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Unit names

Started by SarDragon, July 27, 2010, 12:44:16 AM

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SarDragon

Quote from: DC on July 27, 2010, 12:05:20 AM
Quote from: SarDragon on July 26, 2010, 09:28:30 PM
Slightly OT, but Downeast Patrol Composite Squadron sounds so much better than 38th Composite Squadron. The former speaks directly of the history of the unit.
Completely OT, but why must a CAP unit rely on its name to remember its history? Military units seem to have no problem keeping a rich historical tradition and a numbered designation.
It's part of the difference in culture between the AF and CAP.

Downeast Patrol Composite Squadron is a lot friendlier than 38th Composite Squadron, and shows a closer link to the surrounding community. A numbered unit name sounds so impersonal. Even a geographical name has a better ring to it, like Cumberland County Composite Squadron. Everybody knew where it was.

There might be a similar thread on here, but I couldn't find it, after a short look.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

Daniel

Quote from: SarDragon on July 27, 2010, 12:44:16 AM
Quote from: DC on July 27, 2010, 12:05:20 AM
Quote from: SarDragon on July 26, 2010, 09:28:30 PM
Slightly OT, but Downeast Patrol Composite Squadron sounds so much better than 38th Composite Squadron. The former speaks directly of the history of the unit.
Completely OT, but why must a CAP unit rely on its name to remember its history? Military units seem to have no problem keeping a rich historical tradition and a numbered designation.
It's part of the difference in culture between the AF and CAP.

Downeast Patrol Composite Squadron is a lot friendlier than 38th Composite Squadron, and shows a closer link to the surrounding community. A numbered unit name sounds so impersonal. Even a geographical name has a better ring to it, like Cumberland County Composite Squadron. Everybody knew where it was.

There might be a similar thread on here, but I couldn't find it, after a short look.

I think referring to the unit number sounds loads more professional and isnt professionalism the name of the game?
C/Capt Daniel L, CAP
Wright Brothers No. 12670
Mitchell No. 59781
Earhart No. 15416

Eclipse

Quote from: Daniel L on July 27, 2010, 02:14:27 AM
I think referring to the unit number sounds loads more professional and isnt professionalism the name of the game?

Unit numbers mean nothing to the general public and little to the majority of members.  CAP is local, and if you want positive attention, you use a geographically-based name.

When I am dealing with other commanders, wing staff, or familiarly informed members, I use number for shorthand, otherwise, names.

"That Others May Zoom"

PHall

California Wing units have a unit number as part of their name, i.e. Santa Barbara Composite Squadron 131.

Usually there is no significance to the number, but there are exceptions like Big Bear Composite Squadron 6750. (6750 is the field elevation of the airport where they meet.) 
And Challenger Composite Squadron 1986. (1986 is when the Challenger was destroyed during launch.)

In day to day business most squadrons are referred to by their number. The name is used for more formal stuff.

DakRadz

Currahee is an extremely well-known word in our area. And we are -506 for a reason. But the name generally brings more recognition and reception.

Rafael

My unit is in the Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Puerto Rico and my unit has the name of the base Muñiz Air Base Cadet Squadron

Eclipse

Quote from: Rafael on July 29, 2010, 04:48:35 PM
My unit is in the Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Puerto Rico and my unit has the name of the base Muñiz Air Base Cadet Squadron

I'll bet if you had a nickel for every time it wasn't spelled correctly, you could start your own Air Force.

"That Others May Zoom"

HGjunkie

Quote from: Eclipse on July 29, 2010, 05:36:18 PM
Quote from: Rafael on July 29, 2010, 04:48:35 PM
My unit is in the Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Puerto Rico and my unit has the name of the base Muñiz Air Base Cadet Squadron

I'll bet if you had a nickel for every time it wasn't spelled correctly, you could start your own Air Force.
••• retired
2d Lt USAF

boomshtick

#8
Numbers are more professional and make a more military impression on the community. Besides, we want to sound more professional because we are the AF Auxiliary. Also, if it's a triple digit number it doesn't really sound that bad.
[smg id=237]  shiny nazi!!!  >:D

:}+< <this is ed. Say hi to ed.

Seabee219

Quote from: DakRadz on July 27, 2010, 02:55:48 AM
Currahee is an extremely well-known word in our area. And we are -506 for a reason. But the name generally brings more recognition and reception.

I have that movie, I love it. 10 hours worth.
CAP Capt, Retired US Navy Seabee.
  MRO, MS, MO, UDF, GT3, MSA, CUL
1. Lead by example, and take care of your people

Eclipse

Quote from: boomshtick on July 29, 2010, 09:01:27 PM
Numbers are more professional and make a more military impression on the community. Besides, we wan't to sound more profesional because we are a AF auxilary. Also, if it's a triple didget number it doesn't really sound that bad.

I'm sure the 3600ADT would agree... ::)

"That Others May Zoom"

boomshtick

Quote from: Eclipse on July 29, 2010, 11:14:46 PM
Quote from: boomshtick on July 29, 2010, 09:01:27 PM
Numbers are more professional and make a more military impression on the community. Besides, we wan't to sound more profesional because we are a AF auxilary. Also, if it's a triple didget number it doesn't really sound that bad.

I'm sure the 3600ADT would agree... ::)
Three digits. Not four.
[smg id=237]  shiny nazi!!!  >:D

:}+< <this is ed. Say hi to ed.

DakRadz

If you're trying to recruit, a name is much more friendly than a number.

Sure, there are plenty of situations when you can include the charter number and official designator, but when the community is involved, you don't want to say "I'm a member of SER-GA-506" if you're trying to recruit them/their child/etc. Try explaining what that means to someone who has never heard of CAP. I still don't really get military designators, and I love to study that sort of thing. Same deal. Now, explaining Currahee Composite Squadron-

"Well, ma'am, Currahee is a reference to the heritage of the Native Americans and of course the Army unit which used to train here- yes, the one we hold the Military Weekend for every year, exactly! The composite means that anyone can join, even adults, so long as you're willing to learn. And squadrons are the smallest group of people in our program that are independent- like a high school vs. a school district."

Obviously YMMV on the ease of relating your squadron's name, but even if it's only named after a base, you can tell people the base is where you meet, so that's the name it got.

Now, that is much easier and more relative than explaining the Region and Wing system, and then your squadron designator. Day to day, for the laymen, I'll use the name. Numbers can be so impersonal.

PhoenixRisen

Quote from: boomshtick on July 29, 2010, 09:01:27 PM
Numbers are more professional and make a more military impression on the community

It may make a "military" impression on the community (and one could even argue that it would be better for standardization), but in terms of recruiting, "simplicity" is better than "military-like", especially considering our whole program is "military".  As plenty of others have stated, it's much easier to remember something with a geographical reference or other unique identifier, than simply a number.  If we went to a system strictly comprised of numbered units (i.e. 123rd Operations Squadron, etc.), I wonder how many prospective recruits we'd lose because they couldn't remember what the unit number was when further researching the squadron...

QuoteBesides, we want to sound more professional because we are the AF Auxiliary.

Numbers have no bearing on "professionalism".  "New York City Composite Squadron" can be just as professional as "145th Operations Squadron".  Do not confuse "professional" with "military-like".  Just because something is military-like doesn't mean it's professional-sounding.


QuoteAlso, if it's a triple digit number it doesn't really sound that bad.

One digit, two digit, three digit, 100 digit... Key here is simplicity.  Squadrons with actual names don't "sound bad", either.

DakRadz

Quote from: PhoenixCadet on July 30, 2010, 12:05:02 AM
Quote from: boomshtick on July 29, 2010, 09:01:27 PM
Besides, we want to sound more professional because we are the AF Auxiliary.

Numbers have no bearing on "professionalism".  "New York City Composite Squadron" can be just as professional as "145th Operations Squadron".  Do not confuse "professional" with "military-like".  Just because something is military-like doesn't mean it's professional-sounding.

Agreed with Phoenix.. I actually had this written almost word for word in my original response, edited it out to focus on the ease of using/remembering names v. numbers.

Also, does that last sentence in Phoenix's post bring the USRC to mind? Or the organization run by the "disgruntled former member of CAP" who also blogs about us? Cases in point.

EMT-83

Quote from: boomshtick on July 29, 2010, 09:01:27 PM
Numbers are more professional and make a more military impression on the community. ....

We are not the military, and there is no reason to give the impression that we are.