TRAINING   OPPORTUNITIES

WING ACTIVITES:

1. Squadron Leadership School:   The objective is to create an understanding of functions of the squadron. The curriculum consists of leadership and counseling seminars, general duties of staff functions, squadron meetings and activity matters, and discussion of   specialty track program.   Completion of Squadron Leadership School is necessary for completion of Level I.   Senior Members who have completed Level I are eligible to attend.
2. Corporate Learning Course: The course is part of Level III to provide broad knowledge and understanding of specific areas necessary for squadron management. Eligible members should attain the technician level of their specialty and have attended a squadron Leadership School.
3. Flight Clinics: Flight Clinics are conducted by CAP or external sources (FAA, Red Cross, AOPA, etc.) to include both ground and flight phase of instruction designed to increase pilot proficiency and safety consciousness

REGION AND NATIONAL:

Pacific Region Staff College

The College is a formal in-residence program required for completionof level IV. The courses include lectures and seminars covering interpersonal, group and written communication, management, leadership and conferences techniques. CAP members who have completed Level II and hold command or staff positions are eligible.Many civilian corporations pay thousands of dollars, per manager, to send their executives to a week-long retreat or seminar. Region Staff College, on an average costs our students well under $500, including their travel. This program is a bargain which has helped many of our volunteer corporate managers become more successfu l. The College is scheduled for May of 2004 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

National Staff College

The National Staff College (NRC), Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama is a formal in-residence academic function required for completion of the highest level of the Civil Air Patrol Senior Member Training Program. The faculty is composed of CAP, Air Force Reserve officers and faculty members of various Air University Professional Military Education Schools. The advance levels of the offering at the National Staff College, Air University, are on par and equal to any Senior-Management training and development offered in the private sector. The intent is to develop CAP Officers into effective professional as volunteer leaders, and to prepare CAP Officers not only for service to the CAP, but for future duty to their respective communities across America. The College is scheduled for August 2004 at Maxwell Air force Base, Alabama.

International Air Cadet Exchange (I.A.C.E.)

The Civil Air Patrol participates as a member in the International Air Cadet Exchange IACE Association (IACE) with twenty-two other member nations’ Air Forces. The IACE is an annual exchange of visits by air-minded youth, with the objective of promoting international understanding, goodwill, and fellowship among the youth of the world. As a participant in IACE, Cadets become messengers for their respective countries. This experience has been cited as a significant contribution toward better understanding among the youth of the world. The Civil Air Patrol’s participation in the exchange program has continued to expand since its inception in 1947. The objective in the Washington, D.C. Phase is established to host and assist a group of youth, both US and foreign. The intent is to build them into a cohesive team, foster the development of their communication skills, show through example to individuals how to energize each other, and to demonstrate how to work more productively together as they enter the experience of traveling together. The International Air Cadet Exchange is an excellent opportunity for Senior members to participate in the Cadet Program as Escorts, and the opportunity to travel to a foreign country. The opportunity affords the member to interact with their counterparts in other countries, and experience the nature of other Air Force’s inventories. The opportunity for is being offered for 2004, and will be in the November CAP Newsletter. It is an experience you will not forget!

Extension Course Institute (ECI)

Extension Course Institute is the correspondence school of the Air Force’s Air University, in Gunter, Alabama. Its services are available without cost to Civil Air Patrol members. Two Broad areas of study are available: Professional military education and specialized courses. Military courses are provided to improve knowledge of command and leadership. ECI specialized course are designed to provide training for CAP members in the performance of specialized duty.

ECI 13 – CAP Officer’s Course: This course provides study in five areas essential to becoming an effective leader in the Civil Air Patrol.

ECI 23 – Air Force Squadron Officer School (SOS): This course provide for the professional development of   company grade officers so they can better perform and value their roles in the conduct and support od Air Force operations and Missions.

ECI 32 – Air Force Air Command and Staff College: This course provides intermediate professional military education programs for career development of air Force Officers.

ECI Air War College : This course provides members who are performing as commander and staff officers with exposure to advanced academic and military areas of interest.

SPECIALTY Areas…..DID YOU KNOW?

It is desirable that all CAP members be enrolled in a specialty track. Normal promotion progression requires attainment of Technician Rating for 1Lt., Senior Rating for Major, and Master Rating for Lt Col. The easiest way to enroll in a track is for the Senior Program Officer to enter the information, and update the Senior Member Information Management System…..

The selection of a track should be a joint decision   which meets the needs of both the individual and the squadron.

The following information is a synopsis and includes only the major responsibilities and rating requirements.

No.     Title                  Responsibilities,   Rating Requirements

200-     Personnel   -   Process unit personnel actions and keep records updated

                * Technician - Knowledge and ability to perform function 6 months as a trainee.   

                * Senior - Thorough knowledge and ability to perform function 6 months as a technician.

                * Master - Extensive knowledge of CAP organization and 1 year as senior personnel officer.

201-    Public Affairs - Assists Commander on media and internal relations

               * Technician - Familiarity with PAOfunction for 6 months as a trainee.

              *   Senior - Knowledge of PAO function, total of 1 year’s experience in position, performed duties

                  at minimum of 1 SAR and participate in 1 PAO Conference.

               * Master - Total of 2 years experience in position, write feature article on CAP, and participate in

                  1 local event (County Fair, etc.).

202-    Finance - Responsibility for unit financial records and reports.

            * Technician - Knowledge of receipts, disbursements, bookkeeping procedures for a period of 6

               months as a trainee.

             * Senior - Knowledge of the finance function for a total of 1 year.

             * Master - Serve as unit Finance Officer for 2 years

203-   Inspector -Thorough knowledge of total CAP program to ensure compliance with applicable policies

         and directives.

             * Technician - Complete ECI 13, knowledge of assigned duties, assist in the inspection of another

                 unit.

            *   Senior - Thorough knowledge of assignned duties for a 1 year period, and completion of the

                 CLC course.

             * Master - In-depth knowledge of the function for a period of 2 years.

204-    Senior Programs - Unit Training Officer, assists in keeping training records and evaluating member

         progress.

              * Technician- Familiarity with functions and directives for a 6 month period.

                * Senior - Serve on a SLS staff, and have 1 year’s experience as Training Officer.

               * Master - Serve on a CLC staff, and have 2 years experience as Training Officer.

No.     Title                  Responsibilities,   Rating Requirements

205-     Administration - Administration and unit staff support.

                 * Technician - Familiarity with administrative procedures for a 6 month period.   

                 * Senior - Expertise in all areas of CAP administration for 1 year as an Adminstrative Officer.

                 * Master - In-depth understanding of function , and 1 year as Administrative Officer.

206-        Logistics - Management of aircraft maintenance, transportation, and supply.

                * Technician - Familiarity with the function for 6 months.

                * Senior - Knowledge of the function for a 1 year period.

                * Master - Knowledge of the function for a 2 year period.

210-      Flight Operations - Management of the aircraft maintenance, transportation, and supply

                * Technician - CAP Pilot, knowledge of CAP and FAA Regulations, and six months of

                   experience.

               *   Senior - Thorough knowledge of CAP and FAA Regulations, and a total of one year’s

                   experience as FO officer.

               * Master - In-depth knowledge of CAP and FAA Regulations with a total of 2 year’s

                  experience as FO officer.

211-     Operations - Management of CAP operations

               * Technician - Knowledge of operations function by completing Technician requirements of CAP

                  Pamphlet 210, 212 and 213, and   ECI Course 2130D, and six months as Operations Officer.

              * Senior - Knowledge of operations function by completing Senior requirements of CAP Pamphlet

                 210, 212 and, 1 year’s experience as Operations Officer.

              * Master- Knowledge of operations function by completing Master requirements of CAP Pamphlet

                 210, 212.

212-      Standards and Evaluations - Performs as CAP Instructor and/or Check Pilot

            * Technician - CAP Pilot rating, CFI credentials, familiar with both CAP and FAA Regulations, and

               a member of CAP for a period of 6 months.

           * Senior - Thoroughly familiar with CAP and FAA Regulations, and 1 year’s experience as a Check

              Pilot.

          * Master - CAP check Pilot with 2 year’s experience, and develop a syllabus for training pilots in the

             Squadron.

213-      Emergency Services - Management of Emergency Services activities

* Technician - Qualification in a CAPM 50-15 specialty, 1 year as ES Officer, and complete ECI

    Course   02130D.

* Senior - 3 years continuous ES activity, minimum of 9 ES missions, and completion of Mission   

   Coordinator’s Course.

            * Master - 5 years continuous ES activity and a   minimum of 15 ES missions.

214-      Communications - Communications through CAP Wing Network

                       * Technician - CAP Radio Operator and 6 months experience.

                       * Senior - Knowledge of CAP communications, and a total of 1 year’s experience.

                       * Master - In-depth knowledge of CAP communications, and a total of 1 year’s experience.

No.     Title                  Responsibilities,   Rating Requirements

215-      Aerospace Education - Aerospace Education management

             * Technician - Direction and knowledge of AE Program, 6 months experience, and pass CAP Form   

                46 AE Technician Rating Exam.

             * Senior - Direction of CAP Senior Member AE Program, extensive knowledge of AE program

                with 6 months of experience activities, and pass CAP Form 47 AE Senior Rating Exam.

 *   Master - Two substantial AE activities, preparation of a resource file, and pass Master Rating   

     essay exam.

217-         Safety - Management of the Safety function in the Squadron.

               * Technician-Broad understanding of the safety function, and 6 months of   experience.                                         

               * Senior - Complete understanding of the safety function, and a total of 1 year’s experience.

               * Master - In-depth understanding of safety function, and a total of 2 year’s experience.

218-         Plans and Programs - Planning at the Wing and Region Level

                   * Technician - Technician’s rating in any specialty..

                   * Senior - Knowledge of CAP and Senior’s rating in any specialty.

                   * Master - Knowledge of CAP and   Master’s rating in any specialty.

United States Air Force Evaluation SAR/DR Program                        

The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and is dedicated to three separate (but integrated) missions; one of which is Search and Rescue.

The Senior Member Training Program offers training opportunities that help Senior members learn specific mission -related skills. The CAP/USAF/FEMA offers once a year the following programs to CAP members interested in Mission Coordination:

1. National Search and Rescue School: A one-week course to enhance the professionalism of CAP Mission Coordinators. The curriculum includes all aspects of organization, planning, communications, and operations involving inland search and rescue.

2. Federal Emergency Management Agency: The National Emergency Management Institute offers various courses throughout the year to CAP members who have an interest through duty-assignment in   Emergency Services. If you are interested in any courses or need courses information, you may write or call:  

                                   Registrar’s Office,
                                   National Emergency Management Institute,
                                   16825 South Seton Ave.,
                                    Emmitsburg, MD 21721
                                    or call (301) 447-6771

3. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Command/CAP Mission Coordinator Course: A two-day AFRCC conducted course designed for Civil Air Patrol mission coordinators and other Civil Air Patrol search and rescue personnel, and covers all facets of inland search and rescue.

Information concerning these activities can usually be found in the January edition of the Civil Air Patrol’s National Newsletter.

Income Taxes

Since the Civil Air Patrol is a federally chartered non-profit organization, a number of a member’s CAP expenses are considered donations, and therefore are eligible as a tax deduction under the “charitable contributions” section of IRS Form 1040. Since 1947, CAP has qualified as tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS Code.

There have been a couple of changes in the tax code that affect Civil Air Patrol deductions. One change under the new tax code was to eliminate charitable contributions deductions if you file the short form, 1040Z. In other words, a member must itemize deductions on his or her federal return to take advantage of Civil Air Patrol deductions.

Some of the eligible expenses are membership dues, uniforms and insignia, and unreimbursed travel expenses away from home on a CAP activity. Unreimbursed out-of-pocket aircraft expenses such as fuel, oil, and maintenance and repair costs may also be deducted provided the expenses were incurred on authorized CAP flight activities

From time to time, CAP’s corporate legal counsel receives calls from members who are being audited. The member’s lack of records is one of the most frequent difficulties with an IRS audit. Another difficulty is a lack of familiarity with Civil Air Patrol by an IRS auditor. Two CAP specific recurring problems that can be answered by a tax consultant/expert   are:

   1. Deductions claimed for radios the member buys and uses for Civil Air Patrol but keeps in his or her possession; and

   2. Deductions for flight instruction leading to FAA licenses and Certificates. Even the claim that the license or certificate is

       strictly for CAP has caused problems.

PILOT PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

What is the FAA Pilot Prociency Award Program? Regular proficiency training is a part of the CAP, and is essential to the safety of all pilots and their passengers. The objective of the FAA Pilot Proficiency Award Program is to establish and participate in a personal recurrent training program. Aviation safety is a cooperative effort of all members of the aviation community. All pilots holding a pilot certificate and a current medical certificate may participate. Minimum requirements are:

(1) On hour of flight training to include basic airplane control, stalls, turns and other maneuvers directed toward mastery of the airplane.

(2) One hour of flight training to include approaches, takeoffs and landings, including crosswind, soft-field, and short-field techniques.

(3) One hour of instrument training in an airplane, or FAA approved simulator, or training device.