Staff duty analysis: Cap*s rubix cube senior member

By Captain Jay A. Sliwinski, CAP

STAFF DUTY ANALYSIS: CAP’S RUBIX CUBE CADET TRAINING

Cut to the Chase: What do you think about SDAs?  ________________________  ________________________  ________________________

 ________________________  ________________________

Some Answers?  They are dumb.  They Kill cadet careers.  Useless paperwork.

 Confusing.  Exercise in futility.

Why do we have SDA?  Staff Duty Analysis  Official answer from CAPP52-14  Improve critical think skills  Improve communication skills  Comprehend Leadership and Teamwork

CAPP52-14 PAGE 1

Why do we have SDA?  Staff Duty Analysis  My Answer  To give the cadet officers a more global view of the squadron by learning how a variety of senior staff positions work and evaluating what they do.  Teach cadet officers WHERE and HOW to find answers to your own questions.

 Did you ever wonder why a Cadet Lt. Col. Or Cadet Col. always seemed to know where to find the answer?

Different Phases of the Cadet Program  It is important to understand the changing

leadership skills needed in each of the four phases of the cadet program.

Phase 1: Learning Phase  Achievement 1 – 3  Ends with Wright Brother’s Award  Stresses “Followership”

Phase 2: Leadership Phase  Achievement 4 – 8  Ends with General Billy Mitchell Award  Stresses Supervisory Leadership

Phase 3: Command Phase  Achievements 9 – 11  Ends with Amelia Earhart Award  Stresses Junior Management

Phase IV: Executive Phase  Achievements 12 – 16  Ends with General Ira Eaker Award  Stresses Upper Management Skills

General Carl A. Spaatz Award  Completion of the Cadet Program  Comprehensive Leadership Test

 Comprehensive Aerospace Test  Written Essay  Physical Fitness Test  Often transition to Senior Member

Leadership

Whom Should You Seek Help From in Completing Your SDA?  A former CAP Cadet Officer  Someone who understands how CAP Manuals and

Regulations work.  The senior member who will be grading your SDA.

Two Facets To The SDA  Staff Duty Report  Staff Service

CAPP52-14 PAGE 1

Staff Duty Report  For each achievement as a cadet officer, they

must complete a Staff Duty Report.  Non-achievements that don’t require SDA:  Amelia Earhart (Cadet Captain)  Ira Eaker (Cadet Lt. Colonel)

CAPP52-14 PAGE 1

SDA Reports By Achievement Phase III (C/2Lt – C/Capt)  Achievement 9: C/2Lt Dead Rank  Cadet Flight Commander

 Achievement 10: C/1st Lt  Administrative Officer

 Achievement 11: C/1st Lt Dead Rank  Public Affairs Officer

CAPP52-14 PAGE 3

Materials  You will receive some materials from National

on the SDA Process. It is quite confusing to sort out.  CAP P 52-14 Staff Duty Analysis Guide

 Tools I will provide you  SDA Phase III Checklist and Promotion Review  SDA Phase IV Checklist and Promotion Review

CAPP52-14 PAGE 1

CAPP 52-14: Instructions for Seniors:  Intent of the SDA Program  Exposure to Squadron Staff  Not a memorization drill in policies / procedures.  Not to train them to fulfill senior staff position  Opportunity to learn to think critically, develop

communication skills and improve their understanding of teamwork.

CAPP52-14 PAGE 4

CAPP 52-14: Instructions for Seniors:  Mentoring Duties  Senior staff should explain how their duties relate to

the overall mission of the squadron  What leadership skills are essential for their job  Create an environment where the cadet can ask questions.  The senior member should LET YOU DO IT.  You will learn by doing, not by watching.  If they don’t let you do the job, ask them.  If that doesn’t work, contact me. I’ll call them. CAPP52-14 PAGE 4

CAPP 52-14: Instructions for Seniors:  How will you be evaluated on yourSDA Report  National does not provide formal evaluation

materials.  Evaluated by Leadership Staff or Staff Officer 1. 2. 3. 4.

Do you answer the questions asked? Are the performance requirements completed? Are they in the your own words? Is the report neatly prepared?  Doesn’t have to be a Doctoral Thesis, but should be grammatically correct. CAPP52-14 PAGE 4

Format of the SDA Report:  Part A: Overview of Requirements: CAP Publications 2. Suspenses Required 3. Performance Requirements: 1.

 This will vary from SDA to SDA  This is a little confusing in CAPP52-14 in Attach 1  The SDA Report items 1,2,3 etc are all part of section 3 of Part A.

Format of the SDA Report:  Part B: Narrative (300 – 500 words) What are the essential duties of the … officer? 2. How does the … officer help the squadron fulfill its mission? 3. How do … officers affect cadets or the overall Cadet Program? 4. What leadership skills to … officers need most to succeed? 1.

Review and Evaluate  Class will look at some examples of SDA

Reports and evaluate them using SDA Checklist and Promotion Review Forms.

Staff Service  Required Once Per Phase  During each phase, a cadet must service in a staff

position that was studied in that phase.  4 – 6 weeks required.  This allows the cadet the chance for an in-depth

look at what that job does and assures they will learn more about the position than just the bookwork aspect.

CAPP52-14 PAGE 3

Staff Service: Which to Pick  The decision is up to the squadron

commander.  Often delegated to the Deputy Commander for

Cadets (CDC).

 What is in the best interest of your career?  Often cadets want to do “Flight Commander”  Will this really expand your horizons, or replay what you’ve always done.  Pick one that is out of your comfort zone.  You will learn more. CAPP52-14 PAGE 3

Staff Service: How You Will Be Evaluated:  Not formally evaluated.  Feedback through mentoring.  Use the following guidelines are used: Performance requirements completed? 2. Were you attentive to staff officer’s OJT? 3. Did you actively assist in completing routine tasks as opportunities arose. 1.

CAPP52-14 PAGE 3

Checklist and Promotion Review Form  To evaluate Staff Service, there are to

sections to check.  Each promotion worksheet has a list of what is

required for the staff service at the bottom of the page.  This only needs to be completed if that staff service is selected.  The last page under Amelia Earhart or Ira Eaker

lists common tasks for all Staff Services.

Review and Evaluate  Class will look at some examples of SDA Staff

Services and evaluate them using SDA Checklist and Promotion Review Forms.