Go Away, Please

I want to be the national commander one day. Those that know me close know this fact all too well. Now it’s out in the open, so…there you are. However, I recognize that I have a long road to travel before I’m ready to assume that burden; be it professionally, experience-wise or financially. I’m 22 years old. I still have a lot to learn. However, it’s not that way for all national commanders. They say easy come, easy go. In Antonio Pineda’s case, that is the honest truth.

I know I'm going to get heat for the rest of what I have to say. Too bad..it's my blog. If you don't like it, leave a comment. Besides, I had to do a lot of soul searching before discrediting a former national commander publicly, but I feel it is the right thing to do. This stunt of Pineda’s reflects badly upon our organization, and we need to distance ourselves from him as much as we can. I don’t care whether you think it was legal or illegal, truth is that he was kicked out. He’s gone, at least as far as this organization is concerned. However, less than a year after his 2b was filed, he turns around and forms faux militia: The United States Ranger Corps.

If he was truly interested in saving lives, he would join the local fire department or rescue squad. If interested in mentoring teenagers and young adults, he could join the boy scouts or the explorer programs. But, none of those have Generals now do they? Nor do they have a need for constant uniform changes that only drain the membership of money better spent keeping themselves and their gear in top-condition.

It’s time to fade away, Antonio Pineda, like that soldier MacArthur spoke of in his farewell address to Congress. Good Bye.

Back in the Saddle

After nearly a year of not flying missions for one reason or another, I returned to the saddle today flying Mission Observer on a rather routine mission. Regardless, it was still fun.

The mission was simple: test our communications capabilities along various points along the northern Chesapeake Bay. We flew at various altitudes from 1000 ft to 3000 ft AGL along differing portions of the bay. The point was to see how low the aircraft could fly without loosing communications links with our ICP. This mission was part of a SAREX, and had been cancelled just a few hours earlier due to weather. Regardless, at noon today I got the word the mission was re-activated.

I met my pilot a few hours later at my local airport, and we promptly departed on the mission. We were fortunate enough to be flying one of the new C-182 Glass Cockpits. I did most of my flight training in the glass cockpit C-172, and the transition to the C-182 was smooth. All the navigation was the same; and that was my job today. The wing operations officer was even kind enough to put a few checkpoints into the system to make our jobs a little easier.

What did I get out of it? I was able to re-familiarize myself with flight planning and execution, communications procedures, and the glass cockpit system as a search and rescue/navigation tool.

Also, if you've never seen the sun setting on the Chesapeake Bay at 1000 ft AGL, you're missing out. Although we made it back to the airport well before the sun dipped below the horizon, it was still late enough in the day to see it wane from 1000 ft.

I never realized how much I missed flying with CAP...

Swivel Chair Patrol?

So, for the past week Tedda's amazing "Swivel Chair Patrol" has been down. Anyone know what's up with that?

Lets hope that this hasn't gone the way of the Civil Air Portal or Flying Minuteman sites.

Generational Leadership

Major points to "mikeylikey" from CAPTalk who turned me onto this article from the Air Force about leading differing generations. After reading it, I couldn't help but think about the differing generations within the Civil Air Patrol. The demographics of the seniors at my squadron range from 22 (myself) to over 80. In thinking about the differing generations at my unit, and the way they act, the descriptions outlined in the article are uncanny. Although all embody a spirit of service and "how can I help?", the post-war generation embodies that spirit the most, followed by the Baby Boomers who tend to have the biggest ideas. The Generation X-ers do have a 'distrust' of authority, yes, but don't buck it like the article implies. Instead, they follow those they respect more than someone they don't. Of course, that's a natural fact of leadership in general. Being part of the Millennial Generation, I will concur with the assessment made by the Colonel.

In short, the advice given by the Colonel in the article should be taken to heart. I intend to try it out myself. I highly suggest the read.

Got something to say on this? joint the discussion here on CAPTalk.

CAP Bill: Resurection

Remember that CAP Bill? Well, according to this thread on CAPTalk, it was referred to a GAO study and was done so with an 8-0 vote. Some have called this a roadblock. Perhaps it will be, but at least the bill finally got some attention in congress.

I'm still holding out hope that the bill will be passed and we take on more Homeland Security Missions. However, I'm also fine with the way things are going; at least in my wing.

UPDATE: I Checked the Library of Congress website. According to it, the bill was forwarded to the full committee (with revisions) by an 8-0 vote. I imagine those revisions include the words "GAO Study"

Joint-SAREX: How much better can it get?

Recently, MDWG and WVWG conducted a joint SAREX with the National Guard. The Wing also posted a personal perspective located here.

This is just the latest in a line of joint efforts between MD and WV Wings. The first took place last September with a joint SAREX on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The second was a joint mission, conducted in conjunction with the MD State Police. This SAREX was unique as the MD National Guard was able to transport members of the wing on Blackhawk helicopters straight to the mission base in West Virginia.

I've said time and time again that Col. Wiess (MDWG Commander) has done an excellent job increasing the readiness of the wing regarding Emergency Services. Additionally, the MD Adjutant General has referred to CAP as "One Heck of a Resource". If there was any example as to the support this wing has received from the National Guard, this is it.

Although I was unable to attend, my understanding was this was a great event. I hope more like it can be planned in the future. I have no doubt that more of this will come.

Inspection Time

Okay, so maybe inspections aren't this bad. However, the lead up to them can seem like it will be. That's right. My squadron was inspected last night. Fortunately we passed with no difficulty. Ordinarily, I wouldn't blog about these kinds of events, but one of the inspectors reads this blog. When I found that out, I knew I had to write about it. I am always amazed how long, but efficient the inspection actually is. Even though the inspectors were down one person, they still managed to get everything accomplished in a reasonable time. (And yes, I do really mean that.)

One thing my wing is doing that I was unable to organize by the time of the inspection are continuity books. For those that don't know, they're books with the name, rank and bio of the person in charge, along with regulations, files and any other pertinent information regarding that particular department (in my case, Cadet Programs). I've done them for my fraternity, and agree with the practice. Deciding what's 'pertinent' is another issue entirely.