Crisis Service Ribbon

[N6RVT]

In 20+ years of US Army service, I wore full size medals three times, each time for "Survivor Assistance" as in escorting a soldiers remains back to their family and then remaining for the actual funeral.

This was 30+ years ago, I rather doubt they do this anymore.

Every Civil Air Patrol event I have been to where miniature medals have come into play have just been uniform disasters (surprise).  40 people come to an event and it is supposed to be mess dress:

3 people have that, about a dozen show up in service dress, maybe a dozen more wearing the shirt & tie, a dozen more wearing the blazer, and the rest wearing aviator whites, the short sleeve blues or civilian clothing because they have nothing beyond the polo.  Everyone dutifully shows up in the most formal outfit they have, and the results are its all over the place.

Fact is you don't need mess dress unless you are at a level in CAP where you get invited to actual USAF dining events.  Serious overkill for anything we do internally except maybe the commander's reception at the national convention

You don't need the service coat unless you are going to events seen by people outside of CAP, such as a parade or possibly some formal training conference where multiple agencies are present, and they are wearing the equivalent.  But most CAP members do not have this either.

But please do not go to the other extreme, like having your Squadron awards dinner in civilian T-shirts & jeans at a bar somewhere.  I've seen that too (well not really, I didn't go)

[Shuman 14]

The full-size DSM is generally only presented to outgoing Wing Commanders, Region Commanders. You rarely see them presented to anyone that is not a Colonel.

Generally after they have been presented they go in a drawer, box, or storage as they aren't worn on any other uniform after presentation.

Or a shadowbox, like 95% of the military does with their full-size medals.

[Shuman 14]

Sounds like the DSM is actually the CAP version of the Legion of Merit.

I disagree.

Approximately putting equivalent award to equivalent award will be impossible based on the different nature of military vs CAP service... that being said, the closest USAF equivalency is:

Silver Medal of Valor = Medal of Honor

Bronze Medal of Valor = Air Force Cross

Distinguished Service Medal = Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Exceptional Service Award = Legion of Merit

Meritorious Service Award = Meritorious Service Medal

Commander's Commendation Award = Air Force Commendation Medal

Achievement Award = Air Force Achievement Medal

Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving = Airman's Medal

National Commander's Unit Citation Award = Air Force Meritorious Unit Award

Unit Citation Award = Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Professional Development and Aerospace Education Awards = Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon

Membership Award = Air Force Training Ribbon

Red Service Ribbon = Air Force Longevity Service Award

All other CAP Awards = various Service/Training Medals/Ribbons and/or Campaign Medals
 

[Eclipse]

1 - Wear only CAP awards on CAP uniforms.

2 - Never, ever try to equate a military award with a CAP award.
It doesn't work in either direction.

3 - Done.


Next issue.

[Shuman 14]

1 - Wear only CAP awards on CAP uniforms.

2 - Never, ever try to equate a military award with a CAP award.
It doesn't work in either direction.

3 - Done.


Next issue.

1. Well THAT'S never going to happen.

2. General tend to agree but there are exceptions to the rule.

3. BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, you were serious? Sorry about that.

[N6RVT]

Sounds like the DSM is actually the CAP version of the Legion of Merit.

I disagree.

Approximately putting equivalent award to equivalent award will be impossible based on the different nature of military vs CAP service... that being said, the closest USAF equivalency is:

Silver Medal of Valor = Medal of Honor

Bronze Medal of Valor = Air Force Cross

Distinguished Service Medal = Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Exceptional Service Award = Legion of Merit

Meritorious Service Award = Meritorious Service Medal

Commander's Commendation Award = Air Force Commendation Medal

Achievement Award = Air Force Achievement Medal

Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving = Airman's Medal

National Commander's Unit Citation Award = Air Force Meritorious Unit Award

Unit Citation Award = Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Professional Development and Aerospace Education Awards = Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon

Membership Award = Air Force Training Ribbon

Red Service Ribbon = Air Force Longevity Service Award

All other CAP Awards = various Service/Training Medals/Ribbons and/or Campaign Medals
 

The Legion of Merit is an award I *always* saw given when someone was retiring.  It was always the last thing to happen in their career.  The more I think about it the more I'm convinced there actually IS no CAP equivalent to it.

[Shuman 14]

The Legion of Merit is an award I *always* saw given when someone was retiring.  It was always the last thing to happen in their career.  The more I think about it the more I'm convinced there actually IS no CAP equivalent to it.

Were you an Officer or NCO?

I normally have seen the LOM as a retirement award for Senior NCOs (E-8 and above) with retiring E-7s and below getting MSMs instead.

I also have seen LOMs as retirement awards for any Officer Captain and above.

BUT

I have also seen the LOM as an end of tour award for Majors and LTCs in Brigade, Division and Army Headquarters that did stellar jobs with the MSM standard for everyone else and ARCOMS for the junior Enlisted. I never served on a Corps staff (yet) so I can't speak there.

I went to an awards ceremony for a Division Holiday Party and saw six LOMs awarded, one for merit and PCS for the Chief of Staff and five for retiring Sergeant Majors and Master Sergeants.

Maybe I spend too much time on staffs.

[baronet68]

... and five for retiring Sergeant Majors ....

Minor technical edit here...

Because they are "Sergeants" and not "Majors", the appropriate plural for a group of them is "Sergeants Major"

Similarly with Inspectors General, Attorneys General, Judge Advocates General as they are not Generals but are Inspectors, Attorneys, and Advocates respectively.

[CAP9907]

OK everyone,

Topic is about the Interim Change Letter 3 to CAPR 39-3. Let's keep it focused there. Thanks.

~9907

[SARDOC]

It is more appropriately similar in design to the US Public Health Crisis Response Medal, replaced above.

Agreed - just the inner two colors reversed from the looks of it.  The criteria for awarding it more matches the disaster relief ribbon, whereas ours is more like the army service ribbon as you get it just for joining the organization.  This will be the first ribbon anyone gets, even before the membership ribbon for level one.

The Army Service Ribbon isn't awarded for just entering the service.  To earn that award you must successfully complete and become qualified in a military occupational specialty...More like our Level 1 ribbon.

I did Three years in the National Guard...there was no money to send me to an MOS school, so at the end of my service there no Army Service Ribbon.  I did however get the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, for three years honorable service.

You didn't get a National Defense Service Medal?

I already had one from my Navy Service during the same conflict period. So I was not given another.