Color Guard

[shlebz]

hello,
I am a C/2LT and a sophomore in high school recently i was asked by my principle if i could do a color guard ceremony at my high school for the nation anthem at our lat soccer game. He requested that i personally be in it because i am actually a student there. I was just wondering if it would be allowed for me to participate in the color guard, even though i am already an officer.

[Eclipse]

The issue with officers in color guards is only a problem with competition teams.

Anyone can post the colors.

[a2capt]

Frequently a competition winning team thats got cadets about to get their Mitchell Award, will go on and do postings at events both CAP and community after members become officers. You just can't compete. Mentor, coach, advise - sure. But compete, no.

[RADIOMAN015]

hello,
I am a C/2LT and a sophomore in high school recently i was asked by my principle if i could do a color guard ceremony at my high school for the nation anthem at our lat soccer game. He requested that i personally be in it because i am actually a student there. I was just wondering if it would be allowed for me to participate in the color guard, even though i am already an officer.

This is the type of activity we need our Color Guards & Drill Teams to be doing more of :clap: :clap:.  Personally, I'd like to see some sort of point system for teams in competition that shows they have been active in their communities by performing posting of the colors, parades, retirements, etc.  (likely a performance log with backup documentation/letters from the organization they assisted, including a contact phone # & email (if available).), rather than teams that just meet to practice for the competition and do little else
RM

[CT074CC]

When I was a Cadet, I was the Color Guard Commander for some time.  When I became an officer, my SQ/CC told me I had to relinquish that position because I was no longer an NCO.  Now, that was quite some time ago, but I wonder if that was in the regs, or just some misinformation at the time.  Thanks for the info, I'll look into it!

[BillB]

Misinformation, any cadet can be on a color guard, regardless of rank. However for color guard competition the team can only be NCOs.

[MIKE]

When I was a Cadet, I was the Color Guard Commander for some time.  When I became an officer, my SQ/CC told me I had to relinquish that position because I was no longer an NCO.  Now, that was quite some time ago, but I wonder if that was in the regs, or just some misinformation at the time.  Thanks for the info, I'll look into it!

AFMAN 36-2203 7.32.1.

[sneakers]

 I just got my Mitchell recently and I'm still the colorguard commander. I'm just about to hand it off, but I'll have had it for about a month before giving up the colorguard commander position. It's really just a unit necessity.

[arajca]

When I was a Cadet, I was the Color Guard Commander for some time.  When I became an officer, my SQ/CC told me I had to relinquish that position because I was no longer an NCO.  Now, that was quite some time ago, but I wonder if that was in the regs, or just some misinformation at the time.  Thanks for the info, I'll look into it!

AFMAN 36-2203 7.32.1.

In regards to CAP, that is irrelevent.

[ßτε]

When I was a Cadet, I was the Color Guard Commander for some time.  When I became an officer, my SQ/CC told me I had to relinquish that position because I was no longer an NCO.  Now, that was quite some time ago, but I wonder if that was in the regs, or just some misinformation at the time.  Thanks for the info, I'll look into it!

I'm pretty sure it was in the old CAPM 50-3 Leadership Manual.

[lordmonar]

When I was a Cadet, I was the Color Guard Commander for some time.  When I became an officer, my SQ/CC told me I had to relinquish that position because I was no longer an NCO.  Now, that was quite some time ago, but I wonder if that was in the regs, or just some misinformation at the time.  Thanks for the info, I'll look into it!

AFMAN 36-2203 7.32.1.

In regards to CAP, that is irrelevent.

Same reg.....different name.

[coudano]

Uh
the very first two words of that reg cite are

"when practical"


in this case, it's not practical...  if the school won't let you do the color guard at all, if the cadet officer isn't on it, then it isn't practical to not have the cadet officer on it.

done.


here's another example for you to bake your noodle on;
there are certain officer pme courses where flag handling may be done.
EVERYONE IN THE SCHOOL is an officer.
the color guard is made up of officers.
oh noes.



Of course, the 'preferred' way is to use NCO's on the flags, and airmen as guards.
And I would even go so far as to say that you should go out of your way to do it that way.
But if it is not possible (or, you know, not practical) then let common sense take over and do the best you can.
it will probably be sufficient.

**as noted above, cadet color guard comp is a different animal, and it has hard and fast rules that don't get to bend

[Майор Хаткевич]

From my own experience, I partook as a C/NCO and had many opportunities as a C/Officer. The only times I'd do it as a C/Officer however was when not enough C/NCOs stepped up.

[Allen]

we are posting colors for graduation and some one who just passed the Mitchell is also doing i with us but he is no long allowed to go to competion with us

[mrg]

Uh
the very first two words of that reg cite are

"when practical"

The words "when practical" imply having two NCO's as flag bearers and two airmen as guards. However, the mix of the color guard could be all NCO's or 3 airmen with one NCO being the flag bearer for the American flag. In other words, regardless of the mix, the perfect situation would be to have the most senior NCO's bearing the flag. This does mean that if you don't have the perfect mix of two NCO's and two airmen, an Officer can step in.

Color Guard is traditionally an NCO and Enlisted type of detail. The military DOES NOT use Officers for Honor Guard or Color Guard. Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the Air Force so respect their traditions or don't wear the uniform. This is not a "Competition" only rule.

[Майор Хаткевич]

The military DOES NOT use Officers for Honor Guard or Color Guard. Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the Air Force so respect their traditions or don't wear the uniform. This is not a "Competition" only rule.

1) We're NOT the military.
2) In respect to cadet programs, C/2d Lt = More experience than a C/CMSgt.
3) This is not a respect issue, but one of practicality.
4) Please cite a CAPR/P/M that states C/Officers are NOT allowed to participate in a color guard (outside of the cadet competition).

[mrg]

The military DOES NOT use Officers for Honor Guard or Color Guard. Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the Air Force so respect their traditions or don't wear the uniform. This is not a "Competition" only rule.

1) We're NOT the military.
2) In respect to cadet programs, C/2d Lt = More experience than a C/CMSgt.
3) This is not a respect issue, but one of practicality.
4) Please cite a CAPR/P/M that states C/Officers are NOT allowed to participate in a color guard (outside of the cadet competition).

CAPP 151 Respect on Display, Part 2 Military Customs & Courtesies "What follows is a brief tutorial in how to render Air Force-style
customs and courtesies properly and proudly. This guide focuses on the fundamentals. For more information, see the Air Force Drill &
Ceremonies Manual, available at the CAP website."

Again, I never said we were the military. I said we are an Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and per many pamphlets, regs, etc., we follow there customs and courtesies. Also, in regards to color guards and drill & ceremonies, CAP follows CAPP 52-8 for Honor Guards and AFM 36-2203 and you may also go to: http://www.capmembers.com/cadet_programs/library/drill__ceremonies.cfm

Also, in CAPP 52-8, it says that "3.3.2. The Honor Guard senior members should be totally familiar with the AFMAN 36-2203, Drill and
Ceremonies; CAPR 900-2, Civil Air Patrol Seal, Emblem and Flag Etiquette; and AFI 34-242, Mortuary Affairs Program. It is not necessary for the senior member to be able to accomplish all the rifle maneuvers, but they should be familiar with the way they are done. A senior member cannot teach what he or she does not know. Air Force publications are available on line at www.af.mil."

The quote above is in reference to a senior member running an honor guard program for there unit which . Basically, its another reference where CAP explicitly states that we use/follow USAF drill & ceremonies. Again, we are an AUXILIARY OF THE USAF and if you don't want to respect there customs & courtesies (CAPP 151), don't wear the uniform.

Also, this is a tradition that goes back a long time. Please, be respectful.

[Eclipse]

Respectful of what?

Not allowing a Cadet Officer to post colors?

The USAF can dictate to its members what they will do and where they will be, and can request more personnel when a
necessary skill is needed but no one is available locally.

CAP does not have those options.

You play the best game you can with the team you have, not stand on some ceremony and allow the mission to fail.

[mrg]

Respectful of what?

Not allowing a Cadet Officer to post colors?

The USAF can dictate to its members what they will do and where they will be, and can request more personnel when a
necessary skill is needed but no one is available locally.

CAP does not have those options.

You play the best game you can with the team you have, not stand on some ceremony and allow the mission to fail.

Respectful of USAF traditions, customs & courtesies. This is not a situation of lack of resources but one of preference on the part of the high school principal. If they have the cadet NCO's available use them and if you read the manuals/pamphlets, it outlines ways Officers can be part of these ceremonies. This is not a mission but a ceremony so ceremonial procedures apply. "Allow the mission to fail...", we are talking about posting the Color's not life or death. Again, if you have the resources use them and explain the school principal how it works.

[Eclipse]

What high school principle?

No one asking for color guard support is going to know or care about the fact that there are cadet officers in the mix.
I guarantee if they ask for help, they would be happy to have seniors members do it if they looked sharp.

The "mission" is getting the job done.   There are always preferences and "best" in terms of the situation, and when you can't meet "best",
as long as there is no regulation prohibiting the function, and it fills the need, you do what you have to in order to get things done.

In this case, having cadet officers post the colors is infinity better than telling the requester "no" because of some misguided adherence to
"tradition"

[mrg]

What high school principle?

No one asking for color guard support is going to know or care about the fact that there are cadet officers in the mix.
I guarantee if they ask for help, they would be happy to have seniors members do it if they looked sharp.

The "mission" is getting the job done.   There are always preferences and "best" in terms of the situation, and when you can't meet "best",
as long as there is no regulation prohibiting the function, and it fills the need, you do what you have to in order to get things done.

In this case, having cadet officers post the colors is infinity better than telling the requester "no" because of some misguided adherence to
"tradition"

If you read the original question, you'll see that the high school Principal (as in the woman/man in charge of the school) asked the C/2d Lt for a color guard to post colors for the National Anthem at a soccer game. That's the "principal" I'm referring to and I also said that if the cadet has the resources, i.e. color guard that follows regs, than use them. Also, this is not a "misguided" adherence but following of the drill & ceremonies manual. In no way did this cadets say that they do not have a resources available (NCO's/Airmen in color guard) just that the high school principal asked him/her to participate since they're a student.

If you can do it the right way, than do present the Color's according to D&C. NCO's aren't lowly people that are not worthy of presenting colors. Stop creating nonsensical arguments and read the manuals.

Also, I added links to resources that dictate how an Officer can be involved in these ceremonies for the cadets reference. That way they can be involved the right way. The C/2d Lt can march along side (several paces away, the manuals state how far) and give the commands to the color guard for posting color's. That way the C/2d Lt is involved the RIGHT way and everyone wins. You never who's in the audience that is why you should do things the right way regardless of whether or not the school officials understand color guard procedures, so use some integrity. Yes, INTEGRITY. They may not care but we should.

[lordmonar]

Uh
the very first two words of that reg cite are

"when practical"

The words "when practical" imply having two NCO's as flag bearers and two airmen as guards. However, the mix of the color guard could be all NCO's or 3 airmen with one NCO being the flag bearer for the American flag. In other words, regardless of the mix, the perfect situation would be to have the most senior NCO's bearing the flag. This does mean that if you don't have the perfect mix of two NCO's and two airmen, an Officer can step in.

Color Guard is traditionally an NCO and Enlisted type of detail. The military DOES NOT use Officers for Honor Guard or Color Guard. Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the Air Force so respect their traditions or don't wear the uniform. This is not a "Competition" only rule.

If it is a case of "well we can't do a color guard because we only have 3 enlisted and 1 officer who know how to do it" then do it. 
Mission comes first.  This does not mean you should allow such a condition to last for more then a few days.  I personally don't let my officers perform.....but I would not cancel a performance if one of my guardsman dropped out and the only one available was an officer.

YMMV.

[Майор Хаткевич]

snip

Please don't quote me CAPP 52-8. I learned all of that by heart at Honor Guard Academy six years ago, but especially since CAP Honor Guard is largely made up of C/Officers.

Nothing in CAP prohibits C/Officers from participating on Color Guard activities. It is encouraged that C/NCOs and C/Airmen are the typical Color Guard (which, by the way has nothing to do with CAP Honor Guards), but most likely because it creates the initiative to have the C/Officers instruct, while newer cadets get the change to participate.

[mrg]

"7.32.1.1. The carrying of the US and Air Force flags is an honor bestowed only on responsible
NCOs. When possible, flagbearers and guards who have had experience in this function should be
selected. If experienced personnel are not available, those selected should be thoroughly trained in
the manual of the Colors (paragraph 7.33.) and made fully aware of the honor of their duty."

There is a difference between a Color Guard and an Honor Guard. The Color Guard is the unit of persons bearing the national colors usually with two armed persons. An Honor Guard are the escort guards at either a funeral or a visiting dignitary. This is why there are Officers in an Honor Guard. However, there is a section in 52-8 that talks about the carrying of Color's and also several points where it says that we defer to AFM 36-2203 in regards to drill & ceremonies and the carrying of color's.

Also, don't misread the above section in regards "if experienced personnel". According to several USAF Honor Guard and Color Guard members, you select other NCO's or Airmen and train them in the manual of Colors.

Again, this isn't a situation where the person doesn't have the available personnel just the the high school principal expressed a preference. The C/2d Lt can still be involved the right way.

[Eclipse]

You're quoting regs and other docs applicable to formal situations, competitions, and the formation of structured teams.

This principle wants someone in a uniform to carry the flag from the back to the front.  He could not begin to know the different
or care regarding the NCO / Officer question in this context.

There's a difference, when you get that, you'll get the argument.

Stop using arguments about "integrity", etc., they have no place in this discussion, especially when your inference is that somehow using
C/Officers to post colors is a violation of ethics or an afront to national pride.  The opportunity for a cadet to make CAP, himself, and the school look
good, while honoring the flag, outweighs any misguided adherence to regs not meant for the situation.

[lordmonar]

And for the record.

The CAP Honor Guard Program is NOT.....I SAY AGAIN....NOT the same a color guard.  Honor Guard is a wing level activity.

So for local operations....don't even look at CAPP 52-8.

AFAM 36-2203 is the source document....and by extention the Army FM 3-21.5 (for the manual of arms and detailed color guard drill procedures).

[Майор Хаткевич]

CAP HG is completely different from a unit Color Guard. Including a number of drill movements. We're not talking Air Force, because we're not, and that's not how the program runs.

Unfortunately there is no specific guidance in CAP on who can perform on Color Guard (not an Honor Guard). Until there is, the program will be run locally as best as it can be.

I view this the same as the issue of the C/Commander position. C/NCOs are common as Squadron C/CCs, yet that's not how the AF would do it. We're running a cadet program, which follows Air Force customs/tradition/procedure to an extent. We do not mirror them.

[mrg]

I also said there is a difference between the Color Guard and Honor Guard.

Eclipse- The AFM 36-2203 dictates the manual of arms for a Color Guard in ALL situations. The event being discussed is not a squadron meeting but a school event in front of an audience while the National Anthem is being played. That is formal and manual of arms applies. Also, I was using "integrity" in terms of your response of they don't know so they won't care. Integrity applies to everything, it's one of core values. It wasn't meant to imply that the C/2d Lt's participation would be unethical or an affront to national pride but that if you can do it the right way, than do it the right way. This AGAIN is not an issue of the lack of the right personnel but one preference.

And there is specific guidance as to how to who can perform on a Color Guard for CAP, its called AFM 36-2203. On CAP's website and in other manuals, pamphlets, etc, it says we use for AFM 36-2203. How much explicit can it be?

Civil Air Patrol follows USAF customs & courtesies. Follows means adherence or practices. We don't follow every USAF procedures, we have our own regs that are parallels of USAF regs but there are some we follow. In this case, that's AFM 36-2203.

[mrg]

Sorry for the grammatical errors, I was in a hurry. Have a great day everyone!

[Майор Хаткевич]

Following that logic, why is our Honor Guard run completely differently from what the Air Force does?

Our cadets are not Airment, NCOs, or Officers. They are cadets. The public in general doesn't know the difference. The Air Force in specific probably would consider this a silly issue.


A note though, I wonder (Not that it impacts CAP), if AFJROTC has something that outlines this for them? What about AFROTC?

[davidsinn]

I also said there is a difference between the Color Guard and Honor Guard.

Eclipse- The AFM 36-2203 dictates the manual of arms for a Color Guard in ALL situations. The event being discussed is not a squadron meeting but a school event in front of an audience while the National Anthem is being played. That is formal and manual of arms applies. Also, I was using "integrity" in terms of your response of they don't know so they won't care. Integrity applies to everything, it's one of core values. It wasn't meant to imply that the C/2d Lt's participation would be unethical or an affront to national pride but that if you can do it the right way, than do it the right way. This AGAIN is not an issue of the lack of the right personnel but one preference.

And there is specific guidance as to how to who can perform on a Color Guard for CAP, its called AFM 36-2203. On CAP's website and in other manuals, pamphlets, etc, it says we use for AFM 36-2203. How much explicit can it be?

Civil Air Patrol follows USAF customs & courtesies. Follows means adherence or practices. We don't follow every USAF procedures, we have our own regs that are parallels of USAF regs but there are some we follow. In this case, that's AFM 36-2203.

By your logic you could use a SM NCO but not a Cadet officer. That's dumb. A cadet is a cadet. The enlisted only color guard does not work for us because the AF does not promote chiefs to be Lts like we do.

[Eclipse]

KB Answer 821.

I was once told that cadet officers are prohibited from serving on a color guard. Is this information correct?

The regulations do not prohibit cadet officers from participating in a local color guard, but they are prohibited from participating in the national color guard competition. A color guard team will ideally consist of two cadet airmen (the guards) and two cadet NCOs (the flag bearers). Cadets being processed for their Mitchell Award and cadet officers are not permitted to participate in the NCC. Regions or wings also may have supplements or policies which could restrict cadet officer participation in color guards. Check with your wing and/or region.

See National Cadet Competition

Chapter 2 - National Cadet Color Guard Competition
2-1. GENERAL
a. The NCC will use the CAP Drill and Ceremonies Manual; CAPR 900-2, Use and Display of the United States Flag and Civil Air Patrol Flags; publications listed in Attachment 2, and the attachments to this regulation as the basis of the NCGC. Judges will use these publications and attachments as a basis for scoring the NCGC. All scores will be annotated using the National Cadet Color Guard Competition score sheets (see Attachment 3).
b. Each color guard team is limited to four primary cadets and one alternate cadet. The alternate is there to replace a primary member who is unable to compete for any reason. The alternate may not replace a primary who is able to compete. The color guard will consist of two flag bearers and two guards. All cadets must be listed on the Monthly Membership Listing prior to the competition.
c. A team will ideally consist of two cadet airmen (the guards) and two cadet NCOs (the flag bearers). Cadets being processed for their Mitchell Award and cadet officers are not permitted to participate in this competition.

Asked and answered. We're done here.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Well then...

[mrg]

Goodness, this is reaching the point of absurdity. The reason why CAPM 52-4 (NCC) doesn't allow for cadet officers to participate on the Color Guard is because of AFM 36-2203. Also, CAPP 52-8 is similar to the USAF HG Manual but we have a separate manual because we are not allowed to fire weapons or use rifles with live ammunition as they are permitted. Even then, Honor Guard and Color Guard are different.

But do what you want : )

A decent amount CAP members have a knack for doing what they want which is why there have been more and more complaints from USAF personnel not wanting us to be associated with them.

Oh and the comment of according to my logic, your response doesn't make sense. If the AFM 36-2203 didn't apply to us than why does CAP tell us to use it for drill & ceremonies? If your applying the guidelines of AFM 36-2203 to a cadet color guard, then you could easily find enlisted ranks (i.e. C/Airmen through C/CMSgt) equivalencies to present the Color's.

Anyway, have a great day and have a color guard of all Officers if you want. If it is so important for you to have an Color Guard of only Officers, knock yourself out : )

[jimmydeanno]

Goodness, this is reaching the point of absurdity. The reason why CAPM 52-4 (NCC) doesn't allow for cadet officers to participate on the Color Guard is because of AFM 36-2203.

Or it could be the fact that C/Officers should be past the "small team leadership" aspect of the Cadet Program and being on a Color Guard team does little to expand their "strategic leadership skills."

[Eclipse]

A decent amount CAP members have a knack for doing what they want which is why there have been more and more complaints from USAF personnel not wanting us to be associated with them.

You're going to hurt yourself reaching that far to try and connect this with any USAF relationship issues.

Oh and the comment of according to my logic, your response doesn't make sense. If the AFM 36-2203 didn't apply to us than why does CAP tell us to use it for drill & ceremonies? If your applying the guidelines of AFM 36-2203 to a cadet color guard, then you could easily find enlisted ranks (i.e. C/Airmen through C/CMSgt) equivalencies to present the Color's.

The manual is provided as guidance, since in most circumstances it is appropriate to CAP, and there is no reason to reinvent the wheel.
That does not make it regulatory over CAP in all circumstances, any more than 36-2903, which is a similar circumstance.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Now you're just trolling.

"The regulations do not prohibit cadet officers from participating in a local color guard"

Say it with me:

"The regulations do not prohibit cadet officers from participating in a local color guard"

[davidsinn]

Goodness, this is reaching the point of absurdity. The reason why CAPM 52-4 (NCC) doesn't allow for cadet officers to participate on the Color Guard is because of AFM 36-2203.

Or it could be the fact that C/Officers should be past the "small team leadership" aspect of the Cadet Program and being on a Color Guard team does little to expand their "strategic leadership skills."

Not everything has to be about expanding leadership skills. Somethings can just be about being fun. Or getting it done.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Goodness, this is reaching the point of absurdity. The reason why CAPM 52-4 (NCC) doesn't allow for cadet officers to participate on the Color Guard is because of AFM 36-2203.

Or it could be the fact that C/Officers should be past the "small team leadership" aspect of the Cadet Program and being on a Color Guard team does little to expand their "strategic leadership skills."

Not everything has to be about expanding leadership skills. Somethings can just be about being fun. Or getting it done.

I always considered Color Guard to be a good "Pressure/Stress" experience. More so as a C/Officer as any mistakes were on you. Sometimes performing under pressure builds more "leadership" skill than a leadership exercise.   

[shlebz]

i kind of feel bad for asking the question now....
by the way, i did participate in the color guard and it went over very well.

[Майор Хаткевич]

i kind of feel bad for asking the question now....
by the way, i did participate in the color guard and it went over very well.

Good on you for carrying it out!

[jimmydeanno]

Not everything has to be about expanding leadership skills. Somethings can just be about being fun. Or getting it done.

I wasn't arguing that C/Officers shouldn't/can't do local color guard things.  I was showing that the D&C manual reason wasn't really the reason that C/Officers can't compete at NCGC.

When you're designing an overall program, "Just for fun" doesn't enter the equation, really.  So, the goals get taken into consideration, the organization elects to have a color guard competition, and using the goals of the cadet program they determine the most appropriate level to incorporate it - which is C/Amn-C/NCOs because they should be working on personal leadership and small-team leadership.

The C/Officers can help with the team, but in the guidance, planning/future picture stuff.  Which is what is appropriate for them to be learning at the time.

C/Officers marching in a local parade on a color guard?  I don't have issues with it.

[mrg]

Now you're just trolling.

"The regulations do not prohibit cadet officers from participating in a local color guard"

Say it with me:

"The regulations do not prohibit cadet officers from participating in a local color guard"

The regulations do not prohibit cadet officers from participating in local color guard. Yay!! I said it, lol.

I come from a different perspective on these issues, I have family that are active duty USAF. Also, my spouse is Army (Commands and Infantry Unit) and former CAP. So, I WON'T take back the comment stating that this stuff hurts USAF/CAP relationships issues. I know for a fact this isn't reaching too far. It seems that some of you have forgotten how you used to have to wear the maroon ranks. This was due to USAF/CAP relationship issues and because USAF personnel wanted our uniform to be completely distinct from theirs since they didn't feel we were wearing the uniform correctly.

I hear complaints all the time concerning CAP on base. Although some our appreciative of what the program is about because we mirror them there is a perception that we should have more respect of their customs and courtesies.

That being said, since CAP doesn't prohibit then good for you for participating in front of your school and hope you did a great job.

Other than that, just because it isn't prohibited doesn't mean its a best practice or the right way.

[arajca]

A couple of points:

1. A large reason for the "No cadet officers" rule on NCGC teams is to force turnover on the teams. Cadets following the two achievements per year rule will progress out of competitive eligibility after a couple of years.

2. Locally, a unit may have problems with enough enlisted cadets being interested or available for local color guard duty. Hence, cadet officers are not prohibited from non-NCGC color guards. The AF does not have this problem, since their personnel can be assigned to color guard duty, thereby ensuring there are sufficient airmen and ncos available for color guards as needed.

3. In the AF, enlisted and officer are two separate career tracks, with negligible cross pollution. In CAP, cadet airmen, ncos, and officers are all part of one "career" track.

4. The complaints I've heard about CAP are from those who don't know anything about it and refuse to listen to someone trying to explain what CAP is.

Disclosure: WIWAD, the best officer I served under was an Infantry E5 who jumped ship to become a Field Artillary O-1.