by captain jay a. sliwinski, cap. cut to the chase: what do you think about sdas? ...

STAFF DUTY ANALYSIS:CAP’S RUBIX CUBECADET TRAINING

By Captain Jay A. Sliwinski, CAP

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 AchievementPhase 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

ReviewCAPP52-14 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. Do you answer the questions asked?2. Are the performance requirements completed?3. Are they in the your own words?4. 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:1. CAP Publications2. Suspenses Required3. Performance Requirements:

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)1. 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?

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:1. Performance requirements completed?2. Were you attentive to staff officer’s

OJT?3. Did you actively assist in completing

routine tasks as opportunities arose.

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.