Has anyone abandoned CAPF 45 in lieu of eServices and Operations Qualifications?
Yes, and without looking back.
I recently acted as an examiner from a successful SUI that was essentially paperless.
How do you track things like Commander's Commendations and Unit Commendations online?
SIMS
Quote from: Eclipse on March 21, 2009, 05:06:56 AM
Yes, and without looking back.
I recently acted as an examiner from a successful SUI that was essentially paperless.
Do you have a cite that allows us to not use a CAPF 45? There is a major difference between using an electronic CAPF 45 and not using a CAPF 45 at all. E-Services, Ops Quals, and SIMS do not track all the required personnel and professional development information needed for a SM to progress.
I am in the process of trying to move our personnel records from the current paper folders that are up to 3 inches of paper per member to the minimum required. The options I have seen discussed seem to revolve around using PDF files for CAPF 2a, 2, etc. These appear to be stored in a member sub-directory on the computer. SIMS does a lot of the record keeping as well. However, before we give the paper back to to the members, I need to see something that spells out what we have to have in paper, on disk, in PDF files, or what e-Services takes care. I have a Master Rating in Personnel and don't want to hang our members out to dry by doing things that are hard to undo.
E-Services and SIMS seems like a cumbersome way to look up records. At least the 45 has the necessary information on one document.
I use a FileMaker Pro database for member records and PDF copies of forms, and I'm in the process of scanning old records into PDF. I also print e-Services records to PDF on a regular basis, as records can get messed up at NHQ.
Paperless is the way to go. If I have a member who wants to attend training, I can generate documentation right away. It also allows me to do a lot of work from home, without having to drive to the squadron.
A good database is a real help. If the squadron commander wants information, such as which members have taken SLS but not CLC, I can give him a list in about 30 seconds. Try that by digging through paper files!
Quote from: EMT-83 on March 21, 2009, 12:51:01 PM
E-Services and SIMS seems like a cumbersome way to look up records. At least the 45 has the necessary information on one document.
Both systems have extensive reporting capabilities built-in. Both eServices and SIMs have a master-record-like report that replaces the 45.
Quote from: Short Field on March 21, 2009, 06:18:51 AM
Do you have a cite that allows us to not use a CAPF 45? There is a major difference between using an electronic CAPF 45 and not using a CAPF 45 at all.
No I do not. The transition to paperless is an "edge" situation that may not be accepted by all wings. Mine has. When asked regarding whether the SIMS master record can substitute for the 45 mine has answered "yes", however one of the keys is demonstrating you have the information in some form (i.e. .pdf as you mentioned).
Quote from: Short Field on March 21, 2009, 06:18:51 AM
E-Services, Ops Quals, and SIMS do not track all the required personnel and professional development information needed for a SM to progress.
What's not in SIMs that's important?
I am not an old fart. I am only 36 and I've been in CAP for 22 years. After a 3 year break from being active, I am once again a DCC. I have a master rating in cadet programs and have been a Commander or DCC for most of my 18 years as a senior.
Just this past week I asked Joe Tomasone, who visited my meeting, if people still used the CAPF 45, except I forgot the form number. I refered to it as the Cadet Master Record...the orange thing in the cadet file. I was told that it's all online now and that stuff is obsolete. I have seen lots of people create new "wheels" for years, new ways of tracking cadet progression, activities, and milestones. But for someone to step in and take over, you have to learn a process that has no step-by-step instructions. With the CAPF 45 and 59 series, it was simple. Yout dated and signed. That's it. File is left at the squadron and once or twice a month you update it.
Having this crap online makes us, the non-paid volunteer leaders, put off what we could do at a meeting and do it at home, work or otherwise. I am a fan of doing CAP file work at CAP and not having to fire up a computer, use passwords, scroll, search, and burn my eyes out. I'd rather pull out a file, open up the orange form, initial and date, and be done.
Quote from: Stonewall on March 21, 2009, 02:30:35 PM
Having this crap online makes us, the non-paid volunteer leaders, put off what we could do at a meeting and do it at home, work or otherwise. I am a fan of doing CAP file work at CAP and not having to fire up a computer, use passwords, scroll, search, and burn my eyes out. I'd rather pull out a file, open up the orange form, initial and date, and be done.
At least three of my 6 units have internet access at their meeting locations, and all of them have been issued at least one, if not several notebook computers.
A single notebook is all that is needed to run SIMs, and eServices isn't going anywhere and is being extended regularly.
The only online access needed is an occasional update from CAPWatch, which I wil grant should probably be done once a week or before each meeting.
When you start tracking CPFT, testing, and other regularly-changing things in SIMS, you'll ask yourself how you ever did it
any other way.
Done properly, the entire squadrons full records can fit on a USB key or single CD, and anyone who needs a copy can have one.
Yes, I was thinking CAPF 66, not 45. Someone PM'd me with the correction.
Quote from: Stonewall on March 21, 2009, 02:30:35 PM
I am not an old fart. I am only 36 and I've been in CAP for 22 years. After a 3 year break from being active, I am once again a DCC. I have a master rating in cadet programs and have been a Commander or DCC for most of my 18 years as a senior.
Just this past week I asked Joe Tomasone, who visited my meeting, if people still used the CAPF 45, except I forgot the form number. I refered to it as the Cadet Master Record...the orange thing in the cadet file. I was told that it's all online now and that stuff is obsolete. I have seen lots of people create new "wheels" for years, new ways of tracking cadet progression, activities, and milestones. But for someone to step in and take over, you have to learn a process that has no step-by-step instructions. With the CAPF 45 and 59 series, it was simple. Yout dated and signed. That's it. File is left at the squadron and once or twice a month you update it.
Having this crap online makes us, the non-paid volunteer leaders, put off what we could do at a meeting and do it at home, work or otherwise. I am a fan of doing CAP file work at CAP and not having to fire up a computer, use passwords, scroll, search, and burn my eyes out. I'd rather pull out a file, open up the orange form, initial and date, and be done.
Stonewall,
You sound a little like me. I just got back to commanding a squadron after a five year break from most CAP activities except for encampment each year. I tell my people that I am "AN ANALOG COMMANDER IN A DIGITAL WORLD". If there were a SIMPLE (for us that don't use a computer for much but CAP) and SINGLE(we got your eServices, SIMS, WMU, etc.) database, I might like it a little better.