Just got back from SER Staff College

[flyguy06]

when I was a cadet, ATCFC was the best actitity I had ever beenon. As a Senior member, NESA was the best operational course I had ever taken in CAP.

The Region Staff College, however is probably the best PD course Ihave had since being in CAP.

I learned so much about leadership, about myself, and about what I need to do to make my unit and CAP better.

I laos learned somethings about CAP that I hadnt realized before and I will be posting other threads to get you guys opinions on some things. I think different people look at CAP differently and emphasize different things.

One thing I loved about SERSC was that everyone was in either the Air Force style uniform or the corporate uniform. There were no blue golf shirts worn during this course. I think that helped build esprit de corp and motivation. We actually looked like a unit. Althouh one of our Air Force instructors asked us why do some us wear a blue uniform and some where a white

I thik it looks beter when we al look a like. Looks uniform. And not like a goroup of people wearing whatever.

Anyway just wanted to say what a great time I had.

[Eclipse]

The Region Staff College, however is probably the best PD course Ihave had since being in CAP.

I learned so much about leadership, about myself, and about what I need to do to make my unit and CAP better.

This was my biggest complaint about the GLR RSC, and apparently its not a local issue.

Unit operations are covered in SLS and UCC.  By the time you are taking classes which purport to be "Region-Level", they should be about state and multistate coordination, indirect management, and the dynamics of very large groups.

With that said, I'm glad you had a good experience.  Generally speaking any activity that gets you out of your home unit for an extended time tends to recharge your CAP batteries, because all the home-rule politics and inertia are put on hold as people interact with new personalities.

[flyguy06]

I wish the way RSC was run was run that way at SLS and CLC. The staff college was structured, organized and held members to a standard. SLS was just us getting together in a room and being lectured about different topics. (of course SLS for me was in 1991, it may have changed by now)

[arajca]

It most certainly has changed. There is more discussion and tailoring the information to teh students.

[Airrace]

Glad to hear you had a good time and learn alot. Where was the traing held at?

[Eclipse]

I wish the way RSC was run was run that way at SLS and CLC. The staff college was structured, organized and held members to a standard. SLS was just us getting together in a room and being lectured about different topics. (of course SLS for me was in 1991, it may have changed by now)

Its nothing like it was - the slides for the most part are just a starting point for discussion.  Its not the "bring a Safety guy in to read the Safety slide anymore".

I'm curious as to the "standard" you reefer to.  If anything, RSC has less structure than SLS/CLC.  The latter
have specific modules and times, whereas RSC simply has a "fill the hours for 'x'" similar to an encampment, so the curriculum is subjective to the instructors.

Did you have a test of some kind that they purported to delineate pass/fail? Froom my understanding you need to play nice, use all the crayons in your box, and show some effort and involvement, but beyond that there is no specific criteria for pass/fail beyond attendance.

[flyguy06]

Again Eclipse your coments are what I mean when I say the culture of CAP is chaging to less of a military organization and more of a EMA organiation.

When I say a standard I mean we had formations and inspections daily and most of the folks had no clue what to do.

I was addressed by my first name most of time and never by my rank. Its like when we did military type stuff it was a joke to them. They didnt take it serioulsy at all.

I have friends in the SDF (another volunteer org) when new people join that group, they go through a basic training type of program. They go to a central location and learn about formations, rank structure, how to report to officers and thing slike that.

In our organization SLS and CLC is death by power point. There is no practical application of anything. yes members are supposed to look at some interent based Level 1 that talks about wearing the uniorm and customs and curteousies. by how much does that stick if it is not practiced or applied. Reading something online and actually putting it into practice are two totally different things.

CAP needs some type of basic officer course. Not a internet or power point course. an actual activity where they go and are taught certain things. Thats how you get a standard. Everyone is taught the same thing across the board. Instead what we have is "this squadron teaches this and that squadron teaches that"

So, yes to the above comment about encampments CAP needs an encampment style activity for senior members. Not to the same extent as cadet encampments but something they can go to to learn formations, respect for senior officers ansd how to address one another.

[Eclipse]

When I say a standard I mean we had formations and inspections daily and most of the folks had no clue what to do.

I was addressed by my first name most of time and never by my rank. Its like when we did military type stuff it was a joke to them. They didnt take it serioulsy at all.

OK, well, that's specific to SER.  At GLR we had morning semi-formations (indoors), both the Canadian (we had a guest instructor from the CIC) and US National Anthems, which sparked protocol discussions that required regulations be looked up, and were specifically pressed to use grade and last name in our interactions.

I wasn't happy about them making the parking area and front entrance deck a "no-salute zone", but kay-sarah-sarah.

In our organization SLS and CLC is death by power point. There is no practical application of anything.

On this you don't know what you're talking about or your Wing isn't doing it right.  I'd encourage you to look at the new curriculum and consider attending the (not so new anymore) SLS/CLC.  Done correctly it still has issues, but with the right instructors can be a very worthwhile experience.  Its much more akin to TLC.

yes members are supposed to look at some interent based Level 1 that talks about wearing the uniorm and customs and curteousies. by how much does that stick if it is not practiced or applied. Reading something online and actually putting it into practice are two totally different things.

If your unit is allowing level 1's to be completed without the summary conversations (which should take a couple of hours), they aren't doing it right.  Level 1 is not an online course.

[flyguy06]

well, again, that speaks to what i am saying. If my unit is doing Level 1 differently than your unit, or if my Wing is doing SLS differently than your wing, then there is no standardization. Which is my whole point. Instead of relying on eace unit to do it (becasue as you phave ointed out, some units just dont know how to do it properly) there needs to be centralized point to do it and it needs to be monitored by National or Region to ensure its done to standard.

[Eclipse]

well, again, that speaks to what i am saying. If my unit is doing Level 1 differently than your unit, or if my Wing is doing SLS differently than your wing, then there is no standardization. Which is my whole point. Instead of relying on eace unit to do it (becasue as you phave ointed out, some units just dont know how to do it properly) there needs to be centralized point to do it and it needs to be monitored by National or Region to ensure its done to standard.

Approved.  Where do I sign?   

[arajca]

One of the problems with the centralized, approved-only method of completing Level I was a lack of courses. It is not worthwhile to conduct a full course for one or two. I know of more than a few former members who quit after waiting six months for a Level I class with none available in the foreseeable future. You also have to account for travel time - is it worth your time to drive 300 miles for a half day class?

Alot of the quality of the current Level I depends on the skill of the instructor or commander. CAP expects these to conducted in a particular manner, but provides no training on how to conduct them.

[SarDragon]

well, again, that speaks to what i am saying. If my unit is doing Level 1 differently than your unit, or if my Wing is doing SLS differently than your wing, then there is no standardization. Which is my whole point. Instead of relying on eace unit to do it (becasue as you phave ointed out, some units just dont know how to do it properly) there needs to be centralized point to do it and it needs to be monitored by National or Region to ensure its done to standard.

The curriculum is standardized. The instructors aren't. Until CAP institutes a standardized instructor course, which gives our instructors the basic tools they need to teach effectively, this problem will continue. No amount of monitoring will fix the problem, until we have standards for instructors, as well as curriculum.

[Eclipse]

The curriculum is standardized. The instructors aren't. Until CAP institutes a standardized instructor course, which gives our instructors the basic tools they need to teach effectively, this problem will continue. No amount of monitoring will fix the problem, until we have standards for instructors, as well as curriculum.

Sorry, its not.  I can point you to required slides for SLS/CLC & TLC.  Those are "standardized" curriculums.

The only guidance for RSC curriculm is CAPR 50-17, Chapter 6.

Region Staff College (RSC).
Region Staff College is the formal in-residence course required for completion of Level IV professional development. It prepares selected CAP officers to better execute the duties and responsibilities associated with CAP command and staff positions at squadron level and above. CAP officers who have completed Level III professional development and who hold command or staff positions are eligible to attend the RSC.
NOTE: When warranted, region commanders may permit attendance at Region Staff College prior to completion of Level III professional development. The written waiver from the region commander should be sent from the region commander to the RSC director prior to the start of the course.

a. Objectives. Upon completion of the course, members should be able to:

1) Deliver a CAP-oriented oral presentation (speech, lecture, briefing) lasting at least 10 minutes using a clear organizational pattern and adequate supporting material.

2) Demonstrate effective writing skills and use of proper written formats.

3) Perform effectively as a group member in the problem-solving process.

4) Apply current management theory to human relations situations.

5) Recognize leadership problems and determine solutions through group discussion.

6) Demonstrate the ability to plan, conduct, and direct meetings, conferences, and professional development courses.

7) Demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to the core values strategy.
b. Time Requirement. Each RSC lasts for a minimum of 40 instructional hours.

c. Curriculum. The basic RSC will include:

1) Interpersonal Communications:
a) Organizing to communicate
b) Supporting ideas
c) Logical thinking
d) Preparing and presenting a 10-minute speech
e) Effective listening

2) Group Communications:
a) Group problem solving
b) Group dynamics (process)
c) Human relations and discrimination

3) Written Communications:
a) Effective writing skills
b) Familiarity with correspondence formats used by CAP and the USAF

4) Management:
a) Functions of management
b) Principles of organization
c) Study of current theories of management

5) Leadership:
a) Theory
b) Problem solving
c) How the CAP mission is accomplished within the region, i.e., Emergency Services/Counterdrug,
Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs

6) Conference/Training Techniques:
a) Teaching members to plan and conduct meetings
b) Setting up wing/region conferences
c) Directing a CAP SLS/CLC/UCC course

There is a director's guide, and lots of attachments for running the activity, but that's it.
http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/cap_university/professional_development/inresidence_courses/region_staff_college_rsc.cfm

Thus my allusion to encampment requirements - this is the same sort of general prescription of subjects and hours.  NHQ tells you where you need to get to, but how you get there is the subjective choice of the RSC director with approval by the Region CC (or more likely his designate in the Region PDO.

[SarDragon]

The curriculum IS standardized. You just showed us that it is. All the bits and pieces are laid right out there. There are objectives and content items. The execution is the part that is inconsistent, due in large part to the human factor. I'm guessing that the caliber of the instructors would be higher, give the higher level of instruction, but I haven't attended yet, to verify that guess.

The biggest difference I see between RSC and encampment is the lack of defined objectives. This is not an obstacle in the encampment environment, given the openness of the curriculum as stated below.

The encampment curriculum may be delivered via any format – tours, briefings, guest speakers, informal lectures, job shadowing, duty performance, simulations, games, etc. – making use of the particular strengths and resources of the host installation and local aerospace industry. Interactive, experiential methods of education and training are preferred to static, lectured-based instruction.
The encampment curriculum is integrated with the Air Force's force development program. Under each training block listed below, the corresponding universal aerospace leader competency is identified for informational purposes.

[emphasis mine]

Encampment content is defined, and the delivery is done by whatever method is appropriate. RSC is primarily classroom based, and more closely adheres to a set format.

[Eclipse]

Come on Dave - the above is not a standardized curriculum by any stretch, just bullet points.  I could achieve the subjective nature of acceptance as easily by sitting around a campfire with Colin Powell and Steve Jobs as by utilizing a teacher-style classroom environment.

Loose, generalized, bullet points are not a "standardized curriculum".

When all the RSC's have to attend a circus to learn about team-building, you'll have a "standardized curriculm".

Until then what we have is someone's "get it done by EOD Friday" post-it notes.

There's 17 documents which provide excruciating detail how to run a banquet, what to do with disciplinary situations, and how to address the administrative chalenges of an RSC, but not a single slide or lesson plan.

[SarDragon]

A curriculum is different from lesson guides. I used to teach a corrosion course in the Navy, where we gave out some reading material ahead of time, and then spent the class periods discussing their content. I had a two page sheet, similar to the curriculum above, that I used to ensure that I covered all the material. No lesson guide at all. I'm guessing that RSC is similar in nature.

Bottom line - there are standards. But, it seems there are variations in how the standards are achieved. That's probably the same for almost every other course taught anywhere you want to go. Even the courses I taught in the Navy, that had actually had lesson guides, had variations based on the instructors. As long as the objectives were met, and the student passed the tests, both written and practical, then the course was successful.

[Spike]

Seems like some of us base our opinions on CAP courses on whether everyone is in the same uniform or not.

I am glad SER has a good Staff College curriculum and (seems like) great instructors. 

Don't make assumptions about other courses unless you have attended said course.  That includes attending it in its most current revision form!!

If you have gripes about a course, step up and start leading those courses or teaching at them. 

[flyguy06]

You guys are getting wayyyy to technical. All I was saying is I wish CAP were more standardized. Plain and simple

[brasda91]

flyguy06,

Were you in Seminar 1?

[RiverAux]

You guys are getting wayyyy to technical. All I was saying is I wish CAP were more standardized. Plain and simple

Based on your comments, it is a problem in your unit and Wing -- they aren't doing it right.  As a newly minted graduate of RSC, you should be in a position of leadership at Wing level -- if you're not, you need to step up and get there ASAP, and start working on these things.