Would this be permitted for a CAP Cadet?

[JeffDG]

Caption:

Corporal Madison McKay from 365 Lloyd ''Sparky'' Ament Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron, sits silently by a tombstone during the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy ceremony at the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Bény-sur-Mer, France on June 5, 2014.

Photo: MCpl Marc-Andre Gaudreault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

I think it's a great and poignant photo, but I don't think a CAP Cadet could ever do the same, could they?

[BHartman007]

I'm slow. What couldn't a CAP cadet do?

[JeffDG]

I'm slow. What couldn't a CAP cadet do?

Wear the uniform in France.

[BHartman007]

I'm slow. What couldn't a CAP cadet do?

Wear the uniform in France.

Ohhh. I get you now. My first thought would be no, but then again our WWII cemeteries over there aren't France So I dunno.

[abdsp51]

There are US military cemetaries in Europe and especially in France.  Wear of the CAP uniform overseas is limited to US bases with chartered units.  Wear is limited to rhe vase itself and wear off base is upto the host installation CC.

[MSG Mac]

The cemeteries are considered US territory.

[SarDragon]

Permission would have to come from CAP NHQ, with possible coordination from the foreign government.

[lordmonar]

Permission would have to come from CAP NHQ, with possible coordination from the foreign government.

+1
I don't see why not.

[abdsp51]

Permission would have to come from CAP NHQ, with possible coordination from the foreign government.

+1
I don't see why not.

The instruction is clear wear of the CAP uniform is prohibited without the approval of the wing commander of the host installation off the installation. 

[lordmonar]

Permission would have to come from CAP NHQ, with possible coordination from the foreign government.

+1
I don't see why not.

The instruction is clear wear of the CAP uniform is prohibited without the approval of the wing commander of the host installation off the installation.

I was thinking more of "cadet from the states making a pilgrimage" sort of thing.

[abdsp51]

Permission would have to come from CAP NHQ, with possible coordination from the foreign government.

+1
I don't see why not.

The instruction is clear wear of the CAP uniform is prohibited without the approval of the wing commander of the host installation off the installation.

I was thinking more of "cadet from the states making a pilgrimage" sort of thing.

Gotcha, though that is an expensive trip, especially when there are local cemetaries could benefit from it.

[JeffDG]

Not to speak for anyone else, but a trip to Juno Beach is on my bucket list for sure.

[MSG Mac]

Permission would have to come from CAP NHQ, with possible coordination from the foreign government.

+1
I don't see why not.

Every nation has a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which says what is and sn't allowed. If a CAP member shows up in uniformed/she would be presumed to fall under that agreement.

[SarDragon]

There are no longer any US forces/bases in France, since 1967. That would preclude a SOFA, IMHO.

[PHall]

There are no longer any US forces/bases in France, since 1967. That would preclude a SOFA, IMHO.

They're a part of NATO and there is a SOFA for NATO.

[abdsp51]

CAP doesn't fall under SOFA.

[SarDragon]

CAP doesn't fall under SOFA.

Indirectly, they do. I was in an overseas squadron, as was Pat Harris, and SOFA is mentioned in the OS unit reg.

5. Membership Restrictions. Membership in overseas squadrons will be restricted to those individuals meeting the membership eligibility requirements of CAPR 39-2, Civil Air Patrol Membership, and who are covered under the provisions of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). (Note: Cadets who are living overseas at a location that is not near an Air Force installation or are not eligible for membership in overseas units, may be eligible to continue in the Cadet Program through independent study. See CAPR 52-16, Cadet Program Management, for details.)

All that said, the OP's situation would not necessarily be dependent on membership in an OS unit.

[abdsp51]

/quote]

No CAP does not even indirectly.  SOFA cover the members of the armed forces, their dependents, and select

[abdsp51]

/quote]

No CAP does not even indirectly or directly.  SOFA cover the members of the armed forces, their dependents, and select civilians.  MSgt Harris's and your membership in an overseas unit were based upon your SOFA status due to being a member or the military.  A local national cannot join a OS CAP unit unless they fall under SOFA.  In fact an OS unit can only be there dependent upon the whim if the Wg CC.

[Mitchell 1969]

I'm not sure if the right question got asked. WOULD it be possible....or COULD it be possible. There are subtle differences.

Either way, the question is incomplete. From the limited facts given (essentially, the photo), we don't know if this was a Canadian cadet who decided to suit up and sit on a grave or if it was an organized event. For all we know, RCAC flew a plane load of them for D-Day ceremonies and specified that it would be in uniform. I know that the UK ATC has organized a few trips for cadets to visit the site of Stalag Luft III and, presumably, connected the dots and jumped through the hoops.

The cites from regs concerning overseas CAP squadrons are red herrings. It's entirely possible that CAP could make arrangements to bring cadets to other countries in uniform seperate and apart from any overseas squadron involvement.

FWIW, I wore uniforms on IACE twice, although long ago and there were no references to SOFA either time. Although, we were attached to RNZAF HQ for purposes of receiving mail. I forget how it was set up in Korea. But, both countries expressed preferences for us to be in uniform and CAP complied, even while uniforms were prohibited in other countries the same years.

On a side note - it used to be easier to "catch a ride" and turn it into an activity. New Zealand got into IACE UNOFFICIALLY at first when they sent aircraft to Lockheed in Burbank CA. They'd bring a few cadets to tour CA. On the way back, some CA cadets would go with them. A USAFR LtCol assigned to Wing CP had contacts in NZ and made a pitch for the deal.  NHQ even approved the IACE ribbon for it. Mid to late 1960's. Eventually, NZ joined IACE formally and other wings sent cadets there.