Best Practices Exchange

I've adopted [ the Cadet of the Month program ] for my squadron's Cadet of the Quarter & Year program.  Using the NHQ  score sheet, I've converted it to a spreadsheet for easy sharing (I share it on Dropbox) and computation. That said spreadsheet is attached as  xls and xlsx...

Cadet Programs at CAP NHQ thanks Lt Col Connie O'Grady of New Jersey Wing for submitting this guide entitled "How Civil Air Patrol Can Help Get Our Cadets Into College."

Dan Routier, MO Wing, provided us with SDA templates for all to use via google docs, no login required. https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bwp3-kWAjS41YWEzNzM3NDctZmU4My00MDEzLWE2ZWYtZWZiYjVhMzExNzNj&hl=en_US However if someone wants to create a google docs copy of the template "make a copy", you need to sign in to your google account.  He argues that everyone should just use google docs anyway (because it's...

“The only thing my squadron does for physical fitness is the cadet physical fitness test (CPFT) once a month. We have a few cadets that fail the CPFT time after time, and it’s making them discouraged about staying in the cadet program. Besides the fitness test, what can my squadron...

“My unit does not do anything with DDR. How do I get my cadets involved in this program?” A lot of units struggle with this issue so we went to some successful members and asked them about it. Lt Danny L. Carter, PCR-WA-069 says: 1. Find a senior and cadet that...

Announcing a new Drug Demand Reduction program for use by all squadrons: the DDR Excellence (DDRx) Activity Guide has been released online for download and viewing. The DDRx program rewards a CAP cadet for successfully completing activities related to making good choices, choosing good role models, avoiding substances that have...

Capt Joel Cosmano offers this simple Cadet rank test for all to use.

Arthur Woodgate, Director of Public Affairs & Director of Organizational Excellence for Southwest Region shared this with us as a way to encourage members to contribute to their Public Affairs. Any Texas Wing cadet who gets four articles published on Texas Wing News Online will earn a CAP Achievement Award (CAA)....

Buddy McCormick, Colorado Wing Director of Safety, offers some activity planning suggestions in the attached bulleted checklist.

Noel P. Luneau, Amelia Earhart Senior Squadron 188 (CAWG) Our Squadron has created various guides to help our new members navigate the first year of membership.  This is to reduce the burden of the many questions that new members ask in the first year of their CAP membership.  These guides...

David Gregg, of the Savanah Composite Squadron (GA-075), developed this 3x5 index card leaders book and found that it has accelerated his NCOs learning and organizational skills. "This is simply printable on 3x5 cards on any printer. We purchase a 3x5 Mead Ringdex ($2.99) at office max which is a simple hard cover...

Jonathan L. Wilkins of the Rushmore Composite Squadron in South Dakota developed a guide for new members based on his experience joining the program.  

Courtesy of Victor Santana, LAWG/CP. After taking over as DCP, I noticed that there were many pitfalls in communicating within the squadrons; I changed the way we do business so that several seniors and cadets receive the same information and are better kept up-to-date so that all wing cadets are...

Our Deputy Director, Curt, developed this tool to help you enhance your unit effectiveness.

Lt Col Phyllis Griffin and Maryland Wing have had great success in their partnership with the Maryland Air National Guard.  The ANG connects cadets with aviation and careers. Cadets contribute to the Guard by performing community service. It is a win / win partnership. Learn more by reading Lt Col...

Presented at the 2008 California Wing Cadet Programs Conference by Ch. (Lt Col) Paul Ward. 

Glenn Fortmayer of KS Wing has created a one page flowchart to aid leaders in getting our new members involved quickly. He also created a one page information sheet to give to the new members, complete with links, that will help them start their professional development. Mario Accardo from MI...

Clay Shepherd in Wahington Wing has developed a system of agreements, or "contracts," to help him manage the Cadet Program and his cadets' progression. There is an agreement for each promotion. These agreements are in Microsoft Word format and can easily be changed to meet your squadron's specific needs. Click the icon on...

CMSgt Robert Chiafos, USAF (and a CAP member), has created "The Chief's Gorilla Guide to Looking Good in Uniform." This guide comes complete with a uniform inspection checklist. Naturally, the CAPM 39-1 Uniform Manual is your source document, but this Gorilla Guide is a great resource if you want your...

John Talbott of NE Wing has created a promotions guide that connects the CAP Regulation 50-17 and CAP Regulation 35-5. This way, our members can see how both of these regulations work together and how they will be able to use both of them for promotion. John writes: "[This guide]...

John Quinn from OH Wing sent in this PDF guide that is a great overview of CAP's Specialty Tracks. This guide also includes how to use the new on-line PDR reporting of the Specialty Tracks. PDF 108k.   Andrew Rajca from CO Wing created an Excel checklist of all of the...

 Col John Lehr from NCR has created a brief consolidated guide pulled from various sources that describe the fundamental drill elements that most adult members could use in their CAP career. (PDF, 427k)

Bethany Cox, WA Wing, developed an Excel form to track individual cadet physical fitness scores. This form includes a column for the cadet's next birthday so that the cadet would know what he or she needs to aim towards. Download the form on the right (Excel format, 39k) Marty Lynn...

Vivi Wells, OR Wing, has developed an Activity Operations Plan template that members in her wing use to plan and execute an activity. Download it on the right (Microsoft Word)

Eric Davis, the Director of Cadet Programs for WY Wing wrote an open letter to his members about what it means to be a professional. Excellent reading for those wanting to improve themselves. (Microsoft Word)