Every once in a while, the idea of a virtual squadron gets kicked about. Then people ask "What would they do?"
I think I have an answer for that. But first, I'll preface it with the idea that we don't start with a completely virtual squadron. Instead, Digital members would be active in assisting with the support roles of the squadron that regularly attending members may not have the time to take care of. Examples of these tasks could be:
Website maintenance and upgrades - I've got a replacement website that I haven't had a chance to finish deploying. If I was a digital only member, it would be done by now.
Technology upgrades - Laptops etc. could be handed off to me for updates, upgrades, etc.
Technology design - I can build a microcomputer that can scan CAPIDs to log them in and out of meetings and missions that runs on a small battery pack, that when connected to a network could email the results in an excel spreadsheet. This is just one idea that can be run with, I have many others.
Virtual teaching - Virtual cyberpatriot mentors are a great example of this, but running webinars to review the FEMA ISP courses can also be helpful to all members to help them pass the courses listed.
Mission Support - Our CAP van doesn't have an internet connection, but my house does! I even have a giant HF tower I could hook up a radio to along with using my mobile radio. Logging data into WIMRS, logging traffic, providing external map guidance, etc. can all be useful functions a digital squadron member can achieve. For bonus points I grab a HAM radio operator to help co-ordinate our teams with whatever teams are out there working in tandem with CAP on a mission and using HAM radios, creating an effective communications bridge that doesn't run afoul of rules, regulations, and laws of the various agencies and entities involved.
PAO/PIO research - Developing contacts with local papers/journalists/groups that can be handed off to the PAO/PIO as needed.
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All that being said, with these members (theoretically) having less time constraints than regular squadron members, it is entirely possible that it makes sense to attach these digital members to groups instead of squadrons so that they can more easily supplement multiple squadrons.
By leaving the option open for technology design, there is a strong opportunity for these digital members to interface with AE/technology advocates in the community which may assist in the future with things like drone design, creating workflow systems, designing custom tools that if useful in the field can be provided elsewhere, and liaising with other organizations.
Anyhow, that is my pitch.
Thoughts?
Hmm, I'm almost actually serving in that capacity myself right now.... I'm probably not alone and there are others doing that sort of thing now. I had one member whose only CAP activity was keeping our squadron books. Fine by me.
I do think that there should be some way of using those who live too far away from a squadron in some sort of capacity. I once proposed a CAP Reserve program http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=3840.0 (http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=3840.0) to address that issue, though it was primarily focused on ES activities.
It isn't impossible, but the only area of concern I see would be the oversight/inspection process of the unit. There needs to be a good management system in place to monitor the activities the "cyber squadron" and ways to audit the squadron to ensure adequate compliance/conformance.
Quote from: RiverAux on October 27, 2015, 10:01:09 PM
I once proposed a CAP Reserve program http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=3840.0 (http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=3840.0) to address that issue, though it was primarily focused on ES activities.
"United States Air Force Auxiliary Reserve" :o
I don't see this much different than a senior member who looks to join a squadron with the intention to be there 2 weeks a month. While we do need some people to be there weekly with limited exceptions, if we can find people to do support tasks in a way that works then we should do it.
That said the prospective member and the command staff need to come to an agreement as to how it will work and stick to it. That should include how inspection and other compliance issues are to be handled. That may mean even the digital member has to be physically there on occasion.
Quote from: TheSkyHornet on October 28, 2015, 02:32:58 PM
It isn't impossible, but the only area of concern I see would be the oversight/inspection process of the unit. There needs to be a good management system in place to monitor the activities the "cyber squadron" and ways to audit the squadron to ensure adequate compliance/conformance.
Well, by being linked to a squadron or group, they would still report to the respective commander.
Quote
Quote from: RiverAux on October 27, 2015, 10:01:09 PM
I once proposed a CAP Reserve program http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=3840.0 (http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=3840.0) to address that issue, though it was primarily focused on ES activities.
"United States Air Force Auxiliary Reserve" :o
This is specifically not a "Reserve" in that should a CAP unit be activated, these resources would be as well and would be Mission Support doing communications work, logging, liaising, etc.
"They also serve who only sit behind desks." Can someone translate that into latin for me? :)
Quote from: Starfleet Auxiliary on October 28, 2015, 07:36:12 PM
"They also serve who only sit behind desks." Can someone translate that into latin for me? :)
Illi viri qui soli sedente apud pulpitum quoque juvant
Chairborne Ranger/Keyboard Commando "I read it on the internet" (in Latin: Et legit in eo in Penitus)
I'm not disagreeing with the idea at all. I'm just saying that there would be some things that need to be worked out to support this type of operation, including how to track and verify conformance.