GROUP 1 Commanders Page

Group 1 Commander, Lt Col Paul R. Hertel, CAP

Professionalism
 

I’ve been thinking about the volunteer aspect of Civil Air Patrol. You may have heard members say, “This is a volunteer organization,” I have a thought about that. I believe CAP is what a former California Wing Commander used to call it, “A volunteer organization, staffed by professionals.”

There is a lot written about “professionalism” and what it means to be a “professional”. The simplest definition I have seen yet, means doing what you’re supposed to do in all the things you have agreed to do as CAP members. Those things include but are not limited to wearing your uniform correctly, not wearing an Air Force uniform if you don’t meet weight and grooming standards, following appropriate customs and courtesies and doing what you’ve been asked or volunteered to do. It goes beyond that. If you are considering an activity, plan it. Set a definite date but be responsible for checking to see if it coincides with another event. Make sure everyone knows who, what, when, where, how and how much. Get definite yes responses from those you are asking for help. If you are looking for support, you’ll have a much easier time if you have a well thought out, written, plan. If you agree to do something like attend a meeting or encampment then do it. Backing out at the last minute can have a ripple effect which will affect more members than just yourself.

There are valid circumstances when it’s OK not to do a job you’ve been given or volunteered to do. A sudden death in the family or other sudden, unexpected and emergency situation are valid reasons for not completing a job. Even then, a  PROFESSIONAL will still do his or her best to contact the person he or she is working for to let them know what’s going on and why he/she cannot complete the job. If time allows, a PROFESSIONAL will also do his or her level best to mitigate the situation by finding a responsible person to take on the job and will follow up to be sure the job is completed. Simply passing off the job is never enough for a true professional

If you have to pass along information, make sure it gets passed. E-mail is a great tool that most of us have but it’s not the only or in some cases the best way to communicate. If it’s important enough, use the phone. Give the cadets an event flyer to take home. Cadets, take the flyers home and make sure your parents see them. Talk to your parents about the event. Tell your parents what’s coming up.

A PROFESSIONAL will not only act professionally but will look professional. I recently saw a couple of photographs with some C.A.P. members committing uniform violations. Some of these violations, I’m sure, come from simply not knowing what is proper and what is not and those that do know not speaking up. It’s simple to fix. A  PROFESSIONAL will read the regulations and change letters. A PROFESSIONAL will speak up when something needs to be addressed or corrected and do it in a PROFESSIONAL way.
Remember it is a privilege, not a right to belong to Civil Air Patrol.

What does the Group Commander do?

The technical description from CAPR 20-1.

Group commanders represent the wing commander in their group. They are responsible to the Corporation and the wing commander for ensuring that corporation objectives, policies, and operational directives are effectively executed within their group. They shall:

Exercise command over all units in their group.

Promote objectives and purposes of CAP by encouraging the achievement of established goals and programs by all units and by establishing new goals and programs within the group in support of the Corporation’s objectives.

Establish plans, policies, and procedures necessary to the proper conduct of group affairs that are not in conflict with national, region, and wing policies and directives.

Be aware of accomplishments, problems, and degree of compliance by subordinate units with policies and directives through a system of inspections, reports, and staff visits.

Inform the wing commander of progress toward achievement of objectives, notable accomplishments, problem areas, and other matters of interest.

Ensure safety of personnel and equipment through effective policy guidance regarding safety procedures and equipment.

Select and appoint high caliber group staff members and remove from group staff positions those members deemed unqualified or otherwise unsuitable to continue in their positions.

Appoint high caliber commanders of subordinate units when replacements are needed and remove unit commanders from positions whenever they are considered unqualified or otherwise unsuitable.

Refer problems that cannot be resolved at group level to the wing commander.

I am an advocate for the three Civil Air Patrol missions.

It’s my job to oversee Group 1 ensuring the objectives of all three missions are being met. To accomplish that I have and will continue to provide the squadron commanders with tools and help in accomplishing our missions.

Recruiting is important but retention is far more important. It has become a wing wide concern. Over the next few months we will be working on ways to improve our retention.

You the members have ideas. Bring them to your commanders.

I have an open door policy. That means A member can bring their ideas and concerns. However. Please try to solve problems at the lowest level. Send your ideas up your chain of command.

Finally…….Have fun!

Paul Hertel, Lt Col, Civil Air Patrol
Commander, Group 1

"Do or do not... there is no try." Yoda.

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Last revised: 23 December 2009.