CAP Talk

General Discussion => Uniforms & Awards => Topic started by: darkmatter on June 23, 2017, 01:24:10 PM

Title: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 23, 2017, 01:24:10 PM
Hey guy,

Trying to find all the mini medals that correspond with my ribbons. On vanguard I can't find the community service mini medal does it exsist? It would be a shame if it doesint
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: N6RVT on June 23, 2017, 01:29:59 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 23, 2017, 01:24:10 PM
Hey guy,

Trying to find all the mini medals that correspond with my ribbons. On vanguard I can't find the community service mini medal does it exist? It would be a shame if it doesn't

There is no corresponding medal.  There probably should be,but remember this was originally a cadet-only award.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 23, 2017, 01:33:17 PM
To bad I can't take the command medal and with a blue and red sharpie switch the two lines
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: N6RVT on June 23, 2017, 01:50:40 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 23, 2017, 01:33:17 PM
To bad I can't take the command medal and with a blue and red sharpie switch the two lines

I wish my CAC ribbon had a medal.  Not only would it really stand out, but it looks good to be a 59 year old and have one of those.

I also wish they had adopted "Black Tie" as the corporate equivalent of Mess Dress, but that doesn't seem to have gotten out of committee.  I never replaced my Mess Dress after the Black & White version went out.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 23, 2017, 01:54:43 PM
Oh no I completely didint know they don't have cap cac medal... well that makes two medals I can't have to show my full ribbon equivalents
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: Abby.L on June 25, 2017, 06:01:03 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 23, 2017, 01:54:43 PM
Oh no I completely didint know they don't have cap cac medal... well that makes two medals I can't have to show my full ribbon equivalents

You'll notice that this is a fairly common occurrence not just in CAP, but in the military as well. The military generally reserves Medals(Mini and regular) for medals(ie, National service medal, global war on terrorism medal) even though medals come in both a medal and ribbon form. This differs from things like the AF training ribbon, which only comes in a ribbon as the name would suggest.

This isn't to say that CAP should practice real military practices like this, otherwise we'd really only have the SMOV and BMOV in medal forms, but it could be an insight to why we only have some ribbons that have a corresponding medal. This, and like N6RVT said, things like the CAC and community service ribbons were intended to be cadet only, with no real occasion to wear the mini medal on cadet uniforms.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: Eclipse on June 25, 2017, 06:18:11 PM
Quote from: Levi Lockling on June 25, 2017, 06:01:03 PMThis, and like N6RVT said, things like the CAC and community service ribbons were intended to be cadet only, with no real occasion to wear the mini medal on cadet uniforms.

This is the most likely reason.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 06:20:47 PM
I feel like the mini medals should be updated that's my opinain
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: AlphaSigOU on June 25, 2017, 06:54:34 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 06:20:47 PM
I feel like the mini medals should be updated that's my opinain


Mighty expensive proposition to produce... creating dies for the medal, approval process, etc. Not every award CAP presents needs to be produced in full or miniature size.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 07:04:55 PM
That's why I said opinain because me and you feel differently about it and that fine.... the cac is all white that wouldint be that hard and they have the command medal so all they'd have to do for that one is switch the red and blue stripes to have the community service ribbon
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: N6RVT on June 25, 2017, 07:09:27 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 06:20:47 PM
I feel like the mini medals should be updated that's my opinion

In my case I have about 35 ribbons
Of which 18 have miniature medals
and only seven have full size medals

So as you can see, from miniature to full size medals there is a second wave of attrition.  In CAP its essentially everything, as only two CAP medals come in a full size version and are never worn again after they are presented.

All actual military medals come in both sizes,  but both CAP and USCGAUX have no occasion to wear full size medals so they are not made that way.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 08:17:04 PM
I wounder why we can't wear the one of three full medals
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: James Shaw on June 25, 2017, 09:39:17 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 08:17:04 PM
I wounder why we can't wear the one of three full medals

I have seen several recipients wear them on their suspenders when in mess dress. Not the same but it is a way.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 09:42:03 PM
Where can I buy mess dress speaking of medals
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: MSG Mac on June 25, 2017, 10:06:23 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 09:42:03 PM
Where can I buy mess dress speaking of medals

MCSS, Thrift Shops, Airman's Attic
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: Eclipse on June 25, 2017, 10:09:03 PM
Quote from: MSG Mac on June 25, 2017, 10:06:23 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 09:42:03 PM
Where can I buy mess dress speaking of medals

MCSS, Thrift Shops, Airman's Attic

eBay.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: Abby.L on June 25, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
I have a jacket for sale in the "For sale" section of this forum.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: AlphaSigOU on June 25, 2017, 11:43:03 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 09:42:03 PM
Where can I buy mess dress speaking of medals


If you're a cadet, mess dress is not authorized for wear. You can wear the semi-formal uniform (service dress uniform with white shirt and no nametag).

Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 25, 2017, 11:59:55 PM
Nope I'm a 1st Lt former c/Lt Col
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: BuckeyeDEJ on June 26, 2017, 02:36:54 AM
Quote from: Levi Lockling on June 25, 2017, 06:01:03 PM
This isn't to say that CAP should practice real military practices like this, otherwise we'd really only have the SMOV and BMOV in medal forms, but it could be an insight to why we only have some ribbons that have a corresponding medal. This, and like N6RVT said, things like the CAC and community service ribbons were intended to be cadet only, with no real occasion to wear the mini medal on cadet uniforms.

Three. The Distinguished Service Medal has a full-size version. Whether CAP has any more in stock, who knows, but yes, it's the DSM, not the DSA.

We have too many ribbons that have mini medal versions.
-- Should an activity ribbon have a medal? Doubtful.
-- Should a cadet award have a medal? I don't think you can make a great case for it.
-- Should a training ribbon have a medal? I mean, really. The Membership Award is given for breathing at the six-month mark. The Leadership Award pretty much mirrors what's on a CGO's shoulders. Big whoop. No need for that medal.

That said, the top five should be medals, instead of the top three, and commendation awards should be considered for medals. Flame away.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 26, 2017, 03:08:17 AM
i think all ribbons should be mini medals
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: spaatzmom on June 26, 2017, 08:37:04 AM
I'm sorry but I have to ask a couple of things and I do not mean to be hurtful in my asking.

1.  How did you rise to the rank of as you stated former c/Lt Col without a better understanding of the regulations and particularly the uniform and awards regs?  The regulations are spelled out for all to see and use.  Granted they at times can be confusing but that is what your chain of command should be mentoring all members about.

2.  Why are you so wound up about medals for?  I am happy you are excited about the program, but awards and medals are a small small part of it in the scheme of things.  This seems like your transition from cadet to senior member is stuck in cadet mode wanting all the shiny symbols for you as opposed to doing your best to make CAP a better service to the community.  Again, this is where better mentor-ship is needed for cadets becoming senior members.

Just asking.  Good luck in your CAP career.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: LSThiker on June 26, 2017, 04:21:33 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on June 25, 2017, 06:18:11 PM
Quote from: Levi Lockling on June 25, 2017, 06:01:03 PMThis, and like N6RVT said, things like the CAC and community service ribbons were intended to be cadet only, with no real occasion to wear the mini medal on cadet uniforms.

This is the most likely reason.

I would like to point out that there are other ribbons that do not have corresponding mini-medals:

NCSA
Cadet Orientation
Counterdrug
Homeland Security

But yes, for the CAC and Community Service, which were originally cadet-only until "recently", I understand not having mini-medals.  Although, I think enough time has passed that they should have been created by now.  I still find it odd that NCSA does not have one but encampment does.  I do not lose any sleep over it though.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: darkmatter on June 26, 2017, 04:43:13 PM


I would like to point out that there are other ribbons that do not have corresponding mini-medals:

NCSA
Cadet Orientation
Counterdrug
Homeland Security

But yes, for the CAC and Community Service, which were originally cadet-only until "recently", I understand not having mini-medals.  Although, I think enough time has passed that they should have been created by now.  I still find it odd that NCSA does not have one but encampment does.  I do not lose any sleep over it though.
[/quote]


Totally agree with you LSThiker and yes those senior only ribbons should as well be added
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: Adam B on June 26, 2017, 06:55:38 PM
Quote from: AlphaSigOU on June 25, 2017, 06:54:34 PM
Mighty expensive proposition to produce... creating dies for the medal, approval process, etc.

This.
As a whole, CAP has just over 30,000 senior members. Of those, I would be willing to say that less than 10% actually wear the Mess Dress uniform. I'll further speculate that a majority of those are probably wearing military medals (that's what I've seen, at least).
I think you're left less than 2000 potential consumers, most of whom are satisfied by the current selection; there's just not much business sense in committing resources to developing more.


Now, that's not to say that I wouldn't LIKE there to be more.
I recently wanted to buy a set of medals for my shadowbox and was disappointed to see that not all the ribbons had medals available... but I just stuck a ribbon rack in there instead and moved on.

I own one medal, just in case I ever need to wear the CSFU... Which so far, I never have. 


Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: THRAWN on June 26, 2017, 07:21:13 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on June 25, 2017, 06:18:11 PM
Quote from: Levi Lockling on June 25, 2017, 06:01:03 PMThis, and like N6RVT said, things like the CAC and community service ribbons were intended to be cadet only, with no real occasion to wear the mini medal on cadet uniforms.

This is the most likely reason.

If that's the case, what have them for the cadet milestone awards?
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: SarDragon on June 26, 2017, 07:24:50 PM
For the OP, look up "economy of scale". Making a few of something, which may not even have a market, can be significantly more expensive on a per item basis, than making a whole bunch. If you want to pay for a minimum production run, I am sure Vanguard will accommodate


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: Abby.L on June 26, 2017, 11:59:38 PM
Quote from: THRAWN on June 26, 2017, 07:21:13 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on June 25, 2017, 06:18:11 PM
Quote from: Levi Lockling on June 25, 2017, 06:01:03 PMThis, and like N6RVT said, things like the CAC and community service ribbons were intended to be cadet only, with no real occasion to wear the mini medal on cadet uniforms.

This is the most likely reason.

If that's the case, what have them for the cadet milestone awards?
Probably because, as prior cadets, SM's have(For a while, I'm sure) been able to wear their highest milestone award. This is not the case with something like the CAC ribbon, where it was only just recently written in to allow prior cadet members to wear their cadet-earned CAC ribbon.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: BuckeyeDEJ on June 27, 2017, 01:59:30 AM
We have too many ribbons and, in some cases, vague criteria for how and to whom they're awarded. (Meritorious for a cadet? Better be one heckuva feat. Award bloat.) Maybe we need to start paring down some of this stuff. "Community Service Ribbon" for senior members is crazy, especially since being in CAP is volunteer service to begin with. It's just a ribbon for the sake of bling. I'm sure there are others we can justify the same way.

Same argument for all those specialty track badges. Only one should be authorized, and in one location. We puke them all over the place now, most of them are unsightly, and no one knows what most of them are. Maybe it's time to winnow them down to major areas instead of every little thing.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: N6RVT on June 27, 2017, 05:50:55 AM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 26, 2017, 04:43:13 PM
I would like to point out that there are other ribbons that do not have corresponding mini-medals:

Counterdrug
Homeland Security

I will agree that if there is a Disaster Relief medal (and there is)  that these should follow suit.  They are CAP's equivalent of campaign medals.

You cannot retract and existing ribbon / medal without causing a lot of bad feelings, but with the exception of the two I just mentioned, I see no case for adding anything new
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: baronet68 on June 27, 2017, 05:47:39 PM
Quote from: darkmatter on June 26, 2017, 04:43:13 PM


I would like to point out that there are other ribbons that do not have corresponding mini-medals:

NCSA
Cadet Orientation
Counterdrug
Homeland Security

...[snip]

There actually used to be a Counterdrug mini-medal available and I know someone who wears it on his mess dress.

It seems that the availability of the mini-medals is entirely based on the whims of the available inventory in Vanguard's warehouse.  In some cases, I can see where there's not much demand (e.g. Borman Falcon Award) but otherwise I think the long-standing tradition is, and should be, that all senior awards have had mini-medal equivalents .  Personally, I've never worn more than 5 medals on my mess dress.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: Eclipse on June 27, 2017, 06:11:49 PM
Quote from: baronet68 on June 27, 2017, 05:47:39 PM
There actually used to be a Counterdrug mini-medal available and I know someone who wears it on his mess dress.

If so, that medal would have to predate the 2000 CAP bookstore catalog.

Below is the top of page 27 which shows all the mini-medals available at that time:

(http://s8.postimg.org/6ordpgsdx/minimedals.jpg)

No CD, and these all appear to be the same ones available today.

NHQ appears to have no issue creating new mini-medals when they think there is a market,
The Achievement Award, which is handed out in many areas like candy, has one, and that award
is only about 8 years old.

The reality is that by the time you squeeze out the more then 1/2 the adult members who aren't allowed to
wear mess dress, squeeze more out who don't care to, squeeze more out who don't ever have a reason to,
filter the 30%+ empty shirts, and then add the further filter of adults who were / are CAC (maybe 25 members per year total),
involved in CD, 50 O-rides (I know about 5 or 10 people who would even qualify), or involved in
some sort of HLS (which in many wings doesn't even exist), and the need for the medal is
probably essentially zero, which doesn't justify the cost of creating it or stocking them.

The one that probably wold get a fair number of sales is an NCSA medal, since that covers such a wide swath
of activities, including NESA.  As I recall the ability for adults to wear that one is also fairly recent,
being still called National Cadet Special Activities, despite NESA not being a cadet activity, per se.
Title: Re: Community service mini medal
Post by: jayleswo on June 27, 2017, 06:39:17 PM
Quote from: baronet68 on June 27, 2017, 05:47:39 PM

There actually used to be a Counterdrug mini-medal available and I know someone who wears it on his mess dress.


Are you sure it is CD (Counterdrug) and not the Civil Defense ribbon they are wearing (predecessor of the Disaster Relief ribbon)?