Has anyone else noticed this?

[Extremepredjudice]

I was reading specialty track pamphlets (I am bored), and I noticed, none of them (well, the ones I read ) mention cadets, except the Information Technology track.

It says that cadets aren't able to earn specialty ratings in IT. I thought that specialties were SMs only...

Is the IT rating the only one that can't be earned by cadets? If so, why is this? Does NHQ think cadets can't learn IT?

On a side note, how many cadets have you seen with specialty ratings?

[Ed Bos]

Cadets can earn the specialty badges for certain specialties, such as Communications and Emergency Services.

For instance:

a. CAP Basic Emergency Services Qualification Badge: Complete all requirements of CAPP 213, Emergency
Services Officer-Specialty Track Study Guide, Technician Rating.
Note: Cadets can earn the Basic Emergency Services
Qualification Badge as they can complete all of the requirements for this rating, though they cannot officially receive the
Technician Rating until they become a senior member

&

4-7. Cadet Eligibility for Communicator Badge/Patch. Cadets are encouraged to pursue each level of the communicator badges. To do so, cadets must meet all the training requirements listed in the appropriate section of CAPP 214 with the exception of the portions specifically intended for the senior member training program. Application is made in same manner as detailed in para 4-6 above.

Cadets can be involved with these specific specialties, and can earn the badges. Cadet do not earn the actual ratings until they are senior members.

[tsrup]

Is the IT rating the only one that can't be earned by cadets? If so, why is this? Does NHQ think cadets can't learn IT?

It's not that NHQ doesn't think that cadets can't learn IT, it's that you can never progress in the track because you cannot meet the service requirements as a cadet.

[Spaceman3750]

Is the IT rating the only one that can't be earned by cadets? If so, why is this? Does NHQ think cadets can't learn IT?

Cadets cannot earn ANY specialty ratings. They're simply not part of the cadet program, just like seniors can't earn the Mitchell.

Like Capt. Rup said, you can earn the badge on certain ones, but not the rating itself.

[arajca]

The only specialty badges that can be earned by cadets are:
IT - basic
ESO - basic
Comm - all three

That's it.

[EMT-83]

Perhaps that's why it's called the Senior Member Professional Development program.

[lordmonar]

Has anyone noticed that Senior Member's can't earn the Spaatz!  I say it's age discrimination! 

[Eclipse]

And for my own reminderifyin' cadets who go senior start over, correct?  Any tests,. etc., still on the books would count, but
time in service, etc., restarts sequentially, right?

[arajca]

As I understand it, and I could be wrong, converts retain what they have completed, they just need to complete the senior specific tasks (i.e. PD courses, levels, etc) and time is position, if required.

[lordmonar]

With the expection for Cadet Programs......not that I agree with it.....

[SarDragon]

And for my own reminderifyin' cadets who go senior start over, correct?  Any tests,. etc., still on the books would count, but
time in service, etc., restarts sequentially, right?

Time in service does not start over. All active membership counts for the Red Service ribbon, but only SM service counts toward retirement status. I joined in 1964, and have a 6 year break in the '80s. My Red Service counter is currently at 41 years.

Retired Member. A member in good standing with a minimum of 20 years service as a senior member, not necessarily continuous, is eligible to retire from Civil Air Patrol. (NOTE: Members having 10 years service as of 1 December 1994 may retire with 12 years service.) Cadet service does not count toward the 20-year requirement; however, this service may be recognized on the retirement certificate if the dates of cadet membership are included in the remarks section of the CAPF 2a.

Fifty-Year Members. Individuals who have 50 years of service (not necessarily continuous) in Civil Air Patrol are eligible for free membership.

Red Service Ribbon. Awarded at the end of 2 years (as a cadet or senior member in good standing).
(1) First Bronze Clasp. Awarded at the end of 3 additional years (total of 5 years).
(2) Additional Bronze Clasps. One additional bronze clasp will be awarded for each additional 5 years of service. A maximum of three bronze clasps (denoting 15 years of service) will be worn.
(3) Longevity Device. A metal number, denoting years of service, awarded at the end of 20 years and in increments of 5 years thereafter. The longevity device is worn centered on the red service ribbon and the bronze clasps are no longer worn. Members achieving 20, 30 and 40 years of service may also receive an appropriate certificate from their unit to commemorate this accomplishment.

[a2capt]

Heh.. so you can bail out at 20, or stick until 50 and not pay anymore. What is "retire" anyway, a nice way of putting "I'm not paying dues anymore"? You get a card that says you quit, nicely.

[Eclipse]

^ I meant towards the respective ratings, not general time in.

[SarDragon]

That's a good Q.

From CAPP 227, IT: Cadets who become senior members will need to complete all of the requirements established at the time that they complete the training as a senior member.

CAPP 214 is ancient, and doesn't address this.

CAPP 213 is even more ancient, and doesn't even address a badge. Where is cadet wear of that badge authorized?

Based on  the most current guidance in CAPP 227, I would say that everything does start over for all three specialties.

[Ed Bos]

SarDragon,

CAPP 213 & 214 don't dictate how to earn badges, the discuss requirements for progressing in a specialty track.

The CAPR 35-6 & CAPR 100-1 tell how to award the respective specialty badges.

I don't know anything about the IT badge.

[SarDragon]

a. CAP Basic Emergency Services Qualification Badge: Complete all requirements of CAPP 213, Emergency Services Officer-Specialty Track Study Guide, Technician Rating. Note: Cadets can earn the Basic Emergency Services Qualification Badge as they can complete all of the requirements for this rating, though they cannot officially receive the Technician Rating until they become a senior member.

4-7. Cadet Eligibility for Communicator Badge/Patch. Cadets are encouraged to pursue each level of the communicator badges. To do so, cadets must meet all the training requirements listed in the appropriate section of CAPP 214 with the exception of the portions specifically intended for the senior member training program. Application is made in same manner as detailed in para 4-6 above.

Cadets who serve as Cadet Information Technology Officers (C/ITO) are not eligible to earn the IT specialty rating. However, those cadets who serve in this capacity for a minimum of one year and complete the required duties may be authorized to wear the basic IT Specialty Badge for the duration of their cadet membership upon approval of their wing commander (authority may be delegated). The authority to wear the badge may be documented by completion of a CAPF 2a, Request for and Approval of Personnel Actions, and retained in the cadet's personnel file. The wear of the badge as a cadet does not translate to the earned technician rating once a cadet becomes a senior member. Cadets who become senior members will need to complete all of the requirements established at the time that they complete the training as a senior member.

(Yes, I know I re-quoted stuff. This gets it all in one post.)

The question appears to be, "What carries over from cadet status to SM status, for those three specialties? Must all of the "tasks" be done over, or can the qualifications  strictly assigned to PD be tacked on at the appropriate career point(s)?"

According to what I see in CAPP 227, the most recent of all the quoted pubs, and apparently the current intent, I would say yes on the re-do, to the extent of any changes between cadet qualification, and transfer to SM status. Then tack on the PD specific stuff, and submit the paperwork.