Officers Basic Course

[Cecil DP]

I spoke yesterday to a gentleman from NHQ (Mr. Huyette), who said that CAP will not only be getting more slots for Blackboard, they would be getting more online courses for Professional Development. The Florida Wing PD mentioned that they (FLWG) are working on an online CLC, similar to the online SLS they are currently providing. 

[exFlight Officer]

I would be willing to take part in some of the PD courses online.

[Major Carrales]

The issue with "regular" participation in SLS or CLC involves the travel for the presentation of the classes.  Currently, members of a Group or Wing have to travel to certain "centers" where the classes are offered. 

Thus, they have to 1) leave their families for a weekend for a sit down class (eating into Volunteer time and "family capital" time which I would feel better about using for some sort of ES or Cadet Activity), 2) work (having to leave work to drive the 4 to 5 hours for an SLS is an issue for some), 3) quality of the class (if an SLS degrades into some CAP Capt reading verbatim from a MS-PowerPoint Presentation making the highlight of the training the breaks, I would submit that the same could be done via a computer), 4) hotel/motel finance (rooms cost money, unless a squadron can put up people for the night and 5) drive the distance (our unit has several people (like over 8 ) that need the classes but do not have the ability to travel to them across the STATE of TEXAS due to work or family.  The answer has been to host a local one, however, it seems that no one will venture South of San Antonio to serve as staff.


It would seem that I have found one of the reasons some folks remain 1st Lt and have no desire for a promotion of Captain.  On line classes with rigor and relevence are the answer.

[EMT-83]

Unless there's some local rule that prohibits it, do it yourself. We couldn't get people into SLS due to scheduling issues, so our squadron is putting one on in a couple of weeks. I made arrangements with a local hotel conference center to donate space, and they're giving a 50% discount on rooms for anyone staying overnight.

Fortunately, we've got members with the experience and ability to instruct. All it took was a Form 46 to NHQ (with a copy to Wing), and we're on our way. Fourteen members signed up, half from outside our squadron. Some folks are traveling two hours, so there must have been a need.