Mistaken for Active Air Force?

[jb512]

According to 39-1, cadets and senior members wear their lapel devices halfway up the seam, resting on but not over it and parallel with the ground.

So, the bottom corner of the device should be right on the seam, halfway between each edge.  Goes for seniors and cadets.

seemed to me at one time it was different for some reason.

You're wrong. It's always been like that.

I never said it was that way at one time I said it "seemed" because I do recall being told it was slightly different for cadets... I'm getting tired of the "you're wrong" slam dunk.

TBH yes if I said it WAS that way it would be wrong and I'd know it too, ah oh well I give up trying to explain *disappears*.

A quick check of the regs always dispels the "I was told" disclaimer.

[jeders]

This one is my favorite though. Sometimes after meetings I go to Whataburger for dinner. While I'm waiting for my order this man walks up to me and says that he hates the war in Iraq, but he supports the troops and thanked me for my service. I said thank you and started to explain that I wasn't active duty but rather CAP, but by then he had already turned around.

First, I love Whataburger, are you from Texas or Oklahoma?

I live in Texas.

[afgeo4]

Its foolish but the difference is this:
Seniors are to CENTER the CAP/US

Cadets place it X inches above the bottom of the lapel. Not "centered"

I however centered it as a cadet.

Are you applying regulations for different service coats? Most cadets center their CAP cutouts on the OLD coat. While Seniors are only authorized the NEW coat and have to align the CAP to the seam. I believe cadets who wear the new coat do the same.

[mynetdude]

Its foolish but the difference is this:
Seniors are to CENTER the CAP/US

Cadets place it X inches above the bottom of the lapel. Not "centered"

I however centered it as a cadet.

Are you applying regulations for different service coats? Most cadets center their CAP cutouts on the OLD coat. While Seniors are only authorized the NEW coat and have to align the CAP to the seam. I believe cadets who wear the new coat do the same.

hmm I guess that makes sense now

[DC]

This one is my favorite though. Sometimes after meetings I go to Whataburger for dinner. While I'm waiting for my order this man walks up to me and says that he hates the war in Iraq, but he supports the troops and thanked me for my service. I said thank you and started to explain that I wasn't active duty but rather CAP, but by then he had already turned around.

First, I love Whataburger, are you from Texas or Oklahoma?

They have them here is North Florida too...

Its foolish but the difference is this:
Seniors are to CENTER the CAP/US

Cadets place it X inches above the bottom of the lapel. Not "centered"

I however centered it as a cadet.

Are you applying regulations for different service coats? Most cadets center their CAP cutouts on the OLD coat. While Seniors are only authorized the NEW coat and have to align the CAP to the seam. I believe cadets who wear the new coat do the same.

For what its worth, most cadets I have seen have the new coat by now. And, yes, the placement of cutouts is the same.

[SDF_Specialist]

I can honestly say that no one has ever mistaken me for a member of the AF. Now I have been asked where the ARMY has stationed me. Unfortunately, no recruits after I tell them about CAP. I wonder where the Army would station me?

[SKYKING607]

Here's one for the "books:"  Try having a WWII vet stare at your uniform, notice the grey shoulder epaulets and comment, "Confederate Air Patrol?"  Trust me....that made my day!

[SAR-EMT1]

Ive never been confused for RM and thanked or saluted by anyone or anything good... however...


one day while i was at my job a lady threw a handfull of pepples at me, called me a baby killer and said I should go back to the Marines and not show my faceamong the public. I literally had to run like hell for my engine because she chased me screaming obsenities. Thing is though, I was in a blue station shirt with the SOL and the maltese cross everywhere and black EMS pants. I was also wearing a black ball cap with EMT on it. I live in IL and the closest Marine Barracks is probably in Chicago at NS Great Lakes. Three hours north of me.     

[mikeylikey]

one day while i was at my job a lady threw a handfull of pepples at me, called me a baby killer and said I should go back to the Marines and not show my faceamong the public.

Ya.......psycho!  You should have thrown the pebbles back and said go back to the metal hospital. 

Man.....that blows.

[davedove]

one day while i was at my job a lady threw a handfull of pepples at me, called me a baby killer and said I should go back to the Marines and not show my faceamong the public.

Ya.......psycho!  You should have thrown the pebbles back and said go back to the metal hospital. 

Man.....that blows.

Actually, you should have called the police right then and there.  Yelling at you is one thing, but as soon as she started throwing things, it became a crime.

[nesagsar]

There is a Marine Reserve unit in Peoria. My friend is a Lance Corporal Combat Engineer and he drills there. He was also a Cadet Officer in my squadron when we were in.

[mynetdude]

Ive never been confused for RM and thanked or saluted by anyone or anything good... however...


one day while i was at my job a lady threw a handfull of pepples at me, called me a baby killer and said I should go back to the Marines and not show my faceamong the public. I literally had to run like hell for my engine because she chased me screaming obsenities. Thing is though, I was in a blue station shirt with the SOL and the maltese cross everywhere and black EMS pants. I was also wearing a black ball cap with EMT on it. I live in IL and the closest Marine Barracks is probably in Chicago at NS Great Lakes. Three hours north of me.     

You weren't even wearing your CAP or RM uniform? She must have recognized you from somewhere... Indeed once she started throwing something at you, it is now a crime.

[mynetdude]

Oh yeah I recall, going to the bank just before my CAP meeting some elderly guy came out of the bank and I would have presumed he served WWII (he was old enough to be my grandpa) as he saluted me on my way in and at the time I was still fairly new to the USAF uniform and didn't know whether to salute civilians or not so I don't know if he noticed my Grey eppies or not I think he noticed my nice cover (flight cap?) I like to wear instead of the service cap, I think he just noticed I was wearing USAF uniform and saluted without really noticing much details.

It wasn't until a few weeks later someone came to visit our squadron who has been in CAP for a long time and has past military experience and said that saluting a civilian is not a problem if you already know their grade/rank or if they salute you then you are more than welcome to and should salute back.

Now I salute my superiors regardless of whether they are in uniform or whether I am in uniform because I know they hold a higher grade than I do.

[mikeylikey]

Now I salute my superiors regardless of whether they are in uniform or whether I am in uniform because I know they hold a higher grade than I do.

That is something many CAP Officers fail to do, along with many other things.  Customs and courtesies seem to be disappearing everyday from CAP, and that is a shame. 

I hate teaching C&C to Cadets and then a have a Senior Member fail to follow the same standards in front of said Cadets 5 minutes later.  I have given the same C&C class for 10 years, both to Cadets and Senior Members and the only group that fails to do what they are taught are the Senior Members.  Guess they feel they have no obligation, which sadly is their right.

[davidsinn]

Our cadet commander (a C/Maj) Seems to think that if a cadet is in uniform and the SM is not than the cadet does not need to salute. Which if you read the current 151; you salute.

[MIKE]

(1) You salute when in military-style uniform.

Implies that you do not salute when not "in military-style uniform."

[mynetdude]

Now I salute my superiors regardless of whether they are in uniform or whether I am in uniform because I know they hold a higher grade than I do.

That is something many CAP Officers fail to do, along with many other things.  Customs and courtesies seem to be disappearing everyday from CAP, and that is a shame. 

I hate teaching C&C to Cadets and then a have a Senior Member fail to follow the same standards in front of said Cadets 5 minutes later.  I have given the same C&C class for 10 years, both to Cadets and Senior Members and the only group that fails to do what they are taught are the Senior Members.  Guess they feel they have no obligation, which sadly is their right.

I'll bet if it comes down to core values it would be considered disrespect of the USAF uniform if you do not salute and I know that according to C&C it says that saluting is for the "sense of belonging" and respect.  I'd have to read it again, but it doesn't seem that the regulation implies saluting is "required" it seems to imply that you SHOULD salute?? I have read various parts of it indicating that anyway.

[mynetdude]

(1) You salute when in military-style uniform.

Implies that you do not salute when not "in military-style uniform."

It is OPTIONAL if you even salute if you are not in uniform, there was another thread about this very same topic.

[mikeylikey]

(1) You salute when in military-style uniform.

Implies that you do not salute when not "in military-style uniform."

Thats a real shame.  You should salute in or out of uniform when you recognize the person as being "salutable".  I think that should be re-written!

[adamblank]

Do you think that is an Army vs. Air Force difference?  I have no problem saluting my AD superiors if one of us isn't in uniform.  I have just not seen it done or even as an unwritten rule.  But you are certainly right that salutes are free and there is no harm in showing C+Cs.