Do looks count in ES?

[Stonewall]

Specifically for ground teams since we are on the ground, in the publics' eye, and readily seen by media.

Do looks count?

In Virginia (National Capital Wing) I trained with and worked with several state volunteer SAR groups.  Great people and well trained.  While they certainly didn't have any type of standard uniform, they all seemed to wear orange shirts with some sort of SAR School, SAR Conference or SAR Competition on it.

But in CAP, a paramilitary organization, we have uniforms.  Whether it be BDUs or the BBDUs, its a uniform and there are standards that we are REQUIRED to adhere to while wearing said uniforms.  Whether you like or not, or whether you follows those regs or not, theoretically you're supposed to wear the uniform IAW CAPM 39-1.


These guys look fine.  With little knowledge of SAR, most people would probably say they're some sort of rescue group.

But look at us.

Minus the "faddish" sunglasses, there really isn't too much wrong with this picture.  In fact, I'm quite impressed with the fact that they have matching orange vests on.  Thats something I did at my last squadron, we bought the same vest for everyone so we'd be uni-form.  But what would the average person not knowing what CAP is think of these two cadets?

Its kind of hard to call ourselves professionals when we've got 15 year old cadets as part of our teams.  Granted you can have two 15 year olds and one acts like an adult while the other should still be wearing diapers.  That being said, I'm a true believer in involving cadets in Emergency Services at all levels, especially ground teams.

If you took a typical Army platoon and put them out in the field looking for a missing boy, they'd be wearing what?  Standard BDUs (ACUs now) and their version of 24 hr gear, be it an LBV old school LBE or whatever.  But in CAP, we have tons of different mixes of gear.  Some military, some civilian gear made specifically for SAR, some black tac vests, and some with a Kmart poncho wrapped around their sleeping bag tied to their pistol belt that keeps falling off every 5 minutes.

My point is that during ground SAR operations, we tend to transform from a paramilitary group into a hey, just show up with whatever you got group.  Some may say there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.  I say there is.

As ground team leader, deputy commander for cadets, and former squadron commander, we set standards for gear.  It was easy.  We coordinated with the local military surplus as well as one down at Ft. Bragg to give us one heckuva discount on your standard LBE with buttpack and if the cadets could afford it, they'd get a rucksack with frame.  All for under $100.  Durable, inexpensive, effective, practical, and best of all, uniform.

Taking an outside look into our organization as it relates to SAR, I could see how people would be reluctant to take us seriously when they see 2 adults and a handful of cadets from 4 1/2 feet tall to 6 ft 4 inches.  So I think it is in our best interest to guide our young storm troopers the best we can and NOT make it okay for them to buy whatever gear they want, but set some sort of standard.  Work with them.  It worked for us for years.  No one ever showed up with the black SWAT vest from Blackhawk Industries.  It was great.  From standard web gear (LBE) to the same orange vests, worn in the same manner, I believe that we can wear our uniforms properly, abide by CAPM 39-1, be an effective SAR team, and represent ourselves to the highest degree.

Call this a rant, thats fine with me.  I work night shift and can't sleep.  No need to reply, but I welcome comments and feedback.  Call me crazy, but I think this small aspect of CAP uniformity is important for our image.

[CAP428]

So I think it is in our best interest to guide our young storm troopers the best we can and NOT make it okay for them to buy whatever gear they want, but set some sort of standard.  Work with them. 

The same can be said for seniors.

But there's not a lot we can do, being a volunteer force.  We can mandate color of items, etc to attempt a more uniform appearance, but when it comes to mandating specific equipment it becomes more complicated, since cost will doubtlessly enter the picture.

[DNall]

CAP is tough w/o issued gear, yeah. There's even a lot of flexibility built into what gear you should have inside that pack. I think mandating colors & statng a basic loadout & wg supplements on specialized additional gear required. A set of recommendations on what we'd like you to use based mostly on what's standard in surplus at the time.... I think that's about as far as you can go w/o having a basic issue.

[Stonewall]

We never had to worry about senior members for the most part, we were all "gear queers" and enjoyed sporting standard military gear.  If not "standard" at least it was OD green. 

Something I did for cadets though, was with the ES availability sheet to be filled out by their parents, I actually sent out a paper with a diagram/picture of what gear they should buy if they so choose to do so on their own.  Right out of an Army field manual, you'd see standard LBE set up, ruck sack and frame.  It also listed places they could purchase them from.  In a way, we just didn't make them aware that there was anything else they could buy. 

What if a cadet showed up with a Jansport school backpack and a fanny pack?  Well, not much we could do, we'd lett'em wear it.  But usually when that one cadet saw 15 others all looking the same, they'd get the hint.  Chances are they weren't one of the ES focused cadets so it never became an issue.

That being said, another great thing we did was buy 5 sets of gear.  Well, we either bought it, had it donated by one of us gear hounds from our personal supply, got it from the wing warehouse or DRMO.

5 sets of squadron gear that could be signed out the meeting prior to the ES activity.

1 LBE
2 Canteens
2 Ammo (utility) cases
1 Buttpack
1 Compass pouch with compass

1 Medium rucksack with frame
1 Sleeping bag, Army issue mummy style
1 Military issue poncho

Think we got them all for a total of $300, which is a steal.

Like most things in CAP, once myself and some other key personnel left key positions for other things (I took command of another squadron), those great ideas and gear somehow got lost.  Another topic we could discuss, how squadrons go up and down due to a change in leadership.  But that's for another day.

[Stonewall]

I hate to use this picture because myself and another member are wearing boonie caps for a reason I can't describe, because I NEVER wear one, but can you see how everyone looks the same.  And regardless of age or cadet size, the uniformity brings out the professional look a bit more than a mix-match of gear.  Ignore the boonies!

The fact that its a B&W photo doesn't hurt either.  I love B&W photos for CAP, takes away the christmas tree affect.



A photo of a new senior member making use of the squadron's issued gear.  Here he was training along side of the cadets who were out in the field for the first time.


An example of some Virginia Wing members who trained with my squadron.  I ALWAYS invited other local units.  But check out the difference in gear/uniforms.


Again, here is a group of cadets in the field.  Notice, one guy on the right does have an LBV (vest) vs standard LBE.  But thats fine by me since it was "standard issue".  I think it presents an equally professional appearance.


Another B&W photo, this one even more difficult to see.  But I think it still demonstrates uniformity in the field.

[mikeylikey]

I used to frequent the DRMO, load up on crap loads of gear, and get every single member within a 200 mile radius the minimum junk they needed.  More than that, they got things that were way beyond "the minimums".  There is no reason that CAP members have to be dropping $$ on basic issue items.  IF they are, then your Group, Wing and Region Logistic guys are stinking!  In fact I would have to also say that if you are not getting equipment, then  your CAP-USAF LO and LG guys are stinking too!

CALL CAP-USAF region office and see what the say is on them screening equipment for you.  If you have trouble, call the Wing LG and tell him OR her to get their but in gear and do their job.  I have met a few that hold that position "JUST TO HOLD THAT POSITION". 

Also, start "spying" on local units!  Check out what they have, and if they have some good stuff, offer to begin trades, or a the very minimum borrow what you need from what they have multitudes of.  I always hated walking into a Squadron that had closets and rooms full of gear that looked like it had been sitting there for 10 years!

[Flying Pig]

Stonewall.....I see youve been surfing my Depts web site!

[Stonewall]

Stonewall.....I see youve been surfing my Depts web site!

How so? 

[Flying Pig]

In your origional post, the guys in the orange. They are member of Fresno County Sheriff's SAR on a Training mission in the Kaiser Wilderness.  I know everyone in that photo. The photo is also on our website.

[Stonewall]

Gotcha 

Had no idea really, just did google image search for "volunteer search and rescue" so I could use a picture just like that as an example.  Good thing I didn't say anything badge about'em  :angel:

Honestly though, they do look just like all the different SAR volunteer types I worked with in Virginia. 

[Flying Pig]

Our SAR is about 20 people.  On missions they wear the orange shirts and tan pants. Unless its winter they have red jackets.   Our team is all sworn Deputies.

[Flying Pig]

But, to add to your question.  I think looks are very important.  It can really display professionalism or without it, give people the impression you are just disorganized group.  A standard uniform brings with it at least some expectation of training and discipline.

[Stonewall]

A standard uniform brings with it at least some expectation of training and discipline.

It proably would have been easier for me to sum up my whole rant up above with this one statement.  But I enjoyed writing it anyway 

Excellent point.

[sardak]

These guys look fine.  With little knowledge of SAR, most people would probably say they're some sort of rescue group.

And they managed to achieve that look without a 130 page uniform manual which has 7 change letters and additional recently made, "unpublished" changes. 

Their uniform policies and procedures probably aren't more than a couple of pages, if that long.

Mike

[Stonewall]

I agree that there have been too many crazy uniforms changes in the last year, but unlike that SAR team with the Sherrif's Department, we're obligated to maintain a proper uniform.

Like it or not, that's what we do and those are the rules we're governed by.  Only addition to our uniform is gear, that we generally purchase ourselves and an orange vest.

And that is my point.  I've always tried to maintain a sense of uniformity among my cadets and seniors as it relates to ground operations.  If we can get everyone's gear to look alike and get everyone to wear the same orange vests, maybe even put a unit number on them, then we can continue with a look of military professionalism.

Regardless of the uniform changes at NHQ, they really don't affect ground operations.  A flag here, a wing patch there, throw some rank on your hat; its a change, but its a change in the uniform whether you're doing ES work or not.

A quote from something I wrote almost 10 years ago for the "CAP Officer" then revised it for a "CadetStuff" feature: Personal Views and Experiences in Creating a Successful Composite Squadron

exerpt
2.  Looks count! Do everything within your power to make yourself look good; like a professional. Then, do everything you can to make your squadron members look good --just like you. DO NOT allow members of your squadron to get away with anything like wearing part of a uniform or a uniform without proper insignia. No matter how much that person wants to go on that mission or help out at a recruiting drive, they'll only make you look bad. I believe that CAP offers too many patches to choose from for our uniforms. Use good judgment on this one. There is no need to wear the ES (Pluto) patch if you wear a GTM badge. My "looks count" tenant goes for vehicles, ES equipment, and airplanes as well. You are lucky to have a CAP corporate vehicle so take care of it and keep it simple. Don't go crazy with decals and unneeded antennas. ES gear and equipment, keep that simple too. Use what you need and don't wear that [darn] knife upside down on your web gear. Do your best to keep from looking too "Hollywood". Don't have all those annoying bells and whistles dangling from your gear. You'll just make yourself look sloppy and unprofessional. About that CAP plane; it's not your plane, its CAP's, so leave it better than you found it. Clean out whatever you leave behind like fast food trash, and wash it if you got it dirty. Perhaps the most annoying thing is getting into a corporate vehicle and finding it without fuel. Don't let this happen!

3.  Uniformity goes along with being professional. We are the auxiliary of the US Air Force; the fourth leg that holds the Air Force high in the sky. Everyone looks the same or everyone looks bad. This means that either everyone wears their BDU sleeves down or no one wears them down. If your squadron has a squadron hat or T-shirt, then they all wear it or none at all. Enough said about that. And never, I mean never, wear just part of the uniform. If you're uncomfortable wearing the BDU top then take off the pants too, because you either wear all of it or none at all. Naturally if your unit is on a work detail in the dead of summer then take them off, everyone. But when you're in the public's eye, think 39-1. If your squadron designs a unit shirt, be sure to make it black so that when you wear it with your BDUs it meets CAP regulations. Grey looks cool, but you can't wear it with your BDUs.

[Dragoon]

Good comments. 

Uniformity in CAP, though is more complicated than "everyone in a uniform."

Everyone needs to be in the SAME uniform.  One guy in BDUs, on guy in Blue BDUs, on guy in a golf shirt and dockers......they may be "in uniform" but they are certainly not "uniform."

As long as USAF limits wear of USAF style uniforms to thin, clean shaven folks, we have perhaps three ways we can go to increase uniformity.

1.  Restrict ground teams to thin, clean shaven folks in woodland BDUs.

2.  Put all ground teams in Blue BDUs. (or some other standard, non USAF GT uniform)

3.  (the compromise) Put all cadets in woodland BDU, and all seniors in Blue BDU.


Otherwise, we'll still look a bit...rag tag.


Gear is another issue.  Truthfully, LBE isn't the best choice to carry the required items, unless you go back to the cumbersome butt-pack.  Ammo pouches and the like are just too small for some of the items.  Plus, many folks love to put their green LBE on top of the orange vest, blocking a lot of the vest from view.

A day pack works better.  It ain't  as cool looking, but it's cheaper than buying web gear and easier to standardize (at least color).

You could go with black (easy to obtain and standardize) or perhaps red (high vis and not all that hard)

But there's always the guy with the $300 super survival vest who wants to play with his toy....

[Stonewall]

I know my experiences may not be the norm, but believe it or not, I've never had a member of my ground team, cadet or senior, wear anything but BDUs.  We've had as many as 10 to 15 senior member qualified GTLs or higher and all met AF height and weight standards.  Lucky I guess.

I didn't want to debate whether or not military gear is better than civilian gear, that's for a different topic.  Feel free to start it.  But in 20 years, I've never once, EVER had a need for anything more than LBE (with buttpack) and maybe a "3-day pack".  And again, using standard military gear offers something civilian multi-colored gear can't offer, and that's uniformity.  Unless of course everyone buys the same SAR gear.  Military gear can come from former military members (dads, moms, brothers, friends), surplus stores, online gear companies, ebay, and of course, if you have the cash, brand new at the military clothing and sales store at your local army post.

As to a standard non-USAF utility uniform, I stand by my idea of EVERYONE cadets and seniors, wearing Olive Drab "jungle" fatigues.  Not the slant pocket ones, the straight pockets.  Basically BDUs but not camouflaged.  YMMV.

[RogueLeader]

A standard uniform brings with it at least some expectation of training and discipline.

As well as effectiveness, if they look like each other, and act together, the team, hopefully, would be more effective than John Doe and Jane Smith who had never met before in their life.

[Dragoon]

As to a standard non-USAF utility uniform, I stand by my idea of EVERYONE cadets and seniors, wearing Olive Drab "jungle" fatigues.  Not the slant pocket ones, the straight pockets.  Basically BDUs but not camouflaged.  YMMV.

If I was going to go with a non-USAF GT uniform, I'd just go with BDU pants, boots and an orange shirt.  Kind of what colorado and california have done from time to time in the past.

But it all goes to heck if the outer garments aren't standardized as well.

[Stonewall]

Remember, our utility uniform is not just for SAR and CAP is not only a SAR organziation.  Our BDUs are moreso a part of the Cadet Program than Emergency Services.  ES being 1/3 of the mission and not required participation for cadets.

I believe cadets should be encouraged to participate in Emergency Services operations at all levels, especially ground operations because not only is it beneficial to our community, state and nation, it is a vital part of learning leadership and responsibility.