NEC

[mikeylikey]

Lets all make some popcorn and watch the NEC this weekend!  WOOHOO

http://civilairpatrolnhq.sitestream.com/Live.vsml

I did hear a rumor they will be looking into voting on a few uniform changes, any predictions?

[Al Sayre]

Blue Double Breasted Navy Uniform Style coat without sleeve braid for wear with the new White/Blue CAP Distinctive uniform.

[whatevah]

[tongue firmly in cheek]
you have nothing better to do on Mothers Day weekend?
[/tongue]

anybody else get that weird email from magnetmail.net?   what's up with NHQ using all these different outside web companies?

[Matt]

Too much money in the budget?

Or perhaps they're using reverse psychology... Use more than is allotted for budget thus the need for more is greater?

[Al Sayre]

Just picked this up over on Cadet Stuff:

The NEC Just voted on a new service dress for SM's.

This new corporate service uniform consists of:

Service Cap or Flight Cap
White Shirt
USAF Blue Tie
Blue Double Breasted Coat w/sliver or white braid on cuff
USAF Blue trousers
Plain Black Shoes and socks.

1. Members must meet grooming standards to wear this uniform. Weight standard does not apply.

2. Headgear is now required for this uniform. members have 2 choices. Service Cap is USAF with addition of silver braid instead of black chinstrap. Flight Cap is worn with Rank on the right and no CAP device. Flight cap is worn as per USAF Uniform. (NCO's blue braid, oficers blue/sliver and generals silver.) Service cap is worn as USAF.

3. Metal name tag is worn with CAP badges, ribbons and US cut outs. No military devices. Hard metal rank is worn.

4. Cadets over 18 who do not meet weight standards can wear this uniform with the cadet nametag.


Thanks to
Al Pabon, Captain, CAP
MN Wing PAO and Recruiting Officer

Well, I got the double breasted coat right anyway...

[mikeylikey]

yikes? Silver or white braid on the sleeves and on the service cap.  Can't wait to see pictures!!!

[Eclipse]

[fyrfitrmedic]

 That looks like my fire-department dress uniform.

[Pace]

I think it looks kinda sharp.  My problem with it is that this new corporate service dress (that overweight members are allowed to wear) looks way too much like the active duty service dress.  Plus, under that coat you won't be able to tell that the shirt underneath is white and not light blue.

[Chris Jacobs]

I just want to know what we are trying to acomplish with it.  Is it just trying to make a middle ground between what we have now.

[SarDragon]

This is interesting. They're gonna let the overweight folks wear a uniform that is totally uncomplimentary, but someone who still meets USAF weight standards 42 years after joining CAP can't wear it because they choose not to shave.

[Eclipse]

Nothing wrong with that - the bearded ones can't wear Air Force Blue today.

[SarDragon]

Yeah, but I look a helluva a lot better in whatever I wear than most heavy guys of any hair length do in a double-breasted coat. If they want image, they sure aren't going about it the right way.

[shorning]

This is interesting. They're gonna let the overweight folks wear a uniform that is totally uncomplimentary, but someone who still meets USAF weight standards 42 years after joining CAP can't wear it because they choose not to shave.

Seems odd that they can't.  Do we really need three dress uniforms?  One for those who meet AF standards, one that are a little heavy, and ones that have facial hair.  I don't get it...

[Pylon]

This is interesting. They're gonna let the overweight folks wear a uniform that is totally uncomplimentary, but someone who still meets USAF weight standards 42 years after joining CAP can't wear it because they choose not to shave.

Seems odd that they can't.  Do we really need three dress uniforms?  One for those who meet AF standards, one that are a little heavy, and ones that have facial hair.  I don't get it...

We've already got three dress uniforms going.  They don't exactly break down in that manner, but we're expanding our closets faster than they can manufacture new doohickeys, new clothing, and new vendors.  Great job NHQ.   :clap:

[mikeylikey]

So there is pin on rank on the coat, and on the flight cap.  Won't this cause the same problem that happened before?  There will be many confused service men and women not sure what branch of service the individual they are saluting is from.  Or they will wonder what new Air Force uniform this is, and why they had not heard about it.  Could this be confused for a new Active Duty service dress?  My answer is yes, and in the months to come, I am sure we will hear stories of such happenings.  Other than that, from the pic, it may not be a bad looking uniform.

[ncc1912]

As far as the new uniform is concerned, I say, 'to each, their own.'  I don't think it looks bad, but I don't think I would wear it either.

As for the details, but my only question would be, 'Why double-breasted?'  I would think that if you are going to design a uniform for a 'modern' organization you would use a modern style commonly excepted by most business wear makers.

I can think of only one person, besides those in the Navy, who wears a double-breasted suit: David Letterman.  David Letterman's build; however, does not represent a lot of those in CAP who must or would choose to wear a CAP distinctive uniform.  They are not very flattering to heavier people.  If you're tall and slender, you can usually pull off a DB suit with little tailoring, but otherwise they aren't very forgiving. 

I think I would have chosen something a little more modern like James Bond's (Pierce Brosnan) everyday casual suit; Three-button, single-breasted with a wider-spread collar on the shirt. 

I think it is the decision was a little impulsive and should have gone through some sort of wear-test and feedback process, but the deed is done.  We'll live. 

[Earhart1971]

This is interesting. They're gonna let the overweight folks wear a uniform that is totally uncomplimentary, but someone who still meets USAF weight standards 42 years after joining CAP can't wear it because they choose not to shave.

I think beards should be allowed, its a little Nautical, just like the Double Breasted Uniform.  Anybody remember Elmo Zumwalt?

I think British Airways allows Pilots to have beards.

My suggestions on BDUs, dump Camo, and I don't particularly care for Blue BDUs, in Florida solid Tan reflects the heat better, and is probably more highly visible from the Aircraft looking down on the ground team.

[SarDragon]

I think beards should be allowed, its a little Nautical, just like the Double Breasted Uniform.  Anybody remember Elmo Zumwalt?

I think British Airways allows Pilots to have beards.

My suggestions on BDUs, dump Camo, and I don't particularly care for Blue BDUs, in Florida solid Tan reflects the heat better, and is probably more highly visible from the Aircraft looking down on the ground team.

Nautical? In today's Navy? Not even close! Beards went away forever on 1 Jan 1985. Before Zumwalt, to the best of my knowledge, they were not forbidden, just strongly discouraged.

Yes, I remember Zumwalt. I was on active duty before, during and after his time.

[ZigZag911]

This is interesting. They're gonna let the overweight folks wear a uniform that is totally uncomplimentary, but someone who still meets USAF weight standards 42 years after joining CAP can't wear it because they choose not to shave.

I think beards should be allowed, its a little Nautical, just like the Double Breasted Uniform.  Anybody remember Elmo Zumwalt?

I think British Airways allows Pilots to have beards.

My suggestions on BDUs, dump Camo, and I don't particularly care for Blue BDUs, in Florida solid Tan reflects the heat better, and is probably more highly visible from the Aircraft looking down on the ground team.

I was going to suggest, to avoid needless conflict with USAF * USCG, that we consider the 'new corporate dress uniform' (or whatever it's called!) be khaki.....some of us remember the old summer 'suntan' uniform.....I believe at one time the Army or Air Force had a 'class A summer' version with a jacket.....since the current trend seems to be having blue BDUs match blue CAP distinctive, this might be another avenue to accomplish the same thing.

Or else some other color, even another shade of blue....I have no particular feeling, for or against the new uniform (although I wish they'd lose or else alter the sleeve braid...too flashy!!)