Need help selecting specialty track...

[DarthAggie]

Looking to get involved with CAP, on whatever level I can. 

But I'm trying to select a specialty track, that doesn't require a mountain of time.

I know there are a few.  But I'd like some input into this quiry.

Thanks...

[Eclipse]

Your best bet is to find out what the unit needs, and then look to that pool for a track and staff posting.

For the most part, active members can fulfill the requirements of Specialties, especially at the Tech level, through
basic participation.

[lordmonar]

Remember that you can do several specialty tracks at the same time.

So....pick something you are intrested in AND pick one that the unit needs....that way both the squadron and your needs are fulfilled.

P.S.  Welcome to CAP and CAPTALK!

[Salty]

That's some really good advice.

[EMT-83]

Pick one where you can actually meet the requirements and progress.

There's no sense in having several open with a NONE rating.

[SARDOC]

If none of them jump right out at you...I'd say pick Personnel...it's a good way to learn the organization of Civil Air Patrol and support your unit all at the same time.  You can advance pretty quickly and you can always change later.  YMMV

[wacapgh]

Also give thought to becoming an "Assistant _____ Officer"

1. You won't have the learn the job on your own.
2. You can take some of the load off from the person who probably has several jobs already.
3. Having to teach someone else should encourage your mentor to go back and review the regs (keeping them up to date as well).

[Eclipse]

Also give thought to becoming an "Assistant _____ Officer"

+1

[Short Field]

Don't get the cart before the horse.  Get a job (duty position) and then enter the specialty track to learn the job.  My pet peeve is members who like to enroll in specialty tracks for the bling but don't bother to contribute to the squadron by working in the specialty.

[SARDOC]

Don't get the cart before the horse.  Get a job (duty position) and then enter the specialty track to learn the job.  My pet peeve is members who like to enroll in specialty tracks for the bling but don't bother to contribute to the squadron by working in the specialty.

How do they progress if they are not in a position helping the squadron.  Most Specialty Tracks usually require that you serve in a position for a fixed period of time.

[Short Field]

Right...

[coudano]

you are assumig that the squadron commander/pdo doesn't just pencil whipp it off

personally i like the suggestion of personnel...
unless your squadron already has someone in that position who doesn't want to leave it to do something else.


i would do a cartwheel if someone walked into my squadron right now and offered to pick up personnel for 6 months to a year.

[SARDOC]

personally i like the suggestion of personnel...
unless your squadron already has someone in that position who doesn't want to leave it to do something else.

i would do a cartwheel if someone walked into my squadron right now and offered to pick up personnel for 6 months to a year.

Someone coming in willing to be a team player and help out and picks personnel quickly becomes an MVP in my book.  I think its a great way to meet members and learn CAP organization.

[Spaceman3750]

I try very hard to chat with prospective seniors on meeting #2 or 3 to get an idea of what they want to do in CAP and what they want to get out of it. That gives me a very good insight into what specialty track they will probably head towards. After they join, I hand them the checklist for Level I and let them have at it and come back next week ready to do your summary conversations.

Once we get through the summary conversations I suggest a couple of specialty track/duty assignments they might be interested in. These are based on the pre-membership conversation and current squadron need. I have them review these and any other specialty track guide they are interested in on the national website while we wait for their LV1 to post in eServices. Usually, I recommend taking a six month track and a one year track - I tried to do the "hard road" of two 1-year tracks and I regretted it.

By the time LV1 has posted, they usually know what they want to do. I confirm this with my CC, we assign them, and I tell them how LV2 works and what they need to get it. I tell them to enroll in OBC immediately as it will quickly become relevant, and try to keep abreast of upcoming SLS dates so they can plan well in advance.

This makes the new member specialty track/duty position selection process seamless and gets seniors off the ground very quickly. It also quietly makes LV2 the rule rather than the exception and means neither I nor my commander have to "force" seniors to do things like SLS, OBC, etc. Then again, maybe I'm just blessed with good incoming seniors.

[EMT-83]

I've said it many times, but it's still true. Set the expectations as soon as a new member walks in the door, and you won't be chasing them down later.

[Private Investigator]

Also give thought to becoming an "Assistant _____ Officer"

1. You won't have the learn the job on your own.

+1

I like Personnel, I got a Master rating in it. But if you have no aptitude for it maybe Emergency Services or Cadet Programs will be a better choice plus those assignments you can use multiple assistants.

[OgreOwner]

Greetings:

As I see it, and am attempting to do it, we should break things up into easily understood phases for new people.

CAP is such a complex organism that a new member will have trouble understanding all that is out there and may get discouraged if they try.

Seasoned members need to break it down into easily digested chunks and mentor new people.

Here is the program that I am putting together for the new people that come into my squadron.  I have broken it down into phases:

Before CAPID Phase:  Do the FEMA courses and part of Level 1

I put prospective members into this phase after they have indicated that they want to join.  I have a pdf document that I email to them with links to all the sites to do this training and also recommend that they get a flash drive to devote to CAP and save all the certificates and the CAP library onto.  Completion of this phase takes about 12 hours of work.  Gives them something to do while getting the paperwork put together and sent to National.  If they get done, or the paperwork gets derailed and has to go in again, they can start in on the Scanner study materials.

Got my CAPID Phase:  Complete Level 1, GES, begin working on MRO, MSA, be assigned/select a Mentor.

The emphasis here is completion of Level 1, and getting started in the ES function of CAP.  MSA and MRO are the two easiest Specialty qualifications which allow you to be useful on a mission base.  They are springboards to future activities.

Ready to Participate Phase:  Choose a specialty in consultation with Commander and Mentor,  train for aircrew mission status depending on Squadron needs and your interests.

Rest of Life Phase: Look over the training pamphlet or SQTR and have fun doing the support specialty that you selected,  participate in Squadron Meetings, weekend training missions and be ready for a real mission.

This is where we are at and it seems to be working.  Teach them early and support them as they progress.  Within a year or so, they are in position to mentor a new member.

Be careful not to overwork.  CAP will suck all the spare time you have if you let it.  Balance in your life is important if you want to play for many years.

Capt. Peterson

[EMT-83]

^ And if they didn't join for ES?

[OgreOwner]

Then you could omit the FEMA Courses and their mentor could modify the career path.

I am trying to think of a member who would not have contact with cadets or ES and cannot come up with one, so Level 1 would stay on the list.

Our squadron is a composite squadron and we are trying to put together enough air crews to get a plane.  Every mission needs a mission base.  My thrust is to get *all* new members, no matter their specialty,  prepared to assist on a mission base.  My premise is that if there is a Mission Base set up at our airport to look for a pilot from our community, every member will want to help, including the non-es qualified member.  If they took the time to do the FEMA courses, get GES and MSA, then they could help now, versus taking a day or two to get ready.  Better to do the training when there is not an active search.

Capt. Peterson

[RogueLeader]

What does having contact with cadets have to do with ES?