Award or not to Award

[W3ZR]

So awards should only be earned while on CAP missions or when directly involved in a CAP activity?  So the cadet "off-duty" who runs into a burning building while walking home from school should not be included?

The first question I would answer yes, except in a few of circumstances.

1. Who he/she saved has a tie to the CAP program, Member, Spouse, Child, etc.

2. The lifesaving skill or heroic gesture the Member performed somehow relates
back to CAP.  I.E. Performing CPR, bandaging a serious wound, ETC...

3. Whatever heroic gesture he/she does he gets positive press for CAP.
" I learned the skills to ... by my membership in the Civil Air Patrol".

As far as running into a burning building?
No one in street clothes should go into a burning house.
I have only done it in proper turn out gear, and even then it sucks.
So ... first kick his/her a## (figuratively of course), then give him/her a lifesaving medal.

As far as the "bling" factor, it is important to make sure those under you get
proper credit, and having your members achievements recognized can do a lot of
good for the morale of the organization.

"Finds" and other achievment awards are not just for the person earning them,
but for the mentors and instructors that taught them the skills, so they should
also want their protégés properly credited.

I will be glad just to see my membership ribbon, I went through Level 1 twenty
years ago and never saw a thing, but I know this Administration is much more on the ball.

[SAR-EMT1]

Thanks for the thoughts folks.