2010 Commandant Elections
Two years in the chair...wow. Has that much time gone by? It seems like just the other day I had been sworn into office, and yet at the same time seems like so long ago. People think that being the big boss is an easy job. Well, let me tell you, it takes its toll on you!
I've been asked to outline our top 3 successes in my time, but really there has been much that I am proud of. We've seen members once scorned come back into the flock and become extremely productive workers that I am very proud of. We've seen new ideas, new technology, improvements to the myWCC system which now appears to be our life line. We've seen many new cadets come through those doors, and many whom I have played some sort of part in their development have risen to new heights.
However, if I HAD to pick three things, I suppose the first would be the Elemental Training Plan. Not many people remember the original concept or reasoning behind this system. The ETP was created to not only promote a higher level of training and specialization, but also to promote interunit co-operation and hopefully reduce the number of transfers by allowing cadets to study every element from their home unit. It was made standardized to assist those who did plan on transfering so that they were used to the same type of work. Its not done yet, but thanks to all those contributing, ESPECIALLY Cdre Olson, we are nearly completed the core courses (Navy, Army, Air Force). I hope to have this project continue with the new Command staff to finish Coast Guard, Marines and Space.
Second would be the restoration of the Coast Guard and Space uniforms. It may not seem like much now, but once the ETPs are completed we'll have a lot more to offer potential recruits! The graphics project to go along with these uniforms (and ALL uniforms) was also a massive undertaking by our Graphics Subdepartment, and they look rather stellar!
Amongst all the goals of the Commandant MUST be the goal of the officer or any leader: the success of their cadets. One of my two years' greatest accomplishments is one I've been accomplishing for the last 11 years. Cadets continue to be promoted and learn new skills. All members learn new things and compete fiercely in interunit competitions such as trades. Officers continue to develop their cadets and NCOs. The NCOs continue to lead their cadets forward in this wonderful journey. That is any leader's goal: seeing their subordinates improve.
To all those that helped in any way this year, my sincere thanks go to you. I cannot possibly list everyone here, and to save myself the embarassment of forgetting someone I won't even try. To the candidates, best of luck in the polls. I will be proud to hand over this sword to any one of you!
To everyone, a warm Bravo Zulu to you all for a fantastic 2009, and best wishes to all for 2010!
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Adm (N) Doug Campbell, WCM, DC1, NC, MC, AC
Outgoing Commandant
2008 to 2010 |
Commodore (Navy) Jason Olson
Ladies & Gentlemen of the Web Cadet Corps,
Over the course of the last month and a half I have answered 15 questions from you in total, the answers to which you can find here. If there is a question that you still have that isn't answered you can ask me directly via email at co@navy.webcadets.com or catch me on MSN at coastie_life@hotmail.com. I will gladly talk to anybody interested openly about my plans and strategy for the coming year if elected in detail.
Now for those who don't have time to read all the answers to the questions in the debate and are just looking for the short version of what they can expect if I am elected, here it is:
- During the transition month of January I will open positions up for applications and appoint people to positions, providing them with instructions to get them started on various projects.
- The training overhaul will be completed, and we will begin updates to other departments such as Administration.
- We will begin developing tools to prepare for the launch of an aggressive recruiting and advertising strategy to gain more visitors and members.
- From the bottom of the chain of command all the way to the top we will be addressing standards for communication. There are a number of areas here where we can improve as outlined in the debates. The short version is we are going to make sure we dont have breakdowns in communication.
- Time management will be addressed to make us more productive with what we are doing in the WCC. Less reports, more projects like this newsletter.
- There will be some major page updates to fix the many broken links on the site and make our pages easier to navigate for newcomers.
- Feedback will be something we actively seek on a continuous basis. We have found the feedback from the Cadet Questionnaire to be very helpful already and we will look at many new ways to encourage feedback from you to make our organization function better.
That's the short version. The long version as I said can be found by reviewing each of the answers to the 15 questions in the Elections Forum, where you can see that these aren't just ideas off the top of my head, there is a rhyme and reason and most importantly a plan behind each one of the bullets you see above.
Hopefully this information was helpful, and to all those reading don't forget to vote! If you aren't sure how you can see detailed instructions including screen shots on the Navy Blog at http://wccnavy.ning.com and if that doesn't help you can find myself, the Elections Officer or any officer for that matter and I am sure they can help you out.
Thanks for your time and Happy Holidays,
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Cdre (N) Jason Olson
Candidate for Commandant Elections 2010 |
Captain (Coast Guard) Josh Sylvester
Hi folks,
I'm going to keep it short and sweet. My plans are as follows:
- Clearer, more defined structure for Operations.
- Keep Logistics as it is.
- Introduce a Technical Maintenance Sub Dept for the SMD, designed especially for MyWCC upkeep.
- Remain steady on course and speed with the Element Training Plans
- Give Alpha Company a clear identity once more.
- Bring more opportunities for the NCOs of the Corps.
- Create a clear difference between the roles of Cadets, NCOs and Officers within the Corps.
- Introduce a clause into Officer Training that recognises long serving SNCOs who wish to try for a commission.
- Get the right people in the right positions, and offer Corps-wide mentoring.
- Improve Communications.
Those are 10 condensed, clear and precise points that will be my main focuses for 2010. Thank you for taking your time to follow the debates, and I trust you'll vote for who you think is the best person!
Happy Holidays!
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Capt (CG) Josh Sylvester
Candidate for Commandant Elections 2010 |
Wing Commander (Air Force) Garry Burns
This space is for a summery of WgCre (AF) Burns's election platform. The artical will be added as soon as it is availible. Sorry for any inconvenances. (From the Chief Editor)
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WgCdr (AF) Garry Burns
Candidate for Commandant Elections 2010 |
Wing Commander (Air Force) Wilhelm von Gersdorff
Greetings folks,
I initially accepted the nomination for the office of Commandant of the Web Cadet Corps so it would afford me the opportunity to present further dialogue to the Corps. I was sick of tired of seeing just two or three candidates vying for the position of Commandant, and I wanted to make the debates interesting. I was tired of the popularity contests. I was tired of the perceived "old boy club" as was presented in one of our debate threads.
About two or three weeks ago, I had a change of heart. I decided that this may be the right time for me to consider becoming Commandant of our Corps.
We've had too many failed projects over the past 2-3 years. Too many ideas, and promises broken. Yet, this Corps continues to vote for banter, promises, distractions, and misguided direction. What has this led us to?
FAILURE!
LESS PARTICIPATION!
DISBANDED UNITS!
You can make your own assumptions and perceive reality within your own psyche... don't be fooled...
As I have stated before, I will strive to stabilize our Corps... follow through with my predecessors promises...
The Short List:
- Make Multiple Choice Trades and Quals Live.
- Stabilize MyWCC.
- Finish ETP (so much effort has been put in to it, we cannot let it fail).
- Centralize Recruit Training like it was in a few years ago...
- Streamline the joining process.
Everyone in this Corps has a responsibility to make it a success; from the Commandant down to the NE. Together we will move forward into the decade ahead.
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WgCdr (AF) Wilhelm von Gersdorff
Candidate for Commandant Elections 2010 |
