Unit Staffing & Committees

Unit Staffing

Units often ask which positions are required. Additionally, there are several restrictions placed on duty assignments. These are summarized below.

General guidance can be found in CAPR 20-1(I) paragraph 23:

• • Headquarters organizational structures for each level of command throughout CAP are depicted in part II. This basic organizational structure has been determined to be the most workable structure for all CAP units, and deviations are not authorized, except to expand particular staff elements as required to accomplish the unit’s mission.

  • Each unit commander should develop and post a unit organizational chart indicating the name and grade of the member filling each position. In smaller units, one person may fill more than one position; however, someone should be responsible for each task outlined in each position description so the entire unit is aware of who is responsible for which duties.

In short, units are required to accomplish all of the duties listed. The most straightforward way is by having each position assigned.

Required Duty Positions

CAP Regulations explicitly require certain positions. This is often indicated by a regulation saying a commander will/shall appoint an officer in a certain duty. These, along with pertinent regulation references, are below:

• • Commander

  • Testing Officer, if the unit stores controlled testing materials or anticipates administering written tests at the unit (CAPR 40-2 para 6.5)

  • Public Affairs Officer. If one isn’t appointed, the Commander acts in this role and if the commander acts in this role for 6 months, he/she must be assigned as PAO and enrolled in the PA specialty track (CAPR 190-1 para 3.1-3.3)

  • Finance Officer (CAPR 173-1 para 8)

  • Safety Officer (CAPR 160-1 para 2.4.4.2) who will be "the most qualified member available to assume the position".

  • Communications Officer (CAPR 174-1 para 1-6j(1))

Other Notes on Duty Positions

The Duty Assignment Module in e-Services has some positions that don't apply to your unit. These are from the org charts in CAPR 20-1(I):

• • Senior Squadrons have a Deputy Commander, they do not have a Deputy Commander for Seniors

  • Cadet Squadrons have a Deputy Commander; they do not have a Deputy Commander for Cadets.

  • Composite Squadrons have a Deputy Commander for Seniors and a Deputy Commander for Cadets; they do not have a position called Deputy Commander.

Duty Position Restrictions

Regulations also prohibit certain individuals from holding certain duty positions. Most often, this means members can't hold certain duty positions concurrently.

• • NCOs cannot be commanders (CAPR 20-1(I) para 25)

  • The unit commander may not serve as the Finance Officer (CAPR 173-1 para 8), Testing Officers (but may be assistants) (CAPR 40-2 para 6.5), Chaplain (CAPR 265-1 para 5b), or Inspector General (CAPR 20-1 para 7.7.2).

  • The Finance Officer cannot be a paid employee (CAPR 173-1 para 8)

  • Chaplains may not serve as Commander, Deputy Commander, or Testing Officer and may not be designated as an Investigating Officer (CAPR 265-1 para 5b)

  • Cadets cannot be Health Services Officers (CAPR 160-1 para 1-4b)

  • Only physicians may be medical officers, and only nurses may be nurse officers (CAPR 160-1 para 1-8)

  • Only commanders at Wing or higher may appoint legal officers (CAPR 111-1 para 1a)

  • Commanders, Vice Commanders, Deputy Commanders, and Chiefs of Staff cannot serve as Investigating Officers in the IG channel. If properly qualified, they may serve as Inspection Augmentees on inspection teams. (CAPR 20-1 para 7.7.2)

  • In general, Inspectors General will not be double-billeted except as provided in CAPR 20-1 for meeting PD requirements) (CAPR 20-1 para 7.7.1 and 7.7.5)

  • Command NCOs may not serve as IGs (CAPR 20-1 para 7.7.2)

Required Committees

Squadrons are required by regulation to have several committees/boards, and there are some guidelines regarding the makeup of those committees.

Committees can be assigned via personnel actions but can also be appointed via the Duty Assignment module in e-Services. The Finance Committee is also listed on the annual CAP Form 172; units should make sure that online committee assignments match the current CAPF 12.

Promotion Board (CAPR 35-5 para 1-10)

• • Must have at least three members

  • Chair should be equal to or higher in grade than the grade being recommended

  • If an NCO promotion is being considered, it is recommended that at least one senior NCO be on the board

Awards Board (CAPR 39-3 para 7)

• • Must consist of three members

  • Personnel Officer is a required member

Finance Committee (CAPR 173-1 para 9c)

• • Unit Commander must be chair

  • Finance Officer must be a member

  • Must have at least three members

Membership Board (CAPR 39-2 para 1-5)

• • One to three members