We tend to talk primarily about big huge changes to CAP's entire organizational structure and operational procedures that have very little chance of being implemented either at the national or at a wing level.
But, I think that anyone who really wanted the job has a decent chance of becoming at least a squadron commander.
So, those of you who haven't done it before, what would you want to change within your squadron if you were put in charge (within bounds of our existing regulations, of course)?
I would have the Senior Side meet one night, and the Cadet Side meet another. Too much BS going on between Seniors and Cadets makes the meeting slow up. I did that when I was in charge, and except for two members who were inconvenienced because they also had Kids in the unit everyone liked it.
I like this question. The only problem I see with it is that any change I would make one day would probably be changed back the next ;D
Quote from: mikeylikey on May 04, 2008, 04:15:39 AM
I would have the Senior Side meet one night, and the Cadet Side meet another. Too much BS going on between Seniors and Cadets makes the meeting slow up. I did that when I was in charge, and except for two members who were inconvenienced because they also had Kids in the unit everyone liked it.
I have been considering asking my CC for something like this again. It will eliminate some of the friction between the two programs, and relieve the major space issues we are having. We meet in the conference room of our FBO, it has dividers that partition off the last third of the room, which leaves us cramming 20 - 25 cadets into a space that is about 15x25. We asked him about two years ago, he wouldn't do it because it was an inconvienince for him to be at both meetings, and he has this fear of "dividing the squadron". I don't see the difference really, I don't know 70% of the Seniors anymore, the only time we ever see each other is at Opening Formation, which they all seem bothered with anyway...
There is no "friction" between the two programs, at least unless you make it so.
The best thing for a composite squadron to do is to meet on the same night, have an opening "general session" where shared events and major issues are discussed, a quick public affairs/awards/kudos segment and then break out into Cadets and Senior side.
I grow tired to people who forget that we are one organization with three missions. CADETS are CAP members too.
Here is the great failing of our programs, that we do not build young aviators that will later go on to be our CAP Officers. The ideal time to do it is when the two programs meet. CAP Aviators should be a sort of mentor to the cadets. Does this mean they should all be UBER-involved in Cadet Programs? No...better yet, heck no. It does mean that they should create an aviation legacy in the youth of their communities. Give a short class on some element of flight, encourage cadets to be stewards of good airmanship and let the cadets know that CAP Senior Members are not "old curmudgeons" who are affraid of cadets; but rather, CAP Officers willing and able to guide them to General Aviation as adults.
The way some of you write here it is no wonder that the ratio for cadet to senior transition is so low. Sorry, fellows, there should be no "US" versus "them" in CAP.
Quote from: Major Carrales on May 04, 2008, 05:07:28 PM
There is no "friction" between the two programs, at least unless you make it so.
The best thing for a composite squadron to do is to meet on the same night, have an opening "general session" where shared events and major issues are discussed, a quick public affairs/awards/kudos segment and then break out into Cadets and Senior side.
I grow tired to people who forget that we are one organization with three missions. CADETS are CAP members too.
Well said.
Very little of any consequence can/cold/should be changed on a whim, most likely they would be meaningless background noise changes that are already addressed in a reg or policy someone is not enforcing.
The program, as a whole, is pretty complete an comprehensive. Its only when CC's "interpret in a vacuum" or "pick and choose" that you have issues.
Challenges of enough consequnce to be worth discussing need a comprehensive solution, resources and fortitude to implement, and possibly support of high HQ - not the kind of thing you can do wearing the pin for a day.
Okay, make it squadron commander for a year then...
Quote from: RiverAux on May 05, 2008, 02:46:52 AM
Okay, make it squadron commander for a year then...
How about encouraging CAP Officers into actually becoming a squadron commander? This "arm chair quarterbacking" is likely to produce more harm than good. Normally I would champion such a thread, however, after being in "the center seat" for two years plus...the idea of people making all sorts of uninformed, inexperienced comments on this issue is less that palatable.
It would make more of an impact if you actually challenged would-be critics to actually take a command for a year. That would be more valuable than sitting here making proclamations and less than informed comments.
Let's see how many would actually take command?...not as many, I would guess, than would have a comment. You know, being the "hammered" for for doing the "hammering."
QuoteHow about encouraging CAP Officers into actually becoming a squadron commander?
Did you not catch that I started this discussion by saying that this is an achievable goal?
Quotethe idea of people making all sorts of uninformed, inexperienced comments on this issue is less that palatable.
Haven't seen any of those here yet, so whats the problem?
I'm confused... you want to encourage people to become squadron commanders, but any thoughts they may have on what they would do should they get the job aren't worth considering?
Incidentally, I am a former squadron commander myself and was not happy to see the CAP exit surveys that showed that a lot of cadets left over issues involving their squadron leadership and comments from seniors indicating that this was a problem for them in certain areas.
Squadron command is where the rubber meets the road and if we don't try to ascertain what problems are actually going on at that level how can we fix it?
Or are we better off just talking about national level issues that we cannot have any real impact on?
Do what you will.
Quote from: Major Carrales on May 04, 2008, 05:07:28 PM
There is no "friction" between the two programs, at least unless you make it so.
The best thing for a composite squadron to do is to meet on the same night, have an opening "general session" where shared events and major issues are discussed, a quick public affairs/awards/kudos segment and then break out into Cadets and Senior side.
I grow tired to people who forget that we are one organization with three missions. CADETS are CAP members too.
Here is the great failing of our programs, that we do not build young aviators that will later go on to be our CAP Officers. The ideal time to do it is when the two programs meet. CAP Aviators should be a sort of mentor to the cadets. Does this mean they should all be UBER-involved in Cadet Programs? No...better yet, heck no. It does mean that they should create an aviation legacy in the youth of their communities. Give a short class on some element of flight, encourage cadets to be stewards of good airmanship and let the cadets know that CAP Senior Members are not "old curmudgeons" who are affraid of cadets; but rather, CAP Officers willing and able to guide them to General Aviation as adults.
The way some of you write here it is no wonder that the ratio for cadet to senior transition is so low. Sorry, fellows, there should be no "US" versus "them" in CAP.
Other than Opening Ceremonies, that can still be easily accomplished with separate meetings.
BTW...I applaud and respect those that work with the Cadets, however I just really have no desire to. *shrug*
Quote from: LittleIronPilot on May 05, 2008, 01:31:54 PM
BTW...I applaud and respect those that work with the Cadets, however I just really have no desire to. *shrug*
And that is why CAP is great. We all can decide what we want to work with, and with whom.
I have noticed a trend of more and more Composite Squadrons holding separate meetings for Cadets and Officers (perhaps just my Wing, I don't know). I see no problem with that, especially when the two groups come together for events that require both Cadet and Officer support.
Quote from: Major Carrales on May 04, 2008, 05:07:28 PM
There is no "friction" between the two programs, at least unless you make it so.
The best thing for a composite squadron to do is to meet on the same night, have an opening "general session" where shared events and major issues are discussed, a quick public affairs/awards/kudos segment and then break out into Cadets and Senior side.
Sorry....highly disagree! Not enough time.
Quote from: Major Carrales on May 04, 2008, 05:07:28 PMI grow tired to people who forget that we are one organization with three missions. CADETS are CAP members too.
No one forgets....but we seperate different aspect of those missions into other venues/times.
An AD USAF wing is a single unit with several missions...but we do not meet/operate/train as a wing....no we are broken up into different squadrons to focus on our aspect of the overall mission(s).
I agree that Cadets are CAP members too....but on that same token....there are CP guys out there that don't want to have anything to do with ES and flyer are only good for when you need an O-ride.
I changed the meetings from one night for everyone, to two meetings. Cadets meet on Thursdays, and the Seniors meet one Saturday per month. Anyone is free to attend either of the meetings. You just show up knowing the Thursady is directed towards cadets, and cadets show up Saturday knowing they are welcome, but it is geared toward Senior training. There are cadets that show up on the Senior meetings to do admin things, make up PT tests, or just come hang out with their parents who are Seniors. Many of my Seniors own their own busnisses, or work, and just cannot make it during the week
Last Saturday, I had the Cadet Commander give a 15 minute class to the Seniors on cadet rank , positions, basic customs and courtesies and overall what the cadets would like to see from the Seniors. Pretty simple. Set a good example and please return our salutes when we salute you. Not to much to ask for I dont think.
Moving my Sq. was a huge project that is finally accomplished. We are on a Army Guard facility so I try to mingle a little with them to let them know who we are.
I While other members choose to wear their polo shirt combo's, that fine, but my Deputy and I always wear our blues with ribbons to meetings. I am working on getting the others to do the same.
I make myself available to the DCC, and he and his wife and another Senior run the cadet programs. I told him Dont spend any money unless I know about it, Dont hurt anyone and Dont break anything. Other than that....The cadet program is yours.
Ah ha! Now I see what is going on here.
Well, fellows...it would seem to me that if you want cadets meeting on a different night then what you have there is not a COMPOSITE squadron, but rather, two squadrons, a SENIOR and a CADET one.
I would then say "charter away!" That is, unless, you don't have enough of the one to justify the second unit. In which case meeting on the same night is a moot point since the small of the two programs would not be a "gaping burden" on the unit.
Plus, creating two units (one SENIOR and one CADET) will give some incredulous types a chance to command.
BRILLIANT!!! :clap: How do youse guys come up with such solutions.
Thats the joy of being a Squadron Commander. Each Commander is responsible to run their unit according to their own needs and the availability of their people and determine what suits their unit the best. Right now, my Seniors are can be the most active with my decision to have us meet on Saturdays, separate from the Thursday cadet meetings.
I see that you are a fellow Commander. But what works for Corpus Christie and your members, may not work the best for the members in Fresno.