Rank with no specialty track rating

[Eclipse]

^ I'm not sure that's really fair - he's been out of CAP for a while and it sounds like there is not a lot of info coming out of
his home staffers.

[manfredvonrichthofen]

I really am not getting too much info, I get enough to get me through my level one, which I did, but so far as the specialty tracks, I'm really not getting much help. I was told to get onto the website and see what there is. If I were after rank and ribbons, I would have my 2nd LT. I have all the necessary block checked for an auto promotion to 2nd LT, but no, I want to get everything I can so that I can start to be of use to my unit. I started this thread because I wanted to know what this captain was specialized in for his rank. He has been in since I was a cadet at the same squadron and still has no specialty track I was just curious but didn't want to ask him because I was afraid that he might feel a bit insulted by me asking so I was trying to ask around with him being anonymous so he didn't get any sort of hazing or adverse treatment.

[Short Field]

If I were after rank and ribbons, I would have my 2nd LT. I have all the necessary block checked for an auto promotion to 2nd LT, but no, I want to get everything I can so that I can start to be of use to my unit.

If you qualify for a promotion, then you need to tell someone in your unit so you can be promoted.  The ONLY reason not to be promoted in CAP is if you are not qualified for promotion.

I started this thread because I wanted to know what this captain was specialized in for his rank. He has been in since I was a cadet at the same squadron and still has no specialty track I was just curious but didn't want to ask him because I was afraid that he might feel a bit insulted by me asking so I was trying to ask around with him being anonymous so he didn't get any sort of hazing or adverse treatment.

If he has been a Capt since you were a cadet, I seriously doubt he is gong to face any hazing or adverse treatment if he is legit.  If he is not legit, then that is a matter for the Squadron Commander to address.  You still haven't told us anything about him.  We have told you all the different ways he could be promoted to Capt so by know you should have figured out the answer.     

[manfredvonrichthofen]

If you read back Sort Field, you'll see where I did understand where his earned rank of CPT came from.

[Short Field]

If you read back Sort Field, you'll see where I did understand where his earned rank of CPT came from.

Ok, I didn't know accounting would get a rank like that. Thank you.

I sure missed this reference to the Capt... 

[Custer]

If that person was a Spaatz cadet, real military Captain or met one of the professional skills (medical doctor is one, IIRC) then that individual would be given Captain after completing what I call the probation period.  
Psst, it's in the regs.

Which would be me.  Captains rank with no membership ribbon.  On the grey/white I don't have military wings on to clue you in as to what happened, either.

[dhon27]

Which would be me.  Captains rank with no membership ribbon. 

Just curious, but how does that work?  CAPR 35-5 requires completion of Level 1 for any senior member officer appointment or promotion.  Has your unit just not processed your CAPF 2a to wear the Membership Ribbon?

[Custer]

Which would be me.  Captains rank with no membership ribbon. 

Just curious, but how does that work?  CAPR 35-5 requires completion of Level 1 for any senior member officer appointment or promotion.  Has your unit just not processed your CAPF 2a to wear the Membership Ribbon?

I had the Mitchell award as a cadet, which covered level 1.  I have that and an encampment ribbon with one clasp left over from my cadet days in the 70's.  I don't have the membership ribbon as I have not completed the actual senior level 1, though I am in the process of doing it at the moment.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Mitchell got you Captain? I want in on that deal!

[davidsinn]

Which would be me.  Captains rank with no membership ribbon. 

Just curious, but how does that work?  CAPR 35-5 requires completion of Level 1 for any senior member officer appointment or promotion.  Has your unit just not processed your CAPF 2a to wear the Membership Ribbon?

I had the Mitchell award as a cadet, which covered level 1.  I have that and an encampment ribbon with one clasp left over from my cadet days in the 70's.  I don't have the membership ribbon as I have not completed the actual senior level 1, though I am in the process of doing it at the moment.

You can not wear any grade insignia without completing level one first no matter how you go about earning the grade.

[Custer]

Mitchell got you Captain? I want in on that deal!

Mitchell would have gotten me 2nd Lt, my medical license would have gotten me 1st Lt, but my retired US Army rank gets me Captain.  And since all three get me the same paycheck and the same ability to participate in the same things, I'm not that concerned about which one I am, either.

Level 1 is something that can be done online in a couple of hours, the main delay is waiting to show up in the online system so I can actually do it, and I can't wear ANY uniform until that happens anyway.

All I ever see anybody wear in this unit are polo shirts and Cessna shirts.  I don't know what rank most of them are.  Since that Cessna shirt from vanguard is not actually a uniform,  I got one of those to wear while I'm waiting for my paperwork to go through.

[Cecil DP]

Mitchell got you the Orientation course, It didn't get you through CPPT, EEO, Ground Aircraft Handling, and OPSEC all of which are part of Level 1

[dhon27]

And to clarify further, Mitchell only satisfies the Foundations course requirement if you have less than a two year membership break.  So, if you were out of CAP for more than 2 years after being a cadet, you still have to complete the Foundations course, as well as all the other components of Level 1 (Note: I don't believe that AC Ground Handling is required for Level 1 per CAPR 50-17).  Completing Level 1 gets you the Membership Ribbon.  Special Appointments based on commissioned officer service still require completion of Level 1 before they can be processed.   Such promotions are not automatic, but within the discretion of the promoting authority.

In sum, you have to be eligible to receive the Membership Ribbon before you can be promoted to any grade, regardless of the basis for the appointment or promotion.

Hope that clarifies things!

[Custer]

In sum, you have to be eligible to receive the Membership Ribbon before you can be promoted to any grade, regardless of the basis for the appointment or promotion.Hope that clarifies things!

It would, but I understand all that.  Until I have a CAPID I can't wear any uniform anyway, and I can complete level one online the same day that happens.  Considering what most of Level 1 consists of I'm surprised they let you do anything at all without it.

And in keeping in line with the subject of this thread, I was Logistics in the Army for 20 years, and I've already been tagged to be the log officer for the squadron.  I won't have rank with no specialty track.  As I happen to be an MCSE I may wind up being the IT officer too.

Besides, the unit I joined only wears polo shirts.  I don't know what rank anybody is anyway.  They pretty much all seem to be command pilots and master observers, so even as a Captain I'll still be the guy making the coffee.

[flyboy53]

You still haven't given enough information. Here's a few other ways that a promotion to captain can be earned.

You didn't say if he was a former member and had a grade reinstatement or something.

You also didn't say if there is a former military grade involved.

Furthermore, it's possible that he was given a special appointment or something. I know because that was how I was appointed to captain a long time ago. I was on active duty at the time and serving the CAP as region-level base laision.

One other example to note: Years ago when I was in the PA wing, we had a wartime member re-join. He was a CAP captain who was one of a very small group of individuals who served on active service as a flight instructor (you don't even hear a lot about those guys). Anyway, the group commander at the time wouldn't restore him in his original grade until National learned that this individual was personally promoted to captain during the active tour by John F. Curry himself. (in other words there was some real interesting and historical documentation). It was funny how fast the guy's new membership card got turned around....much to the dismay of the certain group commander. That individual was just happy to be reinstated as a captain and never progressed beyound that rank before he died in the mid-1970s.

Finally, if the guy's been a captain since you were a cadet, it tells me that he's content where he is and not that interested in doing what needs to be done, professional development-wise, for promotion. As long as he's a productive member of your unit, leave him alone.

[Eclipse]

Until I have a CAPID I can't wear any uniform anyway, and I can complete level one online the same day that happens.

Nope - Level 1 is not "online".  There are several online tests that you are required to take as a pre-requisite to the summary conversations
required to be had with your commander or designate, at which time you will correct the tests to 100% and discuss CPPT.  When that is completed you will sign a CAPF 11 and it will be sent to NHQ.  Until that is done and NHQ accepts it, you will not be eligible for anything.

You will also need to complete online OPSEC and EO training as well.

[Custer]

Until I have a CAPID I can't wear any uniform anyway, and I can complete level one online the same day that happens.

Nope - Level 1 is not "online".  There are several online tests that you are required to take as a pre-requisite to the summary conversations
required to be had with your commander or designate, at which time you will correct the tests to 100% and discuss CPPT.  When that is completed you will sign a CAPF 11 and it will be sent to NHQ.  Until that is done and NHQ accepts it, you will not be eligible for anything. You will also need to complete online OPSEC and EO training as well.

All fine by me.  Whatever system is in place is set up that way for a reason.

[Gunner C]

If you read back Sort Field, you'll see where I did understand where his earned rank of CPT came from.

BTW, it's Capt, not CPT.  This isn't the Army.  Start with the basics and go from there.

[Custer]

There are a lot of ways (much to the dislike of some) to be a Captain without having to choose/earn a special rating.
- Real Military Enlisted Grade = E9
(I think these are all of the possible fast-tracks to Captain)

Really?  I don't remember that one.  I certainly would not question it though, I know what it takes to make E9.

[DBlair]

There are a lot of ways (much to the dislike of some) to be a Captain without having to choose/earn a special rating.
- Real Military Enlisted Grade = E9
(I think these are all of the possible fast-tracks to Captain)

Really?  I don't remember that one.  I certainly would not question it though, I know what it takes to make E9.

I got those directly from the CAPR35-5.

I find the E9 and Accounting paths to Captain are probably the most unknown.