CAPM 39-1's Issues

[Airman De Ruiter]

Is it just me or is 39-1 just overall poorly written and half-assed? I would type up a list of the all the fallacies, but I'm afraid the CAP Talk servers wouldn't be able to handle all of that data in one post. Is 39-1 like the abridged edition of the uniform manual. If something's not covered in the manual and everyone in your CoC is clueless as to what the proper way to do something is, then what are you to do? Consult the operational Air Force's uniform manual?

[SJFedor]

Is it just me or is 39-1 just overall poorly written and half-assed? I would type up a list of the all the fallacies, but I'm afraid the CAP Talk servers wouldn't be able to handle all of that data in one post. Is 39-1 like the abridged edition of the uniform manual. If something's not covered in the manual and everyone in your CoC is clueless as to what the proper way to do something is, then what are you to do? Consult the operational Air Force's uniform manual?

Your signature line says it all.

Search function will help you with this topic, which is one of the all time deceased equines being repeatedly struck with a blunt object.

[SarDragon]

That said, yes, most of the CT members, and many CAP members in general are painfully aware of the deficiencies in CAPM 39-1. We even have a member of the Uniform Committee posting on here to keep us abreast of the latest events.

It's a huge complicated issue, with no easy answers. Be patient, make sure you've read all the ICLs, too, and wait for things to be worked. That's about all you can do.

[Airman De Ruiter]

I'm rather new, how does one ICL?

[SarDragon]

New, as a Cadet Captain? Or are you deceiving us a bit with your sig? 

ICL = Interim Change Letter. If you go to the Publications page on the NHQ site, and click the Interim Change Letters item, you'll see them. Those, along with the 39-1, will give you the latest info on uniforms.

[Airman De Ruiter]

Thanks, that's going to come in handy soon(I'm the unit designated "reg nazi" because I ensure that people follow regs to the "T" and I always carry the necessary citation on me.).

And no, I'm not an officer, I'm new to CAP. I just thought C/Capt Obvious was funny. Apparently not.

[MIKE]

And no, I'm not an officer, I'm new to CAP. I just thought C/Capt Obvious was funny. Apparently not.

Suggest you read the Membership Code of Conduct in Announcements.

[NIN]

Thanks, that's going to come in handy soon(I'm the unit designated "reg nazi" because I ensure that people follow regs to the "T" and I always carry the necessary citation on me.).

And no, I'm not an officer, I'm new to CAP. I just thought C/Capt Obvious was funny. Apparently not.

Unsolicited advice from some guy on the Internet:

Be careful playing "reg nazi" and "new guy" at the same time, and especially around uniforms.

You presently can read black and white just fine, I'm sure, but the statement "what is an ICL" tells me you don't have the experience to find where all the (well uniformed) skeletons are buried in 39-1.   There are many of us who have been around for a LONG time who still get tripped up by a poorly written and edited regulation and/or manual.  And conflicting ICLs, National Board decisions, unpublished rules, the CAP Knowledgebase, and some random individual's reading of the "commander's intent" from three national commanders ago.

Then you add in all the cultural uniform biases that we carry to the table (Guy A: "In the Navy, we wear our ribbons no matter what" Guy B: "In the AF, it is customary for officers to not wear ribbons on the shirt" Guy C: "Can I wear this on my Class A's?"  Guys A&B in unison: "Shut up, Army Guy!") and uniforms are a minefield for the experienced.  They're certain death for a new guy.

Tread lightly until you can wear yours 100% of the time correctly.

[Private Investigator]

LMAO   

[Airman De Ruiter]

Thanks, that's going to come in handy soon(I'm the unit designated "reg nazi" because I ensure that people follow regs to the "T" and I always carry the necessary citation on me.).

And no, I'm not an officer, I'm new to CAP. I just thought C/Capt Obvious was funny. Apparently not.

Unsolicited advice from some guy on the Internet:

Be careful playing "reg nazi" and "new guy" at the same time, and especially around uniforms.

You presently can read black and white just fine, I'm sure, but the statement "what is an ICL" tells me you don't have the experience to find where all the (well uniformed) skeletons are buried in 39-1.   There are many of us who have been around for a LONG time who still get tripped up by a poorly written and edited regulation and/or manual.  And conflicting ICLs, National Board decisions, unpublished rules, the CAP Knowledgebase, and some random individual's reading of the "commander's intent" from three national commanders ago.

Then you add in all the cultural uniform biases that we carry to the table (Guy A: "In the Navy, we wear our ribbons no matter what" Guy B: "In the AF, it is customary for officers to not wear ribbons on the shirt" Guy C: "Can I wear this on my Class A's?"  Guys A&B in unison: "Shut up, Army Guy!") and uniforms are a minefield for the experienced.  They're certain death for a new guy.

Tread lightly until you can wear yours 100% of the time correctly.

I know that my uniform is proper at all times, I may be new to CAP, but I've been wearing Air Force Blues for a minute, now. I don't crack down unless I know for a fact that I know the reg well enough to recite it so no false calls on my part, hopefully. I usually call the common sense stuff i.e. hair, creases, shoe shine/type, colored bracelet, device placement. You know, the stuff no one has time to do right. <--- Sarcasm

[Patterson]

^ Man, we need more members just like you.....

[Eclipse]

I know that my uniform is proper at all times, I may be new to CAP, but I've been wearing Air Force Blues for a minute, now. I don't crack down unless I know for a fact that I know the reg well enough to recite it so no false calls on my part, hopefully. I usually call the common sense stuff i.e. hair, creases, shoe shine/type, colored bracelet, device placement. You know, the stuff no one has time to do right. <--- Sarcasm

Considering that there are field grade USAF officers who regularly need assistance with their uniforms, a CAP Cadet Airman who, until this thread did not know what an ICL was, should not be quite so confident about whether or not he's doing things "right".

[Airman De Ruiter]

Let's just say I'm a little old school, when it comes to my uniform. I don't get much sleep the day before I wear my uniform because of all the squaring away. As in 3 1/2 hours shining boots for BDU's and 4 on the boots for my blues. I am rather certain that I am SAT.

[Eclipse]

Let's just say I'm a little old school, when it comes to my uniform. I don't get much sleep the day before I wear my uniform because of all the squaring away. As in 3 1/2 hours shining boots for BDU's and 4 on the boots for my blues. I am rather certain that I am SAT.

If you're spending more then a few minutes shining your boots, you're doing it wrong.

[Airman De Ruiter]

Well, I disagree with you there. I think that if you can tell the difference between my boots and Corfams, then I'm doing it wrong. I find a deep sense of responsibility when representing CAP, USAF, and the Armed Forces as a whole.

[JayT]

Well, I disagree with you there. I think that if you can tell the difference between my boots and Corfams, then I'm doing it wrong. I find a deep sense of responsibility when representing CAP, USAF, and the Armed Forces as a whole.

Nonsense. Spit shined boots are low on the list of priorities. I'll give you a hint, tell me how many branches of the military are still wearing smooth leather boots.

[Eclipse]

Well, I disagree with you there. I think that if you can tell the difference between my boots and Corfams, then I'm doing it wrong. I find a deep sense of responsibility when representing CAP, USAF, and the Armed Forces as a whole.

Mirror-shiny boots have nothing to do with "representing the Air Force", or anyone else for that matter, bearing and attitude say a lot more.

Just as a note, except in a few select areas, the USAF no longer wears black, shine-able boots.

[Airman De Ruiter]

Well, I disagree with you there. I think that if you can tell the difference between my boots and Corfams, then I'm doing it wrong. I find a deep sense of responsibility when representing CAP, USAF, and the Armed Forces as a whole.

Nonsense. Spit shined boots are low on the list of priorities. I'll give you a hint, tell me how many branches of the military are still wearing smooth leather boots.

4

[JayT]

Well, I disagree with you there. I think that if you can tell the difference between my boots and Corfams, then I'm doing it wrong. I find a deep sense of responsibility when representing CAP, USAF, and the Armed Forces as a whole.

Nonsense. Spit shined boots are low on the list of priorities. I'll give you a hint, tell me how many branches of the military are still wearing smooth leather boots.

4

Which ones?

US Army: Tan rough out boots (my partner his currently wearing his as his duty boots are in for repair.)
US Marines: Brown rough out boots.
USAF: Green rough out boots.

[Eclipse]

The Navy NWU is black rough out (which I'm assuming means suede?).