Public Affairs Officer Specialty Track Update

While the new marketing and strategic communications program regulation and associated specialty track content continue to make their way through the ratification process, MAC’s training team has updated the Public Affairs Officer Specialty Track Study Guide, CAPP 201, effective Jan. 18.

So the obvious question is, “Why do this now when the PAO specialty track will be retired soon?” Because there are still people being appointed to PAO positions who want to get their technician ratings and others seeking advanced ratings to complete Levels III and IV. Since the previous version of CAPP 201 included several outdated or obsolete requirements, such as writing a squadron crisis communications plan or taking a FEMA course that no longer exists, it became impossible for new ratings to be approved — so an update was needed.

The revised CAPP 201 eliminates the obsolete requirements so PAOs can continue to earn their specialty track ratings while we await publication of the new marketing program regulation and specialty track.

Keep in mind that when the new Marketing and Communications Officer Specialty Track is approved, the PAO specialty track will be retired after a phase-out period. Earned PAO ratings will remain on a member’s personnel record, but everyone who wants to continue to serve as a marketing and communications officer will begin the new specialty track working on the technician rating, which exposes members to a broad range of foundational skills in marketing and communications.

Squadron Posters

Two wings, New York and Florida, have already created art through Squadron Posters to share their wing pride in squadron rooms, FBOs, flight schools, high schools, and more. While other wings and squadrons contemplate doing the same, new items have been added to the CAP collection, including Maj. Ron Finger’s painting of an intercept mission and a C172 version of the popular Jet Black series that can be customized.

2023 Wing Reports

Digital Wing Reports for fiscal year 2023 will be posted on the brand portal no later than Feb. 9. Other items like the 2024 Fact Sheet and CAP backgrounder, which are also useful outside the realm of government relations, will be available on the portal as well. PAOs, consider using these items in press kits, at open houses, when speaking to community groups, etc.

Observances, Recognitions, and Celebrations

MAC’s social media content calendar includes a broad range of CAP observances, recognitions, and celebrations like Women’s History Month, National Volunteer Month, Veterans Day, and many more. These recognitions are a wonderful way to feature members as part of the larger observance. If you have a nomination for a member who may be a subject for one such opportunity below, please email your suggestion to mac@capnhq.gov:

• Black History Month
• Women’s History Month
• National Developmental Disability Awareness Month
• National Volunteer Month
• Memorial Day
• Asian American Pacific Islander Month
• National Physical Fitness and Sport Month
• Pride Month
• Safety Month
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Veterans Day
• National American Indian Heritage Month

Wing Website Unification

The Wing Website Unification project continues, with the first phase of updated websites scheduled to go live by the end of April. The Oklahoma Wing site is live and serves as our model site. Several other wings are getting close to completion.

An important reminder — MAC must review and approve your website updates, and MAC will push all updates live once approved. Detailed directions to make updates to your website(s) can be found in SiteViz. Information about the Wing Website Unification Project is listed on the CAP Websites page on GoCivilAirPatrol.com, including FAQs for the project. Watch the CAP Websites page for project updates.

The primary target audience for wing websites is external. Much, if not all, information meant for members only — including encampment information, wing conferences, unit reports, etc. — should be managed differently. Since the wing website is for external audiences, extended details beyond dates, locations, and brief descriptions for activities should be placed in a password-protected platform such as OneDrive, SharePoint, etc., where this information is saved and accessible only by members.

We’re planning on a Q/A webinar with the MAC SiteViz Support team in February. Watch for more details. You can email questions to capwebsites@capnhq.gov, and we’ll connect you with someone who can assist. This email is monitored by both MAC and IT. 

Brand Compliance

The Brand Management team meets biweekly to assist members and staff with brand compliance. If you have a brand-related question, can’t find what you need on the Brand Portal, have a request for something new, or need a review of an item you created, simply email the brand team at brand@capnhq.gov.

February 2024     |     Vol. 2     |     No. 1