Golden Pip

[sneakers]

I recently became the cadet commander of my squadron. As part of the change of command, I have been given a box that has been passed down from cadet commander to cadet commander for many years. There is a lot of history in the box, and momentos from previous commanders. One item in there is a golden pip.

I have looked online here and find some discussion of the golden pip, but not what grade it was for and when/why it was phased out. Could you please help me understand it?

[Майор Хаткевич]

The Golden Pip was for C/Flight Officer.

It was the grade that you earned upon getting the Mitchell Award.

Phased out...90s?

[SarDragon]

Actually, depending on how far back that specific item, it could have been a Cadet Warrant Officer insignia, which was instituted in 1968. It became Cadet Flight Officer (C/FO) sometime between 1983 and 1987. C/FO was still around in the 1997 version of CAPM 39-1.

I still have mine from 1968.

[major pain]

i was a golden pipper!

[FW]

Actually, depending on how far back that specific item, it could have been a Cadet Warrant Officer insignia, which was instituted in 1968. It became Cadet Flight Officer (C/FO) sometime between 1983 and 1987. C/FO was still around in the 1997 version of CAPM 39-1.

I still have mine from 1968.

The dates seem about right to me.  I got mine in 1969.

[ol'fido]

I have my gold pip in my collection. I would like to get a cloth one on ultramarine blue. I actually have a cloth gold pip embroidered on khaki cloth that was in some old indignia my former squadron commander gave me.

[Stonewall]

I still have my gold pip as well as a fatigue jacket with it sewn on.

Ah the good old days, when being a cadet officer meant lots of beatings, push-ups, abuse and no CPPT.

[Phil Hirons, Jr.]

I got my Mitchell on 29 Feb 1984 and it came with the golden pip and C/WO. I wore it to COS that year.

[abdsp51]

i received mine in 96 and it was presented by the National commander while I was in Germany. 

[GroundHawg]

i was a golden pipper!

As was I. Got it in 1993.

[AlphaSigOU]

Got my gold pip C/WO in April 1981. If I remember correctly, the grade designation changed to cadet flight officer (C/FO) around 1985 and it flew off into the sunset around 2003 when the new cadet enlisted supergrades (C/SMSgt and C/CMSgt) were introduced.

[Dracosbane]

I was a golden pipper.  C/FO in the mid to late 90s.  I always wondered why they didn't use the gold pip as C/2Lt, the silver as C/1Lt and the two silvers as C/Cpt.  I guess that's too close to mil rank.

[Hill CAP]

Got my gold pip C/WO in April 1981. If I remember correctly, the grade designation changed to cadet flight officer (C/FO) around 1985 and it flew off into the sunset around 2003 when the new cadet enlisted supergrades (C/SMSgt and C/CMSgt) were introduced.

The change from C/FO to C/2d Lt was 1 Aug 1999. I was awarded Mitchell #45428 on 28 Jul 1999 and my squadron commander asked if I wanted to wait till after the switch before sending in my mitchell paperwork. Which I didn't so I guess I can say I was one of the few C/FO still Awarded before 1 Aug 1999

[sneakers]

Thanks everyone. I'm still digging through the box. There's a lot in it. One of the coolest traditions is that every cadet commander puts their nametape in the box when they leave the squadron. Pretty neat to see all those nametapes.

[caphornbuckle]

Thanks everyone. I'm still digging through the box. There's a lot in it. One of the coolest traditions is that every cadet commander puts their nametape in the box when they leave the squadron. Pretty neat to see all those nametapes.

Gold Pipper here as well in the early 90's.

Your box is an awesome idea!  I wish I thought of something like that back during my C/CC days.  Don't let anything happen to it!

[jeders]

Got my gold pip C/WO in April 1981. If I remember correctly, the grade designation changed to cadet flight officer (C/FO) around 1985 and it flew off into the sunset around 2003 when the new cadet enlisted supergrades (C/SMSgt and C/CMSgt) were introduced.

I think the gold pip went by-by in the '99-'00 time frame. I joined fall of '00 and remember during a class on leadership ch 1, the instructor was mentioning the recent changes in the rank structure and that C/FO and the gold pip were gone.

[Al Sayre]

Got my gold pip in '78, and a bus driver hat to go with it.  Man, we were the epitome of cool back then...

[majdomke]

Got my gold pip in '78, and a bus driver hat to go with it.  Man, we were the epitome of cool back then...

C/WO 1984

[HGjunkie]

Maybe if there was a gold pip nowadays, more chiefs would promote to Lt... just sayin'.  :angel:

[Senior]

I was a Golden Pip(C/FO) in '88.  I wish I still had mine.  We gave our rank to the junior officers as we advanced in my squadron.

HG.  It really isn't about the color of rank.  It is about the person's drive.  I also believe that cadets need to be told over and over again that the completion of the cadet program occurs when you receive the Spaatz Award, not the Mitchell, Earhart or Eaker.  I understand that some cadets move on or time out, but you should always try to advance to the next milestone.

[JC004]

I knew what this would be from the topic title.  I remember many a golden pip as a cadet.

[jimmydeanno]

I remember getting my Mitchell in 1998.  At the time, three other cadets in my squadron got them the same day.  We were all promoted to C/FO.

I worked my tail off to get through the two achievements between C/FO and C/2d Lt, while my peers did nothing to advance.

I completed the two achievements and got promoted to C/2d Lt.  My peers still hadn't begun working towards it. 

Then, the phase out date for C/FO happened and they were all instantly promoted to C/2d Lt.  I was a bit aggravated, to say the least.  However, my drive brought me through the Eaker in the minimum time, while only one of my peers earned the Earhart.

[m981]

c/wo Nov 74, unnumbered Mitchell, worn on epaulets, heard they went on boards much later on.

[LTC Don]

c/WO, late 1982, Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron   


Cheers,

[Flying Pig]

C/FO R. Steht.  1991

[Ned]

c/wo Nov 74, unnumbered Mitchell, worn on epaulets, heard they went on boards much later on.

Also C/WO early 70's.  At the time, C/WO went on the collar.  Shoulder boards were reserved for C/2dLt and above.

And both cadet and senior WOs were addressed as "Mister."  (Including the women, since the reg was explicit and did not seem to anticipate female warrant officers.  )

[Persona non grata]

C/FO 1996

[JBC]

I was a golden pipper.  C/FO in the mid to late 90s.  I always wondered why they didn't use the gold pip as C/2Lt, the silver as C/1Lt and the two silvers as C/Cpt.  I guess that's too close to mil rank.

No its because we have to hijack the army rotc ranks for some strange reason.

[Майор Хаткевич]

I was a golden pipper.  C/FO in the mid to late 90s.  I always wondered why they didn't use the gold pip as C/2Lt, the silver as C/1Lt and the two silvers as C/Cpt.  I guess that's too close to mil rank.

No its because we have to hijack the army rotc ranks for some strange reason.

I was always under the impression ROTC took OUR grade insignia, not the other way around. 

[SarDragon]

I was a golden pipper.  C/FO in the mid to late 90s.  I always wondered why they didn't use the gold pip as C/2Lt, the silver as C/1Lt and the two silvers as C/Cpt.  I guess that's too close to mil rank.

No its because we have to hijack the army rotc ranks for some strange reason.

Hijack? That's a little harsh, isn't it?

Does that mean all the police and fire department members shouldn't be wearing the same rank insignia that the military folks wear?

[ZigZag911]

C/WO, December 1971

[wacapgh]

c/wo Nov 74, unnumbered Mitchell, worn on epaulets, heard they went on boards much later on.

Also C/WO early 70's.  At the time, C/WO went on the collar.  Shoulder boards were reserved for C/2dLt and above.

And both cadet and senior WOs were addressed as "Mister."  (Including the women, since the reg was explicit and did not seem to anticipate female warrant officers.  )

I had forgotten about the no boards for Warrants rule back then!

Some good natured ribbing was had with "Shall be addressed as Mister" 

C/WO, Jan 1978 (Unnumbered)

[N Harmon]

C/FO N. Harmon, 1996.

[ProdigalJim]

C/WO 1981

LTC Robert S. Vankeuren Cadet Squadron
Syracuse NY (may it R.I.P.)

[futura]

C/WO, Soloed,  Mitchell 1969

It was a very good year.