Fellow Civil Air Patrol Airmen:
Vision is what propels any organization to new heights. Strategy is the roadmap that transforms vision into reality. When we started this journey back in 2016, we developed for the first time a five-year strategic plan that sought input from all echelons of Civil Air Patrol — from the Board of Governors, to commanders, to every member of our amazing organization.
Strategy is a living process, adapting as needed to meet the ever-changing world and the emerging opportunities and challenges we face. Our original five-year plan is not over, however; it’s now time to adapt to be more innovative, responsive, diverse and professional to further highlight to our partners that Civil Air Patrol is indeed the “Resource of Choice.”
In addition to keeping with a rolling five-year plan, this year we’re introducing our strategic planning battle rhythm — the annual activities we’ll conduct to produce the following year’s plan. While the basic plan itself might not noticeably change, the annually updated action plans that implement our strategy will.
When I became your National Commander, I laid out a plan of initiatives to take CAP to the next level — initiatives to better care for our members and make your participation more fulfilling, improve our processes, promote our professionalism, inspire innovation, grow new partnerships and increase our diversity. Each of these initiatives is now part of our plan.
This strategic plan lays the foundation for CAP’s future, a foundation that cascades down to every echelon. Actions taken at national, region, wing and, yes, squadron level should link to our five goals to complement our strategy and vision for Civil Air Patrol.
It’s my privilege to serve by your side, and I look forward to taking this new journey with every one of you. Together, we can all make tomorrow’s Civil Air Patrol better than yesterday’s.
Maj. Gen. Mark Smith
National Commander/CEO
