CAP Talk

General Discussion => The Lobby => Topic started by: Violan on April 23, 2013, 06:12:07 PM

Title: Signature Block Question
Post by: Violan on April 23, 2013, 06:12:07 PM
How do I add that I am a flight sergeant to my email signature? As there are several flights in my squadron, do I need to name the flight? How does this look:

FIRST M. LAST, C/MSgt, CAP
Bravo Flight Sergeant
Name of Squadron
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: lordmonar on April 23, 2013, 06:19:20 PM
Basic USAF signture block

FIRST LAST, Rank, Services
Title.


So.

PATRICK M. HARRIS, MSgt, CAP
First Sergeant.

No squadorn name.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Phil Hirons, Jr. on April 23, 2013, 06:47:54 PM
I think the basic USAF signature block assumes the letterhead would identify the unit.

CAPR 10-1 has this example for e-mail w/out header.

Arthur L. Seeber, Capt, CAP
Staff Officer, SWR-TX-442

It also states a preference for 2 line signature blocks but allows 3 if you can't do it in 2.

Put it all together and your example seems to pass muster.

You could also go with

FIRST M. LAST, C/MSgt, CAP
Bravo Flight Sergeant, REG-ST-###
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Storm Chaser on April 23, 2013, 08:17:51 PM
Quote from: lordmonar on April 23, 2013, 06:19:20 PM
Basic USAF signture block

FIRST LAST, Rank, Services
Title.


So.

PATRICK M. HARRIS, MSgt, CAP
First Sergeant.

No squadorn name.

That's only true when writing a letter or memorandum where the name of the squadron is in the header.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Storm Chaser on April 23, 2013, 08:26:25 PM
Quote from: phirons on April 23, 2013, 06:47:54 PM
I think the basic USAF signature block assumes the letterhead would identify the unit.

CAPR 10-1 has this example for e-mail w/out header.

Arthur L. Seeber, Capt, CAP
Staff Officer, SWR-TX-442

It also states a preference for 2 line signature blocks but allows 3 if you can't do it in 2.

Put it all together and your example seems to pass muster.

You could also go with

FIRST M. LAST, C/MSgt, CAP
Bravo Flight Sergeant, REG-ST-###

While the example presented in CAPR 10-1 displays the region (i.e. SWR-TX-442), it is also acceptable to use only wing and squadron number for correspondence within your own wing and region (i.e. TX-442 or TX442).
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Phil Hirons, Jr. on April 23, 2013, 09:59:08 PM
Can I go really old school and use 38001?

Most members would think I'm a van if I did.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Cap'n on May 05, 2013, 02:05:09 AM
I generally use this is my signature block:

First Name Last Name, C/CMSgt, CAP
Position
Squadron Name
(###)###-####
Email

The people in my squadron, and those in our area typically have something similar, but it's really up to you. I would also say "Bravo Flight Sergeant" as opposed to just "Flight Sergeant."
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: XxJake114xX on May 05, 2013, 03:44:11 AM
Does it really matter what way you put it in? I mean just as long as you get the important stuff isnt it okay? Ex: position in CAP, squadron number etc. If it does matter how you do it, can someone tell me if mine is okay?Also, is there a certain way that you have to set it up in a letter?
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: a2capt on May 05, 2013, 04:12:50 AM
The important thing is to use the proper name of the organization, and not to present it in such a way as to mislead.

While you are a member of Civil Air Patrol, and Civil Air Patrol is the US Air Force Auxiliary, there are people who put US Air Force Auxiliary first., and even so much as leave off Civil Air Patrol.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Private Investigator on May 05, 2013, 04:22:12 PM
Quote from: a2capt on May 05, 2013, 04:12:50 AM
The important thing is to use the proper name of the organization, and not to present it in such a way as to mislead.

While you are a member of Civil Air Patrol, and Civil Air Patrol is the US Air Force Auxiliary, there are people who put US Air Force Auxiliary first., and even so much as leave off Civil Air Patrol.

Correct 100%

I have seen some signature blocks that were so impressive, I had to stand at attention, take a step back and salute it   8)
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Woodsy on May 05, 2013, 05:47:38 PM
1 or 2 line preferred, 3 if needed...  When necessary, adapt and overcome!  As a wing Director of Public Affairs, I probably go farther than most, but here's mine...







V/R,

//SIGNED//

MY NAME, my rank, CAP
Director of Marketing & Public Affairs
HEADQUARTERS: My Wing, Civil Air Patrol
United States Air Force Auxiliary
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
myemail@mywing.gov
www.wingwebsite.gov (http://www.wingwebsite.gov)
www.facebook.com/Mywing (http://www.facebook.com/Mywing)
Twitter: @MyWing



UNCLASSIFIED / / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Information contained in this document is designated by the Department of Defense (DoD) as For Official Use Only (FOUO) and may not be released to anyone without the prior permission of NHQ CAP and/or CAP-USAF.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 26,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 71 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com (http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com) or www.capvolunteernow.com (http://www.capvolunteernow.com) for more information.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: jimmydeanno on May 05, 2013, 05:52:14 PM
Quote from: Woodsy on May 05, 2013, 05:47:38 PM
V/R,

Nothing against you, but I hate this.  I know it's a cultural thing.  Most people, outside of the AF/DoD have no idea what "v/r" means.  On top of that, how respectful is it, when in an automated signature block that you don't even have to type you can't spell out "Very Respectfully"?
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: jimmydeanno on May 05, 2013, 05:58:22 PM
anyway, this is how I've done my signature block:

Regards,

JAMES E. DOE, Lt Col, CAP
Commander
Anytown Civil Air Patrol

555.867.5309 | www.anytownCAP.org (http://www.anytowncap.org)




The website has the facebook links and twitter links.  They have my e-mail address because I sent them an e-mail.  Anyone who prints the e-mail will get it from the header that prints.  So, I don't include it.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: a2capt on May 05, 2013, 05:59:43 PM
Quote from: jimmydeanno on May 05, 2013, 05:52:14 PM..when in an automated signature block that you don't even have to type you can't spell out "Very Respectfully"?
Especially with that book following it, what's a few more characters? ;)


Those disclaimers are a freaking joke anyway. :) Put it before the text. "what you are about to read..  if you are not the intended recipient .. " blah blah, and I'll probably still post the thing on pastebin if it came unsolicited. ;-)
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Eclipse on May 05, 2013, 06:00:20 PM
Lose the disclaimer and the press release at the bottom.

The disclaimer is both meaningless and humorous, and the press release is clutter no one will ever read except to having to wade
through it in long conversations.

Pithy quotes from your favorite leader, images, logos, stylized text and, StoVoKor help us, emoticons should also be avoided.

Nothing says "professional" like a broken link or a ton of unreadable text because it's in a font only you have.

Those who use an email service that includes ads in the messages should receive the Atomic Wedgie Lifetime Achievement Award.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Woodsy on May 05, 2013, 06:17:07 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 05, 2013, 06:00:20 PM
Lose the disclaimer and the press release at the bottom.

The disclaimer is both meaningless and humorous, and the press release is clutter no one will ever read except to having to wade
through it in long conversations.

Pithy quotes from your favorite leader, images, logos, stylized text and, StoVoKor help us, emoticons should also be avoided.

Nothing says "professional" like a broken link or a ton of unreadable text because it's in a font only you have.

Those who use an email service that includes ads in the messages should receive the Atomic Wedgie Lifetime Achievement Award.

A large amount of my communications are external, both as a PAO and for most of my Ops taskings, so I find the boilerplate is helpful with media and external agencies.  Many times I've been answering questions and a reporter will start off with "I saw in your email that CAP has/does...."

The disclaimer is pretty common on government agency emails, so when dealing with EMA's or other ES providers, they don't think twice about it.  When forwarding and replying, I trim it up so there's not more than one copy. 

Couldn't agree with you more about the ads on the bottom.  I am a HUGE proponent of using an official CAP email address.  My wing offers one to every member, and many wings have a similar offering, but unfortunately it seems only a small percentage of members use them.  When dealing with outside agencies in ES, it looks pretty unprofessional to be sending mission documents back and forth using an @hotmail.com address. 

We try to present ourselves as Volunteer Professionals, and an email address is a simple item that can really help (or really hurt) our image. 
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Nuke52 on May 05, 2013, 06:37:12 PM
Quote from: Woodsy on May 05, 2013, 05:47:38 PM
UNCLASSIFIED / / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Information contained in this document is designated by the Department of Defense (DoD) as For Official Use Only (FOUO) and may not be released to anyone without the prior permission of NHQ CAP and/or CAP-USAF.

Okay, silly question here:  so, as the PA, how much info are you sending to the media/public/etc. that has actually been "designated FOUO by the DoD"?  And why?  And if it's not releasable to the public, isn't that, umm, somewhat counterintuitive--if not counter-productive--to the whole point of "public affairs"? 

Including that superfluous (and probably 99.5% never true) disclaimer just seems a bit like the type of stereotypical CAP peacockery that gets us mocked as "wannabes."

Just sayin'...
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Woodsy on May 05, 2013, 06:46:36 PM
Quote from: Nuke52 on May 05, 2013, 06:37:12 PM
Quote from: Woodsy on May 05, 2013, 05:47:38 PM
UNCLASSIFIED / / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Information contained in this document is designated by the Department of Defense (DoD) as For Official Use Only (FOUO) and may not be released to anyone without the prior permission of NHQ CAP and/or CAP-USAF.

Okay, silly question here:  so, as the PA, how much info are you sending to the media/public/etc. that has actually been "designated FOUO by the DoD"?  And why?  And if it's not releasable to the public, isn't that, umm, somewhat counterintuitive--if not counter-productive--to the whole point of "public affairs"? 

As a PAO, not much.  As a PIO/LO, most. 
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Mustang on May 13, 2013, 12:37:06 AM
Pretty sure very little of anything you're handling has been designated FOUO by DOD.
Title: Re: Signature Block Question
Post by: Pylon on May 13, 2013, 01:07:50 PM
I don't think you understand FOUO.  You, as CAP Member Woodsy, can't just personally say "I think this information is important, so I will just start calling it FOUO and tell people that the DoD says so."

That's not how FOUO works.  Just because information is sensitive doesn't make it FOUO.