CAP NCO's

[Spaceman3750]

Captain, US Army (Active Duty)
LT, US Merchant Marine
Major, Civil Air Patrol
Academy Admissions Partner (LT), USCG Auxiliary
LT, US Naval Sea Cadets
Admiral (NE)

Your uniform budget must be obscene.

[Hardshell Clam]

Now for some "soap boxing":

1. My SSG chevrons came at a much higher price in training, responsibility and developing leadership skills/experience (And in some ways, mean more then my WO status in the real military). They took three regular and one Nat' Guard years and a lot of training to earn. You can be a CAP 1st LT in 6 months.

My military ribbons/pins were required more of me to earn vs. my CAP ribbons. I finished level 1 training in a day, thereby earning a ribbon vs. having to finishing army basic training in the early 70's to earn my first ribbon/medal. (national defense). Not trying to discount or disrespect CAP awards, but they are apples and oranges. (One exception is the CAP EMT pin which is harder to earn then my expert medic award).

2.  As to what I can do? There is very little that I can't do and if called upon to serve in those areas actually requiring shinny ranks, I will reconsider accepting a "commission" (Actually "appointments" for both officers and NCOs is the correct terminology and have the same legal effect).

My point, the USAF/our HQ determined that there shall be NCO grades and we must accept it. It is what it is.

Off my soap box and the smoking lamp is on!

P.S.: we NCOs do not spend our days saluting officers.

[sandman]

Captain, US Army (Active Duty)
LT, US Merchant Marine
Major, Civil Air Patrol
Academy Admissions Partner (LT), USCG Auxiliary
LT, US Naval Sea Cadets
Admiral (NE)

Your uniform budget must be obscene.

You're payin' for it...
Taxes

[Jim McNamara]

I am so new to the Civil Air Patrol that the first six pages of this thread were written before the date I officially became a member.  I was recruited by a Senior Member 2Lt, a Cadet Major, and a Cadet 1Lt at an expo in a shopping center parking lot.  As we were looking at their display, my wife mentioned that I was an Air Force retiree.  The Senior Member asked my rank and seemed excited that I'd been a senior NCO and told me that in six months I could be a Second Lieutenant.  I laughed and told him I used to train Second Lieutenants. 

I joined with my step-grandson as a way of providing something his blind father cannot always provide.    Our first meeting happened to be a Change of Command, so the Group Commander was there as well and both she and the newly appointed commander talked with me at length.  The recruiter had apparently told them of my remark and both commented that I could come in at my Air Force rank.

Folks, I retired from active duty in 1989 after serving for almost 28 years.  You do the math.  I'm older by far than any other member in my unit and probably rate at least in the top ten percent oldest CAP-wide.   When I retired it was as a Chief Master Sergeant and I was proud of those stripes.  I worked hard for them, I served well for them, and I'd like to think I honored them and still do honor them.

I have not yet determined which way I will go.  I have been appointed as the Deputy Commander for Cadets, a position I will not take lightly.  The butter bar or that massive set of Chief's stripes are equally well suited for the job.  At my age, I'm not worried about earning promotions, so my emphasis will be in leaving my mark on what I've already perceived as a pretty sharp group of motivated CAP Cadets.   I've seen at least one thing that disturbs me and that is while my little unit has 13 Senior Members on the books, I've been to every meeting since 3 Aug, there are still three SM's I have not met and one other has only been to one meeting, and yet these four are Officers.  I realize that the CAP is a volunteer organization, but to volunteer and not show up for nearly two months doesn't bode well with me.

I want to thank you all for the input you've made in this thread.   Over the next few months, my commander and I will discuss which way we think is best.   The only military base anywhere near my home closed this past spring and I already miss the guard at the gate saluting and saying, "Welcome aboard, Chief."

[NCRblues]

I am so new to the Civil Air Patrol that the first six pages of this thread were written before the date I officially became a member.  I was recruited by a Senior Member 2Lt, a Cadet Major, and a Cadet 1Lt at an expo in a shopping center parking lot.  As we were looking at their display, my wife mentioned that I was an Air Force retiree.  The Senior Member asked my rank and seemed excited that I'd been a senior NCO and told me that in six months I could be a Second Lieutenant.  I laughed and told him I used to train Second Lieutenants. 

I joined with my step-grandson as a way of providing something his blind father cannot always provide.    Our first meeting happened to be a Change of Command, so the Group Commander was there as well and both she and the newly appointed commander talked with me at length.  The recruiter had apparently told them of my remark and both commented that I could come in at my Air Force rank.

Folks, I retired from active duty in 1989 after serving for almost 28 years.  You do the math.  I'm older by far than any other member in my unit and probably rate at least in the top ten percent oldest CAP-wide.   When I retired it was as a Chief Master Sergeant and I was proud of those stripes.  I worked hard for them, I served well for them, and I'd like to think I honored them and still do honor them.

I have not yet determined which way I will go.  I have been appointed as the Deputy Commander for Cadets, a position I will not take lightly.  The butter bar or that massive set of Chief's stripes are equally well suited for the job.  At my age, I'm not worried about earning promotions, so my emphasis will be in leaving my mark on what I've already perceived as a pretty sharp group of motivated CAP Cadets.   I've seen at least one thing that disturbs me and that is while my little unit has 13 Senior Members on the books, I've been to every meeting since 3 Aug, there are still three SM's I have not met and one other has only been to one meeting, and yet these four are Officers.  I realize that the CAP is a volunteer organization, but to volunteer and not show up for nearly two months doesn't bode well with me.

I want to thank you all for the input you've made in this thread.   Over the next few months, my commander and I will discuss which way we think is best.   The only military base anywhere near my home closed this past spring and I already miss the guard at the gate saluting and saying, "Welcome aboard, Chief."

Welcome to CAP!

not to be rude, you have just peaked my interest, but why would an SP/MP salute a chief?

[ßτε]

I am so new to the Civil Air Patrol that the first six pages of this thread were written before the date I officially became a member.  I was recruited by a Senior Member 2Lt, a Cadet Major, and a Cadet 1Lt at an expo in a shopping center parking lot.  As we were looking at their display, my wife mentioned that I was an Air Force retiree.  The Senior Member asked my rank and seemed excited that I'd been a senior NCO and told me that in six months I could be a Second Lieutenant.  I laughed and told him I used to train Second Lieutenants. 

I joined with my step-grandson as a way of providing something his blind father cannot always provide.    Our first meeting happened to be a Change of Command, so the Group Commander was there as well and both she and the newly appointed commander talked with me at length.  The recruiter had apparently told them of my remark and both commented that I could come in at my Air Force rank.

Folks, I retired from active duty in 1989 after serving for almost 28 years.  You do the math.  I'm older by far than any other member in my unit and probably rate at least in the top ten percent oldest CAP-wide.   When I retired it was as a Chief Master Sergeant and I was proud of those stripes.  I worked hard for them, I served well for them, and I'd like to think I honored them and still do honor them.

I have not yet determined which way I will go.  I have been appointed as the Deputy Commander for Cadets, a position I will not take lightly.  The butter bar or that massive set of Chief's stripes are equally well suited for the job.  At my age, I'm not worried about earning promotions, so my emphasis will be in leaving my mark on what I've already perceived as a pretty sharp group of motivated CAP Cadets.   I've seen at least one thing that disturbs me and that is while my little unit has 13 Senior Members on the books, I've been to every meeting since 3 Aug, there are still three SM's I have not met and one other has only been to one meeting, and yet these four are Officers.  I realize that the CAP is a volunteer organization, but to volunteer and not show up for nearly two months doesn't bode well with me.

I want to thank you all for the input you've made in this thread.   Over the next few months, my commander and I will discuss which way we think is best.   The only military base anywhere near my home closed this past spring and I already miss the guard at the gate saluting and saying, "Welcome aboard, Chief."

Just to let you know, as a CMSgt, you are eligible for promotion to Capt. (See CAPR 35-5 para 3-5)

[Eclipse]

I have been appointed as the Deputy Commander for Cadets, a position I will not take lightly.

Welcome to CAP.

More important than your grade is why you have been appointed a CD before your ID is dry.  As you've noticed it's likely due to the fact that only a couple of the 13 seniors bother to show up. Might as well work on cutting that dead wood loose as a DAY-2 initiative.

My advice would be to accept the railroad tracks and then not think to much about it from there.  By the time you renew your membership you'll understand why many of us will say that.

[Hardshell Clam]

Chief, I obviously recommend the NCO chevrons as railroad tracks have no more authority, privilege etc., and folks know right away you know of what you speak, you walk the walk and talk the talk.

Your chevrons came from hard work and knowledge. You can always take an appointment (not a commission in the CAP) if you decide to change your mind at a latter date. You were assigned a great gig because of your knowledge and experience, as was I.

Just about anyone can become an officer in the CAP, but to be an CAP NCO, you had to have been a real NCO

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

CMSgt MacNamara, let me echo what others have said: welcome to CAP, and were you a member of my unit, I would advise you to wear those stripes it took so much time and effort to earn.  I see Air Force Senior/Chief MSgts, Army/Marine Master Sergeants, and Coast Guard/Navy Chiefs and think "wow."

I have often said that I think CAP should have a warrant officer track for boring guys like me who just want to be a specialist in one field, but also to reward those with long service, such as yourself.

(And, yes, I know the Air Force doesn't have them!)

[RiverAux]

Quite frankly, a significant indicator of a failing unit is placing a brand new member in a major position of responsibility such as this.  In fact, I would strongly advise you NOT to take this position both for your sake, the squadron's sake, and the cadets.  Your enthusiasm is obviously needed and welcome, but you're going to have enough on your hands trying to figure CAP out for the next 6 months to a year without trying to run a squadron cadet program. 

No reflection on you, but I'd say that anyone in the world who just joined CAP even if they had a Phd in youth leadership development and a 30 year military career capped by winning the best darn soldier/airman/sailor ever award.  Have them work the program for a year and they'd probably be a great fit for the job.

I wouldn't be terribly worried about the number of senior members in your unit unless you're a flying unit -- in which case you're woefully undermanned.  If you're a cadet squadron or a composite squadron that is really a cadet unit in disguise, 13 senior members is actually a great number.  Many cadet units run with only a few seniors. 

[EMT-83]

^ Or, step up and turn a failing unit around. You're retired, highly motivated, and have been around the block a couple of times. Sounds like a good fit.

If I had a vote (and I obviously don't), I'd say to keep the stripes. I've got a retired NCO who went back and forth on the issue, and decided to keep his stripes. He's working on two specialty tracks and closing in on Level III, so it's not like he's shirking. He just feels that he worked hard to earn those stripes, and they mean more to him than railroad tracks.

[sandman]

CMSgt McNamara,

Welcome aboard, and thank you for serving again!

I would advocate for wearing your hard earned stripes. The visual impact alone would be impressive!

Try it out for the first year or so...you can always request the captain's bars if you feel the situation warranted it.

v/r

MAJ C.

[Hardshell Clam]

It is good to see some good positive feedback here chief and not all that negative stuff that seems to come from the few usual suspects. :clap:

[Hardshell Clam]

And speaking of NCO chevrons, I heard that the CAP is getting a distinctive 3-prop design?

[PHall]

And speaking of NCO chevrons, I heard that the CAP is getting a distinctive 3-prop design?

What, scamguard figured out yet another way to make more money off of us?

I can see them charging $10 plus for a set of stripes. It's not like they will be a high demand item....

[MSG Mac]

And speaking of NCO chevrons, I heard that the CAP is getting a distinctive 3-prop design?

Where did this rumor start? Please cite your source.

[Hardshell Clam]

Wow...  My "source" was a photo of a female NCO with a 3-prop design and it was soemwhere on this fourm...

[SarDragon]

That was the CCMSgt/CAP, and they are likely one-offs.

That, IMHO, in no way indicates that the rest of the organization will be getting similar insignia.

[Eclipse]

Wow...  My "source" was a photo of a female NCO with a 3-prop design and it was soemwhere on this fourm...

Wow?  Asking to cite a source is now asking too much?

How about, I don't know, linking to the photo.

[Hardshell Clam]

Eclipse, suprise us all: Bring something positive to the table.