All too often we as leaders fall prey to tunnel vision or not looking past the obvious. It is a harsh reality check when you become aware of how widespread the problem is. Moreso than being a harsh reality, it is tragic.

When I refer to leaders I speak of everyone, from the most novice of rank to the most senior. Each person is a leader, whether it is based upon their actual capabilities or upon how much they are permitted to lead by those above them. How many times have we see a junior member’s suggestions or comments go unheard only to later realize that it was unheard because of their junior status. How many times have we seen a junior member’s mere existence be dismissed, again because of their limited tenure within the organization or because of their age.

How often have you seen a more experienced individual declare their status or rank when dealing with someone who possesses an alternative viewpoint to theirs. Regardless of what the individual wears or what their status is, they do not possess all the answers, nor are the all answers that they do possess, correct ones. Throughout my lifetime I have often found that those who foot-stomp either their rank or status often lack the ability to be a visionary or will admit that someone with lesser tenure may in fact have an idea or viewpoint that may be better than theirs. This would be an assault upon their ego.

As many of you who deal with cadets or youth programs on a routine basis, you may agree that these young adults are often more in tune with what people within their age group are interested in. They are also acutely in tune with the challenges that they face, challenges that many of us did not have at their age. So maybe it is time that we genuinely listen to them and when feasible, act on their recommendations or comments, if nothing else, just don’t listen to them, truly hear what they are saying.

What precipitated this commentary…the other day I attended a military function in a very prestigious location in Washington, D.C., this function was attended by many high ranking and senior people from various agencies and backgrounds. During the reception that followed, a young soldier, a staff sergeant, in full dress uniform, humbly weaved his way through the small groups of attendees who were engaging in conversation and enjoying the available appetizers. It was obvious that this staff sergeant was young and for those of you who are familiar with the dress blue uniform of the United States Army know that his staff sergeant’s chevrons could not be anything other than obvious. As he walked through the crowds of people, many looked at him but never deviated from their conversations or enjoying the taste of their treats. Why was it that no one acknowledged his presence, was it because of his age, was it because of his rank, or was it that they could not be bothered with acknowledging his presence because they were too busy in their own world to care. Some of you may be saying to yourselves, “what’s wrong with this, it happens all the time” or “they were probably busy discussing more important matters”. Having served in hostile areas of the world, as many of you have, I found this very disturbing, offensive actually, because what was more obvious than the staff sergeant stripes that this soldier was wearing on his sleeves was the Medal of Honor that he wore around his neck. With the exception of 2-3 people, all of lesser rank, no one acknowledged this young heroes presence. The masses just continued on with their lives as if he was not there.

This brought home a problem that plagues organizations worldwide, and yes it plagues ours as well. We must be conscious that younger people have value. Value in their ideas, value in their worth, value in their contribution. As we look around us, how often have we seen this. How can we remedy this pitfall. We do not possess all the answers, nor are we always right, sometimes we need to look towards junior people for the correct answer or remedy. Unless we do, we are fooling ourselves.

Two people aboard a small plane that crashed across Cook Inlet near Beluga Lake [Alaska] were rescued Friday. Neither was hurt. A Civil Air Patrol crew flying from Anchorage to Bethel on Friday morning heard the sound of an emergency location transponder on an old frequency that is not monitored by satellite but can be picked up on a radio. Crew members scanned the tundra and within a minute or so spotted the upside-down plane. A person standing outside of it waved his or her arms. The downed plane appeared to be a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, said Jennifer Sherwin, spokeswoman for the Civil Air Patrol Alaska Wing. The air patrol crew contacted the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, which launched an Alaska Air National Guard rescue helicopter. Members of the 210th and 212th rescue squadrons transported the individuals to the Alaska State Troopers post in Soldotna.

On March 3, 2012, join The Spaatz Association for their 10th annual dinner event.  The keynote speaker is General Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.  It will be held in Arlington, Va.

Go to www.winterdinner.org to register and/or sponsor a cadet.

As we remember that horrible day 10 years ago, let’s remember the efforts that Civil Air Patrol has done and is doing to protect our country.

While other aircraft were not allowed to fly, we in the Civil Air Patrol were there to fly supplies to all that needed them.

We worked closely with the Air Force, FAA, emergency management in many states, and American Red Cross — just to name a few.

We gave emergency responders at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon the supplies they needed.

We had our Chaplain Services respond to our members and their communities.

Around the nation our members were ready to respond on a moments notice.

Since that horrible day we were advised by the FBI that the terrorists that attacked this great nation were all trained with drug money. The sad part is that Americans were buying these drugs also. We in the DDR Program geared up in full force going out to our members and their communities to educate, train and do outreach to meet as many people as possible. This year through your efforts, has been a banner year and as of today September 9, 2011, I am proud to report how we are doing.

Total Wings Attendance Hours (DDR Programs)
Cadets: 14,693
Seniors: 12,830
Others: 1,038,618
Overall Total: 1,066,141

Total Wings Man Hours (DDR Programs)
Cadets: 12,385
Seniors: 16,458
Others: 5,595
Overall Total: 34,439

Team DDR, you are doing a fantastic job in reaching our cadets, seniors and communities. Our goal was to reach more than 1 million people who attended our DDR activities and you did it!

Your response to this national emergency is being recognized, thank you for all that you do to make our country a better place.

If you are interested in one of these for your CAP unit, then e-mail pierre@roxchox.com.  Or check out the Web site at RoxChox.com.

Air Force Assigned Missions (AFAMs)

News Releases:

• The Air Force must approve information releases for any form of information generated during the conduct of an AFAM (“A” and “B” missions) (video, still imagery, data, etc.) to any media outlet (print, TV, radio, internet, etc.)
• Approval for typical AFAMs (SAR, DR, intercept, etc.) comes from AFRCC, 1st, 11th, 13th AF or CAP-USAF.  Wings will make requests to the NOC to obtain approvals from 1st, 11th, 13th AF or CAP-USAF.
• For SAR missions only, CAP ICs and PIOs will work directly with AFRCC to obtain approval to release information. If considered a high profile mission (potential to generate considerable media attention at the wing, region or national level like the Steve Fossett or John F. Kennedy Jr. missions), work through the NOC and NHQ/PA for approvals.

 Media Flights:

• All flights carrying media personnel will be coordinated through the NOC – no exceptions. For AFAMs the NOC will coordinate Air Force approval following the non-CAP passenger approval process.
• Early notification of media ride-along requests to the NOC and NHQ/PA is critical — the sooner the better. Early requests increase the probability of ride-along approval. Don’t wait until you know the specific names of media to ride along. The names can be provided later.

Corporate Missions

News Releases:

• Corporate (“C”) mission news releases are approved at the wing level by the commander or the commander’s designees, but assistance is always available from the NOC and NHQ/PA.
• PAOs will work with the NOC and NHQ/PA for approval of local releases for high profile events or activities on corporate missions.

 Media Flights:

• All flights carrying media personnel will be coordinated through the NOC – no exceptions. The NOC will coordinate NHQ/DO approval on corporate missions.

Tips for All Missions

• Wings should include federal, state and local customers in the news release coordination process.
• If you have any questions, call and ask for help. The NOC duty officer is available 24/7/365 at 888-211-1812, ext. 300. NHQ/PA is available during duty hours at 877-227-9142, ext. 250 or 251 and after hours via email at jdebardelaben@capnhq.gov.

Imagery vs. Publicity Photos:

 Imagery

• Disaster imagery (damage photos) taken for customers is generally considered their property, unless the customer approves CAP to use the imagery. The wing will work with customers to include getting their written approval for CAP to use images captured during the mission in the customer’s initial mission request.
• CAP cannot store/retain most imagery (except photos used for publicity purposes) due to legal issues.
• Members cannot keep pictures for themselves. Members using their own camera to take images will need prior approval from the NOC and must plan to turn over all imagery to the customer.

Publicity Photos

• Non-CAP members must give approval to CAP using their photo for publicity purposes. Email approval is acceptable.
• If the background of the photo is sensitive, it will require approval by the NOC and/or NHQ/PA (and possibly the AF) prior to release. For example, photos inside another agency’s facilities or with another agency’s personnel in the background will require coordination with that agency. Ideally the member who desires to use this photo for publicity purposes should get written approval locally beforehand to expedite this process.
• Photo approvals should be obtained at the same time news releases are approved.
• A good photo may not be usable if we can’t get approval to use it because nobody documented who was in it.

Hurricane Coverage:

• Hurricanes are automatically considered high profile missions. Although local news releases generated from C missions are approved by the wing commander, PAOs will coordinate with the NOC and NHQ/PA, for all news releases and photos related to hurricanes.
• Most hurricane missions will be AFAMs, meaning that any related news release and photos will require Air Force approval. Send requests to the NOC and NHQ/PA. The NOC and NHQ/PA will coordinate with 1st Air Force for approval. NHQ/PA coordinates the release of photos and information with other NHQ offices if necessary and edits the releases prior to going to 1st Air Force.
• Contact the NOC or NHQ/PA for approval to post imagery and information on social media sites.
• See Guidelines for Partnering with NHQ/PA for High Profile Missions on the PA page at www.capmembers.com for more information.

NOTE: Appropriate lead time is essential for securing approvals. Don’t expect a same day turnaround when submitting AF approval requests after 1 pm Central Time.

All releases of information from CAP members of National Capital Wing must be coordinated through NatCap Public Affairs at pa@natcapwg.cap.gov.

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Tie-down ropes and straps with tensile strength of 3,000 pounds or greater shall be used. Nylon or Dacron tie-down ropes are recommended. When specified tie-downs are not available, crew members shall use ropes/straps appropriate for anticipated environmental conditions.

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