Okay, as we've discussed in several threads and as recognized by the NB based on the multiple agenda items on regulatory process at the upcoming meeting, there are some significant issues with how CAP issues and updates regulations. We all know that the root cause of this problem probably is excessive tinkering with our regulations in the first place, with the uniform regulation being the most obvious example.
What I would like to propose is a massive consolidation of CAP regulations based on the CG Aux model. The theory being that the bar to implement new regulations is going to be much higher if it requires that a huge reg be changed rather than a small one. That may be wildly optimistic, but even if that doesn't turn out to be the case, I think consolidation would be worth it for another reasaon all by itself -- making it a little easier for CAP members to actually find what they need if most of the common questions are all answered in a single regulation with a nice table of contents instead of having to hunt through multiple regulations with a numbering system that makes no logical sense.
Just think how many regulations and pamphlets you need to consult in CAP in order to get a handle just on uniforms, customs and courtesies, and protocol rather than having it all in a single chapter of a single publication.
So, what would this reorganization look like?
Well, first I would try to combine all the administrative regulations we have into a single regulation. This would include pretty much all the low-numbered CAPRs through 39, safety stuff, complaints, insurance, etc. We would also pull in some of the pamphlets such as protocol, the historian guides, core values, customs and courtesies, taxes and similar such pamhplets.
The other major regulation would be an Operations manual which would combine 60-1 and 60-3 and probably the aircraft and vehicle regulations and comm stuff. I am fine with having the separate ES task guidebooks, references manuals etc as having them separated is somewhat useful.
At the same time, I would combine all the senior member specialty track pamphlets into one manual/regulation/whatever while at the same time trying to standardize their format and relative levels of achievement (which we've discussed a lot).
This would probably leave us with some free-standing pamphlets that don't quite fit into any category, but I suppose thats ok.
Would this actually cut down on the number of changes? Well, the CG Aux Manual was produced in 2004 and their Operations Manual in 2005 and there haven't been many changes at all even compared to the number of changes that come out of a single CAP NB meeting. Granted, the CG has total control over what changes in these manuals and any Auxie initiated recommendation apparently has to be pretty darn good to get included, but I do have hope that CAP's leaders have the ability to act in a reasonable manner rather than on whims.
And I just know someone is going to say, this is CAP, not CG Aux, so what the CG Aux does doesn't matter. Well, besides my usual arguments that we are more similar than many would think, I would also ask you to take a look at whatever company or organization you work for and I bet many of you will find that there are only a few policy and procedure manuals that you need to use to do your job. I doubt many have 100+ different internal publications they need to consult.
Now, the other obvious argument is that the AF does things this way and I assume our regulation numbering system was probably quite similar to something the AF used at some point in the past. To that, I would say that they could probably stand to do some consolidation as well, but realistically, the AF is a much, much, much, more complex organization than CAP and I think that in this case we probably copied their ways more than we really needed to do.
Sounds like a good idea. If anything, I think CAP needs to follow AF guidelines on how to write documents. In fact, go across the hall at NHQ and ask CAP-USAF for some assistance.
Check out a publication written by the AF for CAP from 1950-1980 and then check out one CAP has written. Huge difference. If we want to play the "quasi-military" game, lets adopt the military standards.
I would also support the CAP uniform reg being the Air Force reg, with an added chapter on CAP uniforms added at the end. Since it is very appearant that CAP-USAF wants total control over all uniforms, lets give it to them.
Another possible benefit would be to constantly remind our leaders just how voluminous our regulations are now since they are no longer printed out in a 4 inch book. If they have to open up a 10 mb 750 page file they won't be able to forget how complex CAP has become. It might help keep the tendency to have them get longer and longer in check (although I do recognize the recent whacks at a couple of regs).
I was on the final editing team for the last CG Aux Manual (AuxMan) and had a minor role in the last CG Aux Operations Policy Manual (OpsPolMan).
Some items that I would have changed had I been king:
1. create more not less manuals. The CG has a separate Uniform Regulations Manual - so should the Aux. Although the AuxMan is the primary uniform reference, there are uniform regs in the OpsPolMan mostly dealing with boat and air crew issues. Pull all of them out and put them in 1 manual. The unis do change and putting them in one place lessens the need to change and coordinate multiple manuals as well as not needing to reproduce (even if only electronically) the entire AuxMan for a minor uniform change. This is a 'Back To The Future' proposal as the uni regs used to be in their own manual.
2. separate protocol issues into their own manual. These things almost never change and keeping them away from the things that do reduces cost. The same manual could include a history section as well as core values statements etc.
3. Separate out officer stuff and put it in a Leadership or Administrative Manual - as was done in the past.
4. Retain the OpsPolMan as well as the VE, PV and other program specific manuals as separate manuals.
4. That pretty much leaves the AuxMan with the administrative (membership, discipline etc) stuff a member needs to have.
Something similar could work for CAP.
So remind me . . .what problem are we trying to solve here?
OK, let's assume for a moment that ICLs are not published fast enough, and the regs are not updated to incorporate the ICLs in a timely matter.
How would "consolidating" the regulations help that?
If we can't seem to get 100 regulations updated in a timely manner, why do you think if we took the 100 regulations and compressed them into 25 regulations that the updates would occur any faster?
Except for the ever-fluid uniform regulations, everyone pretty much knows what the rules are. How does "consolidating" them help?
The good people at Google have made sure finding regs is fairly easy, the KB helps as well.
ICL's will always be a moving target, and we know where those live.