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#91
Uniforms & Awards / Re: Wing Conference
Last post by TheSkyHornet - February 26, 2024, 04:16:46 PM
Quote from: ML07 on February 13, 2024, 11:05:29 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 13, 2024, 07:33:13 PM
Quote from: fish7days on February 13, 2024, 02:41:16 PMI was wondering if anyone can tell me what the general dress code is at a typical banquet.

Wear what you have, and probably a civilian jacket to the banquet if you feel like it

This is the way. Been a cadet for four years, never owned the Blues service jacket and probably never will, I can spend my money on better things.

Every wing conference I've gone too, I've worn Class B blues for the sessions and a civilian jacket w/ button down and tie. Works great.



^ THIS

And I appreciate a cadet officer saying "I can spend on better things" who manages to adjust fire in the absence of optional attire and wear what is appropriate.
#92
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by TheSkyHornet - February 26, 2024, 04:14:30 PM
Some senior members really need to remember that they aren't in competition with cadets.

I've seen senior members throw down with cadets using coins they bought at air shows. I know of a member who has a coin from the SECDEF who has challenged cadets to produce a higher-level coin. What value does that have? Is it even inspiring at that point?

I have a coin from a member who gave me two coins at the same time in two different styles, telling me "this is the old one, and this is the new one." I have a coin from a member who said "For whatever great things I'm sure you're going to do in the future." Really taking away the meaning of the entire concept there.

I don't rattle around with pockets filled with coins. Mine are in a drawer. My son has his coins displayed on a coin rack in his bedroom.

When someone walks up to me and starts showcasing their coins, I'm polite and act like I care. When I get coin checked, I say Congratulations, you got me and move on.

Back to the OP—
Our unit has traditionally presented coins for cadet milestone achievements and senior member promotions. It's a nice gesture, and it's something tangible to show off as part of a ceremony to entice others to keep moving in a positive direction. The little CAP-isms can go a long way to boost motivation for people that really do dedicate a lot of their personal time, often not on themselves.
#93
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by Майор Хаткевич - February 16, 2024, 06:57:40 PM
I knew not to show up at Encampment without the proper coin when Eclipse was around. 
#94
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by Paul Creed III - February 16, 2024, 11:13:53 AM
I was checked by a cadet (whose dad was a C-5 driver) while transporting my unit's drill team to region competition years ago when we stopped for lunch or dinner in Dayton. I started carrying one of my coins onward after that.
#95
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by NIN - February 15, 2024, 10:35:22 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 15, 2024, 09:30:49 PMFWIW, can confirm Stonewall's Wing King coin is very nice and borders on the "coasteresque" size-wise.

Quoting out of order here, because this is relevant. Pete's coin is so much bigger



So much so that I had to get an entirely new coin rack (left) to accommodate it and a few other "big-uns"



Back to the quoting at hand..


Quote from: Eclipse on February 15, 2024, 09:30:49 PMWell, for starters I don't think NH actually makes anything that
can legally be classified as "pizza", so the confusion is understandable.

We are in somewhat violent agreement here.  Remember, I was brought up on Midwestern pizza. That oily, floppy mess that I often find out here is just ... crass.


QuotePROTIP: One way to get checked is to occasionally start the challenge,
then people get the idea.

PROTIP 2: I wouldn't suggest starting out the first time at a Trader Joe's coffee bar
if you're there by yourself.

Well, I haven't actively coin-checked someone in a long, long time.  After the first few (dozen) times, it becomes irksome, if I'm being fair.

About as irksome as spending time around fighter pilots and having to constantly say "so to speak." 

Slightly less irksome than that old skydiving tradition where when someone uses the F-word, everybody shouts "beer!" (Get your minds out of the gutter: the word is "first". As in "that was my first cutaway" or "That was my first time jumping out of a Twin Otter")

Your Trader Joe's has a coffee bar? How ... bougie.
#96
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by Eclipse - February 15, 2024, 09:30:49 PM
Quote from: NIN on February 15, 2024, 09:24:52 PMWhat the heck kind pizza places are you going to, Bob?

Well, for starters I don't think NH actually makes anything that
can legally be classified as "pizza", so the confusion is understandable.

PROTIP: One way to get checked is to occasionally start the challenge,
then people get the idea.

PROTIP 2: I wouldn't suggest starting out the first time at a Trader Joe's coffee bar
if you're there by yourself.

FWIW, can confirm Stonewall's Wing King coin is very nice and borders on the "coasteresque" size-wise.
#97
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by NIN - February 15, 2024, 09:24:52 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 14, 2024, 08:32:29 PMWing conferences, Starbucks, encampments, pizza places, mission base, unit meetings...

What the heck kind of pizza places are you going to, Bob?

I been to one world's fair, a picnic, and a rodeo and I haven't been coined out in the wild in about 30 years...
 
#98
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by Stonewall - February 15, 2024, 09:16:42 PM
Quote from: foo on February 15, 2024, 08:03:17 PM
Quote from: Stonewall on February 15, 2024, 06:28:13 PM... you've got to earn it for doing something "badass".

I would love to see some examples of CAP "badassery"!

It's not a CAP coin, it's for airmen in the Air Force who demonstrate Badassery.
#99
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by foo - February 15, 2024, 08:03:17 PM
Quote from: Stonewall on February 15, 2024, 06:28:13 PM... you've got to earn it for doing something "badass".

I would love to see some examples of CAP "badassery"!
#100
The Lobby / Re: CAP rank coins
Last post by Stonewall - February 15, 2024, 06:28:13 PM
Everyone's experience is different.

As a kid/cadet in the late 80's, we'd hang with the local ARNG Special Forces Group (20th SFG out of Camp Blanding, FL). That's where we learned about coins.

Fast forward to my active duty days in the Army, it took me a couple years to earn my unit coin. That was around 1994. Since the 90s, coins have evolved into such commonplace that everyone at every level, every unit, school, and installation has a coin. And look, even every rank in CAP has them.

I probably have more than 100 coins. From unit coins to a couple of Secretaries of Defense. My top three coins with real meaning are my two unit coins from the Army and, for some reason, my NESA cadre coin from when I was Commandant of the Advanced GSAR School there in 1999.

Full transparency: Today, as an Air Force CMSgt and CAP Wing Commander, I have a coin for each position. My Chief's coin literally says, "PRESENTED FOR BADASSERY" on it. I don't award people for "doing a good job", "excellence", or "for outstanding performance", you've got to earn it for doing something "badass".