Metal Rank

[alexalvarez]

Does anyone remember when we went from the metal rank to the current colored epaulets?

[AlphaSigOU]

I'm guessing early 1990s is when we lost the privilege of wearing metal grade on Service Dress and blue epaulets. It happened after I let my membership lapse as a senior in 1988 (but now I'm back). Then came the time of tribulations wearing the maroon epaulets (aka 'Berry Boards') and now we're wearing gray epaulets.

[Eclipse]

It's been covered here and other boards - the NHQ CC decided to promote himself to 2-star, and hacked off the USAF.

Their retaliation was most of the uniform nonsense that seperates us from them.

It's been an uphill battle ever since as we move slowly back in line.

[SarDragon]

We were wearing the blue rank sleeves when I took a break in 1989. The June 1987 CAPM 39-1 has the old metal rank. Musta been some time in that two year period, but I don't recall the transition.

[Pace]

It's been covered here and other boards - the NHQ CC decided to promote himself to 2-star, and hacked off the USAF.

Almost.  The NB promoted the CAP/CC to Maj Gen (which btw he still holds).  I believe his name was Harwell.  Nevertheless, USAF got pissed so in came the marroon epaulets.

[captrncap]

Just a thought...but wouldn't it be nice if CAP took this issue up again in the wake of all the good work we did with the current national disasters. Strike while the iron hot.

[Major_Chuck]

I was around back then when it happened.  Blue epaulets to the maroon (and morale busting) epaulets.

I seriously doubt that we'll ever see pin on AF style rank again.  I don't want to discourage anyone from trying to revive it but I feel the odds are stacked against it happening.  I do like the grey epaulets though and feel that it compliments the uniform combinations very well.

During the dark days of the maroon epaulets I refused to wear the AF Style uniform.  It looked horrible.

[Viper]

Does anyone have pictures of the older CAP epaulets that were before the gray ones?  I am interested in the older CAP uniforms.

[BillB]

There were a set of the maroon epaulets on eBay back in January, they sold with one bid of 99 cents. Even uniform collectors don't want the darn things.

[SarDragon]

Does anyone have pictures of the older CAP epaulets that were before the gray ones?  I am interested in the older CAP uniforms.

Give me a day or two and I'll take pix of my Captain sleeves and post them. That's all I ever wore in blue.

[mmouw]

I sold my maroon 1Lt on ebay in Jan. for $10.00. I was just happy to get my money back from the old nasty things. I still have my maroon Capt. and intend to keep them to remind me of what mistakes national has made in the past. I was in during the uniform changes. I was active Air Force at the time and our squadron was on a base. We had a up hill challenge gaining the support of the base level command staff, and then we started to wear the maroon rank and also wear them on the service coat. they didn't fit and looked stupid. I don't know why we don't just take matters in to our own hands and return to the way things were. After all with the cut backs in funding we will have to be self sustaining soon any way. I could never figure out the reason given for the rank to be taken off the BDU cap. They gave some lame excuse of safety concerns, but yet for some reason cadets still wear metal rank on the BDU cap. WOW!!!

[pixelwonk]

We had a up hill challenge gaining the support of the base level command staff, and then we started to wear the maroon rank and also wear them on the service coat. they didn't fit and looked stupid. I don't know why we don't just take matters in to our own hands and return to the way things were.

I hope that was sarcasm.
The reason CAP got the maroon epaulets in the first place was because of  its "taking matters into one's own hands" kind of attitude as it pertained to the AF Uniform, Grade/Rank Structure, etc...

[SKYKING607]

On a funny note, someone asked me why the "grey" shoulder boards on my uniform.  They also thought that the CAP meant "Confederate Air Patrol" because of the grey. 

"Oh bother!"       Winnie the Pooh

[Major_Chuck]

Well, if we did take things into our own hands then we would be "The Confederate Air Patrol."

AF allows us the privledge of wearing USAF style uniform.  Seizing the day regardless of cutbacks would result in 'no' AF style uniform and we would all be wearing the Aviator Uniform (which is not a bad thing but not prefered).

[Pace]

AF allows us the privledge of wearing USAF style uniform.  Seizing the day regardless of cutbacks would result in 'no' AF style uniform and we would all be wearing the Aviator Uniform (which is not a bad thing but not prefered).

The day that happens is the day I wear nothing but the blue flight suit and blue BDUs to EVERYTHING.  Combat Dining-in/out anyone???  Or I could just go with civies when business/formal is appropriate.

[pixelwonk]

AF allows us the privledge of wearing USAF style uniform.  Seizing the day regardless of cutbacks would result in 'no' AF style uniform and we would all be wearing the Aviator Uniform (which is not a bad thing but not prefered).

The day that happens is the day I wear nothing but the blue flight suit and blue BDUs to EVERYTHING.  Combat Dining-in/out anyone???  Or I could just go with civies when business/formal is appropriate.

since we don't do combat, maybe we could consider it an ES dining in!

[Pace]

AF allows us the privledge of wearing USAF style uniform.  Seizing the day regardless of cutbacks would result in 'no' AF style uniform and we would all be wearing the Aviator Uniform (which is not a bad thing but not prefered).

The day that happens is the day I wear nothing but the blue flight suit and blue BDUs to EVERYTHING.  Combat Dining-in/out anyone???  Or I could just go with civies when business/formal is appropriate.

since we don't do combat, maybe we could consider it an ES dining in!

That sounds good.  But you get my point.

[fyrfitrmedic]

AF allows us the privledge of wearing USAF style uniform.  Seizing the day regardless of cutbacks would result in 'no' AF style uniform and we would all be wearing the Aviator Uniform (which is not a bad thing but not prefered).

The day that happens is the day I wear nothing but the blue flight suit and blue BDUs to EVERYTHING.  Combat Dining-in/out anyone???  Or I could just go with civies when business/formal is appropriate.

I know of a dining-out where a few attendees were in BDUs; the attendees in question had literally just come out of the field from a mission. Long story...

[Pylon]

AF allows us the privledge of wearing USAF style uniform.  Seizing the day regardless of cutbacks would result in 'no' AF style uniform and we would all be wearing the Aviator Uniform (which is not a bad thing but not prefered).

The day that happens is the day I wear nothing but the blue flight suit and blue BDUs to EVERYTHING.  Combat Dining-in/out anyone???  Or I could just go with civies when business/formal is appropriate.

I know of a dining-out where a few attendees were in BDUs; the attendees in question had literally just come out of the field from a mission. Long story...

Now I have to wonder if the opposite has ever happened:  Mess dress in the airplane!   

[SarDragon]

Now I have to wonder if the opposite has ever happened:  Mess dress in the airplane!   

We came close one time. A mission got called out during the banquet at the wing conference. They managed to find a crew that wasn't attending.