CAP Kilt

[cadetbritton]

Hello,
I am a Bagpiper in CAP.  I've been in CAP for almost a year and I've been piping for almost ten years now.  I've been looking into kilts with CAP uniforms and there is nothing in CAPM 39-1 on kilts so I was wondering what the regulation might be and if there isn't who is allowed to make the regulations for squadron bagpipers wearing kilts?

V/R
C/SSgt Britton

[Eclipse]

Submit the suggestion for the change to 39-1 through your chain of command.

[SarDragon]

According to the only thing governing CAP uniforms, CAPM 39-1, there is no provision for kilts. They aren't even something on the list of stuff the wing commander can authorize on an optional basis. i do know two CAP members who have worn kilts, with the AF tartan, to CAP events, and they looked great. The wing commander was in attendance both times, so there was at least tacit approval.

This is something you would have to discuss with your chain of command.

[lordmonar]

IIRC there is an unofficial CAP tartan or maybe it is just the unofficial USAF tartan.

I remember a discussion about kilts either here or on Cadet Stuff.

As a cool thing to do once and a while....I would not get bent out of shape if you wore a kilt.....as already pointed out....bring it up to your chain for approval.

Found a historical use of CAP Kilt  http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/1951_FFC3C27AD1D59.pdf

[PHall]

IIRC there is an unofficial CAP tartan or maybe it is just the unofficial USAF tartan.

I remember a discussion about kilts either here or on Cadet Stuff.

As a cool thing to do once and a while....I would not get bent out of shape if you wore a kilt.....as already pointed out....bring it up to your chain for approval.

Found a historical use of CAP Kilt  http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/1951_FFC3C27AD1D59.pdf

There is an official USAF Tartan. It was created for the Pipe Band that was part of the Band of the Air Force Reserve.

[That Anonymous Guy]

I actually read just a few weeks ago that there was a CAP pipes and drums (maybe just pipes) band and they wore kilts. Try bringing theirs back.

[GroundHawg]

Hello,
I am a Bagpiper in CAP.  I've been in CAP for almost a year and I've been piping for almost ten years now.  I've been looking into kilts with CAP uniforms and there is nothing in CAPM 39-1 on kilts so I was wondering what the regulation might be and if there isn't who is allowed to make the regulations for squadron bagpipers wearing kilts?

V/R
C/SSgt Britton

Once you turn 17 (if you haven't already) you can join the USCG Auxiliary and try out for the USCG Pipe Band. Members of the Auxiliary perform alongside reservists and active duty members.

http://www.uscgpipeband.org/

[Dracosbane]

I've thought about a kilt as a member.  The best idea I had about it (aside from tartan kilts for pipe bands) was the Utillikilt Mocker in heather grey.  They look like and are made from similar material to Dockers slacks that make for great polo/aviator and grey corporates.

With the 39-1 being reviewed, could we suggest kilts as an alternative along with the upcoming tac-pants?

[Critical AOA]

Kilts.... and here I thought that the constant yearning for ABUs was about as ridiculous as uniform discussions could get.

[Dracosbane]

Forgive me, I forgot the 

[cadetbritton]

How would I request a change to 39-1?  Would I need the support of a Wing or Region commander? Also the NER commander is British so he might be on my side.  To contact the Region Commander do I need to go up my chain-of-command or because I am making a special request for his support can I just contact him directly?  Since 39-1 is under review should I do this ASAP?  And just so everyone knows I would be requesting this as an alternate to Blues for a Squadron's Bagpiper.

C/SSgt Britton

[Garibaldi]

How would I request a change to 39-1?  Would I need the support of a Wing or Region commander? Also the NER commander is British so he might be on my side.  To contact the Region Commander do I need to go up my chain-of-command or because I am making a special request for his support can I just contact him directly?  Since 39-1 is under review should I do this ASAP?  And just so everyone knows I would be requesting this as an alternate to Blues for a Squadron's Bagpiper.

C/SSgt Britton

Just out of curiosity...why? If it's just to create an exception for a kilt, it may take years for the NUC to study the feasibility of such a change. The way I see it, you could form a group on your own, outside of CAP, and offer your services to the unit or other organizations that may desire your services. Taking it to the NUC (that's National Uniform Committee, btw) would be a long and arduous process. Contacting the region commander for something of this nature would require that you at least notify your unit, group(if applicable), and wing commander IN THAT ORDER. In fact, your unit CC would probably pass the request up him/herself.

[cadetbritton]

Thank you Sir, I already play in a Bagpipe band and when I joined CAP I wanted to be my squadron's piper.  I march and play with my drill team and I am the Honor Guard Piper.  I know the USAF has a pipe band and I already contacted them to see if it was possible to be issued a uniform but they wouldn't be able to.  CAP is part of the USAF and the USAF authorized a uniform with a kilt for their bagpipers so I believe we should follow in the foot steps of the USAF (like we do with all of our other uniforms) and authorize a uniform for our pipers.  Could this be handled at the Wind level?  Not changing 39-1 (because lets face it I wouldn't be a cadet once they pass it if they even do) but making an exception/change to the uniform just for me so I could wear a kilt with the blues dress shirt, class-a jacket, and usaf tie etc to preform functions for my squadron/wing?

V/R
C/SSgt Britton

[sab163]

my squadron had a bag pipe band and did wear kilts lets see if i can post the photo correctly

[SJFedor]

Thank you Sir, I already play in a Bagpipe band and when I joined CAP I wanted to be my squadron's piper.  I march and play with my drill team and I am the Honor Guard Piper.  I know the USAF has a pipe band and I already contacted them to see if it was possible to be issued a uniform but they wouldn't be able to.  CAP is part of the USAF and the USAF authorized a uniform with a kilt for their bagpipers so I believe we should follow in the foot steps of the USAF (like we do with all of our other uniforms) and authorize a uniform for our pipers.  Could this be handled at the Wind level?  Not changing 39-1 (because lets face it I wouldn't be a cadet once they pass it if they even do) but making an exception/change to the uniform just for me so I could wear a kilt with the blues dress shirt, class-a jacket, and usaf tie etc to preform functions for my squadron/wing?

V/R
C/SSgt Britton

You want NHQ to issue a uniform exemption just for you?!?!? Good luck with that.

Is there some reason your normal service dress can't be worn while you play bagpipes?

No offense buddy, but it sounds like you just want to stand out and look special. Let it go, wear the uniform as prescribed.

[Eclipse]

but making an exception/change to the uniform just for me so I could wear a kilt with the blues dress shirt, class-a jacket, and usaf tie etc to preform functions for my squadron/wing?

No.  However with that said it wouldn't be the first time.

[Eclipse]

my squadron had a bag pipe band and did wear kilts lets see if i can post the photo correctly

OK, how does this work?  Was this a bunch of pipers who decided to start a unit, or who were all from the same school or something like that?
The odds of having that many pipers in a wing, let alone a single unit, by the random chance of typical recruiting, are staggering.

The airplane decal on the drum is a nice touch, though I doubt 3M intended it for use on musical instruments

[sab163]

no idea it was before my time in the squadron, this was early 90's i believe the squadron has been around since 1958

[Eclipse]

no idea it was before my time in the squadron, this was early 90's i believe the squadron has been around since 1958

Oh internet, you never fail to provide...

http://tomchildsbagpiper.com/wordpress/?page_id=7
"I started to learn the bagpipes while I was cadet in the Civil Air Patrol in Brockton, MA. The CAP cadets had a pipe band largely because we were inspired by the US Air Force Pipe band. I decided to enlist as a cadet, and then marched in to the pipe band because it seemed like it would be fun. And it came the opportunity to travel and participate in parades and all kinds of special events. The band was a kid's band and not really all that authentic. We played poorly-made instruments and wore home-made kilts or some that had been handed down a few generations. I liked the pipes okay, but at the time I never imagined it would become my life's passion.

The CAP Pipe Band eventually became the Colonial Pipers Pipe Band, and we traveled to Toronto in 1975 to the Canadian Nation Exhibition's World Scottish Festival. That's where my career in piping career really began. I was 11 years old and that is where I first heard the bagpipes in all their glory. I saw people from all walks of life and at all ages playing the bagpipes, each wearing their own uniform and tartan. I was truly impressed, and I knew right then and there that the bagpipes were my calling. I got to hear the best pipers and the best pipe bands in the world at the time."

[Eclipse]

Also this:


From here: http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=13287.0