Pink Ribbon

[garrettkitt]

So I just came from JFA (Johnson Flight Academy) and was given an unique award. It' is called a "pink ribbon award".  It is given to a cadet that does something very stupid/dumb and it has to be a completely innocent act of stupidly. I.e. Trying to taxi off with your wings still tied down to the Tarmac. I received mine for hitting my head on a wing strut and powering down the plane by engaging the start on the magnetos while the plane was still running lol. My question is does anyone know of anyone else who has received this award? Yes, it is unofficial and only given out by one senior member. This SM is from Illinois. Anyways I got the pink ribbon and will be wearing it at squadron events (not wing or nat.)


Garrett Kitterman C/MSgt
Sq. Deputy Commander
GLR-IN-220

[MSG Mac]

!!!!DO NOT WEAR IT AT YOUR UNIT. !!!!!

It is not a CAP Award. Keep it as a memento of having survived an act of stupidity and share the story with friends. ONLY

[Eclipse]

Don't wear it on your uniform.

That "Senior Member" was supposed to knock off giving those out a long time ago.

Also, unless something changed this week, you should adjust your signature.

With both above said, how did things go?  The weather was pretty iffy this week.

[Panzerbjorn]

You received an award for hitting your head on a strut and trying to power off the aircraft with the key?   Hmmmm.....Where's mine with oak leaf clusters?  There isn't a Cessna pilot yet that hasn't hit their head on a strut or tattooed their forehead with diamond dimples from running into the trailing edge of the flap.  It's one of the reasons I always wear a ball cap when I'm flying or pre-flighting.

If you received that award for stupid things done, not much must've gone on and they were scraping the bottom of the barrel for reasons to give that award.  Hope you're not beating yourself up over it.  Also hope you had a heck of a good time and made the best out of each flight that that week!

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

I remember in a former squadron we were prepping the airplane for an inspection.  A squadron member slipped and broke his arm in two places.

He was the safety officer.

Such a thing may seem funny but this guy was in some serious pain.

Needless to say, do not wear it.

[NorCal21]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Why? They are long storied, and usually meant to be some harmless fun. Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

[Garibaldi]

It can still be considered as a form of hazing, in some eyes.

[inactive123]

  Interesting. I was also there,and I know a glider cadet recieved it for a rope break. I overheard another cadet saying it was authorized only to be worn in the Illinois wing. The wind is what kept cadets out of the sky.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

I suppose it's my ingrained ex-safety officer talking.

[garrettkitt]

Don't wear it on your uniform.

That "Senior Member" was supposed to knock off giving those out a long time ago.

Also, unless something changed this week, you should adjust your signature.

With both above said, how did things go?  The weather was pretty iffy this week.

I did have great fun. Got around 8.4 hours of flight! I know not to wear it, I just find it quite funny! And signature? This is a forum not a formal email I am sending out to the president? Anyways thanks for asking!

[Mitchell 1969]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Why? They are long storied, and usually meant to be some harmless fun. Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

Long storied? I've been around since 1967 and never heard the story about the "pink ribbon."

It's pointless twaddle, designed to inflate the presenter while deflating the recipient.

[AirAux]

I would mount it on an award board and place a brass nameplate on it and put it on the wall of fame.  It will always get attention and give you something to talk about and remember your flight training.  Congratulations on your flight training.

[Storm Chaser]

Don't wear it on your uniform.

That "Senior Member" was supposed to knock off giving those out a long time ago.

Also, unless something changed this week, you should adjust your signature.

With both above said, how did things go?  The weather was pretty iffy this week.

I did have great fun. Got around 8.4 hours of flight! I know not to wear it, I just find it quite funny!

Being that you're a C/MSgt you should know "not to wear it". That said, you stated on your first post that you "will be wearing it at squadron events (not wing or nat.)" [sic.] Which one is it?

And signature? This is a forum not a formal email I am sending out to the president?

You forgot to say "sir" at the end of that sentence. Seriously, an experienced Lt Col is giving you feedback and that's not an appropriate way to respond, forum or not. Now, I don't know if you changed your signature block or not, but your first post on this tread says you're a "Sq. Deputy Commander". Since that position is reserved to senior members, I imagine what you meant was that you're the Cadet Deputy Commander. If so, that's an even bigger reason for you to comply with uniform regulations and to show proper respect to CAP officers.

(edited for grammar)

[Private Investigator]

Slightly off topic but when does a Cadet experience that "moment of clarity"? It must be one of the milestones?   

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

You forgot to say "sir" at the end of that sentence. Seriously, an experienced Lt Col is giving you feedback and that's not an appropriate way to respond, forum or not.

Well stated, Sir.

(note: Storm Chaser is a Major and I am a Captain)

[Salty]

Slightly off topic but when does a Cadet experience that "moment of clarity"? It must be one of the milestones?   

I received mine the moment the doors of the bus opened at Lackland AFB in the middle of the night and a TI started yelling.




The only thing I've ever seen remotely close to these "pink ribbons" were the embroidered "purple heart" patches we got for sustaining an injury doing something dumb while deployed to Saudi Arabia.  The patches were given out by the hospital commander and I still have mine stored in my foot locker.

I think these methods can be used in good fun and help build camaraderie but I also agree that some people use these methods to haze and demean others.  I'm not sure if this is appropriate for Civil Air Patrol but the military and many Greek organizations in college still use these methods without incident.

[Mitchell 1969]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

Define "widely used." And, it's a giant leap between somebody in the Navy possibily doing this and being able to say that "the Navy" does it.

[Shuman 14]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

Define "widely used." And, it's a giant leap between somebody in the Navy possibily doing this and being able to say that "the Navy" does it.

I've never served on a submarine but even as a young Marine I had heard of this tradition. So I believe "widely" is the appropriate word.

[Eclipse]

For those who believe this type of thing is "harmless" and "all in fun", perhaps a review of the most
recent 52-10 will assist the understanding.

Further to this point, and something which needs to be considered in the broad discussion;
Ask yourself..."Why is the ribbon pink?"

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Further to this point, and something which needs to be considered in the broad discussion;
Ask yourself..."Why is the ribbon pink?"

As someone who never got to meet my mother-in-law due to breast cancer, and who is helping his wife fight this horrible disease, this pushes buttons with me, and not good ones.

The pink ribbon has become a symbol of survival for women and men (Peter Criss, former drummer of KISS, is a breast cancer survivor), and their caregivers and loved ones.

I don't like seeing it trivialised.

[arajca]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

Define "widely used." And, it's a giant leap between somebody in the Navy possibily doing this and being able to say that "the Navy" does it.

I've never served on a submarine but even as a young Marine I had heard of this tradition. So I believe "widely" is the appropriate word.

We've all 'heard' of CAP member trolling for salutes on military installations, so does that make it widespread?

[Shuman 14]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

Define "widely used." And, it's a giant leap between somebody in the Navy possibily doing this and being able to say that "the Navy" does it.

I've never served on a submarine but even as a young Marine I had heard of this tradition. So I believe "widely" is the appropriate word.

We've all 'heard' of CAP member trolling for salutes on military installations, so does that make it widespread?

Clearly it is, which is why CAP has Grey Shoulder Boards. 

Seriously, I do get your point. Let me ask you this... do you know what a Shellback is?

[Alaric]

Further to this point, and something which needs to be considered in the broad discussion;
Ask yourself..."Why is the ribbon pink?"

As someone who never got to meet my mother-in-law due to breast cancer, and who is helping his wife fight this horrible disease, this pushes buttons with me, and not good ones.

The pink ribbon has become a symbol of survival for women and men (Peter Criss, former drummer of KISS, is a breast cancer survivor), and their caregivers and loved ones.

I don't like seeing it trivialised.

Can't say why the ribbon is pink, but to Cyborg's point Breast Cancer has adopted the pink ribbon, which does not make other uses of it a trivialization.  If my niece uses pink ribbons on her kitty cat or dolly, its because she likes pink, it doesn't trivialize anything.  Symbols mean different things to different people, the crossed swords can be a symbol of the Cavalry, or the Wilkinson corporation; crossed quills can be the symbol of a Navy Yeoman; the Secretary of a Masonic Lodge, or a Finance officer in the Civil Air Patrol; and there are many other examples

[Brit_in_CAP]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

Define "widely used." And, it's a giant leap between somebody in the Navy possibily doing this and being able to say that "the Navy" does it.

I've never served on a submarine but even as a young Marine I had heard of this tradition. So I believe "widely" is the appropriate word.

We've all 'heard' of CAP member trolling for salutes on military installations, so does that make it widespread?

Clearly it is, which is why CAP has Grey Shoulder Boards. 

Seriously, I do get your point. Let me ask you this... do you know what a Shellback is?

(polite cough)...former UK airforce here...I know what one is!

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Clearly it is, which is why CAP has Grey Shoulder Boards. 

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

Maybe I am sensitive about the colour pink since breast cancer has hit my family in a big way, but that's how it is.  If a little girl wants to use pink ribbons, I'm OK with that.

Our kitty has a pink collar, so obviously I'm not THAT sensitive about it.

[Salty]

Poor kitty!  She should have a collar that matches the berry boards.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Poor kitty!  She should have a collar that matches the berry boards.

No way would I do that to my dear kitty.

[abdsp51]

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

You have no proof of that, please quit trying to spread it.

[PHall]

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

You have no proof of that, please quit trying to spread it.

You have no proof it didn't happen either. Please quit trying to deny it!

[abdsp51]

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

You have no proof of that, please quit trying to spread it.

You have no proof it didn't happen either. Please quit trying to deny it!

I have an email from Ms. Parker saying otherwise that has been shared here and no one has shown proof otherwise. 

[Panache]

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

You have no proof of that, please quit trying to spread it.

You have no proof it didn't happen either. Please quit trying to deny it!

I have an email from Ms. Parker saying otherwise that has been shared here and no one has shown proof otherwise.

Well, an e-mail.  That settles it, then.

[Eclipse]

For those who believe this type of thing is "harmless" and "all in fun", perhaps a review of the most
recent 52-10 will assist the understanding.

Further to this point, and something which needs to be considered in the broad discussion;
Ask yourself..."Why is the ribbon pink?"

OK, so Cyborg got us a little sidetracked, though he raised something I hadn't considered,
but to be fair this is a different type of "ribbon".  At last sight it was a white CAC ribbon
colored with a pink highlighter.

The reason it is pink, I would conjecture, is to propagate a misogynistic and insulting idea
that the recipient is lacking in masculinity because of whatever foibles he may have committed
during the activity.  One would have thought that sort of mentality was no longer present, at
least publicly, in the CAP of today, or for that matter the military, of course we all know a few people
who have difficulty checking their prejudices at the door.

It's insulting to the recipient, female cadets, makes a veiled implied statement about the
recipient, and clearly violates 52-10.

A textbook example of "all in good fun", until the wrong cadet gets one and everyone is
in a hearing room trying to explain themselves.

If we continue to "look the other way" when our members make well-intentioned mistakes,
things will never change.

[Alaric]

For those who believe this type of thing is "harmless" and "all in fun", perhaps a review of the most
recent 52-10 will assist the understanding.

Further to this point, and something which needs to be considered in the broad discussion;
Ask yourself..."Why is the ribbon pink?"

OK, so Cyborg got us a little sidetracked, though he raised something I hadn't considered,
but to be fair this is a different type of "ribbon".  At last sight it was a white CAC ribbon
colored with a pink highlighter.

The reason it is pink, I would conjecture, is to propagate a misogynistic and insulting idea
that the recipient is lacking in masculinity because of whatever foibles he may have committed
during the activity.  One would have thought that sort of mentality was no longer present, at
least publicly, in the CAP of today, or for that matter the military, of course we all know a few people
who have difficulty checking their prejudices at the door.

It's insulting to the recipient, female cadets, makes a veiled implied statement about the
recipient, and clearly violates 52-10.

A textbook example of "all in good fun", until the wrong cadet gets one and everyone is
in a hearing room trying to explain themselves.

If we continue to "look the other way" when our members make well-intentioned mistakes,
things will never change.

Thats a presumption with no backing Bob, are you looking for something for people to be offended by?  I have never seen any implication in pink other than its a faded out red, perhaps you have issues with color, doesnt mean everybody else does

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

You have no proof of that, please quit trying to spread it.

Hier stehe ich.

[Shuman 14]

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

You have no proof of that, please quit trying to spread it.

And you have no proof that it didn't happen... so... 

[abdsp51]

We have grey shoulder boards because we are still being punished for the transgressions of a very, very few almost 30 years ago.

You have no proof of that, please quit trying to spread it.

And you have no proof that it didn't happen... so... 

Lemmig much?

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

What's a "lemmig?"

[Panzerbjorn]

There is plenty of precedent for this kind of thing.

A good friend of mine earned a Corregated Tin F$&@ Up Medal (CTFUMDL) in Vietnam from the rest of his Ranger team for misreading a map and calling in artillery on their own position instead of on a hill across the valley.

That friend continued that tradition many years ago where I was the recipient during a nighttime paintball game on a farmstead up in Wisconsin.  It was dark, I heard movement, opened fire, and created a small stampede because I had just lit up a herd of cows.  It earned me the CTFUMDL and a nickname, mainly because I looked at my squad and made the fatal mistake of saying "Let's just keep this amongst ourselves, shall we?"  That lasted pretty much until the end of the weekend.  They even reminded me of it at my wedding reception by dancing around me (including my wife) to the song Bully Bully with their fingers on the sides of their heads like horns.  It was good-natured ribbing.

We do the same thing amongst ourselves as aviators bestowing call signs upon each other.  It's all expected to be done good naturedly, and we all expect each other to have a certain thickness of skin.  But we can't expect the same thing from teenage cadets, particularly when it's coming from senior members.  Cadets look up to us as senior members (or at least that's supposed to be the case), and it could have very disastrous results to breach that trust by singling them out for ridicule.  This isn't to say that there isn't room for good-natured ribbing, it just needs to be done in a way where you're not cutting down the cadet.

[Eclipse]

What's a "lemmig?"

A meme based on a Disney nature film.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

What's a "lemmig?"

A meme based on a Disney nature film.

Oh, a lemming!  That's what I had thought but didn't want to assume.

[stillamarine]

Those kind of "awards" should go the way of the dodo bird.

Its still widely used in the military. I point to the Navy still pinning on aviator wings on a submariner officer who breaches the sub accidentally.

Define "widely used." And, it's a giant leap between somebody in the Navy possibily doing this and being able to say that "the Navy" does it.

I've never served on a submarine but even as a young Marine I had heard of this tradition. So I believe "widely" is the appropriate word.

We've all 'heard' of CAP member trolling for salutes on military installations, so does that make it widespread?

Clearly it is, which is why CAP has Grey Shoulder Boards. 

Seriously, I do get your point. Let me ask you this... do you know what a Shellback is?

Oh I definitely know what a shellback is. I earned mine almost 20 years ago.

[CAP_truth]

Back in my day we had the Royal Order of the Broken Crutch.  To a member who obtained a boo boo or ouchie. No one every complained.

[Private Investigator]

A good friend of mine earned a Corregated Tin F$&@ Up Medal (CTFUMDL) in Vietnam from the rest of his Ranger team for misreading a map and calling in artillery on their own position instead of on a hill across the valley.

Bless their hearts. My Unit 'fragged' people for less than that, "in-country" YMMV   

[Eclipse]

As pointed out, what is done between adults, is different then what should be done between adults and cadets.

[Garibaldi]

As pointed out, what is done between adults, is different then what should be done between adults and cadets.

I'm not sure how I got it into my head that this was given to a cadet. WIWAC, the worst performing squad during inspection had to carry around a pink boot as punishment until the next meeting, including weekend activities. Guess I had a flashback.

[Eclipse]

Not you, the OP.

There was a pink belt that has been referenced here as well, some encampment or other used to do it.

[Private Investigator]

As pointed out, what is done between adults, is different then what should be done between adults and cadets.

Correctamundo.

Some things that happen is embrassing and I would be ashamed to see see it on 60 Minutes or 20/20. 

[Shuman 14]

What's a "lemmig?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemming

- "Lemmings are small rodents, usually found in or near the Arctic, in tundra biomes. They are subniveal animals, and together with voles and muskrats, they make up the subfamily Arvicolinae (also known as Microtinae), which forms part of the largest mammal radiation by far, the superfamily Muroidea, which also includes rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils."

[Garibaldi]

What's a "lemmig?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemming

- "Lemmings are small rodents, usually found in or near the Arctic, in tundra biomes. They are subniveal animals, and together with voles and muskrats, they make up the subfamily Arvicolinae (also known as Microtinae), which forms part of the largest mammal radiation by far, the superfamily Muroidea, which also includes rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils."

The term "lemming" usually is meant for those who follow along blindly. Lemmings are known to throw themselves off cliffs because their leader did.

[Shuman 14]

What's a "lemmig?"

A meme based on a Disney nature film.

Oh, a lemming!  That's what I had thought but didn't want to assume.

abdsp51 has been cited. 

[Shuman 14]

What's a "lemmig?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemming

- "Lemmings are small rodents, usually found in or near the Arctic, in tundra biomes. They are subniveal animals, and together with voles and muskrats, they make up the subfamily Arvicolinae (also known as Microtinae), which forms part of the largest mammal radiation by far, the superfamily Muroidea, which also includes rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils."

The term "lemming" usually is meant for those who follow along blindly. Lemmings are known to throw themselves off cliffs because their leader did.

Oh, kinda  like the senior leadership of CAP, and several posters here. 

[Luis R. Ramos]

Those of you answering Cyborg's question re Lemmigs... Note the spelling!

He knows what a Lemming is, but asked what a Lemmig is... I think he forgot to include the Sarcasm label.

[PHall]

What's a "lemmig?"

A meme based on a Disney nature film.

Oh, a lemming!  That's what I had thought but didn't want to assume.

abdsp51 has been cited. 

shuman14, you're not the grammar cop here, that's Sardragon's job.
And you can consider yourself under arrest for Grand Theft Badge!

[Shuman 14]

But I bought it at Clothing and Sales! 

[Garibaldi]

What's a "lemmig?"

A meme based on a Disney nature film.

Oh, a lemming!  That's what I had thought but didn't want to assume.

abdsp51 has been cited. 

shuman14, you're not the grammar cop here, that's Sardragon's job.
And you can consider yourself under arrest for Grand Theft Badge!

Actually, there is a grammar committee. Myself, LTC Jack, THRAWN, Sar Dragon and a couple others.

[THRAWN]

Ooooohhhhh....a committee! I should get cards printed...

[lordmonar]

Actually, there is a grammar committee. Myself, LTC Jack, THRAWN, Sar Dragon and a couple others.

What color cord do you get wear.   

[Garibaldi]

Actually, there is a grammar committee. Myself, LTC Jack, THRAWN, Sar Dragon and a couple others.

What color cord do you get wear.   

Chalk white. With green threads. For the chalkboard.

[ColonelJack]

Actually, there is a grammar committee. Myself, LTC Jack, THRAWN, Sar Dragon and a couple others.

What color cord do you get wear.   

Chalk white. With green threads. For the chalkboard.

And black highlights for the erasers.

Jack

[MacGruff]

Don't forget the pink shades - to go along with this topic!

[rustyjeeper]

Actually, there is a grammar committee. Myself, LTC Jack, THRAWN, Sar Dragon and a couple others.

What color cord do you get wear.   

PINK RIBBON!

[inactive123]

Well just by looking at the Academy's photos:

http://miwg.smugmug.com/Johnson-Flight-Academy/2014/Week-2/i-pnCZxM4/A

[a2capt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGJ0mp4kRVo#