publications from Vangaurd? I am wondering if they are worth the purchase or if the information in them could be found elsewhere online?
http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-a-higher-plane-p-15771.html (http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-a-higher-plane-p-15771.html) "A Higher Plane"
http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-commander-s-guide-p-15857.html (http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-commander-s-guide-p-15857.html) "Commander's Guide"
Thanks,
I purchased them both. The commander's guide contains information from multiple regulations presented in bullet point form. Its a handy format, but fairly basic. It's most useful feature are the pages where you record important names and numbers. Is it worth the purchase? That's up to you. It does serve as a reminder of several topics, but if you need specifics, you will need the full regulation.
As for "A Higher Plane," well the jury is still in deliberations. The very first words of the book are a quote about knowing where you are before you can determine where you are going. The quote is from one of the authors. Upon reading this I put the book back in the box in which it came immediately. I thought "quoting yourself in your own book and on the very first line was a bit self-serving and pretentious." I later determined that I would read the book cover to cover before passing final judgment. I read "Part 1" of the book and found nothing that I have not read or heard in any number of management and leadership books and courses I've experienced in my life. Chapters are literally 2-3 pages long so I plan to finish it this weekend and make a final determination. I sincerely want to like this book and hope that it will deliver on the hype that has been circulating, especially the endorsements on the back cover. http://www.natcapwg.cap.gov/abovethecapital/2011/08/a-higher-plane/ (http://www.natcapwg.cap.gov/abovethecapital/2011/08/a-higher-plane/) Some proceeds from the sale of the books are going to CAP from what I have read.
Quote from: KWRFLL on September 09, 2011, 08:44:00 PM
It does serve as a reminder of several topics, but if you need specifics, you will need the full regulation.
You nailed the "CAP Commander's Guide spot on. A good general guide but not a single source for all things.
Quote from: KWRFLL on September 09, 2011, 08:44:00 PM
As for "A Higher Plane," well the jury is still in deliberations.
The book is a good guide for running a squadron simply because there really is nothing to compare it to in CAP. If you have nothing else, then read this book. On the negative side, it is a bit self-serving in a lot of the examples (really - teaching another boy scout to swim) and very light in details on running a squadron. It brings in some good concepts for squadron management but only lightly discusses them. Still, you don't have management experience, there are worst things you can spend your money on.
It has been some time since I first started this thread, and, I appreciate everyone's input!
I will purchase both the Commander's Guide and "A Higher Plane".
Have a good one.
The "Commander's Guide" contains some handy information that new commanders especially will find helpful, such as "questions new commanders should ask," the planning activities info, and the productive vs. non-productive units comparison.
New members, or members in general, will like the mission, values, history, organizational structure, etc. Lots of "nice to have at hand" stuff.
Maybe one-half of the guide is truly commander-focused. The more generic "CAP Pocket Reference" (or something) would probably be a more accurate title.
I'm astonished that a guide for commanders of volunteers doesn't hit more on the motivation, direction, recognition, and discipline of volunteers. That's a major shortcoming. Even the parts about setting goals and communicating a vision make no mention of brainstorming with the staff and seeking buy-in from the average member, it's as if the commander is King on-high, handing down edicts. I would also have liked to see some "best practices" from successful commanders – good ideas I can steal. I would have liked to see something about how the commander's job is different when the unit is big or small; in a city or in the sticks; Senior, Composite, or Cadet, etc. Stuff like that would've been a lot more valuable than blank lines to write down my IT Officer's name and phone number.
Some peculiarities caught my eye as indicators of general sloppiness.
- Which commander owns the guide? Did they mean to call it a "Commanders' Guide?" (plural possessive)
- The "Foreword" is unsigned. Perhaps they meant it as a preface.
- The USAF definition of leadership they cite is out of date by at least five years.
- The grooming standards shows those 1970s-era line drawings, and the versions in the Guide are not just hopelessly old but washed-out and pixelated. Apparently we wear wing patches on the service coat (again)??
- The inside cover says "Always Safety First!" Were the authors unaware of "Integrity First"?
- There are some disconnects between the current cadet reg (which predates the Guide) and what the guide says about cadet meetings and cadet promotions. This is the danger in offering a collection of info that is found elsewhere. Stuff changes and then we're left with conflicting information.
Therefore, it would've been better to offer discuss generic principles concerning how to "command" volunteers, as I mentioned above.
Overall, I give it a C- or 2 stars out of 4.
I am currently reading a higher plane, and to be honest it's the same stuff I have heard for a long time, pretty basic, but if you don't have a clue on bettering a squadron I would recommend it.