Aug. 4 promises to be a momentous day for Civil Air Patrol. Since the late 1970s, CAP’s Professional Development program has provided training for thousands of senior members, albeit with a somewhat regimented approach. Now, though, the program is undergoing a huge transformation and on Aug. 4 will be known as Education and Training.
Over 200 CAP volunteers have been involved in this transformation, led by North Central Region Commander Col. Regena Aye. You'll soon be hearing about "Volunteer University" – the "schoolhouse" for Education and Training. Col. Joe Winter, outgoing Maryland Wing Commander, has been chosen as Provost for Volunteer University. The intent is to provide an experience that is much more aligned with current university practices.
Volunteer University
will feature both onsite and online classes that will fit into a busy volunteer's lifestyle by allowing a member to mix those experiences, as the member wishes.
While Levels 1-5 will continue to be the program's benchmarks, offerings will be vastly modernized through the use of discussion and application-based activities. Online cohort classes will begin every month; regions, wings, groups and squadrons will schedule onsite courses. All courses will be led by a qualified instructor.