Air Force Base Augmentation Program

[ddelaney103]

Remember the whole "salute the rank, not the person".  I think the "Real Military" LT would end up saluting the CAP Major if they walked past each other on the street, not for recognition of the person or of CAP, but in recognition of the oak leaf.

We don't salute costume jewelery in the military - the oak leaf represents the authority of the wearer - an authority we ape with our use of it.

The rank is just a title in CAP, nothing more.  If it gets a salute from those of lesser rank, so be it.  It does not cause the world to fall apart for an AF LT to salute a CAP Major.

This argument would better be served to show reasons to get rid of rank OTHER than citing customs and courtesies.  If we can't find other reasons to remove the rank from CAP, in my book it should stay.

Customs and Courtesies in the military are meant to reinforce the structure of the military.  Salutes are given by a subordinate and returned by a superior.  Equals do not salute each other in the military.

Personally, I think I'm a much sharper person than many officers.  The salute is there to remind me that, in the end, they are the ones in charge, not me.  The salute is there to remind them that, if the poop were to suddenly hit the rotating blades, they're expected to take charge and move out.  The salute reminds each of us of our duties.

In CAP, salutes are exchanged between members based on the number of boxtops that you sent to the home office in Montgomery, AL.  I salute Colonels and Generals even though they hold no authority over me based on their grade.  Likewise, my CAP sqdn commander may salute me, even though he is the one in charge.  We take a core concept of the military and stand it on its head.  Worse, some people here think it's no big deal to get the military to "play along" with our little saluting game.

In short, the saluting problem is the visible tip of the whole jacked up CAP organizational iceberg.  We do military stuff without ever understanding why they do it.  That's why the whole "looking more like AF officers" movement in uniforms spikes my BP.

We're CAP: an organization with noble goals and an honorable lineage.  We should revel in it, be proud of it.  We should strive to do those things that make us an even better force of unpaid professionals, not those that make us the "Fantasy Air Force."

One Team, One Fight, One Uniform

[mikeylikey]

^ Air Force Services (hotel, etc.),  The DFAC, Recruiting Office, Mailroom, Guard Shack,  The gym, DEERS Office, Vehicle Registration, Thrift shop or Arimans attic, education center, arts and crafts center, Family Readiness Group center, Post Office, answering phones in reserve centers, teaching free foreign language.

The list is huge,  these are what are coming to me after taking a long drink of nyquil.  Mikey's not feeling very good.  

Hope others  can add to the list!  Good night!

[mikeylikey]

One Team, One Fight, One Uniform

Who are we fighting?  Other than each other? 

I agree we need ONE uniform, and right now, I could care less what that uniform ends up being.  I thought I did care, but the argument is getting old and actually makes me tired thinking about it. 

I also agree it is one CAP team.  One CAP team playing in one AF team.  I was really hopping that the AF would eventually come out and include CAP in it's total force structure, but sadly that will NEVER EVER Happen.

blah

[ddelaney103]

Of course not, but they certainly could be doing the same sort of stuff that the E-3 fresh out of boot camp is doing there, and maybe a bit more depending on the CAP member's background. 

Ain't no such thing as a E-3 fresh out of boot camp at an Air Force Base unless it's a Air Education and Training Command base and the E-3 is a student in a school.

Just about everybody in the Air Force goes to a technical school after graduating BMT.
I can't think of a job that a military member is performing on an Air Force Base that a CAP Volunteer can do unless they got a bunch of training first.

About the only places I can think where a CAP Volunteer could be used would be stuff like the Family Support Center where their workforce is 100% volunteer.

I can think of a few things, but not for the average CAP'er.

Volunteers with a certified professional ability would be easy to integrate.  We do that right now with Chaplains and could do it with lawyers and medical professionals.

The problem with most CAP types you can either do the AF missions they don't want: SAR and Cadet Training, for example, or you can do unskilled labor like the DFAC.

If we wanted a real AF mission, I would suggest trying to get into deployment support.  It's something that needs doing but isn't done often enough for an average AF/AFRES/ANG unit to devote troops to it full time.  Contracting that out to CAP would take something off their plate and would be an occasional call, which would be easier to staff.  We could partner with a unit, practice at their readiness exercises and be checked out during their ORE/ORI's.

[Hawk200]

If we wanted a real AF mission, I would suggest trying to get into deployment support.  It's something that needs doing but isn't done often enough for an average AF/AFRES/ANG unit to devote troops to it full time.  Contracting that out to CAP would take something off their plate and would be an occasional call, which would be easier to staff.  We could partner with a unit, practice at their readiness exercises and be checked out during their ORE/ORI's.

Things that make you go "Hmmm". That's actually a really good idea. Do it often enough, shuffling people at an incident site would be a cake walk.

Wonder what it would take? Not sure who in CAP would do it, but I imagine there would be plenty of people that would jump at the chance. We ought to really look into this concept.

[JayT]

ADCAPER, there are several State Defense Forces currently providing just this very support to their Air National Guards.  Basically they are drawing from the same exact pool of volunteers that we are and they are able to provide about the same level and type of support that CAP could to the AF.  Are CAP members going to be rebuilding jet engines?  Of course not, but they certainly could be doing the same sort of stuff that the E-3 fresh out of boot camp is doing there, and maybe a bit more depending on the CAP member's background. 

But that doesn't answer some fundamental questions.

1. Will enough CAPers volunteer to make the program worth while.

2. Will it make the average Air Force guys life easier if we do, or will it make it harder because he has a bunch of vollys hanging around him.

3. Will the Air Force NEED the help?

4. Would be doing this to help the Air Force, or to make our own members feel better about their CAP service.

[Dragoon]

ddelaney has a couple of good points

1.  If we're going to augment, we can be the most help with the occasional "surge" task, like deployment support, or OPFOR for training exercises or the like,  rather than ongoing tasks that take place M-F from 9-5.  Most of us have jobs. 

2.  If we're going to augment, and work alongside blue suiters, we gotta leave the grade at the door.   No matter what we say about "CAP is different so it doesn't matter", it DOES matter to the guy on the other side.  Majors don't work for E-8s.  We'll do much better with "hi, I'm Mr. Smith the Auxiliarist and I'm here to help."  We have to respect their culture if we want their respect.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Delaney, I love ya, but I gotta disagree.

First.  Base augmentation can't be a CAP guy showing up and offering to help.  it has to be, like any other operation, well planned, with a close match of skills and training with assignment.  There has to be a training period to bring the CAP guy up to speed on local home rules, and there has to be consideration given so that CAP guys are NOT assigned duties inconsistent with officer rank, but are not in supervisory positions over AF personnel.  I don't want a 60-year old Lt Col policing the area, and neither do you.  (And neither does the 60-year old Lt Col!)

Second.  Rank is immaterial, except for the above consideration. 

Third.  You are wrong on a CAP major saluting a AF 1LT.  There are several possible outcomes for a meeting engagement:

1.  Lt salutes Maj., salute is returned, everyone goes about their business.

2.  Lt. greets Maj without salute, but a cheery "Good Morning."  Maj responds with "Good morning, Lieutenant," and everyone goes about their business.

3.  Lt. ignores the Maj., and (If the Maj is me) the Maj. loudly and cheerfully greets the Lieutenant, and if possible, reminds the Lt. that while "Military Courtesy" may or may not be called for, "Common Courtesy" is the mark of a gentleman.  Then we all go about our business.

Here in Grp. 4 Florida Wing, we augment the Patrick AFB PA shop by providing tour guides for the AF Space and Missile Museum.  The tours are given to tourists from KSC, who pay $22 for a bus ride over, and PAFB personnel, contractors, VIP's, media, etc.  We wear the AF uniform of the day (flight suit/BDU) and are courteously addressed by our rank by AF folk.  Most (estimate 70 percent) salute out of courtesy, although I am sure they understand it is not required.  We are scheduled when possible, but we have been called up from home when a tour group wanted to come through without prior coordination.  We come through for them, if at all possible. 

Once I was driving in the gate behind the tour bus, having got one of those "Hurry-up" calls at home.  The AF public affairs MSgt. saw this from the bus, and had the driver take a rolling tour of Cape Canaveral AFS instread of going directly to the museum.  That gave me the time I needed to get the lights on, and the tour set up.  By the time the tour (Defense and space contractor executives) got to the museum, I was ready to greet them at the door of the bus.  We herded them into the firing room at Launch Complex 26B (From where the first American earth satellite, the Explorer I, was launched on 31 Jan 1958).  By the time I started my tour... "Good afternoon.  I am Major John Kachenmeister of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and I want to welcome you on behalf of the 45th Space Wing to the place where America first stepped into space..." nobody knew that somebody had dropped the ball arranging their tour.

I think that kind of response makes me a player.  Sorry if you disagree. 

[Falshrmjgr]

Well, here is an idea for your augmentation idea.  Now, I grew up green so this may need some translation, but one area I can envision CAP doing a huge and valuable job is helping out the rear detachment of deployed units.

Scenario:  453rd Messkit Repair Squadron is deployed.  Behind they have left a 1LT as the Rear D Commander and a skeleton crew of folks who didn't get deployed because of profile, school dates, etc...

All there families are there, with all the issues that come up.  Whether it's a pay or allotment issue, a broken water pipe, an expired ID card, or whatever.

A CAP Squadron "adopts" the deployed unit, and assists with everything from keeping the lights on, to assisting dependent members navigate the issues of life, to just plain old helping answer phones (CQ/SDNCO type stuff)

When I was a Rear-D Commander at Bragg, I would have loved  have had this sort of support system, to help  augment the Family Support Groups and the Rear Detachment.

By the same token, no reason to limit this type of support to just the Air Force.  Anyhow, a real mission that supports the real warfighters, that at the end of the day you feel like you actually helped someone.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Well, here is an idea for your augmentation idea.  Now, I grew up green so this may need some translation, but one area I can envision CAP doing a huge and valuable job is helping out the rear detachment of deployed units.

Scenario:  453rd Messkit Repair Squadron is deployed.  Behind they have left a 1LT as the Rear D Commander and a skeleton crew of folks who didn't get deployed because of profile, school dates, etc...

All there families are there, with all the issues that come up.  Whether it's a pay or allotment issue, a broken water pipe, an expired ID card, or whatever.

A CAP Squadron "adopts" the deployed unit, and assists with everything from keeping the lights on, to assisting dependent members navigate the issues of life, to just plain old helping answer phones (CQ/SDNCO type stuff)

When I was a Rear-D Commander at Bragg, I would have loved  have had this sort of support system, to help  augment the Family Support Groups and the Rear Detachment.

By the same token, no reason to limit this type of support to just the Air Force.  Anyhow, a real mission that supports the real warfighters, that at the end of the day you feel like you actually helped someone.

NO KIDDING!!!!!!!!

I was on a 6-month deployment to Honduras in the 80's and we desperately needed consistent rear-area support back in the US.  Dependent ID issues, legal issues, coordination of medical insurance benefits between CHAMPUS and the trooper's (or Mrs. Trooper's) civilian healthcare coverage, employer involvement, contracting for stuff needed back at the home station, and a whole bunch of other issues.  CAP could perform a great service to deployed units, especially Reserve units that don't have a state guard to depend on.

Plus, we have enough retired officers who still hold commissions that can assist in execution of legal documents, oaths, etc.

Good thinking FalschirmJaeger!

[Hawk200]

There are some great ideas here. The same technique would work just as well to adopting a Guard unit in towns that have no military installation.

However, I think we need to quit talking about it.

Instead, let's put this stuff together in a decent package, and kick it up the chain. Start beating the bushes for support. Do something about it. If we just sit here and say "That's a great idea" and do nothing about, all we've done is waste a few more keystrokes.

Another upside is that we would be more immersed in our own communities.

[afgeo4]

Unfortunately, the translation reads more something like this...

The 239th Maintenance Squadron deploys about 12 personnel that join 67 other maintenance personnel deployed from other squadrons to form the 13th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron.

The remainder of 238th MXS continues to carry out their work back on their home base while their Group/Wing HQ continue to carry out support functions such as personnel, finance, logistics, etc.

Air Force and Army are structured differently and deploy differently. There is no unit cohesion as such outside of flying units because Air Force units are made up of groups of specialists. USAF has been working within the AEF systems for a looooong time and have this whole thing down pretty well. There are no rear detachments that need augmentation.

However, many units need augmentation when they lose members to deployment and there are units that are always hard up for personnel. Personally, I think our members could do great work for Family Readiness. I think we could also work with Public Affairs, Recruiting, Services, Readiness, Medical, and Legal.

[ddelaney103]

Delaney, I love ya, but I gotta disagree.

First.  Base augmentation can't be a CAP guy showing up and offering to help.  it has to be, like any other operation, well planned, with a close match of skills and training with assignment.  There has to be a training period to bring the CAP guy up to speed on local home rules, and there has to be consideration given so that CAP guys are NOT assigned duties inconsistent with officer rank, but are not in supervisory positions over AF personnel.  I don't want a 60-year old Lt Col policing the area, and neither do you.  (And neither does the 60-year old Lt Col!)

Second.  Rank is immaterial, except for the above consideration. 

Third.  You are wrong on a CAP major saluting a AF 1LT.  There are several possible outcomes for a meeting engagement:

1.  Lt salutes Maj., salute is returned, everyone goes about their business.

2.  Lt. greets Maj without salute, but a cheery "Good Morning."  Maj responds with "Good morning, Lieutenant," and everyone goes about their business.

3.  Lt. ignores the Maj., and (If the Maj is me) the Maj. loudly and cheerfully greets the Lieutenant, and if possible, reminds the Lt. that while "Military Courtesy" may or may not be called for, "Common Courtesy" is the mark of a gentleman.  Then we all go about our business.

Here in Grp. 4 Florida Wing, we augment the Patrick AFB PA shop by providing tour guides for the AF Space and Missile Museum.  The tours are given to tourists from KSC, who pay $22 for a bus ride over, and PAFB personnel, contractors, VIP's, media, etc.  We wear the AF uniform of the day (flight suit/BDU) and are courteously addressed by our rank by AF folk.  Most (estimate 70 percent) salute out of courtesy, although I am sure they understand it is not required.  We are scheduled when possible, but we have been called up from home when a tour group wanted to come through without prior coordination.  We come through for them, if at all possible. 

Once I was driving in the gate behind the tour bus, having got one of those "Hurry-up" calls at home.  The AF public affairs MSgt. saw this from the bus, and had the driver take a rolling tour of Cape Canaveral AFS instread of going directly to the museum.  That gave me the time I needed to get the lights on, and the tour set up.  By the time the tour (Defense and space contractor executives) got to the museum, I was ready to greet them at the door of the bus.  We herded them into the firing room at Launch Complex 26B (From where the first American earth satellite, the Explorer I, was launched on 31 Jan 1958).  By the time I started my tour... "Good afternoon.  I am Major John Kachenmeister of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and I want to welcome you on behalf of the 45th Space Wing to the place where America first stepped into space..." nobody knew that somebody had dropped the ball arranging their tour.

I think that kind of response makes me a player.  Sorry if you disagree. 

Oh no, I agree - you're a wannabe.  But, once you admit you have a problem you'll be on your way to recovery. 

The collective CAPTalk approach to "Officer-iness" is somewhat bipolar.  You'll hear, "Our grade is not RM grade," but there are lots of "respect my grade" nuggets thrown in as well.

Two examples from your post:

...there has to be consideration given so that CAP guys are NOT assigned duties inconsistent with officer rank...

So, we're not officers but expect to treated as such?  It sounds like you want to have it both ways.

Lt. ignores the Maj., and (If the Maj is me) the Maj. loudly and cheerfully greets the Lieutenant, and if possible, reminds the Lt. that while "Military Courtesy" may or may not be called for, "Common Courtesy" is the mark of a gentleman.  Then we all go about our business.

As a SMSgt, I would be unlikely to "call out" an officer like that in public if s/he didn't didn't return my salute or greeting.  My question is: would you do the same to a RM Colonel/General?

If so, then you've set yourself up as the base's Ms. Manners - good luck with that.

If not, then you've decided to insert yourself into the system.  You have decided the oak leaves on your shoulder give you the right to instruct Lt's.  While saying you're not an officer, you've claimed RHIP.

It appears you've stumbled into one of the classic missions of CAP: doing things the AF can't or won't support.  45th Space doesn't want to waste a Major giving tours, so they get a CAP Major to impress the touristas.  They get a tour guide that looks like a Major and you get the thanks of a grateful AF.

However, for most other jobs, "being an officer" is going to get in the way.

[RiverAux]

I wouldn't sell short the ability of CAP members to learn and do more than just basic tasks either.  CG Aux members standing watch on CG cutters have to learn every aspect of the ship, including having to make drawings showing how varioius systems work, and have to be very familiar with bringing online quite a lot of the machinery on board the ship including engines, fire pumps, dewatering systems, etc.  Complicated stuff. 

So, I'm fully confident that there are more than enough things that CAP members could do on a base to keep those members willing to do them fully occupied.  Heck, it wouldn't even have to be the "base" in general and could just be one or two squadrons that CAP members focused on working with. 

[JohnKachenmeister]

Delaney, I love ya, but I gotta disagree.

First.  Base augmentation can't be a CAP guy showing up and offering to help.  it has to be, like any other operation, well planned, with a close match of skills and training with assignment.  There has to be a training period to bring the CAP guy up to speed on local home rules, and there has to be consideration given so that CAP guys are NOT assigned duties inconsistent with officer rank, but are not in supervisory positions over AF personnel.  I don't want a 60-year old Lt Col policing the area, and neither do you.  (And neither does the 60-year old Lt Col!)

Second.  Rank is immaterial, except for the above consideration. 

Third.  You are wrong on a CAP major saluting a AF 1LT.  There are several possible outcomes for a meeting engagement:

1.  Lt salutes Maj., salute is returned, everyone goes about their business.

2.  Lt. greets Maj without salute, but a cheery "Good Morning."  Maj responds with "Good morning, Lieutenant," and everyone goes about their business.

3.  Lt. ignores the Maj., and (If the Maj is me) the Maj. loudly and cheerfully greets the Lieutenant, and if possible, reminds the Lt. that while "Military Courtesy" may or may not be called for, "Common Courtesy" is the mark of a gentleman.  Then we all go about our business.

Here in Grp. 4 Florida Wing, we augment the Patrick AFB PA shop by providing tour guides for the AF Space and Missile Museum.  The tours are given to tourists from KSC, who pay $22 for a bus ride over, and PAFB personnel, contractors, VIP's, media, etc.  We wear the AF uniform of the day (flight suit/BDU) and are courteously addressed by our rank by AF folk.  Most (estimate 70 percent) salute out of courtesy, although I am sure they understand it is not required.  We are scheduled when possible, but we have been called up from home when a tour group wanted to come through without prior coordination.  We come through for them, if at all possible. 

Once I was driving in the gate behind the tour bus, having got one of those "Hurry-up" calls at home.  The AF public affairs MSgt. saw this from the bus, and had the driver take a rolling tour of Cape Canaveral AFS instread of going directly to the museum.  That gave me the time I needed to get the lights on, and the tour set up.  By the time the tour (Defense and space contractor executives) got to the museum, I was ready to greet them at the door of the bus.  We herded them into the firing room at Launch Complex 26B (From where the first American earth satellite, the Explorer I, was launched on 31 Jan 1958).  By the time I started my tour... "Good afternoon.  I am Major John Kachenmeister of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and I want to welcome you on behalf of the 45th Space Wing to the place where America first stepped into space..." nobody knew that somebody had dropped the ball arranging their tour.

I think that kind of response makes me a player.  Sorry if you disagree. 

Oh no, I agree - you're a wannabe.  But, once you admit you have a problem you'll be on your way to recovery. 

The collective CAPTalk approach to "Officer-iness" is somewhat bipolar.  You'll hear, "Our grade is not RM grade," but there are lots of "respect my grade" nuggets thrown in as well.

Two examples from your post:

...there has to be consideration given so that CAP guys are NOT assigned duties inconsistent with officer rank...

So, we're not officers but expect to treated as such?  It sounds like you want to have it both ways.

Lt. ignores the Maj., and (If the Maj is me) the Maj. loudly and cheerfully greets the Lieutenant, and if possible, reminds the Lt. that while "Military Courtesy" may or may not be called for, "Common Courtesy" is the mark of a gentleman.  Then we all go about our business.

As a SMSgt, I would be unlikely to "call out" an officer like that in public if s/he didn't didn't return my salute or greeting.  My question is: would you do the same to a RM Colonel/General?

If so, then you've set yourself up as the base's Ms. Manners - good luck with that.

If not, then you've decided to insert yourself into the system.  You have decided the oak leaves on your shoulder give you the right to instruct Lt's.  While saying you're not an officer, you've claimed RHIP.

It appears you've stumbled into one of the classic missions of CAP: doing things the AF can't or won't support.  45th Space doesn't want to waste a Major giving tours, so they get a CAP Major to impress the touristas.  They get a tour guide that looks like a Major and you get the thanks of a grateful AF.

However, for most other jobs, "being an officer" is going to get in the way.

Well, I agree in part.  Yes, CAP does the missions that the AF can't or won't support.  The museum is a classic example.  So is inland SAR.  Our mission of external AE meshes perfectly in this case with a specific AE need of the AF.  Yes, the AF gets a pseudo senior officer without having to pay for one, and the public gets educated.  Serendipity.

How often does a colonel fail to return your salute?  I will bet that your answer is somewhere between the theoretical and the ridiculous, since as an officer it is considered very bad form to fail to return the salute of a subordinate.  I used to work as a general's aide, and I recall the 1-star I worked for seeing one of his battalion commanders fail to return a salute from a couple of NCO's.  I was told to clear the boss' schedule that afternoon enough to allow for an hour of discussion regarding appropriate officer behavior with the LTC.  Such discourtesy is taken very seriously, and reflects very badly upon an officer.

If I encounter an officer senior to me in grade, I render a salute.  I expect it to be returned as a mark of courtesy.  If an officer or enlisted man in the AF chooses not to salute, but rather render a verbal greeting, fine.  But to front me off by rudely ignoring me?  Nope, that behavior is uncalled for.  I may not be an Air Force officer, but I'm not a homeless bum with a "Will work for food" sign, either.

Would I "Call out" as you put it, a senior officer for such rudeness?  I don't consider setting the example of courtesy and gentlemanly conduct to be "Calling out" an officer, although an officer lacking social skills may consider my cheerful greeting to be "Calling him out."  Oh well.  C'est la vie... c'est la guerre...sin loy.

As far as the rest of your response, I don't believe I made my position clear.  Let me try again.

Considering an augmentation mission, and what jobs can be performed by CAP members, I said that the jobs should "Not be inconsistent" with officer rank.  By that I meant they should not be jobs that are so menial that an officer should never do them.  There aren't many such jobs in the AF.  Policing the area and KP are done by civilian contractors, usually.  But any task that an officer would not demean his rank to perform could be done by CAP members, even if the task was normally performed by enlisted persons.   Journalist in the PA shop comes to mind, as does operations weather briefers, clerks in pass and ID, and maybe some others if I think hard enough. 

[afgeo4]

I wouldn't sell short the ability of CAP members to learn and do more than just basic tasks either.  CG Aux members standing watch on CG cutters have to learn every aspect of the ship, including having to make drawings showing how varioius systems work, and have to be very familiar with bringing online quite a lot of the machinery on board the ship including engines, fire pumps, dewatering systems, etc.  Complicated stuff. 

So, I'm fully confident that there are more than enough things that CAP members could do on a base to keep those members willing to do them fully occupied.  Heck, it wouldn't even have to be the "base" in general and could just be one or two squadrons that CAP members focused on working with. 

Don't CG Aux members have access to in residence "C" Schools?  We don't have access to tech schools.

[SAR-EMT1]

I wouldn't sell short the ability of CAP members to learn and do more than just basic tasks either.  CG Aux members standing watch on CG cutters have to learn every aspect of the ship, including having to make drawings showing how varioius systems work, and have to be very familiar with bringing online quite a lot of the machinery on board the ship including engines, fire pumps, dewatering systems, etc.  Complicated stuff. 

Am I correct though in thinking that we (CG-Auxies) can only stand watch while the cutter is tied up? As in, we do not stand watch underway.
(Cooks and some others excepted)

[SAR-EMT1]

I wouldn't sell short the ability of CAP members to learn and do more than just basic tasks either.  CG Aux members standing watch on CG cutters have to learn every aspect of the ship, including having to make drawings showing how varioius systems work, and have to be very familiar with bringing online quite a lot of the machinery on board the ship including engines, fire pumps, dewatering systems, etc.  Complicated stuff. 

So, I'm fully confident that there are more than enough things that CAP members could do on a base to keep those members willing to do them fully occupied.  Heck, it wouldn't even have to be the "base" in general and could just be one or two squadrons that CAP members focused on working with. 

Don't CG Aux members have access to in residence "C" Schools?  We don't have access to tech schools.

Yes we do, however with the exception of Cooks, most of our in residence schools only last as long as your typical SLS/CLC and focus on such things as Auxiliary PAO, Auxiliary Computer Database "How-To" , etc... in other words, they are NOT the tech schools that the AD Coast Guard uses, but instead courses designed to help the Auxiliarist do his Aux job better. The pominent exception is the CG Cooks program. Auxiliarists can attend that course in residence and become a fully certified DoD Culinary Specialist. However attending this course requires a contractual agreement to augment X amount of days as a cook per year. (Or at least it did) And there is the question of Vacation time to attend...

Things like Communications Specialist, Buoy Inspector (ATON), cutter Bridge and Engineering watchstander... all that comes from some coorespondance courses followed by hands on apprenticeships at the AD unit.

[JayT]

If an officer or enlisted man in the AF chooses not to salute, but rather render a verbal greeting, fine.  But to front me off by rudely ignoring me?  Nope, that behavior is uncalled for.  I may not be an Air Force officer, but I'm not a homeless bum with a "Will work for food" sign, either.

But, lets say you were a CAP Senior Memeber who had his grade insignia rotated 90 degrees off, had his branch and name tapes sewn on wrong, had a blue tee shirt on, and wasn't wearing a hat.

(We've all seen this guy)

What type of coutresy would you expect?

[mikeylikey]

If an officer or enlisted man in the AF chooses not to salute, but rather render a verbal greeting, fine.  But to front me off by rudely ignoring me?  Nope, that behavior is uncalled for.  I may not be an Air Force officer, but I'm not a homeless bum with a "Will work for food" sign, either.

But, lets say you were a CAP Senior Member who had his grade insignia rotated 90 degrees off, had his branch and name tapes sewn on wrong, had a blue tee shirt on, and wasn't wearing a hat.

(We've all seen this guy)

What type of courtesy would you expect?

As an Officer (Military) speaking to another Officer (CAP) I would say "your uniform is jacked up, why don't you get that fixed up.  Here is what I can help you do"  And I would help him or her out.  If you let that guy slide he will keep wearing that uniform and whether we like it or not "everyday Joe blow citizen" will see a CAP uniform and equate that to the military".  So in reality I am making the organization look better by getting that terd's uniform squared away.

Bigger question.......what did you do when you saw a fellow Officers uniform all jacked??

RANT.......
I hate to go back to referencing the ACA, but from what I see in pictures, and in person, they apparently can get their uniforms squared away.  And from a distance it is hard to tell them from actual military.  That is what blows my mind......they wear subdues tapes, metal rank and are permitted too.  WE can't even get the AF to authorize us GORTEX pants yet.  What the crap!?!?!

I have a feeling the ACA will be augmenting military units and bases more than CAP would ever dream of doing.  Wait a few months.......

ACA RANT OVER!