Education and Training

The CAP Senior Member Education and Training Program prepares members to serve their units, their communities, and their nation.

Rather than writing one long email to cover what we took 8 hours to cover during the National Conference last August, I have decided to do a series of short emails over the upcoming weeks. This week I will start with a high level look at the changes.

Senior Member Professional Development (CAPR 50-17) was replaced by CAP Senior Member Education and Training Program (CAPR 40-1). This means OBC, SLS, CLC, RSC, and NSC have all been replaced. The Unit Commander’s Course (UCC) has also been replaced. All of the new training is taught by the new Volunteer University. (VOLU).

If you need to complete your Level I, II or III, you must do it the new program.

If you started your Level IV and have completed Region Staff College (RSC), you have until the end of May, 2021, to complete the other requirements, otherwise you will have to start over in the new program. If you did not complete RSC, then you need to begin the new program.

If you started your Level V and have completed National Staff College (NSC), you have until the end of May, 2021, to complete the other requirements, otherwise you will have to start over in the new program. If you did not complete NSC, then you need to begin the new program.

In the new program courses are replaced by modules that are designed to take about one hour in the classroom. Some modules will have written assignments in addition to the classroom instruction. A new software program in eServices tracks your module and other requirement completion for each level. The new software is Professional Levels and is located under Professional Development in eServices. I have attached a copy of the USER GUIDE. There have been some changes to the software, but the USER GUIDE has not been updated yet to reflect those changes.

All modules may be completed online in eServices by selecting Online Learning / Learning Management System / AXIS. Online Modules will either be automated or moderated (instructor graded). In order to take a moderated module online, you must go into the new Professional Levels software and request a cohort (small learning group). The number of moderated modules starts with 6 at Level II and increases through each level until Level V where all modules are moderated. Moderated modules are worked at your convenience and reviewed by your instructors at their convenience. There are no mandatory meetings or schedules for online. Most people feel taking a moderated module through AXIS is more difficult and time consuming than taking it onsite.

All modules may also be taken onsite (this includes face to face and virtual). You may mix and match how you take modules. Just because you start in one modality, you do not have to take all of your modules that way.

You must be certified in the new Volunteer University as an instructor to teach a module.

I think that is enough for this week.  If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me.

Blessings, Chaplain Poland