Did CAP Ever Have Senior Member NCOs prior to 11 August 2014?

[Public Affairs Guy]

CAP has undergone many changes since it was founded on December 1, 1941. I wasn't on the scene as a senior member until 2009. I'm still working on the article about SDWG's first senior member NCO. Historically speaking, does anyone know, were there senior member NCOs prior to 11 August 2014 with the publication of the new CAPR-35-5?

[Storm Chaser]

Yes, the main difference that the new CAPR 35-5 brought regarding NCOs is their ability to promote. Prior to this change, CAP NCOs could not be promoted unless they were promoted in a military service.

[LSThiker]

CAP has undergone many changes since it was founded on December 1, 1941. I wasn't on the scene as a senior member until 2009. I'm still working on the article about SDWG's first senior member NCO. Historically speaking, does anyone know, were there senior member NCOs prior to 11 August 2014 with the publication of the new CAPR-35-5?

Please read this historical document regarding promotions from 1942:

http://history.cap.gov/files/show/786

NCOs were allowed to be promoted by the Base Commander.

Some additional NCO items from WWII:

http://history.cap.gov/files/show/659

http://history.cap.gov/files/show/775

http://history.cap.gov/files/show/717

[MacGruff]

Yes, there were.

I related the story of an NCO that we had in our squadron who chose to leave CAP citing the changes to the stripes. Some here have stated that it was a "convenient excuse". Nonetheless, the story is told on this board.

[Dragoon]

Lots of NCOs in the 60s and 70s, based on a billet-based system of rank.  Each unit had a set number of positions and each grade, and you were limited in promotion based on whether those slots were full or not.  That system was eliminated in part because the class distinction between NCOs and Officers didn't work well in a volunteer organization.  Today's support guy is tomorrow's leader, and visa versa, depending on the job at hand and the resources available.