Staff Positions
Nearly all Senior Members hold a staff position.
Some may work only at the Flight level. Others hold
a hands-on position at a Flight and a more
responsible staff position at the Squadron level. Or
their duties might require them to work at a higher
level: Group, Wing, or even Region. Staff positions
are not only managerial but also leadership
assignments, and their importance cannot be stressed
enough.
A Senior Member with prior-service experience may
come into the Civil Air Patrol with considerable
staff skills acquired during active-duty or reserve
service in a branch of the military. Such a person's
value to the Civil Air Patrol is self-evident.
Others will fit into the staff structure depending
on the skills they acquire at the Civil Air Patrol,
demonstrated position performance, available
vacancies, and desire to serve.
Each staff position is associated with a
specialty track (meaning an area of study and
hands-on experience). Some specialty tracks are:
Operations, Logistics (supply), Administration,
Chaplain, Public Affairs, Communications, and
Aircraft Maintenance. There are also specialty
tracks for CAP's three missions: Cadet Programs,
Aerospace Education (including flying and in-flight
skills), and Emergency Services. For a better feel
of what each specialty track entails, please take a
look at the job descriptions linked to each line of
the Squadron Staff
page.
In the Civil Air Patrol, you may chose more than
one specialty track. In fact, some are
complementary, and having both skills will make you
more valuable and effective in the performance of
each job. Advancement is easy, provided you are
ready to apply yourself. Once you enroll, you will
receive text material, on-line guidance, ample
practice, and in some cases individualized testing
to refine your specialty skills.
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