Incorporating the Historian into Unit Operations and Programs 1st Lt Frank Blazich, Jr. Chief Historian (interim) History CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Overview  Philosophy and Reality  Ideas and Suggestions  Examples  Utility

Philosophy CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  History to educate, evaluate, postulate  “  “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana  “The historian ought to be an educated person, writing for other educated people about something which they don’t know about, but wish to know about in a way that they can understand.” – John Keegan

Reality CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

RealityPerceptions  Retention of records (textual and non-textual), artifacts, and generator of reports  The interested buff versus the professional  Differences and similarities  Balance  Intangibles of motivation, resources, training

RealityUtility CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  Translation of primary material into historical products  Engagement rather than isolation  Researcher and analyst  Working smarter, not harder  Maximizing unit resources

Example Government Relations CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  Subject: Congressional Gold Medal  Problem: How to strengthen your argument?  Solution: Historical publication tailored to unit  Purpose: Polished, professional document that can be tailored for any audience and updated periodically  Readily researched from secondary sources, updated with primary sources

Example Government Relations CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Example Esprit de Corps CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  Subject: Unit recognition and pride  Problem: Who is who? How to recognize?  Solution: Heraldry Guide, Patch Collection, Poster  Purpose: Visuals, information, and items that can be used for cadet activities, recruiting and retention, and AE  Poster or collection to attract people to recruiting or information displays; wing and group recognition, pride and cohesion

Example Esprit de Corps CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Example Alumni and Support CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  Subject: Networking and communication  Problem: How to find former members? Obtain information, support for operations?  Solution: Social Media  Purpose: Recover records and information, recruiting, unit support  Simple, cost-effective, and convenient way to reconnect with former unit members and research past activities

Example Alumni and Support CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Example World War II CAP Veterans CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  Subject: Location and Communication  Problem: How to locate World War II veterans? Document service and interview?  Solution: Social Media and research through past veterans and family  Purpose: Honor predecessors, add them to CGM database, public relations in community  Way to connect past and record for future generations

Example World War II CAP Veterans CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Example Public Relations CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  Subject: Public presentations  Problem: Does the public know of CAP’s civilian defense / homeland security mission?  Solution: Direct engagement at air shows or history conferences  Purpose: Provide blend of detailed and generalized history to educate public about organization and capabilities then and now  Accessibility to explain and clarify history with direct interaction with public

Example Public Relations CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

ExampleOperations  Subject: Applying Lessons from Operations  Problem: How to improve operations and mission capabilities?  Solution: Interview and compile history of event  Purpose: Provide leadership with comprehensive and coherent history of mission to better incorporate lessons learned  Oral history, public affairs, coordination with elements of unit

ExampleOperations CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Example Recruiting and Retention CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES  Subject: Maintaining and growing membership  Problem: Why do people leave? How can we improve retention and recruiting?  Solution: Data acquisition and analysis  Purpose: Collect information in variety of areas combined with analysis to marshal limited resources for maximum effort  Research, data analysis, oral interviews, and surveys to produce reports beneficial for policy formulation

Example Recruiting and Retention CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

 Resources are limited  Volunteers are the greatest asset  Mere records in the file cabinets or gold?  Historian’s skills are multipurpose  Not merely work with the distant past  “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” – General George S. Patton Utility CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

 Philosophy and reality  Ideas and Suggestions  Examples  Utility  Making the historian an asset and not an afterthought gives the commander a powerful resource to assist and promote all aspects of the unit’s operations and activities Conclusion CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Questions?

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