Generic name for CAP members?

[RiverAux]

Four of the five military services have well-established unofficial names to describe the members of their service: Army=soldier, Marine Corps=Marine, Air Force = airmen, Navy=sailor as do some civilian professions (all policemen are cops).  Such nicknames have developed on their own over the years rather than being something that was thought of all at once. 

The Coast Guard is sort of bucking that trend and now seems to be promoting the use of the term "Guardian" in what I believe is a misguided attempt to try to take advantage of a recent movie. 

Heck, even the Coast Guard Auxiliary has a sort of unofficial nickname for its members ("Auxies"). 

So, has anyone ever heard of a similar generic term to describe all CAP members? If not, lets hear some suggestions....

[CAPLAW]

Here

CAPERS
YANKEE SKY PIRATES

[JAFO78]

I can't say without getting in trouble with Mike for using bad words on the internet.

   

   

[RiverAux]

Folks, I'm asking a serious question ....

[SarDragon]

You asked: "So, has anyone ever heard of a similar generic term to describe all CAP members? "

To which I answer: "No."

I then ask: "Do we really need one? Why?"

[lordmonar]

Seeing as how the USAF's "well established un-offical names" is actually offical....and routinely ignored your opening statement is inaccurate.

But to answer your question, I don't see what is wrong with "member".

[JAFO78]

Folks, I'm asking a serious question ....

None that I can recall. Sorry about my earlier answer. Lack of sleep & caffeine.

[pixelwonk]

Folks, I'm asking a serious question ....

If this is a serious question, you need to go and play outside more.

[jeders]

I've always used airmen, we are the Air Force auxiliary afterall. Although we could always do a play on Tedda's sig and go with chairmen

[CAPTShaw]

If this is a serious question, you need to go and play outside more.

How can this be serious coming from someone with an avatar like yours?  All in fun!

[JayT]

How about "Patrolmen?"

[winterg]

I've always used CAPer.  While on AD in the Air Force I only ever heard the term Airmen used in a negative way:  "[bleep] [bleep] airman! What the [bleep] do you think you're doing?!?!

[JoeTomasone]

The only times I have ever heard someone use such a term was a few AD USAF personnel who referred to us as "CAP members" or "CAP" as an organization.    Works for me.

[shorning]

How about "Bob"?

[winterg]

How about "Bob"?

No. "Bob's yer uncle."

[Pumbaa]

I think we should be called...

ATM's

That's the way CAP HQ treats us!  Like their very own cash machine!

[DC]

I have heard the term "CAPers" used before, actually at one point the FLWG newsletter was called "Gator CAPers"...

I have always used the term CAP Members.

Cadets are Cadets, no other name needed there....

[Bob Loblaw Law Blog]

Cadets are Cadets, CAPpers are CAPpers. Airmen are members of the USAF. I don't think being a CAPper makes one an Airman, people have to go through BMT to be called that.

[DC]

How about: Air Auxie....


Yes, I am kidding.

[Pumbaa]

How about "Civil Air Patrol Member"?

[JAFO78]

How about: Air Auxie....


Yes, I am kidding.

DC, sounds like vacation time is nearing.  BUT not soon enough.

[KyCAP]

Flying Minutemen

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LIY/is_5_90/ai_96695799

[JAFO78]

Flying Minutemen

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LIY/is_5_90/ai_96695799

That's fine of us guys, But what about the w..

(sudden smack on back of head from wife,)

oh sorry my bad.

[Nathan]

Rangers?

(Oh, there would certainly, somehow, be more than 360 degrees of flak coming in for that one... )

[flyerthom]

I think we should be called...

ATM's

That's the way CAP HQ treats us!  Like their very own cash machine!

Diet coke through the nose and on the laptop screen!

Cap Member works fine for me.

[Eclipse]

Member works just fine.

[winterg]

(In my best Beavis impression)  "Huh huh huh, you said member."

[Major Carrales]

Folks, I'm asking a serious question ....

I agree, lets be serious about this.

I've always favored the "Citizen Airman" moniker.  It defines us for what we are, one foot in Military tradition (thus "Airmen"), however, almost a minuteman like quality (thus "Citizen")

But for a short catchy punch...hummmm....  don't think any fit.  The others are all pretty "natural."  Based on semantics and years of tradition.  For us to have to think so long and disagree on this means there is no "natural" nickname ready on our plate.

[JAFO78]

Folks, I'm asking a serious question ....

I agree, lets be serious about this.

I've always favored the "Citizen Airman" moniker.  It defines us for what we are, one foot in Military tradition (thus "Airmen"), however, almost a minuteman like quality (thus "Citizen")

But for a short catchy punch...hummmm....  don't think any fit.  The others are all pretty "natural."  Based on semantics and years of tradition.  For us to have to think so long and disagree on this means there is no "natural" nickname ready on our plate.

I think the Major is right, has nice ring to it.

[Pylon]

Folks, I'm asking a serious question ....

I agree, lets be serious about this.

I've always favored the "Citizen Airman" moniker.  It defines us for what we are, one foot in Military tradition (thus "Airmen"), however, almost a minuteman like quality (thus "Citizen")

But for a short catchy punch...hummmm....  don't think any fit.  The others are all pretty "natural."  Based on semantics and years of tradition.  For us to have to think so long and disagree on this means there is no "natural" nickname ready on our plate.

Though it's catchy, it sounds suspiciously like something the Air National Guard already uses.

[PHall]

Folks, I'm asking a serious question ....

I agree, lets be serious about this.

I've always favored the "Citizen Airman" moniker.  It defines us for what we are, one foot in Military tradition (thus "Airmen"), however, almost a minuteman like quality (thus "Citizen")

But for a short catchy punch...hummmm....  don't think any fit.  The others are all pretty "natural."  Based on semantics and years of tradition.  For us to have to think so long and disagree on this means there is no "natural" nickname ready on our plate.

Though it's catchy, it sounds suspiciously like something the Air National Guard already uses.

I believe the Air Force Reserve already has dibbs on the "Citizen Airman" name.

Citizen Airman is the name of the Air Force Reserve's magazine.

[MIKE]

Auxiliarist. 

[winterg]

One of the questions we would have to look at is how do we want people to see us?  Is it the CAP that trains cadets and turns out future leaders?  The CAP that focuses on aerospace?  The CAP that is responsible for so much Emergency Service volunteer work in our country?  What term would encompas all of them? 

[BuckeyeDEJ]

Our people are airmen, just volunteers.

If Airmen are, well, Airmen*...

... and reservists/ANG members are Citizen Airmen...

... does that make us Volunteer Airmen?

In any event, we're all airmen.


* Yes, the Air Force demands that it's capitalized.

[Auxpilot]

Can't think of a nickname, but I have a motto:

"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"

We would even have a song that we could play when we walk into the room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvP0uwl3Q6A

[Major Lord]

Given our often politically correct, non-combatant, frequently bed-wetting posture, I suggest "Persons of Air" We don't want to offend women, gay, lesbian, transgender, bromosexual, alternative lifestyle, methodists, amway sales people, etc., so something really neutral would be super. Of course, member is always fine in a pinch.....

Major Lord

[RRLE]

After reading this thread I just cannot get that old tune

Into the air Junior Birdmen

out of my head.

Seriously, on other forums when I discuss the USCG Aux and CAP I use Auxie and CAPer.

[SarDragon]

Something that has always irritated me is the use of cap (as a spoken word, AKA hat) instead of spelling it out C A P. CAPer just doesn't make it. UGH!

[notaNCO forever]

Something that has always irritated me is the use of cap (as a spoken word, AKA hat) instead of spelling it out C A P. CAPer just doesn't make it. UGH!

I hate that to drives me crazy especially when it's someone with higher grade then me and I can't say  anything.

[afgeo4]

I really like Volunteer Airmen.

It works well as part of Air Force's Total Force concept.

Airmen, Citizen Airmen and Volunteer Airmen

[BuckeyeDEJ]

I really like Volunteer Airmen.

It works well as part of Air Force's Total Force concept.

Airmen, Citizen Airmen and Volunteer Airmen

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all night. Try the veal.

Oh, and those royalty checks? Send them to....

[Eclipse]

Something that has always irritated me is the use of cap (as a spoken word, AKA hat) instead of spelling it out C A P. CAPer just doesn't make it. UGH!

I hate that to drives me crazy especially when it's someone with higher grade then me and I can't say  anything.

Of course you can say something, as long as you are polite and professional.  Grade doesn't make people "right", especially in CAP.

We're the C.A.P. not "CAP".

[RiverAux]

I really like Volunteer Airmen.

It works well as part of Air Force's Total Force concept.

Airmen, Citizen Airmen and Volunteer Airmen

Well, that sort of works as a descriptive name for marketing purposes, but isn't really what I was shooting for.  No one in the AFR is going around telling people they're "citizen airmen". 

[Rob Sherlin]

  If people want to use the term "Airmen" but "Citizen Airmen" is allready taken, why not use "Civil Airmen"

[BuckeyeDEJ]

I'd like to think we're all civil. I'd hate to work alongside Hostile Airmen.

[Rob Sherlin]

 I was just thinking in terms of the name Civil Air Patrol. Of course we're civil. We're not the Hostile Air Patrol (for some reason, I get an image of a Cessna armed with missles....haha ha)

[BillB]

The Cessna L-19 WAS armed with rockets for target marking

[afgeo4]

I'd like to think we're all civil. I'd hate to work alongside Hostile Airmen.

I'll second that. That's why I worked in AMC, not ACC. Those fighter pilots get hostile often.

[winterg]

Something that has always irritated me is the use of cap (as a spoken word, AKA hat) instead of spelling it out C A P. CAPer just doesn't make it. UGH!

I hate that to drives me crazy especially when it's someone with higher grade then me and I can't say  anything.

Of course you can say something, as long as you are polite and professional.  Grade doesn't make people "right", especially in CAP.  We're the C.A.P. not "CAP".

I use "CAP" and "CAPer" all the time and will, more than likely, continue using this verbage.  I heard it bandied about by Senior Members when I was kaydet and use the term myself today. LOL

[winterg]

Buck up, lil' CAPer! 

[flyerthom]

I was just thinking in terms of the name Civil Air Patrol. Of course we're civil. We're not the Hostile Air Patrol (for some reason, I get an image of a Cessna armed with missles....haha ha)

Saw  a picture of a guy who painted a length of septic drain pipe black. Slipped it over a length of regular black pipe so it looked like a .30 Browning barrel. He then duct taped it to the wing of his 172. Caption - "STC? I don't need no stinkin STC!"

[BuckeyeDEJ]

I'd like to think we're all civil. I'd hate to work alongside Hostile Airmen.

I'll second that. That's why I worked in AMC, not ACC. Those fighter pilots get hostile often.

[Bob Loblaw Law Blog]

air⋅man
   /ˈɛərmən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [air-muhn] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -men.
1.    an aviator.
2.    U.S. Air Force. an enlisted person of one of the three lowest ranks (airman basic, airman, airman first class).
3.    a member of a military aircrew.
4.    (in other countries) an enlisted person in the air force.
Origin:
1870–75, for an earlier sense; air 1 + -man, on the model of seaman

Those of you that are in the USAF, Active, Guard, or Reserve are Airmen. Those of you that fly, according to this, could be airmen but "pilot" seems a little better fitting. People that are solely C.A.P. Members are not part of the Armed Forces and are not  required to fight wars on this country's behalf. Search and Rescue missions, scouting out domestic areas, and whatever else aren't military actions. Member, CAPper, Cadet, Volunteer, Auxie, Auxilarist, and a few others fit just fine. Members of state militias aren't Marines or Soldiers, they're militiamen. They are different from anything that they might be connected to. It's not the same and their name reflects that difference.

[LtCol057]

Funny, but I was reading the Army Times tonight and this issue has come up with the Army Reserves too.  Some of the reservists don't like the word "reservists". They want to be called Reserve Soldier.   

But I have to agree on one thing. I hate hearing it called CAP (like the headgear). It's C.A.P. 

I had an instructor at the Police Academy that said he hated to be called a cop. He said he'd almost rather be called a pig than a cop. He felt the word "cop" was demeaning.  I told him if "cop" was the worst thing he was called, he was lucky. I got called worse than that by my own family.

[Cecil DP]

Funny, but I was reading the Army Times tonight and this issue has come up with the Army Reserves too.  Some of the reservists don't like the word "reservists". They want to be called Reserve Soldier.   

The Navy got rid of Navy Reserve several years ago. The proper term now is "Reserve of the Navy"

[SarDragon]

Funny, but I was reading the Army Times tonight and this issue has come up with the Army Reserves too.  Some of the reservists don't like the word "reservists". They want to be called Reserve Soldier.   

The Navy got rid of Navy Reserve several years ago. The proper term now is "Reserve of the Navy"

That's funny - here's the official site, and I see no mention of that terminology. I still have an outside association through former shipmates of my sweetie, and none of them have mentioned any such thing. Where did you hear it?