What type of military status is cap?

[Hoorah]

What type of military status is cap?

[Cecil DP]

Official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force=NO military status.

[Flying Pig]

You could be deployed at any moment to any number of unspecified locations.  But youll have to pay your own way and all of your expenses.

[wingnut55]

Robert

Very Funny, I think we should put that on the ID card !!

[Short Field]

You could be deployed at any moment to any number of unspecified locations.  But youll have to pay your own way and all of your expenses.

But it is always your choice to go...

[SJFedor]

Official   Auxiliary of the United States Air Force=NO military status.
           ^civilian

[PhoenixRisen]

You could be deployed at any moment to any number of unspecified locations.  But youll have to pay your own way and all of your expenses.

Can I wear a boonie hat to my undisclosed location?   

[dwb]

If you're asking whether CAP falls under the category of Active, Guard, or Reserve, the answer is: none. It's a non-profit private corporation that is also an auxiliary of the USAF.

[Timbo]

...It's a non-profit private corporation that is also an auxiliary of the USAF.....

only while performing an Air Force Assigned Mission or Working for a Federal Agency.......right?!?!

[PhoenixRisen]

only while performing an Air Force Assigned Mission or Working for a Federal Agency.......right?!?!

It's a "little 'a', big 'a'" issue.  We're an auxiliary of the Air Force all the time, in the sense of the definition of the word "auxiliary" (functioning in a supporting capacity of something), but we're only the United States Air Force Auxiliary while acting under the conditions you described in your post (...whereas, for example, the USCG Aux is full-time the US Coast Guard Auxiliary - they don't have a "little 'a', big 'a'" issue).

[JohnKachenmeister]

Our military status is unique.  We cannot be compared to anything else.

We serve as a functional part of the Air Force when and to the extent that the Air Force needs us.  We can, as a functional part of the Air Force, carry out an Air Force mission or serve as the Air Force's contribution to the missions of other Federal agencies.

As such, we are entitled to wear the Air Force uniform, with certain restrictions and with distinctive insignia.

Although we are a functional part of the Air Force, we are not subject to the UCMJ, are not paid, and our officers have no command authority over Air Force personnel.

We also have the legal power, as a federally-chartered corporation, to offer services to state and local governments and to non-governmental agencies.  Prior to certain laws passed in 2000, we performed these local serves as the auxiliary of the Air Force.  As of 2000, we perform them strictly as a federally-chartered corporation.  The implications of this 2000 law, which was passed in response to some misconduct by some senior CAP officers, is still being worked out.

As I said... unique.

[Pylon]

And don't forget that our members gain no military status by virtue of being in CAP.   CAP members are civilians (unless of course they also happen to be a member of one of the Armed Forces).  Being in CAP doesn't mean you're in the military.   

[Timbo]

Being in CAP doesn't mean you're in the military.   

Yes, but CAP members have access to many military unique opportunities that average citizens don't. 

Also....The USAF counts us as total force when reporting on stateside activities.  That equates us to being considered part of their team.  Their team does not equate us to military status as Mike pointed out!!!

[stratoflyer]

Our military status is unique.  We cannot be compared to anything else.

We serve as a functional part of the Air Force when and to the extent that the Air Force needs us.  We can, as a functional part of the Air Force, carry out an Air Force mission or serve as the Air Force's contribution to the missions of other Federal agencies.

As such, we are entitled to wear the Air Force uniform, with certain restrictions and with distinctive insignia.

Although we are a functional part of the Air Force, we are not subject to the UCMJ, are not paid, and our officers have no command authority over Air Force personnel.

We also have the legal power, as a federally-chartered corporation, to offer services to state and local governments and to non-governmental agencies.  Prior to certain laws passed in 2000, we performed these local serves as the auxiliary of the Air Force.  As of 2000, we perform them strictly as a federally-chartered corporation.  The implications of this 2000 law, which was passed in response to some misconduct by some senior CAP officers, is still being worked out.

As I said... unique.

Very well said.  :clap:

Out of morbid curiosity, What misconduct do you speak of that prompted the passing of those itchy laws?

[Flying Pig]

Poor cadet Williams head must be spinning by now.

[Nomex Maximus]

If you're asking whether CAP falls under the category of Active, Guard, or Reserve, the answer is: none. It's a non-profit private corporation that is also an auxiliary of the USAF.

From the former B-1 pilot who was giving a lecture at NESA:"The Air Force has four components: Active Duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and Auxiliary."

[JohnKachenmeister]

Our military status is unique.  We cannot be compared to anything else.

We serve as a functional part of the Air Force when and to the extent that the Air Force needs us.  We can, as a functional part of the Air Force, carry out an Air Force mission or serve as the Air Force's contribution to the missions of other Federal agencies.

As such, we are entitled to wear the Air Force uniform, with certain restrictions and with distinctive insignia.

Although we are a functional part of the Air Force, we are not subject to the UCMJ, are not paid, and our officers have no command authority over Air Force personnel.

We also have the legal power, as a federally-chartered corporation, to offer services to state and local governments and to non-governmental agencies.  Prior to certain laws passed in 2000, we performed these local serves as the auxiliary of the Air Force.  As of 2000, we perform them strictly as a federally-chartered corporation.  The implications of this 2000 law, which was passed in response to some misconduct by some senior CAP officers, is still being worked out.

As I said... unique.

Very well said.  :clap:

Out of morbid curiosity, What misconduct do you speak of that prompted the passing of those itchy laws?

PM sent.

[FW]

Out of morbid curiosity, What misconduct do you speak of that prompted the passing of those itchy laws?

It all started in 1998.....  ended in Feb 2000 with new legislation and new CAP structure.  What happened in between would kill enough trees to destroy a forrest.  I'm still figuring it all out.

[lordmonar]

On one level we could be considered military....or at least "legal combatants".

Under the Laws of Armed Conflict we do fit the defintion of legal combatants and could then be targeted by enemy forces and entitled to POW status if captured.

Also...in the event of war the UCMJ could be applied to us.

As theses situations will never likely ever happen it is just an academic discussion.  But legally speaking we could be considered "military" in the eyes of international law.

As for federal status....we are not members of the "uniformed services" as defined by most federal laws.

As pointed out we have no authority over AD/NG/RES military personnel and do not fall under them in the normal sense.  In that context we are NOT military.

Clear as mud...

[Al Sayre]

-snip-
As pointed out we have no authority over AD/NG/RES military personnel and do not fall under them in the normal sense.  In that context we are NOT military.

Clear as mud...

Now to make it even muddier: 

There are some times when CAP does have authority over NG personnel, and possibly some AD/Reserve folks as well.  Heresy you say!  Burn the witch!  Follow me here... 

In situations where CAP is designated the lead agency for a SAR and AD/NG components are tasked to participate, the CAP IC then does have authority over and responsibility for those elements.