Main Menu

Recent posts

#91
Uniforms & Awards / Re: Wing Conference
Last post by Shuman 14 - March 01, 2024, 05:32:41 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 29, 2024, 12:15:38 AMTell me you haven't been to church lately without telling me you haven't been to church lately.


I think that depends on the church. There is a Latin Mass congregation in my area where every male over 13 is in a suit and tie and women and girls wear veils. I went to Mass there once in an button down and dress trousers and felt really under dressed.

I guess I'm saying your church is a little less formal than others. (Not that's a bad thing.)
#92
Uniforms & Awards / Re: Wing Conference
Last post by Shuman 14 - March 01, 2024, 05:26:25 PM
Well, I think the simple answer is... in the Banquet Invitation (flyer, memorandum, operations order, etc.) spell out exactly what is authorized for wear. For example:

"Authorized Uniform of the Day is: USAF-style Mess Dress Uniform, USAF-style Semi-formal uniform and Corporate Semi-formal uniform or Sister Service equivalent.

Authorized civilian attire is: Black Tie Formal Wear, Suit Coat with Shirt and Tie, Evening Gown or Cocktail Dress.

Note: Improperly dressed attendees will not be admitted."

If you put this on the invitations, there will be no excuses.
#93
Uniforms & Awards / Re: Wing Conference
Last post by NIN - February 29, 2024, 03:48:27 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 29, 2024, 12:15:38 AMTell me you haven't been to church lately without telling me you haven't been to church lately.

That is fair.  However, when I do wind up in a church, its funerals & weddings.  I'm wearing a coat & a tie. Always.
#94
Uniforms & Awards / Re: Wing Conference
Last post by Eclipse - February 29, 2024, 12:15:38 AM
Quote from: NIN on February 28, 2024, 09:28:15 PMBut wear what (should) be "church wear" at least.

Tell me you haven't been to church lately without telling me you haven't been to church lately.

The conference is on the 4-5 of April.  I'd say the over / under is somewhere around 5 people not "dressed for church".
#95
Uniforms & Awards / Re: Wing Conference
Last post by NIN - February 28, 2024, 09:28:15 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 13, 2024, 07:33:13 PMLiterally anything and everything.

Wear what you have, and probably a civilian jacket to the banquet if you feel like it,
otherwise whites or blues will be fine.

There will be at least one member at the banquet in a golf shirt, and no one will care.

Bob, you should really stop saying things like this. You're not part of the solution when you do that, you're a part of the problem.

As has been stated, a civilian coat & tie is totally acceptable in this instance. It is preferable to a Class B uniform or less.

I was invited to a nearby wing's awards banquet recently. Great time with old friends and my wife. Had a ball.  But here I am, in mess dress (hey, it was on the list, so I wore it, and I was the only guy there in mess dress.. I was so out of place...), and look over at another table and there's a fellow in a long-sleeve waffle-pattern 3/4 button henley shirt. I suspect a cadet's dad if I don't miss my guess.

Look, I'm not asking people to be totally into haberdashery and serve as a sartorial example. But wear what (should) be "church wear" at least. An awards dinner or conference banquet is an "occasion," so please attempt to dress like its an "occasion" and not "every day."
#96
Uniforms & Awards / Re: Wing Conference
Last post by TheSkyHornet - February 26, 2024, 04:16:46 PM
Quote from: ML07 on February 13, 2024, 11:05:29 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 13, 2024, 07:33:13 PM
Quote from: fish7days on February 13, 2024, 02:41:16 PMI was wondering if anyone can tell me what the general dress code is at a typical banquet.

Wear what you have, and probably a civilian jacket to the banquet if you feel like it

This is the way. Been a cadet for four years, never owned the Blues service jacket and probably never will, I can spend my money on better things.

Every wing conference I've gone too, I've worn Class B blues for the sessions and a civilian jacket w/ button down and tie. Works great.



^ THIS

And I appreciate a cadet officer saying "I can spend on better things" who manages to adjust fire in the absence of optional attire and wear what is appropriate.
#97
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by TheSkyHornet - February 26, 2024, 04:14:30 PM
Some senior members really need to remember that they aren't in competition with cadets.

I've seen senior members throw down with cadets using coins they bought at air shows. I know of a member who has a coin from the SECDEF who has challenged cadets to produce a higher-level coin. What value does that have? Is it even inspiring at that point?

I have a coin from a member who gave me two coins at the same time in two different styles, telling me "this is the old one, and this is the new one." I have a coin from a member who said "For whatever great things I'm sure you're going to do in the future." Really taking away the meaning of the entire concept there.

I don't rattle around with pockets filled with coins. Mine are in a drawer. My son has his coins displayed on a coin rack in his bedroom.

When someone walks up to me and starts showcasing their coins, I'm polite and act like I care. When I get coin checked, I say Congratulations, you got me and move on.

Back to the OP—
Our unit has traditionally presented coins for cadet milestone achievements and senior member promotions. It's a nice gesture, and it's something tangible to show off as part of a ceremony to entice others to keep moving in a positive direction. The little CAP-isms can go a long way to boost motivation for people that really do dedicate a lot of their personal time, often not on themselves.
#98
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by Майор Хаткевич - February 16, 2024, 06:57:40 PM
I knew not to show up at Encampment without the proper coin when Eclipse was around. 
#99
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by Paul Creed III - February 16, 2024, 11:13:53 AM
I was checked by a cadet (whose dad was a C-5 driver) while transporting my unit's drill team to region competition years ago when we stopped for lunch or dinner in Dayton. I started carrying one of my coins onward after that.
#100
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by NIN - February 15, 2024, 10:35:22 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 15, 2024, 09:30:49 PMFWIW, can confirm Stonewall's Wing King coin is very nice and borders on the "coasteresque" size-wise.

Quoting out of order here, because this is relevant. Pete's coin is so much bigger



So much so that I had to get an entirely new coin rack (left) to accommodate it and a few other "big-uns"



Back to the quoting at hand..


Quote from: Eclipse on February 15, 2024, 09:30:49 PMWell, for starters I don't think NH actually makes anything that
can legally be classified as "pizza", so the confusion is understandable.

We are in somewhat violent agreement here.  Remember, I was brought up on Midwestern pizza. That oily, floppy mess that I often find out here is just ... crass.


QuotePROTIP: One way to get checked is to occasionally start the challenge,
then people get the idea.

PROTIP 2: I wouldn't suggest starting out the first time at a Trader Joe's coffee bar
if you're there by yourself.

Well, I haven't actively coin-checked someone in a long, long time.  After the first few (dozen) times, it becomes irksome, if I'm being fair.

About as irksome as spending time around fighter pilots and having to constantly say "so to speak." 

Slightly less irksome than that old skydiving tradition where when someone uses the F-word, everybody shouts "beer!" (Get your minds out of the gutter: the word is "first". As in "that was my first cutaway" or "That was my first time jumping out of a Twin Otter")

Your Trader Joe's has a coffee bar? How ... bougie.