Cyberspace Squadron - Online Squadron

[gistek]

Here ya go:

http://www.freewebs.com/vusafaux/

Now you can play CAP whenever you want.

I don't see any evidence that the site has had any activity since May 2007. The "we've moved" link goes to a 404 page that links to a communications provider.

[biomed441]

I can see something like this acting as a good supplement to a squadron, but not to replace the squadron itself. Cadets would not benefit from something like this as they need  to be active every week to accomplish their needs to advance. Seniors as well, though many seem to have a lax attitude about the organization anyway.  That is something that has always bothered me that senior members just decide to show up once a month, if even though just so they can say they went and go fly for a discount.

I'm 21, brand new senior member, was a cadet 7 years ago, and don't mean to sound like a know it all because theres still a lot about the CAP I don't know about.  If it were my idea, I think every squadron could benefit from having a cyber element to them beyond just a squadron website. I wouldn't ever concider replacing the squadron though.  Meeting in person, however inconvenient it may be at times, is the best way for a squadron to be functional, and operations ready.  If you care about the program enough, you will find a way to be there.  I have been unemployed since February, because I've been having trouble finding a job that can work around my CAP schedule. Not the other way around. Eventually I'll find a job that will, but CAP is my top priority. 

We all joined the CAP, and all have a commitment to the program. I wish more, seniors especially, would take that commitment seriously.

[LtCol Hooligan]

I do see the points about how college aged people can find the time and could be dedicated to CAP if they really want to, but here is the deal, college is the time to try new things.  it is a safe place to make mistakes and recover from them.  Some people try ROTC, Fraternities, Social Clubs, Academic Clubs, etc while they are there and run low on time for CAP.  What they might have time for is checking an internet board, emailing with the cyber squadron, and basically being involved.  They could get information like hey this uniform item changed, or this FEMA test is required on-line and they could accomplish this.  Instead they come back for breaks and find themselves behind those that are still involved.  Eventually they fall away.  Many forget about CAP until they have kids of their own and then come back.  Should we be keeping these people or letting them go.

[Rotorhead]

Civil Air Patrol as a whole is dying.

What's your source for this statement?

[JAFO78]

Civil Air Patrol as a whole is dying.

What's your source for this statement?

Known fact that CAP membership is down as a whole nation wide. Some unit Commanders on this forum, have worked very hard at getting members. But a handful does not keep us growing. No I do not have numbers to back my statement.

[Rotorhead]

Civil Air Patrol as a whole is dying.

What's your source for this statement?

Known fact that CAP membership is down as a whole nation wide. Some unit Commanders on this forum, have worked very hard at getting members. But a handful does not keep us growing. No I do not have numbers to back my statement.

If it is a "known fact" but you can't substantiate it, then I don't agree there's a problem in the first place.

[es_g0d]

Perhaps the CAP is "right sizing." 

[JAFO78]

Civil Air Patrol as a whole is dying.

What's your source for this statement?

Known fact that CAP membership is down as a whole nation wide. Some unit Commanders on this forum, have worked very hard at getting members. But a handful does not keep us growing. No I do not have numbers to back my statement.

If it is a "known fact" but you can't substantiate it, then I don't agree there's a problem in the first place.

Look Capt. This is getting no place with you. The matter at hand is finding a new way to expand Civil Air Patrol. To reach out to others, to help find out about CAP. AS a PAO you should understand that the number 1 job is to reach out and blow our horn. Let everyone know who we are, what we are, and what we do.

Hell most in the Air Force don't know who the hell we are. Unless their base has a unit. I will not waste my time trying to get you to see it my way. Everyone has their own option. That's what is so great about our country. Freedom of option.

I find it disappointing that some just don't understand what I am trying to say. Clear and simple, Another way to reach people and find a way for them to join CAP.

There are units in my area, but drive time and meeting time don't agree with my work schedule, and my family. If it is this way with me, what about others?

[Cecil DP]

What would and could a Cyber Squadron do?? In my opinion it would be no more than what we can do here on CAPTALK or other CAP focused web sites.

[LtCol Hooligan]

I found my old proposal.  Here is part of it.  I never got a chance to run with it, but this was the beginning of the idea.  Maybe someone can get an idea from it.  Otherwise, feel free to flame away.  It was more of a brainstorm.

How it works
Campus Flight would consist of an on-line forum available to all students and faculty of the college campus.  Membership would be targeted toward former CAP members but marketed to the entire college campus.  An organization sponsor enrolled at the university and active in the host Wing would assist with driving initial communications among the group.   Initial topics for discussion could include things such as "cool things I did as a cadet", "Things I learned in CAP", "My officer is cooler than your officer", "New things happening in CAP" and many other ideas to spur conversation.  Once the group is established, informal monthly organization meetings will be held thus allowing members to get together to discuss topics while having a lunch or dinner together.  Formal meetings would not be required.  A detailed on-line discussion board and website would be maintained to keep members up to date with CAP.

Short Term Vision
Some members of Campus Flight could join the local squadron and participate as cadets or officers in the squadron.  They would help update other flight members with announcements and keep them apprised of the happenings in the local squadron and wing.  These members would be encouraged to transfer membership to the host wing, but could choose to go TDY from their home unit.

Long Term Vision
This organization would eventually become a flight under the local squadron that college students can join.  Meetings would be different that normal squadron meetings in such a way that cadets and officers work together on an equal playing field to find ways to better support the local squadron and wing.  All members of the organization would be required to join CAP as a cadet, officer, or aerospace education/patron member of the flight.  A flight commander would be appointed to oversee flight operations.  Uniforms would not need to be worn to the flight meetings and no distinction to grade/rank would be made.  Cadets and Officers would be equal when attending meetings of Campus Flight.  Flight meetings would include presentations on AE topics, ES topics, or other areas of interest.  Meetings should be no more than 2 times per month for less than or equal to two hours.  Current CAP members from outside the host Wing can choose to transfer membership to the host Wing after becoming active in the flight, but TDY status could be negotiated allowing them to be active in the organization for the school year. 

FYI- I did not include as much cyber stuff in this proposal because that would be more operational once the Campus flight was up and running, but I think it would be the most important part of getting this up and running.  I also wanted to point out that I did include ES and Cadet progression in the original proposal but did not include that because it was 2 pages.  Happy to share the whole thing if people are interested.

[Rotorhead]

I found my old proposal.  Here is part of it.  I never got a chance to run with it, but this was the beginning of the idea.  Maybe someone can get an idea from it.  Otherwise, feel free to flame away.  It was more of a brainstorm.

How it works
Campus Flight would consist of an on-line forum available to all students and faculty of the college campus.  Membership would be targeted toward former CAP members but marketed to the entire college campus.  An organization sponsor enrolled at the university and active in the host Wing would assist with driving initial communications among the group.   Initial topics for discussion could include things such as "cool things I did as a cadet", "Things I learned in CAP", "My officer is cooler than your officer", "New things happening in CAP" and many other ideas to spur conversation. 

Sounds like CAP Talk.

[Rotorhead]

Civil Air Patrol as a whole is dying.

What's your source for this statement?

Known fact that CAP membership is down as a whole nation wide. Some unit Commanders on this forum, have worked very hard at getting members. But a handful does not keep us growing. No I do not have numbers to back my statement.

If it is a "known fact" but you can't substantiate it, then I don't agree there's a problem in the first place.

I find it disappointing that some just don't understand what I am trying to say. Clear and simple, Another way to reach people and find a way for them to join CAP.

There are units in my area, but drive time and meeting time don't agree with my work schedule, and my family. If it is this way with me, what about others?

I find it disappointing that you want to try to create a CAP unit that exists online and don't understand why that's not a good idea.

If the drive time and meeting schedule don't agree with your work schedule, I get that. What I do not understand is, how will meeting online help you clear time for the things that need to be done in person? SAREX, for example. Or actual missions, which don't happen at convenient times. Or any of the other things we do in real life?

CAP is not just about having convenient meetings. It is about committing oneself to doing something worthwhile, and that requires devoting actual time out of your life to it.

If you don't have time for CAP, then you don't have time for it. You can't always have everything you want.

Of what use would a million new members be, if their primary commitment to the organization is that they can log on and talk about it? That's what this board is for, and that's all an "online squadron" would be.

We need a members who are willing to give their time and do the real work that needs to be done in real life, not people who want to read about it on a computer screen. We would be much better served by recruiting a smaller number of those members than a large number of "cyber members."

I'm all for "reaching out and blowing our horn," and I use all media, including the internet, for that purpose.

But if people want to join CAP, I want them to be an active part of the organization, not to sit at home.

[Always Ready]

^I would like to point out that not everyone wants to fly or go to SAREXs (I do but that's beside my point). There are a lot of people would be happy sitting on the sidelines of that stuff...and they do. I know someone who has been in CAP 20 years and has never gone to a SAREX. And actual missions...I've been waiting for an actual mission for four years now. I've never turned one down. I have the qualifications and the time. They just don't happen around here.

I've seen several people in CAP do their CAP jobs online. Most wing and region staff members I know do everything online. In fact, the NCR Director of Cadet Programs lives in Texas. I also know of a PAO that does his squadron's press releases and newsletters from the sandbox. Anything that *has* to be done in person is done by a cadet assistant.

I think the point of an online squadron would be to allow those who can't serve, to serve (kinda what CAP as a whole is supposed to be like). It can be done and I would support anyone who wants to do it. Usually the people wanting to help out in this manner are the ones who want to do all that they can for CAP and not just log more hours. In fact, maybe my squadron needs to start a program like this. Most of the SMs in my squadron do nothing except fly....hmmm... </rant>

[SarDragon]

Define "service".

IMHO, it is defined as active participation in the organization, by being assigned to a position and fulfilling the obligations thereof. That means you have a staff position from the 20-1 or an ES rating, or do AE functions. That's what happens at the squadron level.

How would your online squadron accomplish this?

[PHall]

There are units in my area, but drive time and meeting time don't agree with my work schedule, and my family.

Then I guess you'll need to find another way to "serve". CAP is not the only "service organization" out there.
Are any of the local CG Aux units a better fit with your schedule?
There are many ways to serve your community. You just need to find one you and your family can live with.

[Rotorhead]

Usually the people wanting to help out in this manner are the ones who want to do all that they can for CAP and not just log more hours.

You're going to get no place fast if you keep suggesting that the people who actually make time to come out in person and volunteer are somehow less interested in the organization than people whose sole commitment is to sit at a computer.

[JAFO78]

First of all I would like to thank everyone who replied. This was just an idea that I wanted to toss out and see what everyone thought about it. I see it has mixed results. Is this something I may work on developing? Not sure but I will see what happens.