Squadron of the year?

[DMinick]

Because I have such high goals for our squadron, I'm curious as to what it takes to win this award?  Because we are a somewhat small squadron, 22, I realize it may be difficult. We are a composite squadron if that makes a difference.

[Eclipse]

It's an entirely subjective award with different criteria in each wing.

[DMinick]

So the best bet is to contact Wing? I wasn't sure if there was a set criteria or not! Thanks for the help!!

[a2capt]

You might have to make friends with the GoB network, too.
Awards can be political, too. Sadly.

Do the best you can do. Let the awards come if they do.  Concentrate on your unit. Not the award. At the end of the day, that's what counts.

[DMinick]

I definately agree with you. I just know our cadets and some of them are only there for the awards.  Thank you for your help and advice! I appreciate it!

[Eclipse]

If you're looking to objective criteria to help you be successful, look into what is required for the "Quality Cadet Unit" Award as well
as the information that is tracked for the Squadron of Merit.

Both are metrics which will show if your unit is on the right track.

[DMinick]

Thank you!! I will look for those. I guess they are on the capmembers.com site somewhere?

[Eclipse]

Thank you!! I will look for those. I guess they are on the capmembers.com site somewhere?

QCA: http://www.capmembers.com/cadet_programs/library/quality-cadet-unit-award/

SOM: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/626/kw/squadron%20of%20merit/session/L3RpbWUvMTM3OTYyNTkwNi9zaWQvcDV5SklLQWw%3D
(Also in 39-3)
Note, the SOM has a very big subjective component, as does the Regional Squadron of Distinction, and National Squadron of Merit, so having the best numbers
doesn't always win.  If you have the rights, you can see your unit's numbers on eServices in real-time.

[Critical AOA]

Do your mission the best you can.
Grow your squadron with others who want to do their best.
Help them to do so.
Make these and similar items your goals, not awards.
Who knows, you may accidently get an award along the way.
If not, you have still done what actually matters.

[Walkman]

I definately agree with you. I just know our cadets and some of them are only there for the awards.  Thank you for your help and advice! I appreciate it!

One thing I'm learning from our CSAF is the importance of leaders edifying those they lead. A public "atta-boy" (or girl!), a presentation of a challenge coin, a special morale patch are all ways you can build your unit morale up so that you'll be in line for the SotY.

If you're looking to objective criteria to help you be successful, look into what is required for the "Quality Cadet Unit" Award as well
as the information that is tracked for the Squadron of Merit.

Both are metrics which will show if your unit is on the right track.

I'd second this. There are 9 objective criteria for the QCUA and a unit must meet at least 5 of them to qualify.

<shameless shelf promotion>
Our unit was one of 16 others in MIWG that recently received the National QCUA. MIWG had 46% of eligible units qualify, second only to Texas & CA! I Love MIWG!

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread... 
</shameless shelf promotion>

[Майор Хаткевич]

Out unit hit 7/9 criteria. Only 5 units hit 8/9, none got all. Only 26 had 7.

[Private Investigator]

Because I have such high goals for our squadron, I'm curious as to what it takes to win this award?  ...

Most Wings select the "Squadron of the Year" award to be presented at the Wing Conference. It looks like OKWG just had it. You should be in touch with your higher headquarters (Group or Wing) and find out when the deadline is to submit the "Of The Year" awards.

Being on many Awards Committees over the years. I noticed, you really do not have to be the greatest Squadron ever. Just better than the others who applied. Also everyone can not win so be a gracious loser. One year I had an outstanding batch of Cadets but we lost to another Squadron that had six Mitchells in one year. Do your best and have fun   

[DMinick]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the thoughts and encouragement on this! I downloaded the criteria and we meet only 2 so far. However, now I know things to work on! Thanks again!!!

[jimmydeanno]

You might have to make friends with the GoB network, too.
Awards can be political, too. Sadly.

Do the best you can do. Let the awards come if they do.  Concentrate on your unit. Not the award. At the end of the day, that's what counts.

True story.  WIWAC, our squadron was the best in the wing, hands down.  The wing commander disliked our squadron commander so much that he made sure that no awards were given to him or other members of the unit.  Despite being selected as Squadron Commander of the Year, he was the only "of the year" award that didn't get a Commander's Commendation.  So much dislike that he didn't even award the Safety Award to our unit, even though we had no incidents. 

[Private Investigator]

You might have to make friends with the GoB network, too.
Awards can be political, too. Sadly.

Do the best you can do. Let the awards come if they do.  Concentrate on your unit. Not the award. At the end of the day, that's what counts.

True story.  WIWAC, our squadron was the best in the wing, hands down.  The wing commander disliked our squadron commander so much that he made sure that no awards were given to him or other members of the unit.  Despite being selected as Squadron Commander of the Year, he was the only "of the year" award that didn't get a Commander's Commendation.  So much dislike that he didn't even award the Safety Award to our unit, even though we had no incidents.

That sounds like a 'good spin'. I had problem Squadron Commanders and like I told them. I hired you and I will fired you and I did. So why would the Wing King give an award to someone he dislikes? The Annual Awards Committee really just make a suggestion. Now for the "OTY" awards, not everyone gets a ComCom. Some may rate only an Achievement Award and some get nada.   

[jimmydeanno]

You might have to make friends with the GoB network, too.
Awards can be political, too. Sadly.

Do the best you can do. Let the awards come if they do.  Concentrate on your unit. Not the award. At the end of the day, that's what counts.

True story.  WIWAC, our squadron was the best in the wing, hands down.  The wing commander disliked our squadron commander so much that he made sure that no awards were given to him or other members of the unit.  Despite being selected as Squadron Commander of the Year, he was the only "of the year" award that didn't get a Commander's Commendation.  So much dislike that he didn't even award the Safety Award to our unit, even though we had no incidents.

That sounds like a 'good spin'. I had problem Squadron Commanders and like I told them. I hired you and I will fired you and I did. So why would the Wing King give an award to someone he dislikes? The Annual Awards Committee really just make a suggestion. Now for the "OTY" awards, not everyone gets a ComCom. Some may rate only an Achievement Award and some get nada.   

I just call it like I see it.  I can't tell you what the Wing Commander was thinking.  15 years ago, though, the Achievement Award didn't exist.  Everyone in the room knew it was a slap in the face.  Call it "spin" if you want, but it is what it is.

[Private Investigator]

If you step back and look at the cup is half full / half empty. Or apples vs oranges. 90% of CAP is drama just for the love of drama.

I had the best Squadron in the nation, I thought, one year when I was the Squadron Commander. Another Squadron had six Mitchells in a year and had an exceptional program like mine. I congratulated them for being the best. I had some petty indiviuals who wanted to play the popularity card, race card, reverse discrimination card, nepotism card, etc card, etc.

Now I get 90% number from when I was IG. Most of the problems is misunderstandings. We had a previous Wing Commander that sent every Squadron Commander a happy birthday card. The next Wing Commander did not. Needless to say one of our Squadron Commanders thought the new Wing King disliked him. I figured out the problem, 99 cent card for Bubba, he'll be good to go and he was.        

[a2capt]

I just call it like I see it.  I can't tell you what the Wing Commander was thinking.  15 years ago, though, the Achievement Award didn't exist.  Everyone in the room knew it was a slap in the face.  Some will call it "spin" if you want, but it is what it is.

It's not spin, it's as real as the day, the night and Neil Armstrong on the moon. I've witnessed it first hand.

"You win too much, lets give others a chance."

The awards committee should get their nominations like an Aviation Safety Reporting form. No identity. Just the facts as presented. Then there's when the Awards Committee comes to it's decision and the commander at that echelon says "no, give it to XX instead."

What was the point of the committee doing it's thing? Why not just have them say that from the beginning.  Not much you can do except go with the flow.

Of course sir, that was all a misunderstanding. Yup, someone mis-understood the point of the awards.