Flight Commander SDA

C/2dLt Jane Doe, CAP

AnytownCompiste Squadron, Minnesota Wing

12 February 2012

ANYTOWN composite squadron /
Flight Commander SDA /
Achievement 9 /
C/2dLt Jane Doe /
3/9/2012 /

The Cadet Flight Commander Analysis

Achievement 9- Cadet Flight Commander

Part A: Overview of Requirements

CAP Regulations applicable to a Cadet Flight Commander.

CAP Manual 52-14 states to leave this section blank

Suspense’s required for Cadet Flight Commanders

No suspense’s are required for flight commanders. However, they are requires to fill out CAPF 50 for the cadets in their flight in order for their flight to be able to promote. They are also required to fill one out for his/her flight sergeant. The CAPF 50 enables the cadet commander, flight commander, and the individual cadet to receive feedback.

Performance requirements for this SDA

Interview and leader on the subject of “taking charge.” Report what you learned from the interview in the SDA report and in a 3-5 minute to the cadets in your unit.

See attachment #1 on the interview conducted with CAPT Scott Richardson on March 9, 2012 on the subject of taking charge.

List five common uniform discrepancies and explain what the correct standard actually is. Reference the appropriate CAP regulation and paragraph.

See attachment #2 on the five common uniform discrepancies with the Civil Air Patrol uniforms.

Part B: Narrative

1)What are the essential duties of the Cadet Flight Commander?

The flight commander is responsible for a cadet flight of 8 to 15 cadets and their flight sergeant. They supervise and mentor the cadets and the flight sergeant. They set short term and long term goals for the flight and requires their flight to follow through with those goals. The flight commander is generally an officer and reports directly to the Squadron Cadet Commander. They work directly with the Cadet Commander to make sure the goals of the squadron are getting met as well as the goals of the individual flight. The flight sergeant directs cadets under the direction of the flight commander. The flight team together must motivate and make sure cadets in their flight are succeeding. The flight commander acts as a role model for the basic cadets along with his/her flight sergeant. They show the example and always follow the Civil Air Patrol Core Values.

2)How does this position help the squadron fulfill its mission?

The position of flight commander helps the squadron fulfill its goals because they are directly motivating the cadets and counseling them when they ask to receive it. They discipline cadets so they can excel in the squadron and the Civil Air Patrol Program. They set goals for the flight that are approved by the cadet commander in order to get the squadron goals met. Without the flight commander the squadron would not be able to meet its goals due to lack of leadership that comes with the position of flight commander.

3)How does this position affect cadets of the overall cadet programs?

The flight commander plans most of the activities that are taught to the cadets. They teach them important skills that they will use at wing and national activities and that affects the cadet programs over all. The flight commander along with the flight sergeant teaches the cadets a lot of things that they will use the rest of their CAP careers.

4)What leadership skills does the officer need to succeed?

The flight commander needs excellent communication skills to succeed. Without this leadership skill cadets can’t excel in the cadet programs because leadership revolves around communication. If the flight commander does not communicate with his/her people they will not know what is going on and will lose respect for the leader.

Attachment #1 Interview on Taking Charge

The interview was conducted on March 9, 2012 with CAPT Mike Stevenson on the subject of taking charge. CAPT Stevenson is the Squadron Commander for Anytown Squadron. He also hold a leadership position for his civilian job that he refers to in this interview.

1)Question: What does taking charge mean to you?

Answer: Taking charge means you are providing a tool for your people whether it is in Civil Air Patrol or any other organization. When you are taking charge the key tool to remember is to be the example for your people. They are constantly looking up to you for advice and feedback on how they are doing their job. The person taking charge must provide tools and training in order for their people to succeed.

2)Question: How have your impacts as a leader affected how you take charge?

Answer: The first step to leading is to make sure that you do not glorify the position you hold. When you take charge you must correct people when they need to be corrected. Leading people you must also praise them when they do something great. Without this combination people will not succeed to their fullest abilities. CAPT Stevenson believes that success comes to those who work. The only way to succeed in anything is if you have the mindset that you will succeed. You must always have a positive outlook on that subject as well.

3)Question: Is there a difference between leadership and taking charge?

Answer: Yes, anyone can take charge, but not everyone can be a leader. The difference between a leader and someone just taking charge, is that leaders inspire, motivate and get people to overcome their weaknesses. People that just take charge do not do that.

4)Question: What is one example that you took charge and something did not work out the way you wanted it to?

Answer: While working in his civilian job CAPT Stevenson has tried to take on projects that have failed. He has tried to get them to go back up but that does not always work. The way to overcome this is sometimes you have to accept that things will not work out. You must learn from your failures and take them as a learning experience.

Attachment #2 Common Uniform Discrepancies

1)The insignias do not have to be centered on the collar.

This is incorrect; the CAP uniform manual 30-1 states that the collar insignia must be centered, one inch from the collar, and parallel to the ground.

2)The ribbons on the blues are mandatory.

39-1 states that ribbons are optional on the blues uniform. Officers often times do not wear ribbons and the NCO’s do.

3)The BDU’s must have creases.

According to the uniform manual, the BDU’s do not need to be creased. They are meant to be washed and worn right away.

4)The creases on the blues shirt uniform must be at the end of the epaulet.

The blues creases must be centered on the epaulet, not at the end of it.

5)Female members are not allowed to have their nails painted.

The uniform manual says that female members are allowed to have their nails painted as long it is a conservative color.