Military Awards on the Corporate Uniform

[NC Wing Range Master]

With more Veterans joining CAP, the rule that prohibits wearing of US Military Ribbons, Special Skill Badges and Combat Awards on the White Aviator shirt needs to be changed.  Most would not wear everything, as it is a real pain to get vanguard to do a combined Military/CAP ribbon rack, but to allow the wear of a miniature set of jump wings or a miniature Combat Infantry Badge would be appreciated by those of us that have earned the right to wear them. 

[Fubar]

I was unaware that we have more veterans joining now than what we've seen previously. Interesting.

I think it would be more uniform to only allow CAP awards on CAP uniforms, both the USAF-style and corporate variations. It would reduce the drama about what awards from other branches are allowed, such as the arguments here about SDF awards, civilians earning awards working for the DOD, and even the recent badge vs patch dust-up.

You definitely earned the right to wear them on your military uniform, but I don't think anybody would suggest that right extends to any uniform you wear for the rest of your life.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

If you want to fight that battle, go ahead...but it's one that's been fought all during the time I was in CAP (1993-2015, with a couple of breaks in service).

The AF says no, CAP says no.

Even during the brief time CAP had an attractive, military-style alternate uniform (the Corporate Service Uniform)...no military awards.

You can wear them on VFW/Legion wear and in certain cases on civilian attire...but not on CAP "alternative" uniforms.

You couldn't even wear CAP badges on the white shirt until 1995, except for the blazer-type nameplate, nor could you wear shoulder rank.

[NC Wing Range Master]

I am Retired from the Army so I wear my Army Dress Blues to most military-style functions.  they were expensive and quite honestly look way better than the Air Force Dress Jacket which reminds me of an Airline Pilot's uniform.  I also understand that there are SDF (State Defense Forces) ribbons and State Guard awards ad-nauseum.  Bang-Got Me.  I WOULD NEVER rank a SDF Award in any way EVER as equal to Combat awards.  I was saying Awards and decorations awarded by the US Military, not even badges that do not cross over from service to service, or the foreign badges that we wear.  I would not presume to say I should be able to wear a CIB on every uniform I ever put on in the future, but we are in the total force of the Air Force.

[lordmonar]

I understand your sentiment.....but it is not a CAP call....but a USAF call.

No military badges, insignia or ribbons on the corporate uniforms.

You are, of course, free to make the proposal to the NUC via command channels as per CAPM 39-1.   But don't hold your breath.

[Shuman 14]

Some times the logic of this escapes me.

Fairly recently the USAF pretty much authorized every single US Military Badge to worn on its uniform.

To my knowledge, the USAF never had any prohibitions which prevented the wearing of any other Services ribbons/medals on their uniform.

The only prohibition now is no State NG/SDF awards and/or badges on the USAF uniform if in a Title 10 Status... otherwise per your assigned State's AFNG and/or SDF-Airwing regulations.

So why the USAF prohibits their wear on their own Auxiliary's uniform is... ? 

[abdsp51]

Fairly recently the USAF pretty much authorized every single US Military Badge to worn on its uniform.

Cite, because that is so not the case.  Yet again you talk about things you know little to nothing about.

[Storm Chaser]

As a fellow service member, I don't see the need to wear military awards on the CAP corporate uniforms. Frankly, I don't see the need to wear them in the AF-style uniform either. In my very personal opinion, the awards we've earned in the military, while important, have no relevance to what we do in CAP.

[EMT-83]

As a fellow service member, I don't see the need to wear military awards on the CAP corporate uniforms. Frankly, I don't see the need to wear them in the AF-style uniform either. In my very personal opinion, the awards we've earned in the military, while important, have no relevance to what we do in CAP.

About the same as Boy Scout merit badges.

[baronet68]

I am Retired from the Army so I wear my Army Dress Blues to most military-style functions.  they were expensive and quite honestly look way better than the Air Force Dress Jacket which reminds me of an Airline Pilot's uniform...

Do you wear your Army uniform to CAP functions?

[NC Wing Range Master]

Only if it is a Dining Out or Similar Formal event, when the guest speaker is also in the Army.  I wear a CAP uniform to CAP events.  I represent the organization that I am serving, and quite proudly so.

[Fubar]

Only if it is a Dining Out or Similar Formal event, when the guest speaker is also in the Army.  I wear a CAP uniform to CAP events.  I represent the organization that I am serving, and quite proudly so.

You might want to update your photo on your squadron's website then. I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm betting you didn't have a CAP uniform photo yet and needed something posted.

[raivo]

As a fellow service member, I don't see the need to wear military awards on the CAP corporate uniforms. Frankly, I don't see the need to wear them in the AF-style uniform either. In my very personal opinion, the awards we've earned in the military, while important, have no relevance to what we do in CAP.

Agreed. Although I do sport my "pocket rocket" on my BDUs, that one is special to me.

[Stonewall]

Im proud of my military service, 22 years total, but choose to wear CAP awards over my military ones.

I have worn a military badge on occasion, and have one sewn to my BDUs, but I really could care less.  If there were a rule stating no military badges/awards, I wouldn't bat an eye.

[NC Wing Range Master]

My Master Jump Wings are the special ones for me.  The Combat Infantry badge ain't bad either but the Master Blaster wings....those took some work.

[Fubar]

My Master Jump Wings are the special ones for me.  The Combat Infantry badge ain't bad either but the Master Blaster wings....those took some work.

Keep wearing them on your Army uniform for sure, there's just no more a reason to wear them on a CAP uniform as there is a Burger King uniform.

[Pylon]

My Master Jump Wings are the special ones for me.  The Combat Infantry badge ain't bad either but the Master Blaster wings....those took some work.

Keep wearing them on your Army uniform for sure, there's just no more a reason to wear them on a CAP uniform as there is a Burger King uniform.

There are some legitimate reasons for wearing them on CAP uniforms. One of them for sure is some additional credibility when dealing with military personnel in a CAP capacity. Whether it should be the way it works or not, the reality is that if I see a CAP member or fellow military member with certain awards, my initial impression of them changes.

[THRAWN]

My Master Jump Wings are the special ones for me.  The Combat Infantry badge ain't bad either but the Master Blaster wings....those took some work.

Keep wearing them on your Army uniform for sure, there's just no more a reason to wear them on a CAP uniform as there is a Burger King uniform.

There are some legitimate reasons for wearing them on CAP uniforms. One of them for sure is some additional credibility when dealing with military personnel in a CAP capacity. Whether it should be the way it works or not, the reality is that if I see a CAP member or fellow military member with certain awards, my initial impression of them changes.

It works the other way as well. If I see a guy with a big stack wearing silver bottlecaps and his only CAP award is the Membership ribbon, is he really competent in all things CAP?

I commanded a squadron on an Air Force base. I was treated well and it wasn't because of the stuff I wore on my shirt, it was because of the way I and my command behaved. We acted like professionals and were treated as such.

It's a CAP uniform. Wear CAP stuff on it.

[LSThiker]

There are some legitimate reasons for wearing them on CAP uniforms. One of them for sure is some additional credibility when dealing with military personnel in a CAP capacity. Whether it should be the way it works or not, the reality is that if I see a CAP member or fellow military member with certain awards, my initial impression of them changes.

I have heard that plenty of times but I am not sure I fully agree.  Sure, the ribbons on the shirt may immediately garner some respect, but after that initial look, it may play out differently.  Wearing a uniform properly and not like a bag of garbage that is 2x too small sure helps.  Also, a person that understands the talk and system without sounding like an idiot sure helps.  I have met plenty of former-military CAP Senior Members that once they open their mouths, I regret having initially talked with them.  Especially the "well back in my day" and "well this one time.." and 2 hours later of tangent story telling kind of CAP senior members.  Nevertheless, I have met previous SNCOs and Senior Officers that still think their former military rank has some pull at the local base or armory.  Those types also do not help CAP.   

[TheSkyHornet]

There are some legitimate reasons for wearing them on CAP uniforms. One of them for sure is some additional credibility when dealing with military personnel in a CAP capacity. Whether it should be the way it works or not, the reality is that if I see a CAP member or fellow military member with certain awards, my initial impression of them changes.

I have heard that plenty of times but I am not sure I fully agree.  Sure, the ribbons on the shirt may immediately garner some respect, but after that initial look, it may play out differently.  Wearing a uniform properly and not like a bag of garbage that is 2x too small sure helps.  Also, a person that understands the talk and system without sounding like an idiot sure helps.  I have met plenty of former-military CAP Senior Members that once they open their mouths, I regret having initially talked with them.  Especially the "well back in my day" and "well this one time.." and 2 hours later of tangent story telling kind of CAP senior members.  Nevertheless, I have met previous SNCOs and Senior Officers that still think their former military rank has some pull at the local base or armory.  Those types also do not help CAP.   

Now, I know you and I have had our spats on this subject, but I know exactly what you're getting at. There are a lot of CAP members who are prior service that think they're above people because they're prior service, and they have to go into these awful, long, endless stories about their "war hero" days and you can just pick out the nonsense they spew. Not to mention the senior members who like to talk to cadets like they're babies because they didn't have the military experience yet. It's a huge lack of character. One great thing about CAP is that there are plenty of people who may have had a legitimate physical limitation from serving and this is their alternative. One sad thing about CAP is that I find the older, 50-year-old and upward, members are pretty humble about themselves while the younger crowd think they're real tough hombres and makes the rest of the bunch feel inferior.

There's a big difference between reminiscing and rubbing it in someone's face. I've got my few pals who are prior and we bust each other's chops a bit, but it's never hostile, ever. There's a few of us who has our issues, ranging from medical, to sequestration, to family matters that caused us to get out. It doesn't make for a comfortable, team-like atmosphere when you get Johnny Hotshot acting like he's better than everyone because he was 0313 and CAP can't live up to his standards. Then why stick around?

On that note, I have no objection to military decorations being on the CAP uniform if we want to keep them to the Air Force standard.