Continuity Books
WHAT is it? -- A "continuity book" is a binder documenting your program. In a practical sense, it is what you wish your predecessor had given you when you took the job.
WHY have one? The purposes and benefits of a continuity book are:
- To ensure continuity of the program on change of personnel.
- To help the director learn his/her job.
- To help the successor in the position learn his/her job more quickly.
- To facilitate management- and self-assessment of the program.
- To facilitate inspection by higher headquarters.
WHO needs one? The director of each program at each level (Squadron, Group
and Wing); for example, AE, DDR, DCP, CC, ES.
WHEN do you need it? Yesterday, like everything else, but NLT the next unit
inspection. Squadron staff should have one to present at the next Subordinate Unit Inspection, coming soon to a squadron near you. If you don't have one, you'll be struggling to get a Satisfactory evaluation on inspection.
HOW do you make one/what goes in it? The continuity book should be in a
3-ring binder and contain the following materials, organized by numbered or
lettered tab dividers, not necessarily in this order:
- A Table of Contents, referencing tab dividers indexed by number or letter.
- Typed Questions and Answers to the inspection guide tab applicable to the
directorate [i.e., the CAP/USAF Subordinate Unit Inspection (SUI) Guide, in
the case of squadron staff positions. To facilitate the
process of making up this document, the SUI Guide may be downloaded in PDF
format from the CAWG web site, CAWG Subordinate Unit Inspection Checklist pt1
and CAWG Subordinate Unit Inspection Checklist pt2.
- A copy of the PA or CAPF 2a appointing you to the position,
- Copies of credentials showing your training, experience and other
qualifications for this position. For example, a certificate of completion
of the ECI course applicable to the position.
- A statement of your goals in your position, including those realized and
those yet to be.
- Copies of awards, news articles and other materials depicting of the
successes, accomplishments, and effectiveness of your program. [The goal
here is to "sell" your program to the inspector.]
- CAP regulations, pamphlets and other directives applicable to your
position.
- Regular or required reports and surveys you have submitted for your
program. For example, the annual safety survey required of safety officers
and commanders. If you haven't done them, do them now, including the ones
you didn't do for the last year.
- Rosters, contacts, directories, addresses and phone numbers of other
persons/positions you regularly interact with in carrying out your duties.
- Schedules, calendars, etc.
- Whatever else that sells your program or you think is desirable.
Remember, this is YOUR book, so include anything that helps you do your job.
For example, backup copies of CDs containing computer programs and files you
regularly use or produce in your position.
The best binders to use are those that have a clear outer sleeve to enable
you to slip in a printed cover or title page.