PERSONAL VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE WITH REBUILDING A SQUADRON'S CADET PROGRAM.

In January 1996 I left the Fairfax Composite Squadron, National Capital Wing, and transferred to the Mount Vernon Composite Squadron in the same wing. I left Fairfax because the squadron commander and I didn't see things eye to eye. My problem, or his? That's not important. The fact is, when I left that squadron things simply fell apart. Because of me? Who knows, but when I left three of their best cadets followed me to my new squadron on their own accord.

When I joined Mount Vernon it was with the understanding that I would assume duties as their Deputy Commander for Cadets (DCC) and try to salvage what was left of their dwindling Cadet Corps which consisted of about five active cadets. It is with this in mind that I will now lay down for you, what I did to make this squadron a successful, vibrant, and professional squadron.

First, I must say that the success of Mount Vernon did not come from my actions alone. The squadron commander at that time was the kind of squadron commander that all squadrons need and want. He trusted me to run the cadet program and use my personal techniques for managing and leading that Cadet corps into it's new beginning. Basically, he advised when he deemed necessary and kept a watchful eye over the program as a whole, which is to be expected of a squadron commander. I might also add that this particular commander had what it takes to build an equally successful senior program that put seniors into uniforms, had them in formation, and every meeting night they were doing something constructive; not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.

Now, the one thing I want you to keep in mind as you read through my chronicles of success, is that this was my way, no one else's. My way may not work for everyone, or anyone for that matter. But it worked for me, my squadron commander, and the cadets of Mount Vernon. Perhaps I'm rambling on about what I think is right, but nevertheless I want to offer my assistance or maybe help another squadron who is struggling and can use that extra bit of help from someone who's "been there, done that".

My philosophy in CAP is not that simple. Maybe it's because I haven't quite figured out a philosophy for my own life, but I think if you follow along with me you can begin to understand the method of my madness. Listed below are the tenants that I believe make the difference between my squadron and those that strive to be like us. Like I said, you may disagree or simply think I'm a nut. See for yourself:

1. Be real! Don't be something you're not. What I mean by this is, many people in CAP, cadet and senior, tend to want to portray themselves as soldiers, marines, airman, pilots, rangers, etc. Although we attempt to follow many of the same rules as the "real military", we must first realize that we are our own entity. Instead of trying to be like them, be like us. The professionals of Civil Air Patrol.

2. Looks count! Do everything within your power to make yourself look good; like a professional. Then, do everything you can to make your squadron members look good, just like you. DO NOT allow members of your squadron to wear part of a uniform or a uniform without proper insignia. No matter how much that person wants to go on that mission or help out at a recruiting drive, they'll only make you look bad. My "looks count" tenant goes for vehicles, ES equipment, and airplanes as well. You are lucky to have a CAP corporate vehicle so take care of it and keep it simple. Don't go crazy with decals and unneeded antennas. As for ES gear and equipment, keep that simple too. Use what you need and don't wear that damn knife upside down on your web gear. Do your best to keep from looking too "Hollywood". Don't have all those annoying bells and whistles dangling from your gear. You'll just make yourself look sloppy. About that CAP plane: it's not your plane, its CAP's; so leave it better than you found it.

3. Uniformity goes along with being professional. We are the Auxiliary of the US Air Force; the fourth leg that holds the Air Force high in the sky. Everyone looks the same or everyone looks bad. This means that either everyone wears their BDU sleeves down or no one wears them down. If your squadron has a squadron hat or T-shirt, then they all wear it or none at all. Enough said about that. And never, I mean never, wear just part of the uniform. If you're uncomfortable wearing the BDU top then take off the pants too, because you either wear all of it or none of it.

4. Build a unit schedule and live by that schedule. Pick a time frame, but make a schedule that covers a certain amount of time and fill in the blanks. I suggest designing a schedule that covers a six-month period. In this schedule you will cover both weekend activities and the weekly squadron meeting. However, you should have a generic schedule for weekly meetings that follows a certain theme (Wk 1 is ES, Wk 2 is Aerospace, Wk 3 is PT, Wk 4 is Leadership, etc.). Include in your schedule, topics for your squadron meeting as well as the person responsible for either coordinating someone to teach that topic or teaching it themselves. For the weekends, don't over-schedule your squadron. I recommend no more than one emergency services training exercise per month and maybe one other activity that's not ES related. The most important thing about a schedule is to STICK TO IT! Regardless if only 2 people show up to an activity, go through with it.

5. The only thing that should be last minute is a RED-CAP. Always be aware of what activity is coming up. You built your schedule now use it. If you know that your annual air show is coming up May 15th, don't wait until May 1st to organize it. My thought on scheduling is that if it's not planned a month ahead of time it's not planned properly. You may need help from another unit, let them know ASAP, not the week before. And when you are heading up an activity plan every last detail, even the ones that aren't supposed to happen. If you are helping with traffic control then remember the orange vests and radios.

6. Communicate and distribute all information. Email is the best way to communicate in the 90s. People forget about a phone call, and they forget about email too. But the next time they open up their email account it will hopefully still be sitting there and remind them they were supposed to call their cadets. Always put out information multiple times. By multiple, I mean every chance you get. Don't tell your cadets about the air show in May back in April and have that be the last time you talk about it. Mention it in every email you send and at every meeting. Even if you don't have all the information. Just remind them that their support will be needed and we'll get the information to them ASAP.

7. Weekly email. I started this the week I got my first computer. I got the address of everyone in the squadron that had email and sent out an email every Monday to keep them on track for what was to come at the next meeting and up to a month in advance for weekend activities. I started with about nine addresses and got up to sixty which included cadets and seniors. This email is very important and shouldn't be done unless it's done right. Don't confuse people with a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, keep it simple and to the point. Talk about what's coming up at the next meeting to include the uniform of the day. Then talk about past actions where you can recognize people for doing a good job. Finally, list all activities for the next 4 or 5 weeks. When you do this just don't put "Orientation Flights", put down all the information about the orientations flights, i.e. where, when, how long, and when to be picked up.

8. T-Flight. T-Flight, or Training Flight, is one of the best concepts to ever come about during my tenure as DCC. With the help of an experienced cadet who's maturity level exceeded his age, we developed an 8-week program for all new/potential cadet members. T-Flight could take up pages of this paper so I won't go into it in great detail. Basically you take your new recruits, make them wear the same thing (white t-shirt and jeans), teach them everything in Chapter I of the leadership book, and have them graduate together wearing their uniforms (usually BDUs). It is essential that you have one or two of your sharpest cadets running this program. It is very structured and their hands are basically held throughout the entire 8-weeks. I also make sure to keep a close eye on the program to make sure it's going according to the plan. It's not a scene out of "Full Metal Jacket", but it is a serious environment with serious results. These cadets should not interact with the other cadets or participate in any activity but the regular meeting. This gives them the feeling that it's an honor and privilege to serve in the other flights. As it should be.

9. Give your cadets responsibility. This is probably the newest thing I'm doing at my squadron. It wasn't until 2 months ago that I got the idea to start having some of the older, higher-ranking cadets teach emergency services classes. It's not as easy as just telling them to teach any old task, I had to first give classes to them on giving classes. I taught them everything I know about standing in front of a group of people and giving a professional presentation that is both informative and practical. This idea was proven to be successful at the 1999 Middle East Region Search and Rescue College where a handful of my cadets helped instruct over 60 ground team trainees from 7 different wings. They practiced giving a class to an audience a month before and were expected to have their classes ready one-week before SAR College. They performed as professionals.

10. Identify with your cadets. Remember, they are at a difficult age where they may be making decisions that affect the rest of their lives. Some of them are striving for an academy or maybe trying to make that "A" so they qualify for a college scholarship. Bear with them, and help them out when you can. Realize, that not all cadets want or need to strive for such high goals. I wasn't ready for college right out of high school, and I know I am a better person today for enlisting in the army for 4 years and waiting to start college. Whatever they do, support them. Know that some may be weaker than others, so don't ignore the weak ones; build their confidence and make them aware that they are part of the team. You may not have been a cadet before, but that doesn't make a big difference in how they view you. Carry yourself in a manner that will make them respect you, as a person and as an officer in CAP. Never assume that they aren't looking because as soon as you do you'll make a fool of yourself and they'll instantly lose respect for you. They aren't adults yet, but with your help they will turn out to be well-rounded productive adults that you can be proud of. Lead by example or don't lead at all.

So, you've read my unofficial tenants that I follow for keeping my squadron functioning the way it does. Do I have these 10 paragraphs memorized, not a chance. Nor could I repeat them word for word if I had to, but the point I'm trying to make is that these things I have listed helped me put together the best squadron CAP has to offer. All too often I talk to cadets from squadrons just a few miles from mine and they ask me how we have such a charismatic squadron that's so active. I begin by telling them it hasn't always been like this. Our squadron has been around for over 30 years and has seen good times and bad. I came on board when things weren't so great, and one day Mount Vernon will be striving again to put together a ground team because we only have 5 active cadets, just like we did back in January 1996. But, as long as I am the DCC that will not happen.

There is no reason why any squadron has to suffer. If a squadron is suffering, it's because the leadership doesn't know what they're doing. I knew of one squadron commander who only wanted her squadron to do nothing but drill team. Well, that squadron soon went down hill and is now in the process of rebuilding. Cadets lose interest when you concentrate on one thing. If your cadets lose interest then they won't recruit their friends, they'll have a bad impression of CAP, and once again the squadron suffers.

During my tenure in the army I often came across soldiers who were in CAP, I'd say about 15 in all. All but one told me that it was the biggest waste of time and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. They usually described it as a bunch of wanna-bes who ran an unstructured group of kids that thought they were in the military. I know they were telling the truth because I've seen what they're talking about. The other soldier I mentioned thought CAP was a great program and helped him get an accelerated promotion. But, he said that he wouldn't join again as a senior because they were a bunch of over-weight slackers who couldn't show up to a meeting with a decent haircut or boots with polish on them. Think about it, is this the impression you're giving your cadets? I hope not.

I was a cadet myself, from 1987 to 1991. I can recall two senior members that really made a difference in my life and were probably the only reason I stayed in CAP as a cadet and then as a senior. I also remember the 10+ seniors who showed up in a wide variety of uniforms or civilian clothes that just talked about flying, or about the days when they used to fly. I also remember a ton of miscommunication and not being told about ES training activities, orientation flights, encampments, and many other activities that could have made my cadet career a lot better. But then again we didn't have email back then. Perhaps this is the reason why I am so adamant about having my cadets communicate with their subordinates.

Looking back at my 12 years of service to CAP, I try to think of what I would consider the best thing that CAP ever did for me and I have to say it was review boards required for each promotion and when I was made to give classes. As a college student, veteran, and just as an adult, I have used those skills more so than any other skill I learned in CAP. Maybe you experienced something else that you think is more important, but for me it was the review boards and teaching classes. Think about it, a review board is nothing more than an interview, just like when you apply for a job. And teaching classes prepared me for teaching classes in the military and then for getting up in front of a class of 30 students and giving a report. CAP definitely made a difference in my life and it should be the goal of every squadron commander, DCC, and Cadet Programs senior member to make a difference in your cadets' lives.

I can't really think of any other advice to offer you right now, but I'm sure that as soon as I turn off my computer I'll think of something else because I am always looking for ways to enhance my program. But think about it, it's because I genuinely care about the program and the Cadets, that is why I'm writing this. It's not just for my Cadets, my Cadets are just fine. It's for your Cadets, or the ones you'll recruit next month. Who knows, maybe this will somehow help you in making your squadron more productive. I hope so.

As I mentioned from the beginning, you may not agree with me, but I really don't care about that. Right now this was the best way for me to express my thoughts and feelings on what I think can help rebuild a struggling squadron. If you have a better idea, then let me hear it. But trust me, this stuff works, I only speak from experience.

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