community service ribbon

Started by Jacobsnyder70, September 10, 2019, 01:48:37 PM

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Jacobsnyder70

I've been trying to build my ribbon rack for a little bit and thought the community service ribbon would be fairly straight forward to get. I know that you need 60 hours to get the ribbon, but what actually counts as hours? What kinds of things can I do to get the hours?

Eclipse

This is essentially the subjective call of your Unit Commander who will ultimately approve the award.
Best practice is to speak to him or her as to what they feel qualifies.

On some level, anything done outside of a CAP uniform can count.

Feed My Starving Children.

Community river cleanup.

Staff a charity 5k.

etc., etc.

"That Others May Zoom"

TheSkyHornet

Just as a side note, I would hope that you're doing community service with the integrity and want for helping people, not for accolades and bling.


Jacobsnyder70

Obviously thats the primary reason I'd do the volunteer stuff, but people always give me crap about not having very many ribbons. So I'm trying to build it up a little. I'm trying to see if there are any things I do now that would count towards hours.

Eclipse

How long have you been in CAP?  For the most part peers have the same number of decs.

The way to earn more is to get our and do extra-unit activities or progress.

"That Others May Zoom"

lordmonar

Quote from: TheSkyHornet on September 10, 2019, 03:02:08 PM
Just as a side note, I would hope that you're doing community service with the integrity and want for helping people, not for accolades and bling.
Why do you hope that, may I ask?

Do we care WHY someone does something.....or that they do it?

PATRICK M. HARRIS, SMSgt, CAP

Gunsotsu

The subjectivity needs to be removed. Or, better yet, remove the award. It exists for no other reason than the bling.

PHall

Quote from: Gunsotsu on September 10, 2019, 04:24:46 PM
The subjectivity needs to be removed. Or, better yet, remove the award. It exists for no other reason than the bling.


So the US Military should get rid of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal too?
According to your reasoning it only exists for bling.

Jacobsnyder70

Just to answer a previous question, I've been in CAP for 3 1/2, and I'm a C/1stLt.

TheSkyHornet

Quote from: Jacobsnyder70 on September 10, 2019, 03:50:30 PM
Obviously thats the primary reason I'd do the volunteer stuff, but people always give me crap about not having very many ribbons. So I'm trying to build it up a little. I'm trying to see if there are any things I do now that would count towards hours.

It's not their business how many ribbons you have.

You could always strip the ribbons off your Blues. Then nobody has anything to say about it.


Quote from: Gunsotsu on September 10, 2019, 04:24:46 PM
The subjectivity needs to be removed. Or, better yet, remove the award. It exists for no other reason than the bling.

I believe it's supposed to be an incentive to support CAP's Core Value of Volunteer Service.

But I also believe that we're supposed to be teaching the Core Value of Integrity: doing the right thing when nobody is looking.


Did I say deny the award? No. Absolutely not.
But I want to emphasize the "Why" and not just the "How."

Quote from: lordmonar on September 10, 2019, 04:09:06 PM
Why do you hope that, may I ask?

Do we care WHY someone does something.....or that they do it?

I absolutely care when it comes time to discuss it.

THRAWN

Quote from: lordmonar on September 10, 2019, 04:09:06 PM
Quote from: TheSkyHornet on September 10, 2019, 03:02:08 PM
Just as a side note, I would hope that you're doing community service with the integrity and want for helping people, not for accolades and bling.
Why do you hope that, may I ask?

Do we care WHY someone does something.....or that they do it?

It doesn't matter what the motivation is, just as long as there is motivation. Very few people that I've met in the 30+ years of public service do anything for good feelings, or "mom and apple pie"...
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

Jacobsnyder70

the reason I'm trying to build my rack this way is that my unit doesn't do awards, or if they do, the same person gets recognition. I already do a good amount of volunteer work, I'm just trying to get a ribbon in the process.

Майор Хаткевич

Quote from: Jacobsnyder70 on September 10, 2019, 04:49:13 PM
Just to answer a previous question, I've been in CAP for 3 1/2, and I'm a C/1stLt.


I was a 5 Year C/Captain, and ended my time with a total of 15 ribbons. It should've been 14. I've regretted that self-submission for the AFA Award since 2006.


Don't care about what others think. Enjoy the ride, and enjoy the experience, the ribbons won't mean much 5, 10 years out.

Shuman 14

Quote from: Gunsotsu on September 10, 2019, 04:24:46 PM
The subjectivity needs to be removed. Or, better yet, remove the award. It exists for no other reason than the bling.

Joseph J. Clune
Lieutenant Colonel, Military Police

USMCR: 1990 - 1992                           USAR: 1993 - 1998, 2000 - 2003, 2005 - Present     CAP: 2013 - 2014, 2021 - Present
INARNG: 1992 - 1993, 1998 - 2000      Active Army: 2003 - 2005                                       USCGAux: 2004 - Present

etodd

#14
Quote from: Jacobsnyder70 on September 10, 2019, 03:50:30 PM

.... people always give me crap about not having very many ribbons.


Its been a few days since I've had a good rant about "those" types of people (members). But ... I'll just leave it at that. I stepped into the wrong forum again.
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."

Chappie

When I was in CAP (1996-2018), I kinda scoffed at the concept of awarding a "Community Service Award" to members of an organization whose Core Values included "Volunteer Service".  The whole idea of doing something for some "bling" was something that creates heartburn.  That changed a bit when a member of the Chaplain Corps inquired why I didn't have the CSA ribbon since they knew of my other involvements outside of CAP.  Their perspective that the wear of the ribbon would be a source of visual encouragement and an example for others to pursue other opportunities of volunteer service outside CAP.   So...the volunteer hours that I used were those from my involvement with the local hub of Honor Flight and serving as a Docent on the USS Midway.
Disclaimer:  Not to be confused with the other user that goes by "Chappy"   :)

Eclipse

^ Yes, that's the mental gymnastics.

You were right the first time. The CSR is just mother affectation of the military model that doesn't fit CAP
but that people won't let go.

"That Others May Zoom"

CAP9907

Does anybody else have anything else before this is done?

~9907
21 yrs of service

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baronet68

Quote from: Napoleon Bonaparte

A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.


Same can be said for cadets (and some seniors).   ::)

A million years ago, as a C/A1C, I had recruited enough people to earn my first cadet recruiter ribbon...
With my CAPF 2A in hand, I diligently worked my way up through the chain of command...
My quest, to hand deliver my precious CAPF 2A to the squadron commander for his approval...
Flight Sergeant, Check! 
Flight Commander, Check!
Cadet Commander, Check!
Next, was like entering the gates of Mordor... all of the senior members gathered in a single room...
Air thick with stratified layers of cigarette smoke, the clouds part as I walk through...
Deputy Commander for Cadets, Check!
Breathing deeply, I begin walking toward the squadron commander, when...
One of the senior members suddenly snatches the form out of my hands!
"Why do you want this?" she asks.
With confidence I say, "I've recruited two new members, ma'am!"
"But why do you want this?" she queries... "Will it make you feel better about yourself if you have this ribbon?"
I ponder for a moment, my teenage brain uncertain what message she's trying to impress upon me...
Sheepishly, I admit, "Yes, I've earned it..."
As she rolls her eyes in disgust, the squadron commander grabs the form, giving her an evil eye...
Without hesitation, he signs his Skillcraft US Government blue/black signature...
"Congratulations, son!  Hand that to Lieutenant Smith and he'll take care of the rest."

My victory was lost.  Deflated. 
Sure, I had accomplished my goal, working long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon, only to have someone to crush my enthusiasm in the end.
I questioned myself for a while afterward asking, "Was I supposed to answer differently?  Is it wrong to desire and strive for recognition?  Why are there awards if you're not supposed to want them?"

I remember that to this day and always caution others to not challenge the motivation of others' accomplishments. 

Good luck on earning your Community Service Ribbon.
Michael Moore, Lt Col, CAP
National Recruiting & Retention Manager

NIN

And with that ( good job, Michael ) i think this thread had reached it's apogee.
Darin Ninness, Col, CAP
I have no responsibilities whatsoever
I like to have Difficult Adult Conversations™
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