The Story on the CAPID?

[TxRaider]

What is the history of the creation of CAPIDs?

I joined in February 1982, and took a 30 year hiatus from 1992 - 2018.  When I rejoined, I received my original CAPid (a 131xxx) number, which I never knew that I had, since we used SSNs in those days.My join date shows 24 Jul 1992 (the date I originally became a Senior)
Another senior in my squadron joined in 1990, and had a number that was just a few after mine (also 131xxx).  His Join date shows 12 Sep 1990.

My ex-wife joined in about 1986, left a few years later and rejoined in 2021 and received her original number, (which is 165xxx) Her join date shows 18 Jul 1990.

My fiancee was originally a member in 1989, through about 1993 or so, and recently joined CAP, and was assigned a new number (724xxx).  Her join date shows 3 May 2024.

When were numbers first generated and used by NHQ?  I suspect would have been sometime after 1990 but before 1993.

What was the sequence they were assigned in?

What can you tell about the original members based on their number?  Location?  Status?  Era of membership?

Thanks

[SarDragon]

If you want more info on CAPID history, do a search for "CAPID" with me (SarDragon) as author. Not all the posts are germane to your Q, but there's a lot of info there. Also, surf around in those threads for posts from other folks who have contributed.

[baronet68]

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=26222.msg443118#msg443118

[SarDragon]

Yeah, that one works, too. I still haven't been able to put together a 100% accurate accounting of CAPSN history.

[West MI-CAP-Ret]

Wondering if anyone has reached out to our national historian?

[SarDragon]

Wondering if anyone has reached out to our national historian?

I was in touch with Frank Blazich a while back, and he didn't have much more than I have already posted.

[SarDragon]

OK, here's a repeat post with most of the info I know.

When I joined (1964), cadets and SM had different types of CAPSNs The SMs had a 7- or 8-digit CAPSN, presumably sequential. Cadets had CAPSNs in this format - C-nn-nnnnn, issued by each wing. The C was for cadet, the next two numbers were the wing number according to the original numbering scheme from the '40s, and the remaining digits were the sequentially assigned number. Mine was C-22-10171.

Sometime in 1965, the cadet numbers were changed to a nationally assigned 6-digit number, and everybody got a new one. I have no knowledge of the specific scheme, but I do know that they were into the 623xxx area by July 1966, and all the way up to 6665xx by the end of 1968. Mine was 519522.

By 1971, SM CAPSNs were changed to their SSANs. I don't know when the same thing was done for cadets.

In 2001, we went to CAPIDs, starting with 100001. Apparently, they were initially assigned in SSAN order, until they got to about 148xxx, and had converted all existing members. There's a gap, and then they restart at 149000, when they started assigning them in join date order.

[Ned]

FWIW, when I joined as a cadet in '69, I received a CAPSN of 688XXX.  When I turned senior in 1975, I was initially assigned a "new" CAPSN of 000688XXX.  (NHQ just added 3 leading zeros to my cadet number.)

Not long thereafter, they required that I provide my SSN, which subsequently appeared on my membership card until the new system arrived and I received my CAPID as 145XXX.

Somewhere, I have every CAP membership card I ever received.  I'm sure the national historical center will want them someday. 

[PHall]

Yep, in Dec 1969 we were up to 691XXX.

[baronet68]

By 1971, SM CAPSNs were changed to their SSANs. I don't know when the same thing was done for cadets.

Circa 1983, NHQ preferred SSN but if cadets didn't have an SSN, NHQ would issue 6-digit numbers.  At that time, I'd estimate about 1-in-50 cadets had a 6-digit number...

Yep, in Dec 1969 we were up to 691XXX.

By Apr 1983 they were up to 907XXX.

[NIN]

By Apr 1983 they were up to 907XXX.

In May 81, we were at 798XXX. Cuz mine started that way.

[CAPJOE]

By Apr 1983 they were up to 907XXX.

In May 81, we were at 798XXX. Cuz mine started that way.

I joined the first time in 1991-1994. I was out until 2019. At that time I was reissued my original ID Number, 136174.

[SarDragon]

By Apr 1983 they were up to 907XXX.

In May 81, we were at 798XXX. Cuz mine started that way.

I joined the first time in 1991-1994. I was out until 2019. At that time I was reissued my original ID Number, 136174.

That's the way it's supposed to work.