So now we all have to buy alternate uniforms

[SSgt Rudin]

The newest revisions of CAPR 173-4 prohibits senior members from wearing USAF style uniforms at fund raising activities. However, CAPR 173-4 fails to define what a fund raising event is. If a squadron is asked to preform a service such as directing cars where to park at an event or collecting tickets at an event and as a result of the service provided a donation is made to the squadron by the organizer of the event is that considered a "fund raising event?"

CAPR 173-4 lists a number of suggested fund raising activities but is not an all inclusive list and much depends on the circumstances. For example, the location of the event described might determine whether CAP members could wear uniforms. If the event is a sporting event or concert conducted in the local area, It would likely qualify as a fund raising event and thus senior members would not wear the USAF style uniform. If the event was an air show conducted on a military base, uniforms would probably be appropriate even though the sponsor or organizer later makes a financial contribution to the unit. The wing commander must approve all unit fund raisers. Requests for wing commander approval should include all pertinent details and ask for clarification on wearing the uniform to the event if the situation is unclear.

Please see knowledgebase answer(s) below for additional details.

Title: Suggested local unit fund raising activities
URL: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1429&p_created=1095859525

Title: Wearing the CAP uniform when selling fund raising tickets
URL: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1054&p_created=1065799887

Title: Approval of unit fund raising activities
URL: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1783&p_created=1141656902

Title: Conducting a fund raiser
URL: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=237&p_created=1012427816

Title: Prohibited Fund Raising Activities
URL: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=337&p_created=1017075218

If what constitutes a fund raising activity is not clearly defined, how is a unit commander or activity officer in charge supposed to know if the event requires Wing Commander approval and subsequently that senior members are not permitted to wear USAF style uniforms?

It is a fund raising event if the unit receives funds for its efforts. By regulation the wing commander needs to approve unit fund raising activities.

Now I get to spend more of my money on more uniforms I only need because someone decided the we as the USAF auxiliary should not be mistaken as a part of the Air Force, unless we are doing something that benefits them. Maybe someone at NHQ or CAP-USAF would be nice enough to completely revamp the 39-1 so I have to buy more crap from Vanguard.

[FW]

All good questions LT.

CAPR 173-4 never let senior members wear the AF style uniform during fund raising activities.  Cadets may wear the AF style uniform.  Any CAP "distinctive" uniform is allowed;  so is appropriate civilian attire.

All fund raising events must be first approved by the wing/cc.  A fund raising event is any event which brings in funds to the unit.  That includes bake sales, car washes, parking cars, helping at the local airshow, etc.

[Hawk200]

All fund raising events must be first approved by the wing/cc.  A fund raising event is any event which brings in funds to the unit.  That includes bake sales, car washes, parking cars, helping at the local airshow, etc.

Guess it's a good thing that we help at the local airshow because we have free rent at the airport. Glad I don't have to buy anything for that.

[brasda91]

are you freakin' kiddin'??    who at national thinks up these stupid reg's??!!

[arajca]

A couple points:
1. Adults wearing the AF uniform for fundraising can give (not intentionally) the impression that they're raising money for the AF, not CAP. Even if you have the time to explain the difference, most people will walk away with the idea they gave money to the AF.
2. Wearing civilian clothes is an option. I presume everyone here has at least ONE set of civilian clothes.
3. It is not unusual for youth to wear a uniform for fundraising and the adults to wear something different.

Whether an event is considered a fundraiser depends on alot of things. One of which is did you do the event to raise money, i.e. park cars, or did you do it as a service to get your name out/earn community service hours or points and the sponsor decided to make a donation afterward? Say the local Rotary is holding a pancake breakfast and asks your unit to help with parking without mentioning any potential donation. Would you do it? Would you look at it as supporting the community? Building relationships? Providing opportunities for community service for cadets? After the event ends, the local Rotary president walks up, says thanks, and hands the CAP leader a check for $200.00 from the club. Is the event now a fundraiser and how do you retroactively comply with the regs?

[SJFedor]

A couple points:
1. Adults wearing the AF uniform for fundraising can give (not intentionally) the impression that they're raising money for the AF, not CAP. Even if you have the time to explain the difference, most people will walk away with the idea they gave money to the AF.
2. Wearing civilian clothes is an option. I presume everyone here has at least ONE set of civilian clothes.
3. It is not unusual for youth to wear a uniform for fundraising and the adults to wear something different.

Whether an event is considered a fundraiser depends on alot of things. One of which is did you do the event to raise money, i.e. park cars, or did you do it as a service to get your name out/earn community service hours or points and the sponsor decided to make a donation afterward? Say the local Rotary is holding a pancake breakfast and asks your unit to help with parking without mentioning any potential donation. Would you do it? Would you look at it as supporting the community? Building relationships? Providing opportunities for community service for cadets? After the event ends, the local Rotary president walks up, says thanks, and hands the CAP leader a check for $200.00 from the club. Is the event now a fundraiser and how do you retroactively comply with the regs?

I would say that if there was not a pre-determined amount or percentage known that would be given to the unit for it's services, the scenario you described is more of the Rotary club making a donation to the unit, not the unit fund raising through the Rotary. It all depends on the context and what was said/agreed upon prior to the start of the event.

[FW]

are you freakin' kiddin'??    who at national thinks up these stupid reg's??!!

The simple answer (at least for 173-4):  That would be me

But, this reg as been around for a long time.  It is the AF which prohibits us from wearing the AF style uniform.

Andrew and Steven are correct with their comments.  "Friendraising" does not require previous permission.  If a donation comes from this, great.   However, if you were expecting funds from your participation; this is one case where asking permission is better than asking forgiveness.

[RiverAux]

1. Adults wearing the AF uniform for fundraising can give (not intentionally) the impression that they're raising money for the AF, not CAP. Even if you have the time to explain the difference, most people will walk away with the idea they gave money to the AF.

A senior member in BDUs is wearing exactly the same uniform as a cadet in BDUs and neither of them will be wearing a single thing identifying them with the USAF.    If they're in blues, its a slightly different story.

I don't care what uniform you're doing the fundraising in, but at some point you're going to be explaining that CAP is an AF auxiliary and does missions for the AF.  If you can fundraise without explaining that, you're a better person than I.  And that being the case, it shouldn't matter whether you're wearing an AF-style uniform or not. 

[JayT]

1. Adults wearing the AF uniform for fundraising can give (not intentionally) the impression that they're raising money for the AF, not CAP. Even if you have the time to explain the difference, most people will walk away with the idea they gave money to the AF.

A senior member in BDUs is wearing exactly the same uniform as a cadet in BDUs and neither of them will be wearing a single thing identifying them with the USAF.    If they're in blues, its a slightly different story.

I don't care what uniform you're doing the fundraising in, but at some point you're going to be explaining that CAP is an AF auxiliary and does missions for the AF.  If you can fundraise without explaining that, you're a better person than I.  And that being the case, it shouldn't matter whether you're wearing an AF-style uniform or not. 

Don't take this the wrong way, but that whole 'Well BDUs/Flight suits aren't really Air Force uniforms' is kinda getting old.

People identify it automatically with the Army or Air Force.

And, very simply. "Hi, we're the Civil Air Patrol, a NFP who doesn't work for the Air Force, Federal Government, and a number of other organizations and levels of government."

[SSgt Rudin]

1. Adults wearing the AF uniform for fundraising can give (not intentionally) the impression that they're raising money for the AF, not CAP. Even if you have the time to explain the difference, most people will walk away with the idea they gave money to the AF.

A senior member in BDUs is wearing exactly the same uniform as a cadet in BDUs and neither of them will be wearing a single thing identifying them with the USAF.    If they're in blues, its a slightly different story.

I don't care what uniform you're doing the fundraising in, but at some point you're going to be explaining that CAP is an AF auxiliary and does missions for the AF.  If you can fundraise without explaining that, you're a better person than I.  And that being the case, it shouldn't matter whether you're wearing an AF-style uniform or not. 

Don't take this the wrong way, but that whole 'Well BDUs/Flight suits aren't really Air Force uniforms' is kinda getting old.

People identify it automatically with the Army or Air Force.

And, very simply. "Hi, we're the Civil Air Patrol, a NFP who doesn't work for the Air Force, Federal Government, and a number of other organizations and levels of government."

Most people think older cadets are AD Air Force. When we have Command Staff meetings (CC, CD, C/CC, C/CD, C/XO) they are normally over lunch or dinner. I have seen waitresses ask if they (the cadets) wanted a beer, assuming that they were young looking AF officers and not cadets.

IMHO if someone is wearing the TPU I think there is a better chance of being mistaken for AF, there are more things that stand out on USAF style blues as "NOT AIR FORCE." But hey, maybe people will give us more money if we fund raise in BBDU's, they will think were members of the SWAT team raising money for PAL.

I thought of something else. One of the events my squadron does every year is direct cars where to park at the carnival. We get paid for this, by the people who run the carnival, we have been doing it for them since about 1993. They know who we are and what their "donation" is going too, the know we are not the AF, as a matter of fact one of the organizers used to be a cadet in the 60's. No advertisement is made to the public that we get money for working the event. How would wearing USAF style uniforms, specifically BDU's, have any affect on the event? I guess you could argue that "how does not wearing USAF style uniforms affect the event", and my answer for that is:
1. The cadets are not permitted to direct traffic entering or leaving an actual road, only SM's do that. BDU's "command more authority" in the eyes of the general public, and when a guy is standing in the middle of the road yelling at you for driving down the wrong side of the road, I have noticed they listen better to me in BDU's more often than my counterparts in BBDU's, but that could also be because I used to be an NCO and yell more effectively.
2: People ask more questions about who you are when you are in BDU's. And with over 8,000 cars rolling through the parking a day in a 3 day event thats a lot more chances to get a new member.

[Eagle400]

IMHO if someone is wearing the TPU I think there is a better chance of being mistaken for AF, there are more things that stand out on USAF style blues as "NOT AIR FORCE."

Yes.  Especially when folks like this show up:


NCR Chaplain Service Staff College

Kinda defeats the purpose of the whole uniform, don't you think?  Especially with regard to the blatantly misappropriated silver sleeve braids.

But hey, maybe people will give us more money if we fund raise in BBDU's, they will think were members of the SWAT team raising money for PAL.

You may be on to something... 

[SSgt Rudin]

IMHO if someone is wearing the TPU I think there is a better chance of being mistaken for AF, there are more things that stand out on USAF style blues as "NOT AIR FORCE."

Yes.  Especially when folks like this show up:


NCR Chaplain Service Staff College

Kinda defeats the purpose of the whole uniform, don't you think?  Especially with regard to the blatantly misappropriated silver sleeve braids.

How do you get everything else right, but then throw you military badges and ribbons on there?

[Hawk200]

How do you get everything else right, but then throw you military badges and ribbons on there?

One of two things...

1. "Oh, I didn't know I couldn't wear my military stuff on this uniform."  (Pretty unlikely)

-OR-

2. "I earned them, I'm going to wear them, I don't care what the reg says!" (I'd bet on this one.)

I just realized that a lot of our major (and willful) uniform offenders happen to have some military background. May have to look at that a little closer.

[jimmydeanno]

I thought of something else. One of the events my squadron does every year is direct cars where to park at the carnival. We get paid for this, by the people who run the carnival, we have been doing it for them since about 1993. They know who we are and what their "donation" is going too, the know we are not the AF, as a matter of fact one of the organizers used to be a cadet in the 60's. No advertisement is made to the public that we get money for working the event. How would wearing USAF style uniforms, specifically BDU's, have any affect on the event? I guess you could argue that "how does not wearing USAF style uniforms affect the event", and my answer for that is:
1. The cadets are not permitted to direct traffic entering or leaving an actual road, only SM's do that. BDU's "command more authority" in the eyes of the general public, and when a guy is standing in the middle of the road yelling at you for driving down the wrong side of the road, I have noticed they listen better to me in BDU's more often than my counterparts in BBDU's, but that could also be because I used to be an NCO and yell more effectively.
2: People ask more questions about who you are when you are in BDU's. And with over 8,000 cars rolling through the parking a day in a 3 day event thats a lot more chances to get a new member.

That is not soliciting money from the general public by standing in front of wal*mart with your jar for donations.  I'm pretty sure that is the difference.

[0]

Wait so then wouldn't that mean that if we have an awards banquet where the squadron could make a little extra we can't wear our Mess Dress Uniforms? 

[Pylon]

Wait so then wouldn't that mean that if we have an awards banquet where the squadron could make a little extra we can't wear our Mess Dress Uniforms? 

A strict interpretation of the rules would say yes.  A reasonable interpretation of them would say no.

But I have to agree with the above sentiments that seniors dressed in the CSU with actual AF officer epaulets on the shoulders or metal rank on the corporate dress jacket doesn't look any less Air Force than the AF-style uniforms.  In some cases, it looks more AF.   

[0]

It does.  I think this is one of those rules that should be treated like the grazing law in Boston.  It's there but no one follows it.

For those that don't know, it's still legal to bring your cows to Boston Common to graze on Sundays.  It's not done, but you still could.  :angel:
Now to go buy a cow and do it just to see what the police say. 

[notaNCO forever]

 I've seen plenty of cadets mistaken for being in the military and also the TPU looks similar enough to an Air Force uniform to be mistaken for an Air Force uniform so I don't see how it helps.

[0]

I've seen plenty of cadets mistaken for being in the military and also the TPU looks similar enough to an Air Force uniform to be mistaken for an Air Force uniform so I don't see how it helps.

My personal favorite is if I'm in line picking something up quick at the grocery store on my way home and someone asking if I'm the Army.

[notaNCO forever]

I've seen plenty of cadets mistaken for being in the military and also the TPU looks similar enough to an Air Force uniform to be mistaken for an Air Force uniform so I don't see how it helps.

My personal favorite is if I'm in line picking something up quick at the grocery store on my way home and someone asking if I'm the Army.

It will still probably take people five years to figure out the army no longer uses BDU's.

[0]

I've seen plenty of cadets mistaken for being in the military and also the TPU looks similar enough to an Air Force uniform to be mistaken for an Air Force uniform so I don't see how it helps.

My personal favorite is if I'm in line picking something up quick at the grocery store on my way home and someone asking if I'm the Army.

It will still probably take people five years to figure out the army no longer uses BDU's.

The part I left out was I'm in my Blues at the time.  I hardly ever wear the BDU.  If I wear a field uniform I traditionaly wear the BBDU.   It's the running gag for anyone who knows me, I wear the woodland BDU maybe once every 5 months.

[Psicorp]

I don't care what uniform you're doing the fundraising in, but at some point you're going to be explaining that CAP is an AF auxiliary and does missions for the AF.  If you can fundraise without explaining that, you're a better person than I.  And that being the case, it shouldn't matter whether you're wearing an AF-style uniform or not. 

The question that's bugging me is why should we even want to omit or diminish what we do for the Air Force?   I realize that at times we've been the Air Force's red-headed step child, but darn it, we're still part of that family.   

How would this impact us selling wreaths for "Wreaths Across America"?   

[RiverAux]

Not sure why you quoted me -- I agree with you.  If the AF doesn't want to fund our local units for local expenses, at least we should be able to use our biggest selling point, and the greatest thing that adds to our credibility -- our association with the AF. 

[Dragoon]

I see both sides of this coin.  But as an additional data point, when I've seen Army units engage in fund raising (normally for some social event or a pinball machine for the dayroom), they never wear the uniform.  Mebbe custom company T shirts, but that's about it.  USAF may have a similar policy - don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

It's their uniform - their rules. 

(And yeah, I expect them to crack down on the TPUs at some point - those things look awfully air forcey.

[mikeylikey]

(And yeah, I expect them to crack down on the TPUs at some point - those things look awfully air forcey.

They already did crack down.  They removed rank from the flight cap, and took away the "US" cutouts. 

[0]

Did we ever have "US" on the collar of the TPU. 

And I thought it was an in house decision to remove the grade from the flight cap.

[RiverAux]

don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

They're probably don't have to come up with their own funding to pay the electricity, phone, and sewage bills for the buildings their unit uses and probably don't need to come up with money on their own to send unit members to special events.  Apples and Oranges here. 

But, if you want to go there...how about US Marine Corps Reserve members collecting toys and money while in uniform for the Toys for Tots program? 

[0]

don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

They're probably don't have to come up with their own funding to pay the electricity, phone, and sewage bills for the buildings their unit uses and probably don't need to come up with money on their own to send unit members to special events.  Apples and Oranges here. 

But, if you want to go there...how about US Marine Corps Reserve members collecting toys and money while in uniform for the Toys for Tots program? 

makes sense to me. 

[Pylon]

Did we ever have "US" on the collar of the TPU.

Yes, we had US cutouts on there at the outset.  They were later removed.

[mikeylikey]

Did we ever have "US" on the collar of the TPU.

Yes, we had US cutouts on there at the outset.  They were later removed.

And we had rank on the flight cap, which was removed at the same time.  And we had rank on the Black Army Wind breaker and they mandated putting the CAP cutout with it.  (Plus Enlisted CAP members should wear the black enlisted army windbreaker not the Officers version, thats one oversight!)

Lets not forget the removal of the AF nameplate for a CAP specific nameplate at the same time. 

(Makes you wonder.......was Vanguard or the AF behind the changing of insignia and accouterments). 

[jpnelson82]

Thanks for the 411, my Squadron has a fund-raiser this weekend. Now I won't violate the regs.  :clap: So...should us seniors just scrap the USAF style uniforms all toghether. I don't think there are many seniors I know that would complain.    IMHO the thing that fools most people is the rank insignia so unless we change to RAF style stripes instead of  USAF pips civilians will still confuse us.  I mean, what are we supposed to wear Polka-dot clown suits?

[JayT]

don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

They're probably don't have to come up with their own funding to pay the electricity, phone, and sewage bills for the buildings their unit uses and probably don't need to come up with money on their own to send unit members to special events.  Apples and Oranges here. 

But, if you want to go there...how about US Marine Corps Reserve members collecting toys and money while in uniform for the Toys for Tots program? 

Apples and Oranges.

Secretly, the RAND Corporation is behind all of our uniform changes. It's part of an attempt to cancel the 2010 Election.

[SARMedTech]

I see both sides of this coin.  But as an additional data point, when I've seen Army units engage in fund raising (normally for some social event or a pinball machine for the dayroom), they never wear the uniform.  Mebbe custom company T shirts, but that's about it.  USAF may have a similar policy - don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

It's their uniform - their rules. 

(And yeah, I expect them to crack down on the TPUs at some point - those things look awfully air forcey.

Does this mean that high-ranking military officers should wear "polo-shirt" variations when testifying before Congress when in comes to appropriations time. After all, what are they doing besides trying to raise funds.

"It will be a great day when the military has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber..."

[mikeylikey]

I don't understand why Senior Members can not wear a CAP uniform when fundraising.  It makes no sense.  We are raising money for CAP, not the USAF. 

In all reality, the CAP days in DC (where members go try to get money from Congress) should only be attended by members wearing the POLO shirt.  That is the purpose of that day(s), to raise money for CAP right?  Double standard??

I am starting to see more and more instances of the AF saying "get out of our uniforms" to CAP.  The latest being the Air Show at Joint Base DIX-McGuire (thats the new name of the installation I just read in Army Times).

[jpnelson82]

I um realize this is going to show how ignorant I am, but what does TPU stand for? I figure it's the corporate uniform we're talking about. The one with AF issue rank slides and the blue AF trousers with the blue nameplate. It does look very AF'ey, but what does TPU stand for?

[SSgt Rudin]

I um realize this is going to show how ignorant I am, but what does TPU stand for? I figure it's the corporate uniform we're talking about. The one with AF issue rank slides and the blue AF trousers with the blue nameplate. It does look very AF'ey, but what does TPU stand for?

Tony Pineda Uniform

[CadetProgramGuy]

Suppose we'd better change TPU to HWSNBN-U

He Who Shall Not Be Named - Uniform

[SSgt Rudin]

Suppose we'd better change TPU to HWSNBN-U

He Who Shall Not Be Named - Uniform

Too long, how about TGU for That Guy's Uniform

[CadetProgramGuy]

Sparing us from a topic drift Warning......


OK I suppose.

[0]

I don't understand why Senior Members can not wear a CAP uniform when fundraising.  It makes no sense.  We are raising money for CAP, not the USAF. 

In all reality, the CAP days in DC (where members go try to get money from Congress) should only be attended by members wearing the POLO shirt.  That is the purpose of that day(s), to raise money for CAP right?  Double standard??

I am starting to see more and more instances of the AF saying "get out of our uniforms" to CAP.  The latest being the Air Show at Joint Base DIX-McGuire (thats the new name of the installation I just read in Army Times).

Mikey when last I checked we were the only group helping the AF that was being allowed to wear our uniform.  Everyone else has to wear sometheing else. The only thing is we have to wear a staff tee shirt if we go.

[Cecil DP]

don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

They're probably don't have to come up with their own funding to pay the electricity, phone, and sewage bills for the buildings their unit uses and probably don't need to come up with money on their own to send unit members to special events.  Apples and Oranges here. 

But, if you want to go there...how about US Marine Corps Reserve members collecting toys and money while in uniform for the Toys for Tots program? 

makes sense to me. 

I was at NAS Jacksonville yesterday and had several officers in a booth soliciting money for the Navy Relief Society.

[Jimbo]

Wow... after reading the majority of these posts, the quickest response that I can give is: 'PERCEPTION IS REALITY'

Although all of us as CAP members know the difference, general perception is that they associate the USAF style uniforms as the US military... and don't know the difference about the devices, etc etc to know CAP vs USAF, blah blah

Being active duty in the Air Force, I know how it thinks, and nine times out of ten AFIs are based dealing with perceptions.  My unit and people do not and will never wear their uniforms at any fund raising events, and if we were to do something, we would wear our personalized unit tee-shirts...something that I would think most CAP squadrons would want to do depending on the type of activity.. think unit camaraderie and morale!

Secondly, the majority of Senior Members I see these days are starting to only purchase/acquire the CAP distinctive uniforms, and not the AF style BDUs or Blues, which then would fall direct into CAP policy and not necessarily CAP-USAF directed.

As far as the US Marine Corps, that fund raising has been specifically approved by senior leadership, and has gone through the bureaucracy and what not as an 'exception to policy (ETP)'....

I don't see why this is a big deal...I have read some postings thinking the AF should provide more funding to CAP local squadrons.  The AF barely has enough funding to take care of it's current priorities, we are in a process where we have held reduction in force boards and had to boot people out to meet budget requirements... the reason CAP is a NFP is to provide cost effective help.  CAP needs members that are committed and understand how it operates, and more importantly solely focus on the three missions.. ES, CP and AE... this is why I have remained a member after going on active duty.. because I believe, and I try not to get caught up in shenanigans, if you know what I mean.

don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

They're probably don't have to come up with their own funding to pay the electricity, phone, and sewage bills for the buildings their unit uses and probably don't need to come up with money on their own to send unit members to special events.  Apples and Oranges here. 

But, if you want to go there...how about US Marine Corps Reserve members collecting toys and money while in uniform for the Toys for Tots program? 

[Dragoon]

don't wear the uniform of our country when asking for handouts.  Makes some kind of sense.

They're probably don't have to come up with their own funding to pay the electricity, phone, and sewage bills for the buildings their unit uses and probably don't need to come up with money on their own to send unit members to special events.  Apples and Oranges here. 

But, if you want to go there...how about US Marine Corps Reserve members collecting toys and money while in uniform for the Toys for Tots program? 

\

Simple - that shows Marines doing good work for the community - collecting money for others, not themselves.  Good PR that might get more cooperation from locals.

It's different than asking for handouts for yourself.

[Dragoon]

I don't understand why Senior Members can not wear a CAP uniform when fundraising.  It makes no sense.  We are raising money for CAP, not the USAF. 

In all reality, the CAP days in DC (where members go try to get money from Congress) should only be attended by members wearing the POLO shirt.  That is the purpose of that day(s), to raise money for CAP right?  Double standard??

I am starting to see more and more instances of the AF saying "get out of our uniforms" to CAP.  The latest being the Air Show at Joint Base DIX-McGuire (thats the new name of the installation I just read in Army Times).

Actually, there have been several instances in past years when Wing Commanders have been specifically instructed NOT to ask for money from Congress during CAP days.

But again, lobbying Congress is a bit different than canvassing streetcorners for handouts or having bake sales....

Again, it all goes back to USAF KNOWING that CAP members in USAF dress are often mistaken for USAF members.  And, knowing that, being very touchy about where, when and how we present ourselves to the public.

I agree it ain't always the best thing for us, but it's their uniform - their rules.  I have no problem in saluting and moving out.