Revised Interim Change Letter– Increased Safety Requirements for Cadet Activities
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
Monday, June 22, 2009
Clarification on Safety Requirements
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
Increased Safety Requirements for Cadet Activities
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
Sunday, June 7, 2009
GLR Cadet of the Year
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.
Monday, May 4, 2009
2009 Cadet Competition
Congratulations to the Ohio Drill Team and the Ohio Color Guard Team for winning at the Great Lakes Region Cadet Competition. The teams will represent the Great Lakes Region at the National Cadet Competition in July. They each will compete against seven other Region winners for the honor of being National Champions.
This year's event was held at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. Three drill teams and four color guard teams competed in several events, including Inspection, Mile Run, Written Exam, Panel Quiz, Standard Drill, Mile Run, plus Outdoor Post and Indoor Presentation for the Color Guards and Innovative Drill and Volleyball for the Drill Teams.
The Drill Team standings were Female Fleet Foot: Cadet Andrea Gerard, 5:02 Male Fleet Foot: Cadet Michael Rothacker, 5:47 Top Written Score: Cadet Daniel Haffner Volleyball: 1. Ohio, 2. Wisconsin Panel Quiz: 1. Wisconsin, 2. Michigan Mile Run: 1. Ohio, 2. Michigan Written Exam: 1. Ohio, 2. Michigan Standard Drill: 1. Ohio, 2. Michigan Innovative: 1. Wisconsin, 2. Ohio Inspection: 1. Wisconsin, 2. Ohio Final: 1. Ohio, 2. Wisconsin, 3. Michigan
The Color Guard standing were Female Fleet Foot: Cadet Elizabeth Wussow, 7:07 Male Fleet Foot: Cadet Luke Rondeau, 5:49 Top Written Score: Cadet Zachary Ewing Written Exam: 1. Michigan, 2. Ohio Panel Quiz: 1. Ohio, 2. Wisconsin Mile Run: 1. Ohio, 2. Indiana Outdoor: 1. Ohio, 2. Wisconsin Standard Drill: 1. Michigan, 2. Ohio Indoor: 1. Michigan, 2. Ohio Inspection: 1. Ohio, 2. Indiana Final: 1. Ohio, 2. Michigan, 3. Wisconsin, 4. Indiana
By James Kalemis, Capt, CAP RCC & NCC Public Affairs Officer
The Michigan Wing Color Guard and Drill Teams competed at the National Cadet Competition at Dayton, OH. The National Cadet Competition (NCC) is an annual event to evaluate the best team of cadets represented at wing, region and national levels for drill teams and color guards. The NCC enables cadets to model traits of the highest standards of leadership, commitment, and personal responsibility. The individual competitive events of the NCC reflect the requirements of the Spaatz Award - exam, inspection, mile run, and leadership.
The Color Guard Team consisted of cadets Stephanie Carson, Scott Carson, Bryan Connell, Merreck Gandy, and Jonathan Pupillo. Capt Bill Carson was an escort of the Color Guard Team. "The cadets really enjoyed the Competition", remarked Capt Carson, "It was a disappointment that we didn't win, but it was a tremendous effort by all involved, including the staff that made the event happen".
The Drill Team consisted of cadets Korban Blok, Tyler Clark, Andrew De Kraker, Carter del Rosario, Alex Gaunt, Anthony Hiler, Emily Hodyna, Mark Marciniak, Tyler Millard, Earnest Morton, Nathan Orzechowski, Joshua Roney, and Matthew P Schneider. 1st Lt Mark Curtis, team escort, reflected "We have been practicing since October 2007, and although we anticipated the Wing competition win, we were surprised to win the Region competition. The amount of time the cadets have spent together has helped them bond and work together closely which will make them a better team back at the home unit." One of the more taxing events is the Inspection where the cadets must stand at attention for 20 minutes while the team gets inspected. "This was the most challenging for us", said 1st Lt Curtis, "Making sure we had everything we needed and making sure those things were ready for inspection".
"We will be back next year", said 1st Lt Curtis, "but for now, I get my weekends back!"