CAP Talk

Cadet Programs => Cadet Programs Management & Activities => Topic started by: C/ID-073 on September 27, 2016, 09:40:57 PM

Title: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: C/ID-073 on September 27, 2016, 09:40:57 PM
At my squadron we always do a opening formation in addition to the Cadet Oath, but we have never done a closing formation. I've been told by my squadron commander that we are going to start doing closing formations, with the Cadet Oath at the end instead of the beginning.

Doing research, I can't find very much on how to do a closing formation in the drill guide, or AFMAN Drill and Ceremonies guide. I am unsure if a a closing formation is much different than an opening formation. I need to know where my flight sergeant, flight commander, first sergeant, and myself (the cadet commander) are supposed to be and what to say.

If anyone knows of a regulation or knows of somewhere in the Air Force Drill and Ceremonies Manual that I missed, I would appreciate it if you could help me out. Thanks to all who help!
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: Eclipse on September 27, 2016, 09:52:16 PM
Like the opening it can pretty much be whatever the PIC says it is.

When we do them it's generally all hands in formation, retire colors, dismissed.

The oath isn't a bad idea at one or the other, at both is over kill.

Pledge of allegiance is generally inappropriate, though it's done by CC's throughout CAP.
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: kwe1009 on September 28, 2016, 12:35:24 AM
CAPP 60-20 (this takes president over AFMAM 36-2203 in CAP) discusses dismissing the squadron which you can use as a baseline.  As a general rule, the closing formation is a quick gathering.  I have seen squadrons do quite a bit at the closing formation (promotions and recognition, announcements, recap of what was taught, etc).  What happens at the closing is really up to leadership but I would recommend that it be quick and used to send everyone away on a high note.
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: Luis R. Ramos on September 28, 2016, 12:45:21 AM
Quote

...takes president precedent (FTFY) over...

Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: Holding Pattern on September 28, 2016, 01:02:28 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on September 27, 2016, 09:52:16 PM

Pledge of allegiance is generally inappropriate, though it's done by CC's throughout CAP.

Why? Feel free to reply via PM if you feel the answer may degenerate into a flamewar.
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: Luis R. Ramos on September 28, 2016, 01:08:51 AM
Others here are also interested why the Pledge may be considered overkill by anyone...

My squadron has never recited the Pledge at Opening or Closing.

Our Group does recite the Pledge when starting the Commanders Call.

Slightly out of topic, but I have been assigned to several schools. In some we ask students to say the pledge, and others we do not. The last school I was last year, and the one I am now we do ask students to say the Pledge.
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: ßτε on September 28, 2016, 02:09:12 AM
Quote from: Starfleet Auxiliary on September 28, 2016, 01:02:28 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on September 27, 2016, 09:52:16 PM

Pledge of allegiance is generally inappropriate, though it's done by CC's throughout CAP.

Why? Feel free to reply via PM if you feel the answer may degenerate into a flamewar.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/4
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: kwe1009 on September 28, 2016, 02:16:47 AM
Quote from: ßτε on September 28, 2016, 02:09:12 AM
Quote from: Starfleet Auxiliary on September 28, 2016, 01:02:28 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on September 27, 2016, 09:52:16 PM

Pledge of allegiance is generally inappropriate, though it's done by CC's throughout CAP.

Why? Feel free to reply via PM if you feel the answer may degenerate into a flamewar.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/4

QuoteWhen not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform.
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: Eclipse on September 28, 2016, 03:22:49 AM
Quote from: kwe1009 on September 28, 2016, 02:16:47 AM
QuoteWhen not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform.

Makes for a pretty quiet room if everyone is in a USAF-style combo.
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: PHall on September 28, 2016, 05:33:40 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on September 28, 2016, 03:22:49 AM
Quote from: kwe1009 on September 28, 2016, 02:16:47 AM
QuoteWhen not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform.

Makes for a pretty quiet room if everyone is in a USAF-style combo.

Well, the military normally does not recite the Pledge of Allegiance since they already swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States when they enlisted/were commissioned.
Extending this to CAP members in the USAF style uniform might be a bit of a stretch.
Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: Spam on September 28, 2016, 05:41:28 AM
Quote from: PHall on September 28, 2016, 05:33:40 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on September 28, 2016, 03:22:49 AM
Quote from: kwe1009 on September 28, 2016, 02:16:47 AM
QuoteWhen not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform.

Makes for a pretty quiet room if everyone is in a USAF-style combo.

Well, the military normally does not recite the Pledge of Allegiance since they already swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States when they enlisted/were commissioned.
Extending this to CAP members in the USAF style uniform might be a bit of a stretch.

When I was our Wing's DCP a couple of years ago, I was sharply challenged for not reciting the pledge (in USAF style uniform) at a staff meeting. Didn't help to cite the code. Sigh... you'd have thought I had farted in church or something.

Cheers,
Spam

Title: Re: How do you do a Closing Formation?
Post by: Holding Pattern on September 28, 2016, 06:25:20 AM
So as it turns out, there is a custhelp on the subject of the pledge:
http://capnhq.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/766/~/pledge-of-allegiance