CAP receipient of the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award.

Started by Chappie, September 20, 2016, 04:46:37 PM

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PHall

Quote from: Spaceman3750 on September 20, 2016, 09:36:04 PM
Ma Blue posted this on Facebook earlier today. It's a pretty powerful summation of just four years of work.

QuoteThe Civil Air Patrol distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2012 to 31 August 2016. During this period, Civil Air Patrol emerged as a true total force partner flying 36,367 operational sorties as the Air Force Auxiliary.

They were the cornerstone of Air Force rescue operations executing 2,943 search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center flying 5,040 hours and saving 272 lives. Civil Air Patrol was an integral part of our homeland defense flying 1,950 air defense sorties providing target support for intercept aircraft. In response to multiple disasters, they valiantly aided relief efforts flying 3,334 hours in support of federal and state disaster response authorities. This included operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy involving an amazing twenty-one wings using seventy-three aircraft flying 696 sorties and 1,380 hours capturing 158,000 images used by emergency responders while ground crews manned shelters and delivered life-saving supplies. When historic flooding threatened South Carolina, Civil Air Patrol volunteers flew 180 search and rescue and imagery sorties capturing 4,480 images.

They supported 959 Air Force and joint exercises including critical training missions simulating unmanned aircraft systems by using sensor modified aircraft to prepare Air Force, Army, and Navy joint terminal attack controllers for their worldwide combat missions. Additionally, aircrews flew 29,395 hours helping law enforcement agencies seize 2.9 billion dollars in illegal drugs and currency leading to 1,530 arrests.

In the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent. Civil Air Patrol members provided an incredible 165 million dollars annually in volunteer service hours.

They can justify it on Facebook all they want, but, they violated their own regulation (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decoration Program ) to do it.
Of course if they do follow the reg then every member of the Civil Air Patrol who was a member during the period of the award is entitled to wear the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award ribbon.
So wear the ribbon and see how fast you get flamed!

arajca

Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 09:44:52 PM
Quote from: Spaceman3750 on September 20, 2016, 09:36:04 PM
Ma Blue posted this on Facebook earlier today. It's a pretty powerful summation of just four years of work.

QuoteThe Civil Air Patrol distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2012 to 31 August 2016. During this period, Civil Air Patrol emerged as a true total force partner flying 36,367 operational sorties as the Air Force Auxiliary.

They were the cornerstone of Air Force rescue operations executing 2,943 search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center flying 5,040 hours and saving 272 lives. Civil Air Patrol was an integral part of our homeland defense flying 1,950 air defense sorties providing target support for intercept aircraft. In response to multiple disasters, they valiantly aided relief efforts flying 3,334 hours in support of federal and state disaster response authorities. This included operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy involving an amazing twenty-one wings using seventy-three aircraft flying 696 sorties and 1,380 hours capturing 158,000 images used by emergency responders while ground crews manned shelters and delivered life-saving supplies. When historic flooding threatened South Carolina, Civil Air Patrol volunteers flew 180 search and rescue and imagery sorties capturing 4,480 images.

They supported 959 Air Force and joint exercises including critical training missions simulating unmanned aircraft systems by using sensor modified aircraft to prepare Air Force, Army, and Navy joint terminal attack controllers for their worldwide combat missions. Additionally, aircrews flew 29,395 hours helping law enforcement agencies seize 2.9 billion dollars in illegal drugs and currency leading to 1,530 arrests.

In the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent. Civil Air Patrol members provided an incredible 165 million dollars annually in volunteer service hours.

They can justify it on Facebook all they want, but, they violated their own regulation (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decoration Program ) to do it.
Of course if they do follow the reg then every member of the Civil Air Patrol who was a member during the period of the award is entitled to wear the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award ribbon.
So wear the ribbon and see how fast you get flamed!
This begs the question: Can CAP members who cannot wear the AF service uniforms wear this award on the aviator shirt since it was awarded for actions performed as CAP members, not military members.

Maj Daniel Sauerwein

PHall,

I wonder if the Air Force is on the right side of their regulation based on the criteria for the award, which according to http://www.afpc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421950/air-force-organizational-excellence-award, states:

QuoteBackground
The secretary of the Air Force authorized this award on Aug. 26, 1969. The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of U.S. Air Force organizations or activities.

Criteria
It is awarded to Air Force internal organizations that are entities within larger organizations. They are unique, unnumbered organizations or activities that perform functions normally performed by numbered wings, groups, squadrons, etc.

One could argue that we are an Air Force internal organization to an extent, since we derive funding from them and answer to them on a number of issues. I'm curious, as I looked at page 112 of the regulation you mention and can't see any reason we would not be eligible, or that the Air Force violated their own regulation, as I'm sure they spent some time considering this before deciding to issue this award to us.
DANIEL SAUERWEIN, Maj, CAP
Squadron Commander
Grand Forks Composite Squadron
North Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol

Maj Daniel Sauerwein

Quote from: arajca on September 20, 2016, 09:58:33 PM
This begs the question: Can CAP members who cannot wear the AF service uniforms wear this award on the aviator shirt since it was awarded for actions performed as CAP members, not military members.

I'm willing to go out on a limb and say NHQ would make an exception for this and deem it allowable for wear on the white aviator, since it is recognizing CAP service.
DANIEL SAUERWEIN, Maj, CAP
Squadron Commander
Grand Forks Composite Squadron
North Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol

PHall

Quote from: Maj Daniel Sauerwein on September 20, 2016, 10:04:42 PM
PHall,

I wonder if the Air Force is on the right side of their regulation based on the criteria for the award, which according to http://www.afpc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421950/air-force-organizational-excellence-award, states:

QuoteBackground
The secretary of the Air Force authorized this award on Aug. 26, 1969. The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of U.S. Air Force organizations or activities.

Criteria
It is awarded to Air Force internal organizations that are entities within larger organizations. They are unique, unnumbered organizations or activities that perform functions normally performed by numbered wings, groups, squadrons, etc.

One could argue that we are an Air Force internal organization to an extent, since we derive funding from them and answer to them on a number of issues. I'm curious, as I looked at page 112 of the regulation you mention and can't see any reason we would not be eligible, or that the Air Force violated their own regulation, as I'm sure they spent some time considering this before deciding to issue this award to us.

Simple, Civil Air Patrol is not an Air Force organization.   And we were probably "awarded" this just so the AF can say they value their "Civilian" Auxiliary.

Holding Pattern

Quote from: Maj Daniel Sauerwein on September 20, 2016, 10:04:42 PM
PHall,

I wonder if the Air Force is on the right side of their regulation based on the criteria for the award, which according to http://www.afpc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421950/air-force-organizational-excellence-award, states:

QuoteBackground
The secretary of the Air Force authorized this award on Aug. 26, 1969. The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of U.S. Air Force organizations or activities.

Criteria
It is awarded to Air Force internal organizations that are entities within larger organizations. They are unique, unnumbered organizations or activities that perform functions normally performed by numbered wings, groups, squadrons, etc.

One could argue that we are an Air Force internal organization to an extent, since we derive funding from them and answer to them on a number of issues. I'm curious, as I looked at page 112 of the regulation you mention and can't see any reason we would not be eligible, or that the Air Force violated their own regulation, as I'm sure they spent some time considering this before deciding to issue this award to us.

I'd say this award is a further cementation of the fact that #totalforce isn't just a hashtag.

THRAWN

Quote from: Maj Daniel Sauerwein on September 20, 2016, 10:07:19 PM
Quote from: arajca on September 20, 2016, 09:58:33 PM
This begs the question: Can CAP members who cannot wear the AF service uniforms wear this award on the aviator shirt since it was awarded for actions performed as CAP members, not military members.

I'm willing to go out on a limb and say NHQ would make an exception for this and deem it allowable for wear on the white aviator, since it is recognizing CAP service.

That is a rather thin limb.
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

THRAWN

Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 10:14:14 PM
Quote from: Maj Daniel Sauerwein on September 20, 2016, 10:04:42 PM
PHall,

I wonder if the Air Force is on the right side of their regulation based on the criteria for the award, which according to http://www.afpc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421950/air-force-organizational-excellence-award, states:

QuoteBackground
The secretary of the Air Force authorized this award on Aug. 26, 1969. The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of U.S. Air Force organizations or activities.

Criteria
It is awarded to Air Force internal organizations that are entities within larger organizations. They are unique, unnumbered organizations or activities that perform functions normally performed by numbered wings, groups, squadrons, etc.

One could argue that we are an Air Force internal organization to an extent, since we derive funding from them and answer to them on a number of issues. I'm curious, as I looked at page 112 of the regulation you mention and can't see any reason we would not be eligible, or that the Air Force violated their own regulation, as I'm sure they spent some time considering this before deciding to issue this award to us.

Simple, Civil Air Patrol is not an Air Force organization.   And we were probably "awarded" this just so the AF can say they value their "Civilian" Auxiliary.

Pretty sure lots of JAG types already hashed this out.
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

LSThiker

Quote from: arajca on September 20, 2016, 09:58:33 PM
This begs the question: Can CAP members who cannot wear the AF service uniforms wear this award on the aviator shirt since it was awarded for actions performed as CAP members, not military members.

I very doubt the USAF is actually going to award the ribbon to all CAP members.  I have a feeling this is more of an "honorary" AFOEA.  If the USAF says CAP can wear the ribbon, I am sure they will also set the guidelines (i.e. USAF-style vs Corporate) at that time.  Until that time comes, just sit right back and hear a tale. 

THRAWN

Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 09:44:52 PM
Quote from: Spaceman3750 on September 20, 2016, 09:36:04 PM
Ma Blue posted this on Facebook earlier today. It's a pretty powerful summation of just four years of work.

QuoteThe Civil Air Patrol distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2012 to 31 August 2016. During this period, Civil Air Patrol emerged as a true total force partner flying 36,367 operational sorties as the Air Force Auxiliary.

They were the cornerstone of Air Force rescue operations executing 2,943 search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center flying 5,040 hours and saving 272 lives. Civil Air Patrol was an integral part of our homeland defense flying 1,950 air defense sorties providing target support for intercept aircraft. In response to multiple disasters, they valiantly aided relief efforts flying 3,334 hours in support of federal and state disaster response authorities. This included operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy involving an amazing twenty-one wings using seventy-three aircraft flying 696 sorties and 1,380 hours capturing 158,000 images used by emergency responders while ground crews manned shelters and delivered life-saving supplies. When historic flooding threatened South Carolina, Civil Air Patrol volunteers flew 180 search and rescue and imagery sorties capturing 4,480 images.

They supported 959 Air Force and joint exercises including critical training missions simulating unmanned aircraft systems by using sensor modified aircraft to prepare Air Force, Army, and Navy joint terminal attack controllers for their worldwide combat missions. Additionally, aircrews flew 29,395 hours helping law enforcement agencies seize 2.9 billion dollars in illegal drugs and currency leading to 1,530 arrests.

In the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent. Civil Air Patrol members provided an incredible 165 million dollars annually in volunteer service hours.

They can justify it on Facebook all they want, but, they violated their own regulation (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decoration Program ) to do it.
Of course if they do follow the reg then every member of the Civil Air Patrol who was a member during the period of the award is entitled to wear the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award ribbon.
So wear the ribbon and see how fast you get flamed!

You have said a few times that they violated the reg. How?
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

RogueLeader

Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 09:44:52 PM
Quote from: Spaceman3750 on September 20, 2016, 09:36:04 PM
Ma Blue posted this on Facebook earlier today. It's a pretty powerful summation of just four years of work.

QuoteThe Civil Air Patrol distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2012 to 31 August 2016. During this period, Civil Air Patrol emerged as a true total force partner flying 36,367 operational sorties as the Air Force Auxiliary.

They were the cornerstone of Air Force rescue operations executing 2,943 search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center flying 5,040 hours and saving 272 lives. Civil Air Patrol was an integral part of our homeland defense flying 1,950 air defense sorties providing target support for intercept aircraft. In response to multiple disasters, they valiantly aided relief efforts flying 3,334 hours in support of federal and state disaster response authorities. This included operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy involving an amazing twenty-one wings using seventy-three aircraft flying 696 sorties and 1,380 hours capturing 158,000 images used by emergency responders while ground crews manned shelters and delivered life-saving supplies. When historic flooding threatened South Carolina, Civil Air Patrol volunteers flew 180 search and rescue and imagery sorties capturing 4,480 images.

They supported 959 Air Force and joint exercises including critical training missions simulating unmanned aircraft systems by using sensor modified aircraft to prepare Air Force, Army, and Navy joint terminal attack controllers for their worldwide combat missions. Additionally, aircrews flew 29,395 hours helping law enforcement agencies seize 2.9 billion dollars in illegal drugs and currency leading to 1,530 arrests.

In the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent. Civil Air Patrol members provided an incredible 165 million dollars annually in volunteer service hours.

They can justify it on Facebook all they want, but, they violated their own regulation (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decoration Program ) to do it.
Of course if they do follow the reg then every member of the Civil Air Patrol who was a member during the period of the award is entitled to wear the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award ribbon.
So wear the ribbon and see how fast you get flamed!

As the SECAF created it, wouldn't it stand to reason that the SECAF can waiver any or all provisions of said regulation.  It has been hashed out many times, and not to everyone's agreement, that a Commander can, and does violate regs up to what their Commanders will allow.  Who is going to punish the SECAF?  The SECDEF? POTUS?  Really, who is going to care enough to spend all the time and resources to punish the SECAF over this? There are a lot bigger issues to deal with.

It's a nice thank you, and I for one appreciate it.
WYWG DP

GRW 3340

PHall

Quote from: THRAWN on September 20, 2016, 10:20:58 PM
Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 09:44:52 PM
Quote from: Spaceman3750 on September 20, 2016, 09:36:04 PM
Ma Blue posted this on Facebook earlier today. It's a pretty powerful summation of just four years of work.

QuoteThe Civil Air Patrol distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2012 to 31 August 2016. During this period, Civil Air Patrol emerged as a true total force partner flying 36,367 operational sorties as the Air Force Auxiliary.

They were the cornerstone of Air Force rescue operations executing 2,943 search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center flying 5,040 hours and saving 272 lives. Civil Air Patrol was an integral part of our homeland defense flying 1,950 air defense sorties providing target support for intercept aircraft. In response to multiple disasters, they valiantly aided relief efforts flying 3,334 hours in support of federal and state disaster response authorities. This included operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy involving an amazing twenty-one wings using seventy-three aircraft flying 696 sorties and 1,380 hours capturing 158,000 images used by emergency responders while ground crews manned shelters and delivered life-saving supplies. When historic flooding threatened South Carolina, Civil Air Patrol volunteers flew 180 search and rescue and imagery sorties capturing 4,480 images.

They supported 959 Air Force and joint exercises including critical training missions simulating unmanned aircraft systems by using sensor modified aircraft to prepare Air Force, Army, and Navy joint terminal attack controllers for their worldwide combat missions. Additionally, aircrews flew 29,395 hours helping law enforcement agencies seize 2.9 billion dollars in illegal drugs and currency leading to 1,530 arrests.

In the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent. Civil Air Patrol members provided an incredible 165 million dollars annually in volunteer service hours.

They can justify it on Facebook all they want, but, they violated their own regulation (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decoration Program ) to do it.
Of course if they do follow the reg then every member of the Civil Air Patrol who was a member during the period of the award is entitled to wear the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award ribbon.
So wear the ribbon and see how fast you get flamed!

You have said a few times that they violated the reg. How?

AFI 36-2803, Para 4.1.4. Air Force unit awards are primarily awarded to Air Force units and organizations. Sister Service units are not normally recommended for or selected to share in an Air Force peacetime unit award, as they are eligible for their own service unit awards.

Last time I looked, Civil Air Patrol is not an Air Force Unit or Organization.

THRAWN

Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 10:29:39 PM
Quote from: THRAWN on September 20, 2016, 10:20:58 PM
Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 09:44:52 PM
Quote from: Spaceman3750 on September 20, 2016, 09:36:04 PM
Ma Blue posted this on Facebook earlier today. It's a pretty powerful summation of just four years of work.

QuoteThe Civil Air Patrol distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2012 to 31 August 2016. During this period, Civil Air Patrol emerged as a true total force partner flying 36,367 operational sorties as the Air Force Auxiliary.

They were the cornerstone of Air Force rescue operations executing 2,943 search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center flying 5,040 hours and saving 272 lives. Civil Air Patrol was an integral part of our homeland defense flying 1,950 air defense sorties providing target support for intercept aircraft. In response to multiple disasters, they valiantly aided relief efforts flying 3,334 hours in support of federal and state disaster response authorities. This included operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy involving an amazing twenty-one wings using seventy-three aircraft flying 696 sorties and 1,380 hours capturing 158,000 images used by emergency responders while ground crews manned shelters and delivered life-saving supplies. When historic flooding threatened South Carolina, Civil Air Patrol volunteers flew 180 search and rescue and imagery sorties capturing 4,480 images.

They supported 959 Air Force and joint exercises including critical training missions simulating unmanned aircraft systems by using sensor modified aircraft to prepare Air Force, Army, and Navy joint terminal attack controllers for their worldwide combat missions. Additionally, aircrews flew 29,395 hours helping law enforcement agencies seize 2.9 billion dollars in illegal drugs and currency leading to 1,530 arrests.

In the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent. Civil Air Patrol members provided an incredible 165 million dollars annually in volunteer service hours.

They can justify it on Facebook all they want, but, they violated their own regulation (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decoration Program ) to do it.
Of course if they do follow the reg then every member of the Civil Air Patrol who was a member during the period of the award is entitled to wear the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award ribbon.
So wear the ribbon and see how fast you get flamed!

You have said a few times that they violated the reg. How?

AFI 36-2803, Para 4.1.4. Air Force unit awards are primarily awarded to Air Force units and organizations. Sister Service units are not normally recommended for or selected to share in an Air Force peacetime unit award, as they are eligible for their own service unit awards.

Looks like SECAF and the Air Staff disagree. You should call LTG Burne and give your legal interp.
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

PHall

Quote from: RogueLeader on September 20, 2016, 10:26:29 PM
Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 09:44:52 PM
Quote from: Spaceman3750 on September 20, 2016, 09:36:04 PM
Ma Blue posted this on Facebook earlier today. It's a pretty powerful summation of just four years of work.

QuoteThe Civil Air Patrol distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2012 to 31 August 2016. During this period, Civil Air Patrol emerged as a true total force partner flying 36,367 operational sorties as the Air Force Auxiliary.

They were the cornerstone of Air Force rescue operations executing 2,943 search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center flying 5,040 hours and saving 272 lives. Civil Air Patrol was an integral part of our homeland defense flying 1,950 air defense sorties providing target support for intercept aircraft. In response to multiple disasters, they valiantly aided relief efforts flying 3,334 hours in support of federal and state disaster response authorities. This included operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy involving an amazing twenty-one wings using seventy-three aircraft flying 696 sorties and 1,380 hours capturing 158,000 images used by emergency responders while ground crews manned shelters and delivered life-saving supplies. When historic flooding threatened South Carolina, Civil Air Patrol volunteers flew 180 search and rescue and imagery sorties capturing 4,480 images.

They supported 959 Air Force and joint exercises including critical training missions simulating unmanned aircraft systems by using sensor modified aircraft to prepare Air Force, Army, and Navy joint terminal attack controllers for their worldwide combat missions. Additionally, aircrews flew 29,395 hours helping law enforcement agencies seize 2.9 billion dollars in illegal drugs and currency leading to 1,530 arrests.

In the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent. Civil Air Patrol members provided an incredible 165 million dollars annually in volunteer service hours.

They can justify it on Facebook all they want, but, they violated their own regulation (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decoration Program ) to do it.
Of course if they do follow the reg then every member of the Civil Air Patrol who was a member during the period of the award is entitled to wear the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award ribbon.
So wear the ribbon and see how fast you get flamed!

As the SECAF created it, wouldn't it stand to reason that the SECAF can waiver any or all provisions of said regulation.  It has been hashed out many times, and not to everyone's agreement, that a Commander can, and does violate regs up to what their Commanders will allow.  Who is going to punish the SECAF?  The SECDEF? POTUS?  Really, who is going to care enough to spend all the time and resources to punish the SECAF over this? There are a lot bigger issues to deal with.

It's a nice thank you, and I for one appreciate it.

Yeah, what was that First Core Value? Oh yeah, Integrity First!  But, I guess it's good to be the Queen. :clap:

RogueLeader

That cite does not preclude nomination, nor does it preclude granting said award.  That is just the typical way of doing business.  I would also contend that we are not a "sister service" but can be considered a subordinate unit via TotalForce doctrine statement, or can't ANG or AF Reserve units be given this award?
WYWG DP

GRW 3340

RogueLeader

Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 10:34:12 PM

Yeah, what was that First Core Value? Oh yeah, Integrity First!  But, I guess it's good to be the Queen. :clap:

You have yet to prove that they have broken a regulation that they don't have the authority to waive.  Two, It's not my integrity at issue, and you still have to demonstrate that the SECAF has broken hers..
WYWG DP

GRW 3340

Eclipse

Quote from: PHall on September 20, 2016, 10:14:14 PM
Simple, Civil Air Patrol is not an Air Force organization.   And we were probably "awarded" this just so the AF can say they value their "Civilian" Auxiliary.

+1 - CAP does not meet the published criteria for the award, authority or no, when you start making things up on the fly and "waiving" objective criteria,
you just call the whole situation into question.

The citation reads like someone just copied the bullet points from the Reports to Congress.
Sandy not withstanding, the operations over the last 4 years have not been exceptional when compared to other similar periods, and
during that same time the membership has declined over 7%, not to mention the loss of dozens, probably over a hundred charters (if not more).

And while FY2016 may have been a good year for flying, I'd be willing to bet that actual operations have declined since 2012, considering the last few years
it's been a struggle to put the requisite hours on the airframes and fill SAR jobs with competent people.

But people for whom the glass is always 1/2 full don't want to talk about things like numbers and stats, that makes them sad, so
you get branded "negative".

Believe me, there's no one in CAP that would like to believe that a new age of rebirth for CAP is just over the next hill...

...no one...

...but me, and a lot of others, have been left at the alter too many times to be optimistic beyond what we can see in front of us, and
the fact of the matter is that the fundamentals of the organization aren't changing, it's all the same people, policies, politics, and posters,
except a little less of each every year.

I've said it before, I've gotten plenty from CAP, some good friends, some good experiences, seen things I would never have seen
otherwise, I even owe a good chunk of my current business to it. 

I've got ribbons, and pictures, and memories.  Hard to complain.

But in nearly all those cases, anything that rose to "excellence" was due to happenstance, brute force effort, and
the personalities involved.  Many times as much time was wasted fighting inertia and "not invented here" as actually
doing anything of value for anyone.

And brute-force, personality-based situations don't scale, which means they evaporate around the membership leaving nothing
but campfire stories for the all-too significant population of members who never see a plane, never start a sortie, and / or leave
CAP before Curry because...well "because".

When the experience and expectations of the members in fly-over, small-town composite are generally the same as those at the wing
HQ squadron, then CAP can start talking about "OE".

Until then, they should say "Thank you USAF, glad to be on the TEAM, looking forward to showing you we deserve this..", and not make too big a deal about it.

"That Others May Zoom"

Flying Pig

Why is there not a doubt in my mind that Vanguard sales of this ribbon just went through the roof   >:D

Fubar

Quote from: Maj Daniel Sauerwein on September 20, 2016, 10:04:42 PMOne could argue that we are an Air Force internal organization to an extent, since we derive funding from them and answer to them on a number of issues.

Our government funding comes from appropriated funds allocated by Congress, given to the Air Force to manage. Except for some generous donations by the Air Force (such as CEAP), we are not an Air Force funded program.

We remain a private, non-profit corporation. It's a nice gesture, even if it's an award the Air Force wasn't supposed to give us.

RiverAux

One could certainly argue that actions taken by CAP when it is serving as the AF Auxiliary would meet the criteria.  However, this part of the citation :
QuoteIn the classroom, the Civil Air Patrol-sponsored Aerospace Connections in Education program has reached twenty-thousand elementary school children, elevating academics and fitness with an engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed curriculum. An annual powerhouse at the Air Force Association's Cyber Patriot National Youth Competition, Civil Air Patrol bested over three thousand other teams by finishing second in 2015 and third in 2016. Finally, through their Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, Civil Air Patrol has sponsored over 3,700 hundred cadets nationwide, increasing Air Force reach while embracing diversity and growing camp attendance by twenty percent.
refers to actions taken by CAP as CAP.  While worthwhile, are outside the scope of our AF Auxiliary role.

Of course, thats if you believe in a really stringent view of when CAP, as an organization, is an AF Auxiliary.  I personally believe that the organization a whole is ALWAYS in Auxiliary status since there are always open AFAMs.  Of course, most individual members are not in AFAM status at any given time, but that is a separate issue.