ES is required to advance and shouldn't be.
You guys are talking past each other.Luis, what CAPSOC is suggesting (if I read him correctly) is that the Cadet Program should add an ES test to the existing AE, Lead Lab, and PT tests currently used as advancement criteria for each cadet promotion.Per the program of record, ES is an optional element - not a core element - of the Cadet Program. Completion of an Ops Quals specialty is not, repeat NOT, a requirement for cadet promotion. This is a suggestion to change that.- break break - to address that suggestion:I've known a few CAP Squadrons which link the award of the GES rating and/or a subset of task completions to unit level awards. Ten years ago as a unit/CC I discontinued the (improper) procedure at one unit of withholding the Curry ribbon to new cadets until they'd passed a group of ES quals and a 120 question test (you can't add to or take away from National promotion criteria). Instead, I had the unit CP and DO staff work up a plan to reward cadets with the right to earn the Squadron Patch based on completing GES + the tasks for cold and hot weather injury awareness, actions on being lost, and doing a call down roster. My logic was that these tasks are all useful, safety related SQTR tasks even for cadets who do NOT choose to go far in the ES mission. For example, hot and cold weather injury prevention and response are directly useful at airshows, encampments, etc. as are the others... and all 4 are creditable, standards-based training on the top half of the GTM3 SQTR, which gets the new cadet a taste of creditable ES training to whet their appetite.That much at least can be done at the unit level right now, using existing training standards, without warranting National level changes to the program. Just a suggestion to throw out there.V/rSpam
If you want further cadet engagement in ES, make a really big deal out of GT medal pinning ceremonies. Have a parent do the pinning.
Quote from: Holding Pattern on April 20, 2018, 04:51:07 PMIf you want further cadet engagement in ES, make a really big deal out of GT medal pinning ceremonies. Have a parent do the pinning.Again, another good idea. What do you guys think is the probability that ES could become a prerequisite in the future? Would y'all support making it so? Why or why not?
What do you guys think is the probability that ES could become a prerequisite in the future? Would y'all support making it so? Why or why not?
Holding, I'm going to address each of your points for the sake of discussion. Please don't see this as me shooting down your suggestions.1. If our training is so outdated that we aren't effective, maybe it's time we update it as well.2. I'm not saying every cadet should go on real-world missions on a ground team. After all, we don't make cadets who are scared of heights do O flights. Likewise, we don't prevent cadets from flying because it's hard or dangerous. There are positions such as MSA, MRO, and other support staff positions that are neither high stress nor high tempo.3. Again, there are support staff positions that, while being mission critical, are not dangerous our high stress.