SM Decorations!!

[Stonewall]

Why are senior members not allowed to wear shoulder cords?!?! I miss wearing my shoulder cord from when I was a cadet! I think that we should be able to wear one in accordance of our duty as a SM. Exp. officers who are in charge of cadet programs should have their own shoulder cord, or officers that are escorts for a drill team of color guard should have the choice of wearing a SM shoulder cord!!

We should have our own decorations just like the cadets do!

Am I the only one who feels this way?!?!

AJ, you may want to consider reading this article on wearing CAP uniforms.  Perhaps it'll help put things into perspective for you.  Maybe.

[davedove]

Okay, somebody made suggestions.  Now, when do we get to wear them?

We could do blaze orange cords for ground pounders. No, better yet, ANSI green with reflective thread as part of the braid. Maybe with a matching beret?

Aircrew would get white & blue braids.

And for those of us that are dual-qual'd, we wear both!

Sorry, couldn't resist...I shouldn't pick on the new guy. Apologies...

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

I wore them as a Cub Scout decades ago.  I do not need to wear them again.

In the Air Force, I think that certain types of instructors within AETC wear them, but I am unsure as to which ones.

My dad wore a blue Infantry shoulder cord and was quite proud of it.  He also wore a "red and green cord with little cords dangling from it with firehose nozzles on the end" (his description), but it was a gift from the Belgian Government (his division, the 4th Armored, was instrumental in freeing Belgium) but he had to give that back when he got out of the Army.


(I think this is it)

I also see them in this context as an unnecessary affectation.

[Critical AOA]

To be truthful, I don't even see the need for a cadet to wear a cord.

[Nuke52]

Why are senior members not allowed to wear shoulder cords?!?! I miss wearing my shoulder cord from when I was a cadet! I think that we should be able to wear one in accordance of our duty as a SM. Exp. officers who are in charge of cadet programs should have their own shoulder cord, or officers that are escorts for a drill team of color guard should have the choice of wearing a SM shoulder cord!!

We should have our own decorations just like the cadets do!

Am I the only one who feels this way?!?!

well I am a younger SM and I just think that it would be pretty neat if we got some kind of small recognition of the things we do... I agree with you Pylon! but the 4 years I have been a SM and trust me I have done A LOT of things for my cadets, I just haven't ever seamed to get a thank you... ya know?

Am I the only one whose Bravo Sierra meter is pinging--even just a little? 

Someone who's been a senior member for four years is at least 22.  How many 22-year-olds (or older, or younger, or anyone, for that matter) would really say, "I just think that it would be pretty neat if..."?  And, seriously, this much, umm, exuberance from an adult for being able to wear a shoulder cord like the cadets?  I dunno know, it just smells a little off to me.  Perhaps a bit like troll?  "ya know?"

[Nuke52]

Oh, and by the way, I don't have a problem with cadets wearing (authorized) cords.  They're cadets; it's not a big deal.  CAC, drill team, color guard, cadet of the month, whatever...  As long as it's authorized in the regs and duly approved by your commander, knock yourself out.

I wore the various CAC cords WIWAC and wore a drill team/Pershing Rifles cord in ROTC and somehow I still managed to cross into a reasonable facsimile of adulthood (though some who know me might disagree--like my wife).  In any case, I have the bills to prove it.

[Eclipse]

Someone who's been a senior member for four years is at least 22.  How many 22-year-olds (or older, or younger, or anyone, for that matter) would really say, "I just think that it would be pretty neat if..."?  And, seriously, this much, umm, exuberance from an adult for being able to wear a shoulder cord like the cadets?  I dunno know, it just smells a little off to me.  Perhaps a bit like troll?  "ya know?"

Actually far too many.

As to adults wearing cords.   In addition to the occasional misguided senior member posting colors and wearing HGA accouterments, you may recall a
few years ago HWSRN had his own "Praetorian Guard" wearing enough cordage to rappel out a window.

[Al Sayre]

SM's have their own versions of cords:  When you make major, you get a stripe on your epaulette sleeves along with  farts and darts on your flat hat.  Commanders get pins, Board Shields for Col's, an extra stripe and more farts and darts for Generals.  Those of us who are Admirals of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska get a cool "Fore and Aft"  hat with fringe and a plume!... 

[ProdigalJim]

A "Praetorian Guard"? Seriously? I'm glad I hadn't come back in yet...I might have quit.

Does any photographic proof of that crime exist? I'd love to see it.

[NCRblues]

A "Praetorian Guard"? Seriously? I'm glad I hadn't come back in yet...I might have quit.

Does any photographic proof of that crime exist? I'd love to see it.

He had 3 aides that actually wore the "generals aide" device for the AF. In fact, there used to be pictures of one of his congressional days with all 3 aides wearing the devices and accompanying aide de camp cords. Alll 3 aides were CAP Majors and traveled with him to all his functions ( like NBB 06 for example) and summon people to come see him.

[Nuke52]

Someone who's been a senior member for four years is at least 22.  How many 22-year-olds (or older, or younger, or anyone, for that matter) would really say, "I just think that it would be pretty neat if..."?  And, seriously, this much, umm, exuberance from an adult for being able to wear a shoulder cord like the cadets?  I dunno know, it just smells a little off to me.  Perhaps a bit like troll?  "ya know?"

Actually far too many.

As to adults wearing cords.   In addition to the occasional misguided senior member posting colors and wearing HGA accouterments, you may recall a
few years ago HWSRN had his own "Praetorian Guard" wearing enough cordage to rappel out a window.

I guess...  Unless it was followed by the words "and tidy," I don't think I've used the word "neat" with anyone beside my five-year-old since the 1980s.

Yes, I do remember "him" and "that."  Good thing you didn't say his name or you'd owe us all beer!  But that somewhat confirms my point:  anyone that into cords is (at least) just a bit off and it pings my meter.

[GroundHawg]

Back in the day any graduate of Pathfinder, Senior or Cadet was awarded a blaze orange shoulder cord for wear on the blues. I still think it looks sharp.

If I recall, I think that HMRS Staff wore an orange cord on their blues as well.

We used to use different cords to signify staff positions within our squadron, had a little chart in our SOP binder that all new member recieved when they joined. 

Again, I think it should be up to the individual wing commanders to make the choice to allow seniors to wear cords or not. I know lots on here think they are stupid (I wore 3 cords at one time on active duty and THAT looked stupid), but I think all the specialty badges are gaudy and un-needed and you know what they say about opinons....

[spaatzmom]

A "Praetorian Guard"? Seriously? I'm glad I hadn't come back in yet...I might have quit.

Does any photographic proof of that crime exist? I'd love to see it.

http://www.capvolunteernow.com/media/cms/CAP_Volunteer_MayJun_07_lorespdf_325FE1C41A548.pdf      page 9

[Private Investigator]

Why are senior members not allowed to wear shoulder cords?

It is called, "soap on a rope" and it is just what you need if you ever spend time in the county jail.

BTW, welcome to CT and enjoy. YMMV   

[ColonelJack]

SM's have their own versions of cords:  When you make major, you get a stripe on your epaulette sleeves along with  farts and darts on your flat hat.  Commanders get pins, Board Shields for Col's, an extra stripe and more farts and darts for Generals.  Those of us who are Admirals of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska get a cool "Fore and Aft"  hat with fringe and a plume!... 

As CAPTalk Fleet Admiral, I get two plumes on my Fore and Aft!   

Jack

[ColonelJack]

I can't find the link, but I distinctly recall seeing pictures of the "aide to a major general" pin that was worn by those who served HWSRN.  It was a specially-made variation of the AF's aide insignia, with the CAP propeller emblem in the center.

I wish I could find that picture ...

Jack

[Rick-DEL]

AJ, you may want to consider reading this article on wearing CAP uniforms.  Perhaps it'll help put things into perspective for you.  Maybe.

Great article !!!

[J2H]

AF Military Training Leaders wear blue ropes, Senior Military Training Instructors (the "Blue Rope TIs") wear blue ropes, and the "Church/Chapel Guides" wear white (tech training students).  Flight leaders wear red, yellow, and green based on seniority

[Flying Pig]

http://www.6thmarines.marines.mil/Units/2ndBattalion/History/Fourragere.aspx

I did enjoy wearing the French Fourragere when I was with the 6th Marines.  It was a unit award, and once you leave the unit you are not authorized to wear it anymore.  In the case of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments who are authorized to wear it, it is a visual reminder of the heritage of the unit.  But in reality, in the infantry we rarely wore our Alphas or our Dress Blues, which are the only two uniforms that it is authorized for wear on. 

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

How many 22-year-olds (or older, or younger, or anyone, for that matter) would really say, "I just think that it would be pretty neat if..."?

I had a buddy growing up (who later went on to turn wrenches on A-10's at Davis Monthan AFB) who was a man of very few words.  If he liked something, he would say "NEAT!" in a loud voice.  If he didn't like something, his response would be "SUCK!"  Hilarious.

Senior Military Training Instructors (the "Blue Rope TIs") wear blue ropes

On the hat, as modelled here by current Senior Training Instructor at Lackland AFB, CMSgt Kenneth Williams.



...and by CMSgt Steve Sergeant (Sergeant Sergeant )



The men and women who become Blue Ropes have usually moved Heaven and Earth with hard graft to earn it.

http://usafmtia.org/Instructors/BlueRopeMTIs/index.html

I know whenever I've encountered one personally, my heart drops into my boots.  If they can find something to gig you on, they WILL, and 99.9% of the time, they are correct.