CONCEPT: The Chain of Command and What it Means to the USAF and CAP

APROXIMATE TIME: 1 Hour

SUGGESTED MATERIALS: No additional materials are required. Refer to the Instructor Information   link in the User's Guide for the basic materials to teach a class.

The organizational structure of the USAF and CAP are essentially the same. The structure is designed to provide a clear chain of command connecting the highest-ranking person to the lowest ranking person.

In this lesson we gain an understanding of the chain of command of both the USAF and CAP. An effective chain of command allows orders to flow from the head of an organization to the most junior member. At the same time, the chain of command also allows information, ideas, and complaints to flow upward through the same chain.

1. Discuss the USAF Organizational Structure using the organization flowchart slides.
2. Discuss the CAP Organizational Structure using the organization flowchart slides.
3. Discuss the places where the USAF and CAP chains of command come together.
4. Emphasize why members must follow the chain of command.

Attention Step: (Slide 1) The organizational structure of the CAP is modeled on the USAF. The structure is designed to provide a clear chain of command running from the highest-ranking person to the lowest ranking person. This chain of command also allows information, ideas, and complaints to flow upward through the same chain.

Lesson Objectives: (Slide 2) In today’s lesson we will focus on the chain of command structure of the Air Force as well as the CAP. We will also look at how the organizational structure is set up to follow the chain of command. Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of following the chain of command.

(Slide 3) The United States military is organized so that a single chain of command runs from the highest levels to the lowest ranks and from the lowest upwards. As you can see from the Joint regulations, all services follow this structure, which runs from the National Command Authorities (the President and Secretary of Defense), to each service.

Transition Question: With this in mind, how do you think the Air Force chain of command is organized?

Main Point 1: (Slide 4) The Air Force Chain of Command is organized to carry out the missions as defined in the Joint regulations. So it should be no surprise to see the "official" Air Force definition to be very similar. The person in charge to carry out the chain of command for the Air Force is the Secretary of the Air Force.

(Slide 5) This slide shows the typical organizational structure that the Air Force uses. This basic organizational structure is used in peacetime as well as war; with one goal behind it: a single chain of command so that orders can be understood by everyone. Just as important, the lowest ranking person follows the chain of command upward, so that he/she knows who to bring ideas and problems to.

Suggested Discussion Topics (Main Point 3):

1. Ask members what they feel are good and bad things in regards to this type of organizational structure.

2. Ask members how this organizational structure compares to business organizations.

Transition Question: How does the CAP organizational structure compare to the Air Force? See update  Civil Air Patrol Board of Governors March 2001

Main Point 2: (Slide 6) As an auxiliary of the Air Force, the CAP organizational structure essentially mirrors the Air Force. Likewise, this structure allows for a single chain of command for the CAP.

(Slide 7) However, as you can tell by this chart, there are differences. Because the Civil Air Patrol is a civilian organization, our chain of command at the higher levels is different than the military’s. Also, this chart also reflects the Air Force role, as it has liaison personnel assigned to the CAP.

Keep in mind that this shows the structure (and therefore chain of command) as not only set out in laws governing the CAP, but also Memorandum of Agreements.

Discussion Question (Main Point 3): Ask members what they feel are good and bad things in regards to this type of organizational structure.

Main Point 4: (Slide 8)

Discussion: Ask members why they feel everyone must follow the chain of command.

Areas to emphasize:

1. Important for each level of the organization to know events occurring at subordinate levels.

2. Skipping the chain of command is a detriment, because higher levels may not have knowledge or full details of lower levels.

SUMMARY (Slide 9) Today we’ve discussed the Chain of Command and how the Air Force and the CAP are organized to best follow this structure. We’ve also looked at some of the similarities of both the USAF and CAP, and some of the unique structure of the CAP echelon. We also discussed how the organizational structure is similar to business organizations. And finally, we’ve discussed why following the chain of command is important to the CAP. Part of your responsibility as a member of the CAP is to understand your role in the organization, and just as important to teach this important aspect of our organization to our Cadets.