25 June 2009
Supersedes Interim Change Letter of 15 June 2009
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL NCSA DIRECTORS, ENCAMPMENT COMMANDERS, & PARTICIPATING CADETS
FROM: CAP/CC
SUBJECT: Revised Interim Change Letter– Increased Safety Requirements for Cadet Activities
1. Command Intent: On 15 June, I issued a letter announcing new safety requirements for cadet activities this summer. I’ve been reviewing comments from the cadet community and I’m pleased that my letter has brought safety to the forefront of our Cadet Program. Moreover, my letter initiated a very productive feedback process on how to best keep our cadets safe during high-risk activities. I always welcome thoughtful, team-focused feedback. Today I am writing you to modify some
requirements contained in my first letter and give you a better perspective on how to implement the remaining requirements.
a. First, I want even the youngest, newest cadets to know that in CAP, safety is a priority that involves everybody. First-year cadets at encampments, for example, are learning the basics of cadet life. Safety is one of those basics---it’s absolutely paramount.
b. Second, every cadet activity is unique. The physical setting, school curriculum, and people make it so. Therefore, it’s critical that cadet activity leaders become solid practitioners of the ORM process. ORM is simply a way of systematically looking at potential safety hazards. Although it is not possible to eliminate all hazards, it is possible to minimize risks through sound management practices. I need activity leaders to get behind ORM and truly make it second nature.
2. Summary of New Safety Requirements: To accomplish my overall command intent described above, I am modifying the safety requirements contained in my initial letter as follows:
a. The activity director will appoint a safety officer to conduct the activity’s safety program.
b. The safety officer will conduct a daily safety briefing.
c. “Full time” cadet and senior staff (not students) will complete the Basic and Intermediate ORM Courses and associated ORM worksheet before the activity officially begins. Materials are available at capmembers.com/orm. Activity directors are able to verify completion via eServices.
d. On Day 1 of the activity, the activity staff will lead the students through the Basic ORM Course, using the slides found at capmembers.com/orm. These students do not need to complete and pass the written test associated with this course. However, instructors need to facilitate a meaningful discussion about how the course’s lessons relate to the particular activity the students are participating in.
e. For activities that involve formal flight instruction, operational flying, or intensive flight line work (but not CAP or military orientation flights), students and staff will view the Ground Handling Video at capmembers.com/safety. For glider programs, students and staff will view the Soaring Safety Foundation’s “Wing Runner Course,” available at www.soaringsafety.org/school/wingrunner/toc.htm.
f. I am rescinding the requirement to complete the AOPA Essential Aerodynamics Course that was originally announced on 15 June.
g. Finally, activity directors still need to fulfill the Required Staff Training guidelines set forth in CAPR 52-16, paragraph 1-3f.
3. Future Posture: This fall, I will be tasking the Safety and Cadet Programs teams to conduct a data-driven analysis of cadet safety issues and share those findings with you. At that time, we’ll also revisit the requirements I’ve established for this summer to see if they’re having a positive effect on our safety performance.
4. Bottom Line: What’s the bottom line? If we can better educate our members about ORM, we are more likely to keep them safe. Thank you for your continued outstanding support of one of our most important national resources, our cadets.
AMY S. COURTER
Major General, CAP
National Commander

I verified today that the new safety requirements recently distributed and required by our National Director apply only to NCSA programs and encampments. For example, King of the Rock in IL, the cadet Olympics in IN and the color guard academy in WI are not affected.

If you have any other questions, I will be happy to seek answers.

Regards,
Rhonda R. Anderson, LtCol., CAP
GLR DCS-CP

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COMMANDER
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
CIVIL AIR PATROL
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AUXILIARY
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA 36112-6332

15 June 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL NATIONAL CADET SPECIAL ACTIVITY DIRECTORS, REGION AND WING ENCAMPMENT COMMANDERS, AND PARTICIPATING CADETS

SUBJECT: Interim Change Letter-Increased Safety Requirements for Cadet Activities

1. As you are well aware, we are committed to developing a strong safety program for our organization. Moreover, we are committed to embedding a safety "culture" in the accomplishment of all missions entrusted to us by Congress and the United States Air Force. Accordingly, I asked members of my National Staff, from a variety of functional areas, to recommend additional safety training and requirements for National Cadet Special Activities (NCSAs) and Wing and Region Encampments. I have elected to do so in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of
our youth and our adult volunteer leaders. I realize these requirements are comprehensive and shortnotice, so please accept my sincere thanks in advance for your patience and cooperation. NCSA Directors and Wing and Region Encampment Commanders will appoint a Safety Officer to assist in accomplishing the requirements outlined below, to conduct daily safety briefings, and to maintain pertinent training records.
a. Completion of the Required Staff Training (RST) Program is currently a requirement for activity directors and staff. A portion of RST requires participants to complete the Basic Operational Risk Management (ORM) Course. I am adding the requirement for activity directors and staff to also complete the Intermediate ORM course if they have not already done so. Additionally, I am adding the requirement for students to complete the Basic ORM course before attending the activity. For
activity directors, please note that part of the ORM course contains instructions on the requirement to complete an ORM Worksheet for activities. Please complete this worksheet at your planned activities. You can also use it to evaluate and document safety mishaps that occurred at your specific event last year, if that information is readily available.
b. The on-line ORM Course is located at: http://www.capmembers.com/safety/orm.cfm.
Students and staff can view the ORM worksheet at:
http://capmembers.com/media/cms/V1_Tab3_94277D5C1AA7E.pdf
c. In addition to the above, for all cadet activities involving flying, students and staff will view the “Ground Handling” video before attending the activity. The video is located at: https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.MultiMedia.Weblogin.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fCAP.MultiMedia.Web%2fVideo.aspx.
Students and staff will also complete "Essential Aerodynamics" an on-line course and test (with certificate) available from AOPA Air Safety Foundation located at:
https://www.aopa.org/asf/osc/loginform.cfm?course=aerodynamics&project_code=&2
d. For any activity that involves gliders, students and staff will complete the “Wing Runner Course” before attending that activity. The course is available at:
http://www.soaringsafety.org/school/wingrunner/toc.htm
2. Once again, my sincere thanks to the volunteer leaders of our Cadet Programs and my thanks to the youth that you mentor. Together, we can develop a safety culture stronger than any volunteer organization.

AMY S. COURTER
Major General, CAP
National Commander

C/Colonel Kate Whitacre was named the Great Lakes Region Cadet of the Year for 2008. Col. Whitacre is currently the GLR CAC chair, a private and CAP pilot, and an honor student at the Indiana Institute of Technology where she is studying Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics. She has been involved at every level of CAP. She is pursing Biomedical engineering in order to assist veterans with prosthetics.

2009 Great Lakes Region Cadet Competition