Well, it is now official... the Group Commander appointed me as the Group Cadet Programs Officer. This Group includes 7 very large FL counties and ~25 Squadrons, so it is decently large in size and has a lot going on.
I mention this to the CAPTalk membership because I was curious if anyone had ideas or suggestions for me as I start in this new position.
Since you have an Air Force Base and a Coast Guard Air Station in your area (Coast Guard is in Gp 8) you should be able to set up tours through the Wing Director. Best bet is to have Group wide training. Give BCUT classes, teach Ground Handeling and Base Operations for ES training. There are Boy Scout or church camps in your area you might contact for locations to have weekend activities.
Visit all the sqnds in your group on a regular basis. Ensure the units are administering the cadet program to national standards. Act as a resource to those units that need it. Ensure that info re: things like encampment, scholarships, NCSAs etc. is pushed forward to the cadet units. Hold group cadet programs meetings. Support and guide the group CAC. Set up and run group level cadet leadership schools. Set up group level cadet O rides for units that aren't getting their cadets in the air. That should be enough to get you stated!!!
Be a proactive advocate for the cadets in your group.
Congradulations. The previous post is spot on on what you should do to make yourself successful. Good Luck
Agree with most of the above:
1. Get out of your office - have an aggressive unit visitation plan that will allow you to hit every unit, especially the units "furthest from the flag pole."
2. Establish and maintain regular Group-level cadet activities - aim for at least two a year, preferably in quarters when Wing is not sponsoring an activity.
3. Engage your group CAC. Make them feel vital and involved. Make sure the CAC chair gets regular face time with the group commander. Ensure the group commander gives timely and complete guidance to the CAC.
4. Make sure the boss knows that you are *the* CP subject-matter expert on the group staff. You should have input into all group administrative functions that affect cadets, including budgeting, aircraft utilization, and logistics.
5. Get some help. You cannot do this job in a group of your size alone. Don't be the Lone Ranger here. Otherwise, you WILL get stuck in your office fighting paperwork battles. The rather outdated 20-1 suggests that you should have at least two assistants.
6. Fight for your share of assets necessary to get your job done. You will need at least as much of a travel budget as any other group staffer, and could easily justify more. You need to make sure that the Group CAC chair gets funded transportation to wing CAC meetings and the wing conference. Co-opt the Deputy and Chief of Staff to ensure that CP is recognized as the important mission it is -- the one representing the majority of the membership in your group. Normally, I expect that would mean that the majority of assets be dedicated to CP.
(It won't be, of course, but fight the Good Fight in a respectful and professional manner. )
7. Download and check out the DCP Smartbook (http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/DCP_SmartBook_9D94130E1BAE2.pdf) from NHQ. (I thought it was well written. 8) )
8. Subscribe to the RSS feeds from the NHQ CP website, and any equivalents for your wing. This is just part of staying informed. Plus it is free.
9. Support Wing CP by applying to work at encampment or other wing-level activities.
10. Network with your fellow group CPOs. "Cooperate to graduate."
11. Don't forget to have fun. (It is one of the coolest jobs in CAP!)
Ned Lee
National Cadet Advisor
Quote from: Ned on January 23, 2010, 12:34:13 AM
Agree with most of the above:
1. Get out of your office - have an aggressive unit visitation plan that will allow you to hit every unit, especially the units "furthest from the flag pole."
2. Establish and maintain regular Group-level cadet activities - aim for at least two a year, preferably in quarters when Wing is not sponsoring an activity.
3. Engage your group CAC. Make them feel vital and involved. Make sure the CAC chair gets regular face time with the group commander. Ensure the group commander gives timely and complete guidance to the CAC.
4. Make sure the boss knows that you are *the* CP subject-matter expert on the group staff. You should have input into all group administrative functions that affect cadets, including budgeting, aircraft utilization, and logistics.
5. Get some help. You cannot do this job in a group of your size alone. Don't be the Lone Ranger here. Otherwise, you WILL get stuck in your office fighting paperwork battles. The rather outdated 20-1 suggests that you should have at least two assistants.
6. Fight for your share of assets necessary to get your job done. You will need at least as much of a travel budget as any other group staffer, and could easily justify more. You need to make sure that the Group CAC chair gets funded transportation to wing CAC meetings and the wing conference. Co-opt the Deputy and Chief of Staff to ensure that CP is recognized as the important mission it is -- the one representing the majority of the membership in your group. Normally, I expect that would mean that the majority of assets be dedicated to CP.
(It won't be, of course, but fight the Good Fight in a respectful and professional manner. )
7. Download and check out the DCP Smartbook (http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/DCP_SmartBook_9D94130E1BAE2.pdf) from NHQ. (I thought it was well written. 8) )
8. Subscribe to the RSS feeds from the NHQ CP website, and any equivalents for your wing. This is just part of staying informed. Plus it is free.
9. Support Wing CP by applying to work at encampment or other wing-level activities.
10. Network with your fellow group CPOs. "Cooperate to graduate."
11. Don't forget to have fun. (It is one of the coolest jobs in CAP!)
Ned Lee
National Cadet Advisor
All of the above are good tips. As a Cadet Advisory Council Officer on two levels, I have seen the impact that Cadet Programs Officers can have. I am blessed to have oustanding cadet programs director on both levels and I know that I could not do my job without them. My suggestions is to offer your level of CAC all the support you can and ensure that your Chairman knows that you are there for him/her. It will go a long way for motivation.
Small world, I'm from NJWG too and I just got picked up as Group 3 Cadet Programs Officer for GAWG, we should share notes and TTPs