New 52-22, thoughts?

[johnnyb47]

Saw this on eservices today:
http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R052_022_17EE936C7547B.pdf
I did a search and saw no new topics on 52-22 or DDR so I thought I'd share.

Seems to strip down the program a bit. I haven't decided if they are positive or negative changes.
I did see that the specialty track goes away in about a year. I find that interesting.

Anyone with more experience than me have any comments or thoughts?
I had considered DDR as a specialty but decided not to at the time. Seemed like an afterthought of a program to ME.
I'm kind of glad now that I didn't.

[Eclipse]

My understanding was that this was an effort to better integrate DDR into the CP.

Why the continued emphasis on proximity to a USAF base?  The ring increasing by 35 miles won't mean anything in my wing.

[Patterson]

^ When the funding is allocated from the Air Force Surgeon General, they can dictate requirements I guess.

DDR if used smartly can fund many activities!! 

However, no more "recruiting give-aways"...just educational pamphlets or bookmarks.

[LGM30GMCC]

The 35 mile radius is because it is USAF money designed to reduce demand for drugs around USAF installations to protect the dependents of USAF families.

[Eclipse]

The 35 mile radius is because it is USAF money designed to reduce demand for drugs around USAF installations to protect the dependents of USAF families.

Understood, but there simply aren't that many any more.  My wing basically has two, neither near the major concentration of units.

We're constantly being told we need to take advantage of the program, until we remind them how the program works, then we don't hear about it for a while.

[LGM30GMCC]

There may be other AF facilities that qualify as well. (Not sure about ANG or AF Res facilities, but they might count.) I admit I haven't put much thought into it because since I have become a SM I have always lived within 35 miles of an AF installation.

[SamFranklin]

Are you guys reading the same document that I am?

Page 1, summary of changes says that the radius moves from 30 miles (not 35) to 75 miles. And the slides at the Cadet Blog say the bigger radius doubles the number of eligible units.

[Duke Dillio]

I could be wrong (and more often then not, I am) but even with the 75 mile radius, I do not believe that any unit in Oregon qualifies.  There are no active duty military bases in the entire state excepting the Boardman Bombing Range.  The closest bases that I know of are in Seattle or maybe Mt. Home.

[SamFranklin]

Oregon has six squadrons eligible. The base can be Guard or Reserve not just Active. I might be wrong, but I believe every state has an Air Guard installation so every state would likely have some squadrons in the DDR 75 mile rule area. The official list is at the DDR page.

[Eclipse]

Are you guys reading the same document that I am?

Page 1, summary of changes says that the radius moves from 30 miles (not 35) to 75 miles. And the slides at the Cadet Blog say the bigger radius doubles the number of eligible units.

Yes, they increased the radius by 35 or forty miles.  Like artillery, that only matters if you're inside the ring of fire.

I'd have to check the map, but in believe it is zero effect in my wing.

We have one USAF and one ANG facility.

[dwb]

I think the point the regulation is trying to make is that DDR is more than the 75-mile radius thing. Promoting a drug-free lifestyle is an integral part of the character component of the cadet program (it's also part of the leadership component, I would argue). There are a lot of things you can do regardless of how close to an Air Force facility you are.

In other words, CAP DDR = AF DDR promotion + CAP-specific activities

Which is a good thing. Instead of DDR just being this thing bolted on to CP by the AF for units near AF facilities, it's a goal of the cadet program itself, with worthwhile activities and events that are not strictly related to the AF funding for DDR.

[jimmydeanno]

I think this line sums it up nicely:

It is important to remember that AF/SG funding augments the CAP DDR program; it does
not constitute the entire program. Put another way, were AF/SG funding to evaporate, CAP would
continue to promote the drug-free lifestyle as part of the Cadet Program's character element. Further,
the Air Force provides funding for the development of educational products, programs and activities
for the Cadet Program at large, which includes DDR. Therefore, the DDR message is available to
reach all cadet and composite squadrons no matter where they are located.

Also, IIRC, NHQ/CP made funds available to every unit for DDR activities last year.  It wasn't AF/SG money, but corporate money they budgeted. 

[a2capt]

Also, IIRC, NHQ/CP made funds available to every unit for DDR activities last year.  It wasn't AF/SG money, but corporate money they budgeted.

That's what they said. But that's not what actually happened, at least in our case. We sit at 31 miles outside of the base, if they use the geographic center of the base, we're fine. They choose to use the border farthest from your location as the start of the distance measurement. Almost as if they really -don't- want to cut any loot loose.

When the notice came out that "every" unit was eligible, we were again told, "you're too far".

We gave up on it, and did our best without it.

[MajorM]

The new ring puts our unit inside the ring of funding as we are 51 miles from an Air Guard base.  The reg outlines the  funding priority which starts at active AF installations and goes down to Air Guard bases.

Also the reg is specific that the distance is measured from the edge of the installation, not the center.

Currently the federal budget mess means there is limited funding, but should that ever get resolved, I am looking forward to the chance to underwrite a few activities.

[RogueLeader]

Currently the federal budget

What Federal Budget?  We haven't had a budget in over 3 years.

[JMacK]

I was more confused by this release than anything, but am hopeful further clarifications will be forthcoming.

I am glad they have expanded the units that will be eligible for funding. We are lucky, in that we were already withing the funding distance.

What was unclear to me after reviewing the changes is whether the DDR Program is mandatory or optional. It was supposed to be mandatory, and our last SUI seemed to be in agreement with that understanding. The new regulation appears to make it an optional program, but it needs to come out and specifically state the status. Also, how will SUIs be changed to reflect whatever the status now is (and when)?

I was very disappointed to see the note that said the DDR specialty track would be rescinded in October. I am definitely wanting clarification on how that will play out. I'm certain that many members have spent numerous hours working on their progression in the DDR track, as well as personal funds due to the fact that the DDR Program has suffered (at least in some areas) from a lack of funding / reimbursment. What will happen to members whose Level 3 and/4 are based on their status as a Senior or Master Level within the DDR Program?

Interestingly enough, this revision doesn't bare much resemblance to the one that had been posted in the review section of the "library" for new documents. Also, last year (fall), a new specialty track pamphlet for the DDR program had been posted in that same area. I guess they don't plan on needing that anymore.

John MacKenzie, Capt, CAP
CAWG Staff Legal Officer
Sq. 44 Drug Demand Reduction Officer
Sq. 44 Emergency Services Officer

[Eclipse]

DDR is an optional program other then the places like encampment where a presentation or curriculum is mandated.

SUI or otherwise, it has never been mandatory at the unit level.

[LGM30GMCC]

I was very disappointed to see the note that said the DDR specialty track would be rescinded in October. I am definitely wanting clarification on how that will play out. I'm certain that many members have spent numerous hours working on their progression in the DDR track, as well as personal funds due to the fact that the DDR Program has suffered (at least in some areas) from a lack of funding / reimbursment. What will happen to members whose Level 3 and/4 are based on their status as a Senior or Master Level within the DDR Program?

Unless they provide a way to transfer credit for work on the DDR specialty track to the CP specialty track (where DDR is being absorbed) then those who are progressing in the track will no longer be able to progress any further. Whether they continue to allow wear of the badge or not would be an interesting question. However, you still earned an appropriate rating in a specialty track and it will continue to be reflected on your records. (There are a couple 'dead' specialty tracks out there that still show up in the specialty track reports.) If you have a senior or master rating it will still be countable toward Level 3 or Level 4 completion. If you have a senior rating and there isn't a roll-over mechanism you will need to earn a master rating in something else for the Level 4 requirement.

[Spaceman3750]

Eclipse - we have two ANG facilities in my AOR alone. Both have units on base.

[Eclipse]

Eclipse - we have two ANG facilities in my AOR alone. Both have units on base.

Yes - the wing's got your ANG base and Scott.

And that's pretty much it in the whole state, USAF-wise, other then possibly some small reserve centers that, at least under the old
program, didn't have enough personnel to qualify.  With the old rules, it had to be an active base.  Reserve centers required 150 assigned
personnel to qualify.