What constitutes a "Highly Decorated CAP Officer?"

[Major Carrales]

During a recent CAP activity a comment was made in a joking manner.  One CAP Officer remarked that another was a "well respected and highly decorated SEE-AY-PEA Officer."  Now, what does that mean?  I know it was a sort of "throw away" phrase, but I thought it was just the sort of thing that CAP TALKERS would enjoy debating.

So, what would be the defining criteria of a "highly decorated CAP Officer?" 

[BillB]

Joe,  That's easy. a highly decorated officer is anyone with ribbons that you have.

[MSG Mac]

Joe,  That's easy. a highly decorated officer is anyone with ribbons that you have.

No It's an officer who has ribbons you don't have

[Stonewall]

When I think of "highly decorated", I consider awards that have the word "valor" in them as well as life saving. 

[jimmydeanno]

Perhaps Justice Stewart's line works well here.

However, I do wonder what your thought process was about it.  Obviously, highly decorated, means one who has received a lot of decorations.  But, perhaps you're wondering if people consider you to be highly decorated in some of these scenarios.

20 Ribbons, no attachments,and nothing above the Gill Robb?

5 Ribbons, 4 of which are above the commanders' commendation?

10 ribbons, nothing overly fancy, but attachments on everything?

[Майор Хаткевич]

Highly Decorated? I think it takes a lot of ribbons/attachments above the achievement/award ribbons. Like this guy                            ^

[Major Carrales]

Joe,  That's easy. a highly decorated officer is anyone with ribbons that you have.

Do you mean the ribbons I, myself, have/has or the ribbons "one" has? 

I consider myself to have an "average man's" ribbons.

[SarDragon]

Perhaps Justice Stewart's line works well here.

However, I do wonder what your thought process was about it.  Obviously, highly decorated, means one who has received a lot of decorations.  But, perhaps you're wondering if people consider you to be highly decorated in some of these scenarios.

20 Ribbons, no attachments,and nothing above the Gill Robb?

Maybe. Depends on what they are. Encampment, ES stuff, DR, and activities that count for more than just showing up, would, IMHO, contribute to "highly decorated".

5 Ribbons, 4 of which are above the commanders' commendation?

Yes.

10 ribbons, nothing overly fancy, but attachments on everything?

Again, maybe. See above.

YMMV.

[Major Carrales]

When I think of "highly decorated", I consider awards that have the word "valor" in them as well as life saving.

This is a good start.  The MOV, some Meritorious Awards and the like.   I am asking this be limited to CAP awards only so the field can be as level as possible.

[Major Carrales]

Is it the number of ribbons or the nature of the ribbons there?  To the average person I havebeen told it is the number...a cadet, for example, would seem to have many more ribbons than a "through the ranks" CAP Senior Member Captain.

I consider my Group Commander to be "Highly Decorated" in that he has a Spaatz, many of the Senior Member Awards and severall commendations.

Would anyone consider Maj Gen Courter to fall in the "Highly Decorated" realm?



Or Col Joe Smith (Texas Wing Commander) in background, albeit obscured...

[Smithsonia]

There is another argument to be made for Quality versus Quantity.
http://www.spaatz.org/gen/spaatzbio.html

Carl Spaatz seldom wore more than 2 rows of ribbons but occasionally 4. However it was a style that I prefer.
I'd say that General Spaatz was highly decorated. Top 2 rows for me in most cases.

OK OK - Jimmy Doolittle liked to wear 4 rows as a 3 star - SEE HERE. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Doolittle

[caphornbuckle]

You have to remember too that members sometimes do not wear all of their decorations.  If a person looks like a Christmas Tree and has "Continued on Next Person" in fine print under their ribbons, they may be highly decorated as well.  The definition of "highly decorated" can go either with the number of decorations or the type of decorations, in my opinion.  Both show that they have contributed a lot to CAP and either have been recognized for it with one or two of the high awards or have achieved their status by working hard and earning their awards in another way through Encampments, Missions, Achievements, etc.

[Major Carrales]

And if we were going to give "weight' to ribbons?  What might weigh more?

[James Shaw]

To me it is the nature and not the number.

For those only involved in one aspect of the program having all that can be earned or awarded for AE would be great and highly decorated.

To others it may be a snapshot and may seem like less than others. But that person is still very valuable to the AE program.

Just depends on how you choose to view them yourself.

[FW]

^I like what  you say, Jim.  For me, "highly decorated"  in CAP is one who is highly regarded by their fellow members.  Someone who is well noted for their fine work; selfless, productive and useful.  Ribbons are nice however, they more are a show of self achievement.  I'm more concerned with what one does to improve CAP (at any level).

[jimmydeanno]

^I like what  you say, Jim.  For me, "highly decorated"  in CAP is one who is highly regarded by their fellow members.  Someone who is well noted for their fine work; selfless, productive and useful.  Ribbons are nice however, they more are a show of self achievement.  I'm more concerned with what one does to improve CAP (at any level).

You certainly make a good point about ribbons not being the only factor to determine one's success.  However, someone who has not been awarded with anything hasn't been decorated.  So, unfortunately, someone who is admired for their actions and has not received any recognition in the form of awards wouldn't meet the criteria, in any sense.

However, you note "what one does to improve CAP."  This criteria is usually distinguished with our commendations and service awards.  Those awards are not awarded for self-achievement, but their contribution to an organization larger than themselves.

[SarDragon]

I think we need to establish the distinction between awards and decorations.

Wikipedia lists the following as US military decorations:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Air Force Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Navy Cross
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Soldier's Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Airman's Medal
Coast Guard Medal

They all reflect personal accomplishments. For CAP, that would extend to most ribbons worn above the GRW, with exceptions in both directions.

Here's the list from 39-3:

Silver Medal of Valor
Bronze Medal of Valor
Distinguished Service Medal
Exceptional Service Award
Meritorious Service Award
Commander's Commendation Award
CAP Achievement Award
Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving
National Commander's Unit Citation Award
Unit Citation Award

The unit citation award is frequently just a bit of fluff for most wearers of a given citation. I know that I made no direct contributions toward the three that I have.

Others not listed above would include Wilson, Garber, Spaatz, Eaker, Earhart, Crossfield, IACE, NCC, NCGC, multiple encampment ribbons (SM), Air SAR, DR, Find, Orientation Pilot, Community Service, Recruiter, and Homeland Security.

All of these require considerable time and effort over and above showing up for meetings every week, and members wearing these fit into the "highly decorated" group.

YMMV.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

It depends on the definition of "highly decorated," and whether or not the CAP officer has prior military service or not.

The two examples given are instructive.

Our National CC, General Courter, does not have prior military service...but the CAP ribbons she has are quite impressive, especially since her top three, the Distinguished Service Medal, Exceptional Service Award and Meritorious Service Award rank just below the S/BMV.

As well, Colonel Smith of Texas does have prior military service and his top three, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and Outstanding Unit Commendation with device (I can't tell what it is, due to his lapel) are quite notable.

But one thing I don't think we should get into are the who-is-the-most-highly-decorated in CAP terms viz. military+CAP awards v. CAP awards only.  Who would be more "highly decorated" in CAP, a holder of the SMV or one with prior service who earned an Air Force Achievement Medal?

After all, neither is of more/less value to CAP just based on those awards.

[SarDragon]

FWIW, my discussion has been primarily centered on CAP stuff, having used the military decorations as a starting analogy. No inclusion of military decorations was intended for any definition of "highly decorated".

[James Shaw]

I would have to say CAP only. You can open a whole new can of trouble adding AD or Res type stuff.

You accomplish CAP stuff in CAP not AD.