Plans and Programs Officers?

[RiverAux]

Perhaps this is just my Wing, but does anyone have a Wing Plans and Programs Officer that is actually doing something?  If so, what?

This is what they're supposed to be doing according to 20-1:

Plans and Programs Officer [/size][font=oeobkc+timesnewroman,times new roman]Directs and coordinates overall planning activities. They shall: [/font]

[font=oeobkc+timesnewroman,times new roman]Develop plans and programs and monitor the overall implementation of special projects as directed by the commander and higher headquarters. [/font]

[font=oeobkc+timesnewroman,times new roman]Plan and coordinate region, wing or group conferences. [/font]

[font=oeobkc+timesnewroman,times new roman]Formulate plans and programs for the utilization of CAP units in peacetime and domestic emergencies. [/font]

[font=oeobkc+timesnewroman,times new roman]Interpret and integrate into policy such plans and programs, laws, policy statements, directives regulations, and other communications received from higher headquarters. [/font]

[font=oeobkc+timesnewroman,times new roman]Provide guidance and cooperate with responsible staff sections in the development of operational plans and programs. [/font]

[font=oeobkc+timesnewroman,times new roman]
The plans and programs officer should be familiar with CAPP 218, the Civil Air Patrol Constitution and Bylaws, and all policy matters relating to planning activities for special projects. [/font]

I never knew that this position was responsible for planning Wing conferences (I know that our wing has depended on the same person to do it for many, many years but they are in another position. 

CAPP 218 adds this:

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In addition to basic planning, CAP plans and programs officers are normally responsible for the following functions:

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a. [/size]Analyzing effectiveness of the CAP wing programs.  As such, the plans and programs officer should:

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(1) [/size]Know the unit's goals and understand them.

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(2) [/size]Assign sub-goals to the staff and lower echelon units.

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(3) [/size]Keep track of how well everyone is doing.

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(4) [/size]Periodically report progress to the commander.

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b. [/size]Analyzing problem areas for the commander. To do this, the plans and programs officer should:

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(1) [/size]Gather facts.

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(2) [/size]Make statistical analysis, if necessary.

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(3) [/size]Reach conclusions.

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(4) [/size]Report or recommend to commander.

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c. [/size]Conducting policy meetings, such as commander's conferences. As a minimum, the plans and programs officer will be responsible for:

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(1) [/size]Preparing the agenda.

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(2) [/size]Structuring the conduct and format of the meeting.

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(3) [/size]Preparing minutes of meetings.

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d. [/size]Any other special projects assigned by the commander.

Can we get any more vague?   I sort of like the idea of this position as it gets at the sort of self analysis that I've railed against CAP not doing very often.  While I'm not seeing any of this done in my Wing, perhaps it is in others... Any examples? 



The primary "plans" utilized by our Wing are all formulated by various staff officers, who are usually mandated by some reg, to come up with a plan specific to their section. 

[Eclipse]

The time spent choosing and resizing all those fonts alone is a full time job...

[lordmonar]

I don't know what you mean about vague.  It was pretty clear.  The Plans and Programs Officer is in charge of the plans and programs.....but not executing them.

[swamprat86]

As Plans and Programs for my Wing, I am involved in almost all Wing level projects.  In most cases, it is to ensure that the Project Officer for that particular project is following the appropriate directives, have an approved budget, etc.  The IT department is under my directive and I also handle special items for the Commander such as project research that involve mulitiple departments, etc.

I am the first in my Wing to have the position so I have a lot of leeway in creating the department and where its focus is relative to the Wing.

[flyguy06]

I think a lot of people et so bogged down in the regs. they look at the literal interpretation and dont realize you have to adjust according to your situation.

it may say in the regs the plans and prgrams offcer plans the wing conference. But what if they cant, or dont know how. Nothing wrong with assigning it to somebody else. Improvise, adjust, and overcome. Hooah

[Ranger75]

I serve at wing-level as the A5/Plans and Programs Officer.  My primary responsibility is the drafting, staff coordination, and disemination of commander-approved operational plans and orders for major wing-level events.  In the past, these have ranged from the an annual multi-wing encampment, the conduct of periodic professional development academies (SLS, CLC, etc.), the execution of a National-level cadet special activity, and recurring HS operational activities.  The majority of my effort has been in capturing and directing the manner in which the wing conducts its ES responsibilities.  I have developed, and the Wing CC has approved, a set of standing OPLANs addressing potential major ES events.  As required for training missions or actual execution, these plans form the basis for the development of individual operation orders to meet the specific needs of unique circumstances.  The product produced is a detailed directive following the template of a five paragraph order common to all U.S. military services. 

[rlking]

Hi this is Lt Col Richard King the Plans and Programs Officer for Michigan Wing in the post that you left on line back in January you had a statement:  The product produced is a detailed directive following the template of a five paragraph order common to all U.S. military services.   

Can you send me a blank Word Format of the Template you are talking about.  I would like to see what you are doing and maybe use it in my efforts.  If you have any other suggestions or templates please send them along I am looking for any ideas you may have.   Thank you for any help you can give and have a great day.  Richard King cell 517-403-4799 or email rking@miwg.cap.gov

Note to all that read this if you have any suggestions for Plans and Programs management/leadership please pass them along.  rlk

[JohnKachenmeister]

Colonel King:

Group 4 in Florida Wing has adapted the 5-paragraph order into a CAP Incident Action Plan, to help officers at the unit level write plans and operational orders.  Drop me a PM with your snail mail address and I will send a copy to you, along with a powerpoint used in our OTS program to train officers in using the form.

Also... I do not think that the Navy uses the 5-paragraph order.  I know the Marines do, though.