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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">I'm answering this in a public forum
because you choose to post your email here to the group.<br>
I'm tired and have to go to work tomorrow, so I will be brief with
comments: <br>
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On 9/27/2015 10:55 PM, Lt Col Steven Solomon, National PA Manager
wrote:<br>
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<div>Because you haven't posted your last name I can't look in
my archives to check and see if I've ever met or talked to you
before Ken. But I don't think I have. Anyway, your name
doesn't ring a bell.</div>
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COMMENT: We've never met or talked before.<br>
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<div>Like yourself, I was a Wing PAO, and like yourself a PAO of
the year and Region PAO OTY (but in two different Regions).
When I was a Wing PAO I also saw things that I thought could
be better.</div>
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COMMENT: No I have been a squadron level PAO, we have a vacancy at
the wing level but I have no interest whatsoever in applying cause
it isn't worth the hassles. The wing & region awards were for
unit level PAO, I apologized for that confusion and it was not an
attempt to be something I'm not!!! <br>
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<div>But instead of resigning as a PAO like you did, or posting
a dozen open-ended bullet points on a forum that is not
monitored by NHQ/PA, I composed professional, polite and
detailed suggestions and sent them <em>up the chain of
command </em>for consideration. Not surprisingly, NHQ
responded by appointing me chair of a working group that put
together the first How-to Guide for PAOs (and Arthur Woodgate
was a key member of that group and has worked tirelessly on
follow-up revisions.)</div>
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COMMENT: I think the four step process is a waste of time and needs
to be simplified for squadrons. There's enough to do just to get
news media coverage. I'd venture to say many squadron level PAO's
have other duties they also have to perform-- staffing time is
available to do the minimum essentials. IMHO that "Up the Chain of
Command" is basically a code phrase which means it won't go
anywhere. IF you and your staff were really interest in change you
would take feedback comments any way you could get it (and I'm sure
you are aware of IG inspection results on the PAO function which
shows the recurring issues) IMHO public affairs is about results
(stories published, TV coverage obtained, and websites/face book
pages being maintained with current activity information) not plans
in a specific format or even critical evaluation each year ---
Volunteers DO have a choice on what they want to do and it's being
made too difficult for them in the PAO function to be successful.
So I'm voting with my feet to do other things I have an interest in
CAP and out of CAP!<br>
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<div>I was named National PA Team leader by MG Courter, National
PAO by MG Carr and National PA Manager by MG Vazquez. During
this time we've eliminated the outdated AFAIDIL course,
revised CAPR 190-1 several times, instituted a National PAO
Academy, revised the PAO Specialty Track, produced a Branding
Guide and a Style Guide, instituted a robust social media
program, promoted the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony and
the Total Force announcement and we're working hard on how CAP
will publicize our 75th anniversary. And then there are the
ongoing projects, such as an annual report, Legislative Day,
the National Conference and countless media requests for
information, etc. that fall to NHQ/PA to handle.</div>
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COMMENT: Thanks for your continued CAP service!<br>
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<div>All of this is done with a paid staff of three at NHQ/PA
and a volunteer CAP/PA team of three. Does it sound like we've
been slacking off?</div>
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COMMENT: Never said anyone was slacking off, just IMHO basically
out of touch with reality at the unit level and sicking the IG to
not evaluate actual "results" of PAO's efforts but just
administrative mumble jumbo.<br>
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<div>As I write this reply to your two lists, while you're
sitting in the comfort and safety of your home, I'm the lead
FEMA PIO in Lake County, Calif., which the President declared
eligible for assistance after the horrific Valley Wildfire.
I'm working 7 to 7, seven days a week. Cellphone coverage,
wifi connectivity and passable roads are all in short supply.
So when I read that you don't like the way I post comments on
online news stories, I take exception to the cheapshot. I'm
working my ass off, for my country.</div>
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COMMENT: Oh it was you that posted those canned comments to that
sad story! BTW I've done my 20 years or so for Uncle Sam also and
worked "my ass off" so please don't lecture to me. <br>
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<div>The bottom line is this. Nobody wants to be handed a list
of problems. You've got great ideas? Then hand us a list of
solutions -- WITH your offer to personally take on the
project. That's how we make progress.</div>
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COMMENT: IMHO there's an adequate staff at National to
address/correct/modify what I've written in my two emails. <br>
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<div class="gmail_extra"><font color="#000000"><b><span
style="color:rgb(4,66,122);font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";font-size:12pt">Lt
Col Steven Solomon, CAP</span></b></font>
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Sincerely,<br>
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Ken<br>
Former PAO<br>
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