Senior Member Staff Position Descriptions

Safety Officer - SO 

(You must be at least Technician rated in Safety) 

The adult who keeps the safety perspective foremost in everyone's mind is the encampment Safety Officer. Vital to all CAP missions and will work with the Cadet Safety Officer to prepare and re-certify ORMs for the encampment, keep tabs on weather including temperatures, create the evacuation plan and conducts a drill. The Safety Officer reports to the Encampment Commander and advises on all aspects of safety and mishap prevention. Safety is inherently a command responsibility; while commanders ought to delegate authority to safety officers to lead an encampment's safety efforts, and in a very real way safety is everyone's concern, the responsibility of keeping participants safe cannot be delegated; the commander or the ranking on-scene adult is responsible for participant safety. The Safety Officer reports to the Encampment Commander.

Duties include:

•  Administrative Readiness for Safety
•  Planning for Safety
•  Vigilance 
•  Education of Participants
•  Reporting and Investigating Mishaps

Chaplain

(You must be a CAP Chaplain) 

The encampment Chaplain is responsible for the moral and spiritual welfare of all participants. The Chaplain is a member of the commander's staff and as such is the advisor to the commander and staff on matters of religious freedoms, morals, and well being of personnel under his or her command. Assistant chaplains may be appointed to assist in discharging these duties. The Chaplain reports to the Encampment Commander.

Duties include:

• Providing counsel. Any encampment participant may meet with the Chaplain(s) at any time. This request will not be denied. Any matter that an encampment participant wishes to share with a chaplain is protected as a privileged communication of clergy and counselee (see CAPR 265-1). Throughout the encampment, daily opportunity will be afforded for personal contact with encampment participants. As chaplains visit cadets during the various activities and make themselves known, many cadets will, in turn, seek out the Chaplain for assistance and advice. Training Officers will often seek the Chaplain’s assistance when counseling cadets. The Chaplain's table in the dining hall will be a place of defusing. Especially during the time following inspections and during personal time in the evenings, chaplains will make a special effort to do a walk-through of the dorms and interact with the cadets as a ministry of presence.
• Supporting cadet character education. Chaplains are a resource for character education activities and the overall Character Block (§5.5). Chaplains may be used as instructors, coordinators, evaluators, or in similar purposes for the Character Block. Character Development Instructors (CDIs) may also assist.
• Supporting participants’ religious needs. Chaplains will provide opportunity for formal worship, and when necessary, coordinate support for participants whose religious needs cannot be served by CAP or the host installation. If a chaplain is unavailable to support an encampment in person, the encampment commander will nevertheless ensure that participants have access to formal worship.

Squadron Training Officers - Sq TO

(You must have experience as a Training Officer)  

Senior Member Training Officers are assigned to a squadron to help the cadet flight staff and training officers with issues within their squadron. This person works with and mentors the cadet squadron staff, especially the Squadron Commander. The Squadron Training Officers report to the Chief Training Officer.

Duties include:

•  Ensures their Flight Training Officers are involved with their flight staff prior to arrival and with their whole flight at encampment.
•  Works with the Chief Training Officer to ensure that Flight Training Officers receive the proper training prior to encampment so they may assist in bag checks, blister checks, mentoring flight staff and students at encampment.
•  Keeps their Training Officers informed of things that are happening in the schedule; works with them on rotation schedules, transportation of cadets, and ensuring all safety procedures are followed at all times.  
•  Mentors inexperienced training officers.

Training Officers - TO

Training Officers are assigned to each flight at an encampment. They are responsible for the students' safety, health and wellbeing. They check in with the students and look for signs of homesickness, confusion, stress, etc. They mentor the cadet flight staff when needed. The Flight Training Officers report to their respective Squadron Training Officer.

Duties include:

•  Contraband checks
•  Ensuring the cadets’ safety, health and well-being
•  Observing, mentoring, and evaluating of flight staff
•  Observing and evaluating students
•  Personal counseling of cadets, as necessary
•  Responsible stewardship of resources, whether belonging to CAP or the host facility 

Reserve Training Officer

Senior Members who are unsure if they can attend the entirety of Encampment or have no preference on their position are welcome to apply as a reserve training officer. Reserve training officers will act as stand-ins when designated training officers need extra breaks or rest, or as permanent training officers should designated training officers become unavailable for Encampment. They may be tasked with other duties as needed to support the encampment.

Public Affairs Mentor

Senior Member Mentor will work with the cadet PA OIC and the rest of the cadet PA staff to take photos, create newsletters, construct the weekbook, and upload photos to put on the website each day. The Public Affairs Mentor helps execute the goals of the cadet PA staff throughout Encampment.

Duties include:

• Oversee cadet’s production of 3x encampment newsletters aimed at providing information to parents and other members about what cadets are doing at Encampment.
• Ensure Cadets take photos of all activities during Encampment.
• Post approved photos and videos to the cadet program website.
• Oversee the construction of the Encampment weekbook.
• Ensure cadets create a video or slideshow for the encampment graduation dinner.
• Comply with CAPR 190-1 and other public affairs publications and directives from NHQ, including receiving approval from the Encampment Commander and the TXWG/MAC team prior to posting/distribution of any PA materials.

Administration & Personnel Mentor

Senior Member Mentor will work with the Admin/Personnel OIC and the rest of the Admin/Personnel staff to conduct the administrative duties of Encampment, including overseeing in/out processing, handling printing needs, managing student and staff rosters

Duties Include:

• Oversee the cadet’s creation of student flight rosters.
• Oversee the handling and distribution of all cadet mail.
• Support cadet’s handling of printing needs
• Assisting cadets with organizing graduation packets.

Health Services Officer (HSO)

HSO will see cadets with minor ailments, such as bumps, bruises, blisters, coordination of medicine administration, and aid the staff in watching for health risks common to encampment - heat stroke, dehydration, blisters, etc. They will send severe problems to the closest Emergency Room along with any paperwork needed and ensure that parents are notified and kept informed. The HSO will work with the senior Safety Officer to ensure any medical related mishaps are reported properly. The HSO reports directly to the Encampment Commander and keeps the Senior Executive Team informed as needed.  

Duties and responsibilities:

• Plans and distributes all health and safety related information to the staff and cadets
• Keeps a file on each participant with pertinent medical information
• Handles briefings on safety and health related issues
• Keeps records of medical activity
• Keeps a phone list of emergency numbers
• Keeps the medical office manned at all times
• Mentors, trains, and supervises staff

MEDICAL CARE AT ENCAMPMENT

a. “Medical Officers.” CAP is not a health care provider, so having a physician or nurse or other medical professional on staff at encampment is not required by CAP regulations. In fact, even if an encampment is fortunate enough to have a medical professional in attendance, CAP’s policy is for health professionals to provide care only in emergency situations, stabilizing the patient until private medical care or military care can be obtained (see CAPR 160-1, §6). In some states, a “camp nurse” statute affects encampments; consult the wing legal officer for guidance in those situations.

b. Role of Health Services Officers. What Health Services Officers can do for encampments, apart from providing emergency care, is to lend their expertise by advising commanders and participants on health, fitness, disease, and injury prevention topics. They are also authorized to provide training in CPR, first aid, and similar topics, consistent with their professional competencies (see CAPR 160-1, §7). In these capacities, Health Services Officers should work closely with the encampment safety officer.

c. Over-the-Counter Remedies. Non-prescription medications may be given to minor cadets as needed and according to package directions by CAP senior members, if permission has been given in writing by the cadet’s parent or guardian (CAPF 163 is the tool for this purpose; also see CAPR 160-1, §4).

Force Support Mentor

Senior Member will work with the Force Support OIC and the rest of the Force Support department, overseeing the logistical, support, and transportation needs of the Encampment. This department oversees the logistical needs of the Encampment, including inventory, distribution, and management of supplies, in addition to managing the CAP vehicle fleet on site and providing general support for the Encampment at large.

Duties include:

• Plans, budgets, and coordinates all supply needs for the encampment, coordinating with Department OICs, Sqdn CCs, and Instructors to determine needs and wants
• Ensures proper sign out of all issue items in inventory
• Manages check out/check in of CAP vehicle fleet.
• Conducts the daily CAP vehicle inspection.
• Conducts the monthly CAP vehicle inspection on Jan 1.
• Supports the training Flights by ensuring water and other necessities are available throughout the day.
• Mentors and trains cadets.
• Other duties as needed to support the Encampment

Mess Liaison

Senior Member will work with the Sheppard AFB Dining Facility (DFAC) to coordinate meals for all attendees. This position is independent of any cadet department and does not involve cooking. It is a purely liaison to coordinate with the DFAC staff on times, menus, prices, and accommodations.

Duties include:

• Coordinates with the DFAC daily to establish the timing of meals, approximate prices, seating, appropriate menus, and ingredient lists.
• Works with the Health Services department to determine allergen and accommodation conflicts with the menu, and sources appropriate substitutes through the DFAC alternatives or other options within reason.
• Works with the Finance Officer to facilitate the pricing and payment of all meals.

Reserve Support Mentor

Senior Members who are unsure if they can attend the entirety of Encampment or have no preference on their position within the support division are welcome to apply as a reserve support mentor. Reserve support mentors will act as extra department mentors, or as permanent fill ins should full time mentors become unavailable for Encampment. 

Night Watch

Senior Members will ensure the safety of cadets during rest hours by monitoring the closed-circuit security camera if available, making local area checks, and assisting cadets and other participants with issues after lights out. This position is independent of any cadet department and is a nightshift only position. Night Watch will be expected to remain awake and alert from lights-out until reveille.

Duties include:

• Provides area security to the dorms area from lights-out until reveille.
• Makes local area checks, supervises security cameras, and assists members with issues.
• Alerts the Encampment executive staff of immediate issues requiring assistance.
• Informs Encampment executive staff of a summary of the night watch after reveille.

Note: if you accept a position, you are agreeing to stay until we have finished cleaning and have been released by the facility