A yearlong learning initiative meant to foster a culture of ownership and accountability and bolster Civil Air Patrol’s airworthiness, safety, cadet protection, and its stakeholders’ experience is underway.
Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, national commander/CEO, launched her “Year of Ownership” initiative Jan. 16 in a kickoff webinar in which she challenged everyone who belongs to, supports, or works with CAP — regardless of their role — to exercise “extreme ownership” in the coming year.
“What we’re doing tonight is part of a bigger plan to improve Civil Air Patrol,” Aye told the more than 650 CAP members and staff who logged on for her presentation.
“An investment in leadership today is an investment in our future,” she said, reviewing the principles in Extreme Ownership, written by two former Navy SEALs.
She encouraged all in CAP to embrace those fundamentals in the year ahead, proclaiming that through extreme ownership and a collective commitment to act with CAP’s core values — integrity, volunteer service, excellence, and respect — the U.S. Air Force auxiliary can accomplish a culture of mutual understanding and lay the foundation for its future endeavors.
Aye’s initiative mirrors an ongoing effort by CAP’s Total Force partner. “The Air Force is examining how they can approach standards, excellence, and ownership,” she said. “We have to be one team, and we have to work together.
“Every member, every employee, every partner contributes to our success.”
Aye foreshadowed the “Year of Ownership” at the 2024 National Conference in August, calling for “excellence in airworthiness, perfection in cadet protection, excellence in safety, a world-class shareholders’ experience, embracing innovation, and continued transformation to build a stronger, more relevant Civil Air Patrol for the future.”
The new learning initiative “connects to every one of our collective goals and our strategic plan,” she said.
Airworthiness. “We strive for excellence in airworthiness,” she said. “We don’t just want the biggest fleet of single-engine piston aircraft. We want the best and the most airworthy fleet.”
Safety. “A focus on safety helps us maintain our reputation,” she said. “I need everyone to take ownership of and care for our assets to focus on that objective.”
Cadet Protection. “Our objective in this area is to elevate our excellence by ensuring our cadets have a safe and nurturing environment,” she said. “We have a duty to take the best care we can of our cadets. We can’t fail in this area.”
Stakeholder Experience. “We want to enhance the stakeholder experience to drive positive impact on everyone who works with us and the organization,” she said.
Aye said at least 12 sessions have been planned for the coming year.
Each month, participants will focus on specific areas of emphasis, including airworthiness, cadet protection, stakeholder experience, safety, leadership, and training. The sessions will provide practical strategies and tools to help participants take ownership of their roles in CAP and drive success within their teams.
The Year of Ownership also makes National Conference credit more accessible. Members earning six points by attending events throughout the year will earn National Conference credit.
“This is going to help make us a better, stronger organization, and it’s going to make us stronger, better leaders,” she told her listeners.
Aye identified three “Ownership Champions” to lead the effort — Jared Peregoy, CAP’s senior director of learning; Col. Jeffrey Garrett, Southeast Region commander; and Cadet Maj. Catherine Gardner of the Ohio Wing’s Clermont County Composite Squadron.
Garrett will lead the next session Jan. 29, which will focus on the “Extreme Ownership Principles.” In February, on the first day of CAP’s Winter Command meeting in Washington, D.C., a leadership workshop will be held for National Headquarters staff, CAP-USAF airmen, members of the National Cadet Advisory Council, the command council, and partners.
Stay tuned in eServices to CAP’s new learning tool, Absorb, for other “Year of Ownership” opportunities, along with a recording of the kickoff webinar.
