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 Achievement Phase III (C/2Lt – C/Capt)  Achievement 9: C/2Lt Dead Rank  Cadet Flight Commander  Achievement 10: C/1 st Lt  Administrative Officer  Achievement 11: C/1 st 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 Staff Duty Analysis Guide  Tools I will provide you  SDA Phase III Checklist and Promotion Review  SDA Phase IV Checklist and Promotion Review CAPP52-14 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 Publications 2. Suspenses Required 3. 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.