New Group Personnel Officer

[kcebnaes]

Well, after being in for about a year, I was offered the position of my group's personnel officer. Have any of you held that position? What all should I expect and prepare for? I know things will vary from Group to Group and Wing to Wing. I just want a general idea that goes a bit beyond the description in 20-1.
Thanks!

[lordmonar]

You should be prepared to maintain the personnel records of your group staff members.
You should be prepared to form, hold and report on promotion, decoration and assignment boards if your group has them.
You should be prepared to assist squadron level personnel officers in completing their duties.

If you do those three things you will be a great group personnel officer.

[Camas]

I can only add this to Lordmanor's comments.

You'll be monitoring group-level personnel issues issues such as duty assignments at the group headquarters level along with the processing of promotions to the grade of captain (those require the group commander's approval), along with processing applications for awards such as the achievement award and commander's commendation. You'll also process the CAPF2a which deals with other awards such as the red service ribbon, "find" ribbons and other activity awards. Again, this will be primarily for group-level members. Squadrons will normally process their own CAPF's 2a though this varies from wing to wing. You will serve as a member of the group awards and promotion board - and possibly chair these boards at times.

Study the regulations in the 35 and 39 series. I'm not suggesting you become an expert on the contents but you should be up to date on the information so that you'll know where to go to for those times when you'll need to refer to them for answers and solutions. If you haven't done so you'll want to pursue the personnel specialty track and get your tech and/or senior rating.

I haven't attempted to cover everything but I hope this will help.

I am a former wing personnel officer. Congratulations on your selection; you probably have something going for you that would warrant this assignment.

[kcebnaes]

Thank you two so much! I'm really looking forward to doing a little more for my Group!

[MSG Mac]

Make sure you have all the E-services permissions you need. See your WSA if you find you need any.

[kcebnaes]

UPDATE: I am now also the PDO for my Group(on top of Personnel!)   Again, besides the Regs, what do I need to be on the look out for? Or a better way to put that: how can I stay on top of things for PDO as well?

[JeffDG]

The thing about "Group" is that it's actually kind of easy.

There are generally a very small number of people actually assigned to the Group HQ...I've seen as few as 2.  So, you don't have a lot of files to worry about.

The biggest thing you need to worry about is mentoring your squadron counterparts.  A good Group PDO or DP can make life a ton easier for both squadrons and Wing. 

[MSG Mac]

As the Group PDO you may be required to conduct or find Directorsand staff for SLS and CLC on at least an annual basis.

[lordmonar]

As the Group PDO you may be required to conduct or find Directors and staff for SLS and CLC on at least an annual basis.

Quarterly would be better....but annually is acceptable.

Good on you for stepping up and taking a swing at some of the best jobs in CAP.

[Camas]

UPDATE: I am now also the PDO for my Group(on top of Personnel!)   Again, besides the Regs, what do I need to be on the look out for? Or a better way to put that: how can I stay on top of things for PDO as well?

I'm going to assume you're pretty sharp on the regs as you didn't ask about those. You'll want to monitor the progression of members within your group such as Level One and CPPT (now CPBT) training. Monitor the completion of the new CPPT advanced training for those members who are required to complete it. This would include commanders, cadet programs officers among others.

The wing director of professional development would normally be responsible for securing directors for SLS and CLC courses but you might be asked to assist in this endeavor. You'll want to ensure that each unit in your group has a testing officer assigned and that the provisions in CAPR 50-4 are followed. And be prepared to assist in assisting with instruction at wing-level courses such as SLS, CLC and UCC. And, of course, make sure you take and complete these courses. As Lordmanor stated - you have some of the best jobs in CAP.

[Alaric]

As the Group PDO you may be required to conduct or find Directors and staff for SLS and CLC on at least an annual basis.

Quarterly would be better....but annually is acceptable.

Good on you for stepping up and taking a swing at some of the best jobs in CAP.

Quarterly is a little too often unless you have a huge group.  In Indiana we try to have one of each per group per year

[kcebnaes]

Well, for our little Group, I feel that quarterly is a bit much. But, is it unheard of for a couple groups to work together and maybe have a couple of courses? I feel that that would be more advantageous for our area..

PS- thanks for all of the advice again! 

[AlphaSigOU]

Well, for our little Group, I feel that quarterly is a bit much. But, is it unheard of for a couple groups to work together and maybe have a couple of courses? I feel that that would be more advantageous for our area..

PS- thanks for all of the advice again! 

Quarterly PD sessions may be a little too much unless you have a very eager group of senior members wanting to teach. As Alabama Wing DPD, I made arrangements for PD weekends held in various parts of the state. I don't expect to have a member from Mobile travel 360 miles to Huntsville or the Shoals for an SLS or CLC and vice versa. Montgomery (Maxwell AFB) and Birmingham are somewhat centrally located. I also encourage members to take advantage of PD opportunities in neighboring wings (Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida) if they are closer and their schedule permits. Permission to attend is relatively easy to obtain, as long as the neighboring wing's procedures are done.

TLC sessions I usually leave for the wing DCP, though I try to communicate with him regarding dates to avoid scheduling conflicts.