Chapter 14: THE TACTICAL OFFICER

    1. General. Tactical Officers are Senior members of Civil Air Patrol who have been specially selected and trained for their role at encampment. Although many of them are former cadets, their is no requirement for a Tactical Officer to have been a CAP cadet. Generally, a minimum of one qualified and trained Tactical Officer is assigned to monitor each Flight at encampment. Assistant Tactical Officers may be assigned if available. The TAC officer’s most important function is to be an extremely good observer. The TAC officer should be aware that they are often have the role of the parent for many of the basic cadets. Also, a TAC should always remember that they are one of the most important examples for the cadets. The impression that is set will help set future relationships with other Senior members. So, the TAC should have full knowledge of proper uniform wear, drill, room arrangement and customs and courtesies.
    2. Assignments. It is important to remember that Tactical Officers are NOT part of the chain of command of the cadets. The TAC must enforce this among cadets if their questions can be answered by the flight staff. Tactical Officers are appointed by the Encampment Commander at the recommendation of the COC. They are directly subordinate to the Senior and Chief Tactical Officers.
    3. Exclusive Responsibilities.
      1. The following functions are the exclusive responsibility of the Tactical Officer. They may NOT be delegated to cadet personnel:
        1. Custody of the barracks facilities.
        2. Initial "Shakedown" contraband inspection of ALL cadets, staff included.
        3. Custody of contraband articles and cadet’s personal vehicle keys.
        4. Supervise Cadet telephone calls to their home.
        5. Daily sick call, blister checks, related health matters and Medical Officer referral.
        6. Personal counseling and Chaplain referral.
        7. Custody and release of Cadet personnel to authorized persons.

      2. Cadet staff encountering matters that are considered to be exclusive responsibility of the Tactical Officer are to notify the appropriate Tactical Officer immediately.

    4. Shared Responsibilities. The following responsibilities are shared by Cadet Staff members and Tactical Officers at the Flight level:
      1. Safety of all flight personnel.
      2. General welfare of cadets, including heat exhaustion observation/prevention, fluid intake, availability and use of latrine, etc.
      3. Observation, training, and correction of military customs and courtesies

    5. Tactical Officer/Cadet Staff Relationship. Tactical Officers are the mentors for the flight staff. When dealing with Flight Staff, Tactical Officers are expected to provide advice and counsel when necessary, while allowing the cadet chain of command to remain intact. Immediate problems of a safety nature shall be corrected at any time when the judgment of the Tactical Officer so dictates. Minor matters of technique, command presence etc. shall be handled in private whenever possible. The Tactical Officer is encouraged to discuss Flight Staff development with the Cadet Squadron Commanders. Matters of concern dealing with other cadet staff should be referred to the COC when possible.
    6. Participation in Encampment Training.
      1. In addition to their general duties, Tactical Officers may be assigned to specific training assignments at the discretion of the Training staff or COC. Examples include academic classroom instructors, firing range support, graduation parade support etc.
      2. At the flight level, Tactical Officers are assigned as mentors of the flight staff. They are asked to participate in squadron meetings and are constantly evaluating the flights and flight staff’s performance. Cadet staff members should consider the Tactical Officers as a valuable resource for training feedback. Often, Tactical Officers are able to draw on years of experience to provide examples of solutions to problems that may arise in an encampment environment. The TAC officer should be seen, not heard. The objective of the Tactical Officer is to allow the cadet staff members an opportunity to solve problems first, but advice is always available to cadet staff members merely by asking for it. See Chapter 11 for more details.

    7. Tactical Officer's Tasks.
      1. Flight Training Staff Meeting. Discuss responsibilities of the cadet flight staff as outlined in the Encampment Training Manual. Discuss daily/weekly planning. Each evening, review the schedule for the next day. This is in addition to the squadron meetings. Discuss how goals for the next day will be achieved, and what plan the flight commander has for flight time. Ensure the flight staff knows safety procedures such as road guards, barracks procedures and evacuation, and other general safety rules. Check with the flight commander to make sure that workbooks have been issued and that the cadets have received instructions on how to complete them. The workbooks are designed as study aids, therefore they should be completed after each appropriate class. Discuss selection of in-flight positions with flight staff. These positions offer leadership experience for cadets and should not be taken lightly. Permanent and rotational assignments should be made as soon as possible. Review the Flight Commanders Check-lists to insure all items are completed in a timely manner. (See Attachments 1, 2, and 3)
      2. Building Security. Any time the flight is not in the building, all inside lights should be out, windows closed, and building doors locked. At facilities where the building cannot be locked, room doors will be locked. All items of value, belonging to the cadets should be collected by the tactical staff, a receipt issued to the cadet, and stored securely.
      3. Cadet Interview. When the cadets initially arrive, introduce yourself and explain your role. Review their medical information and check with medical officer if anything is present that might affect the cadet’s performance at encampment. Ask if the cadet needs to call home to confirm their arrival to encampment. Inquire how each cadet will be returning home.
      4. Shake Down Inspection. Collect money (over $10), credit cards, bus or plane tickets, car keys, weapons, candy, etc. Issue receipts for items collected. Paper bags are convenient to keep each cadet’s possessions separate. Collected items will be stored in a secure place. Collect all non-prescription medicine; if in doubt whether to collect it, check with medical officer.
      5. Tactical Officer Briefing. This briefing is conducted only by the Tactical Officer. Reference Tactical Officer’s Briefing Outline, Attachment 4.
      6. Walk-Through. At least once each day, walk through the building to see the progress on bunks, rooms, etc. Note any unreported broken equipment. Check for potential safety hazards. Check latrines/supplies/trash.
      7. Medication. The option to not collect prescription medicine has several advantages: First, the TAC is relieved of having to collect it and categorize it; second, the TAC does not have to remember for the cadet to give the medicine; third, leaving prescription medicine with the cadet will show that you are willing to treat them as an adult, and are responsible for themselves. Non-prescription (i.e. not necessary) medicine, such as aspirin, cough medicines or decongestants, should be collected.
      8. Blister Check. Each evening, preferably right after showers and before personal time, check for blisters. Watch for reddening on the heel, etc. Assist medical staff by handing out moleskin and Band-Aids liberally. Teach the flight staff to perform this for you (mentoring- Chapter 10).
      9. Laundry. Ensure the flight staff has made provisions with the First Sergeant(s) to get the cadets’ laundry done. This is often an interesting time management exercise as the time at encampment is very limited.
      10. Honor Cadet. Assist in the selection of an honor cadet for the flight. Selection of the honor cadet for the flight should be clear by the second to last day or between two candidates. A squadron selection will be made by the end of that day or early the last day. Usually a squadron review board will be held to interview the candidates from each flight.
      11. Special Cadets. Often, opportunities arise for selected cadets to receive orientation flights. Be prepared to select cadets that show promise. These selections should be based on performance, attitude, etc., and are one of the rewards of encampment. Be sure to announce who is being selected and to congratulate them.
      12. No Credit. Watch for possible "no credit" cadets. By this point in the encampment you should have identified any candidates for "no credit". This would be a cadet who does not participate at a satisfactory level. Also those who do not complete 80% of the activity fall under the no credit arena. Sometimes a cadet will simply sit by and not participate. Watch this cadet’s progress and counsel at the earliest opportunity, allowing the cadet the chance to improve and succeed.
      13. Honor Cadet. Observe performance of possible honor cadets.
      14. Basic Cadet Evaluation. Halfway through the encampment, you should have cadet evaluation forms from Admin. These forms should be completed by the flight staff by the last full day. The flight staff must review the completed form with each cadet before graduation. One copy of evaluation will be given to cadet along with the graduation certificate, the other copies will be returned to Admin staff for distribution.
      15. No Credit. Any cadet who is not participating in the encampment satisfactorily must be interviewed by the COC two-thirds the way through encampment. Make your recommendations to the Commandant before sending the cadet to report.
      16. Workbooks. Insure that the flight staff has reviewed each cadets workbooks for completeness and accuracy two days before the end.
      17. Possessions. Ensure cadets are given money for the cadet party (last day) if needed. Also, ask cadets if they need money when going on trips to the BX/PX or to get haircuts, etc.
      18. Check Out. Review checkout procedures. By the second to last day, admin staff should brief everyone for checkout. This will include check-in of linen (logistics), and any other equipment (logistics), restoring furniture to rooms as received (logistics and 1st Sgt), any special cleaning requirements (1st Sgt), etc.
      19. Return Possessions. Return collected and inventoried items to cadets. All items collected from cadets at the beginning of encampment should be returned to them. Check for any medicine which might not have been in the locked bags. Pick up original receipt from cadets.
      20. Clean Up. Clean up and restore building, having cadet staff assisting. Final building clean up and restoration will be better than its original condition. The tactical staff will take a VERY high profile in making sure the buildings are cleaned prior to departing the encampment.
      21. Exit Interviews. The exit interviews are done on the last day and the departure day. Include the flight staff. It is important that you debrief the flight staff. Discuss individually each member’s strong points, the points on which she/he improved upon, and offer suggestions for further improvements and growth. Discuss the aspects of the encampment that went particularly well for the flight and what might be improved.
      22. Graduation. Check with the COC regarding your involvement in the Graduation ceremony.
      23. Debriefing. Day 8. Debrief the flight on the encampment. Point out the objectives and the training agreement that the cadets signed at the beginning of the encampment. Discuss how they can use the knowledge that they have gained at the encampment for appropriate use at the home unit.
      24. Sign-Out. Ensure cadets coordinate with admin staff to verify transportation home. It is important that we have a clear understanding of how each cadet is getting home and who has taken the responsibility. We have found it effective to get a signature from the person taking the responsibility for that transportation. Cards will probably be provided from administration for that purpose.
      25. Departure. Do not leave until released by the encampment commander, commandant of cadets, or chief tactical officer. Do not forget to turn your keys to the building in, before you depart (if issued them).

Note: Your job as a tactical officer is not complete until all your cadets have left the area and your building has been secured. Usually there will be a staff debriefing at the close of the encampment.

 

 

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