Chain hanging on BDUs?

[davidsinn]

Just for clarity:

39-1
CIVIL AIR PATROL UNIFORM MANUAL
1-6. Dress and Appearance.

a. Appearance of Men in Uniform. Articles such as wallets, pencils, pens, watch chains, fobs,
pins, jewelry, handkerchiefs, combs, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and sunglass cases will not be exposed on the uniform. The wear of ...


fob

NOUN:

1. A small pocket at the front waistline of a man's trousers or in the front of a vest, used especially to hold a watch.

2. A short chain or ribbon attached to a pocket watch and worn hanging in front of the vest or waist.
An ornament or seal attached to such a chain or ribbon.


I have found that (at least where I am) it is common practice at local CAP ES training events to wear a lanyard as the OP mentioned, with whistle attached.  I've seen red, green, black and white lanyards. Of course, it then falls to the Squadron Commander to inform the cadets upon their return to the Squadron that it is in fact not permitted for wear.

I have even had a cadet tell me that it certainly was permitted as part of his BDU since it was "awarded" to him upon the successful completion of his ES training.  I sure wish I could have attended that particular "Award" ceremony.

I'd also like to add this definition of fob:

[Hawk200]

I have even had a cadet tell me that it certainly was permitted as part of his BDU since it was "awarded" to him upon the successful completion of his ES training.  I sure wish I could have attended that particular "Award" ceremony.

So would I. I've seen a few of these doozies, encampment staff T-shirts being another one I find annoying. Once you leave the encampment, there is no need for you to wear an "encampment staff" T-shirt.

[Hawk200]

I'd also like to add this definition of fob:

Saw a guy that wanted to hang one from his belt while wearing blues. He insisted that was the only way he could carry it. It was amusing watching his commander trying to tell him in a polite manner that he was being an idiot.

[wacapgh]

I have even had a cadet tell me that it certainly was permitted as part of his BDU since it was "awarded" to him upon the successful completion of his ES training.  I sure wish I could have attended that particular "Award" ceremony.

So would I. I've seen a few of these doozies, encampment staff T-shirts being another one I find annoying. Once you leave the encampment, there is no need for you to wear an "encampment staff" T-shirt.

And hats!

[Robert Hartigan]

I have always thought less is more on the BDU's. I loved the Aircrew Patch sans stripes and tapes when I was on active duty. I think all the doo-dads on the CAP BDU's is a little garish. You are not going to be able to participate in a mission just by sewing a patch on a shirt so all the patches serve no operational purpose. Maybe all those extra patches should have bar codes or QR codes so qualification can be verified.

Oh and we can go down a 'rabbit hole' if we talk again about the right side flag patch.

[Major Carrales]

When on ES ground team we often use a whistle and lanyard to give the necessary whistle signals when on search line.  It falls under the guise of  ES equipment including pistol belt, canteen and other such. 

[nesagsar]

The whistle is gear but not the patch. And gear should only be there during training or actual missions.

[Major Carrales]

The whistle is gear but not the patch. And gear should only be there during training or actual missions.

Agreed, however, some subscribers to "uniform nazism" needs to be aware of this.

[SarDragon]

I'd also like to add this definition of fob:

[pic redacted]

Saw a guy that wanted to hang one from his belt while wearing blues. He insisted that was the only way he could carry it. It was amusing watching his commander trying to tell him in a polite manner that he was being an idiot.

Due to the nature of my "stable", I have one similar to the one pictured, for my 'Burb, on the ring with the rest of my keys, and a second one, which is "the" key, for the Prius. The keys go in my RF pocket, and the Prius doohickey and my change go in my LF pocket. "Piece of pie."

This guy is, plain and simple, a twit.

[SarDragon]

When you get in trouble and you don't know right from wrong,
give a little whistle!
Give a little whistle!
When you meet temptation and the urge is very strong,
give a little whistle!
Give a little whistle!
Not just a little squeak,
pucker up and blow.
And if your whistle's weak, yell "Jiminy Cricket!"

Take the straight and narrow path
and if you start to slide,
give a little whistle!
Give a little whistle!
And always let your conscience be your guide

[niferous]

Well my wife is the DCC and also a major and plans on saying something should he decide to wear it again. 

Unfortunately it seems that only the seniors who actually work with the cadets in our squadron seem to really make an effort when it comes to uniforms and their propper wear.  In fact they (we) are the only ones that wear BDUs/or the BBDUs in a squared away nature.  All the others have long hair, facial hair, don't show up in uniform at all, or wear the BBDUs with black tennis shoes. 

[davidsinn]

Well my wife is the DCC and also a major and plans on saying something should he decide to wear it again. 

Unfortunately it seems that only the seniors who actually work with the cadets in our squadron seem to really make an effort when it comes to uniforms and their propper wear.  In fact they (we) are the only ones that wear BDUs/or the BBDUs in a squared away nature.  All the others have long hair, facial hair, don't show up in uniform at all, or wear the BBDUs with black tennis shoes.

You might want to brush up on 39-1. Black shoes are kosher with the BBDU.

Table 4-7. Men's and Women's CAP Field Uniform
Item Wear Instructions/Materials
1 CAP Field
Uniform shirt
Dark blue, BDU-style, cotton; single-breasted with four bellow pockets with
flaps; straight-cut bottom, sleeve tabs, and take-up tabs on the side. Long
sleeves may be rolled up; if rolled up, will touch or come within 1 inch of
forearms when arm is bent at a 90-degree angle; may be removed in the
immediate work area. When removed, T-shirt will be worn. A summer
weight shirt is also authorized, but shirt and trousers must match.
2 Trousers Dark blue, cotton, with button front closure, and six pockets. Trousers may be
bloused over combat boots. If not bloused, drawstring at the bottom of trouser
leg should be removed. Summer weight trousers are also authorized, but shirt
and trousers must match.
3 Belt Any plain dark blue or black woven cotton web belt may be worn.
4 Footwear Any type plain black shoe or boot may be worn.
5 Socks Plain black socks, white socks may be worn with boots.
6 Headgear Headgear is not required, but the CAP baseball cap and dark blue BDU cap
may be worn. If the dark blue field jacket is worn, the CAP baseball cap or
dark blue BDU cap must be worn.
7 T-Shirt Plain white t-shirt must be worn.
8 Outergarments Since the field uniform is uniquely CAP and is not a USAF clothing item, any
type cold weather outergarment may be worn. A dark blue field jacket is
available and authorized for wear. If worn, the same accouterments worn on
the field uniform shirt will be worn. An orange safety vest is authorized in
wooded areas for safety reasons.

[cap235629]

In fact they (we) are the only ones that wear BDUs/or the BBDUs in a squared away nature.  All the others have long hair, facial hair, don't show up in uniform at all, or wear the BBDUs with black tennis shoes.

And if they have facial hair, long hair and black tennis shoes on when wearing the BBDU and you say something, YOU would be the one who is "unsat"

All of the above are allowed by regulation

[Patterson]

Unfortunately it seems that only the seniors who actually work with the cadets in our squadron seem to really make an effort when it comes to uniforms and their proper wear.  In fact they (we) are the only ones that wear BDUs/or the BBDUs in a squared away nature.  All the others have long hair, facial hair, don't show up in uniform at all, or wear the BBDUs with black tennis shoes. 

I hate that!!  If you come to a meeting please throw on a uniform of some kind.  I also will not tolerate those Seniors walking into my meeting without a CAP prescribed uniform and thinking the excuses of "had to work late", "Not staying all evening" or "just stopping in to do _____" will be ok with me.  If a Cadet can take the time and put a uniform on, we all should be able to do the same!

[cap235629]

Unfortunately it seems that only the seniors who actually work with the cadets in our squadron seem to really make an effort when it comes to uniforms and their proper wear.  In fact they (we) are the only ones that wear BDUs/or the BBDUs in a squared away nature.  All the others have long hair, facial hair, don't show up in uniform at all, or wear the BBDUs with black tennis shoes. 

I hate that!!  If you come to a meeting please throw on a uniform of some kind.  I also will not tolerate those Seniors walking into my meeting without a CAP prescribed uniform and thinking the excuses of "had to work late", "Not staying all evening" or "just stopping in to do _____" will be ok with me.  If a Cadet can take the time and put a uniform on, we all should be able to do the same!

It is easily argued that the regs state the only time CAP requires that a uniform of any type be worn is when flying in CAP aircraft or working directly with cadets.  Just being in their presence doesn't constitute working directly.

As far as your "If a Cadet can take the time" argument goes, how many cadets work 10-12 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week, have kids to take care of, school functions to go to etc. and STILL find time to come to a CAP meeting on the way home? If I have time to prepare a uniform properly, I wear one. If on a meeting day I can either make the meeting wearing civvies or go home to get a uniform and be late or just get home and stay there, I choose to go to the meeting.  DRUM ME OUT OF CAP NOW, I AM NOT WORTHY OF YOUR GREAT ORGANIZATION.

You people need to get real.

If your greatest mission assets fall into the above description but are ALWAYS there when a mission comes down, how is this attitude of yours contributing to the success of CAP?

The more I run into Armchair Generals, the more angry I get.......

[EMT-83]

If a Cadet can take the time and put a uniform on, we all should be able to do the same!

Maybe. In the real world, stuff happens that's beyond our control.

It would be nothing less than stupid to jump all over someone who shows up out of uniform due to a last minute problem at work. It's even happened to me once or twice.

Make a habit of not wearing a uniform, or not wearing it properly, that's a different story.

[Patterson]

As far as your "If a Cadet can take the time" argument goes, how many cadets work 10-12 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week, have kids to take care of, school functions to go to etc. and STILL find time to come to a CAP meeting on the way home? If I have time to prepare a uniform properly, I wear one. If on a meeting day I can either make the meeting wearing civvies or go home to get a uniform and be late or just get home and stay there, I choose to go to the meeting.  DRUM ME OUT OF CAP NOW, I AM NOT WORTHY OF YOUR GREAT ORGANIZATION.

You people need to get real.

Maybe keep your uniform in the Car, so you do not have to go home to get it.  Keep it at the unit and change into it when you arrive.  It takes all of five to seven minutes to change into the Polo and gray pants uniform.

I bet you spend more time than that just BS'ing at the coffee maker before you actually begin anything at the CAP meeting.

You "should get real"!!

[tsrup]

How hard is it to throw your uniform in the back of the the car, and just change when you get to the meeting? especially with the polo option?

At the same time, I'm not going to jump on someone for not being in uniform at the squadron.  Life happens, it's cool.  But habitually is a different story.  When it happens over and over, it calls into question a members ability to plan ahead...  It's not like the meeting time is given out at the last minute.

Today for instance.  I showed up to my meeting out of uniform.  Why?  Because one of the classes I have now conflicts, so I wasn't planning on being there.  However, class let out early, so I decided to head over to the squadron.  If I went home to shave and change I would have missed it.  No big deal, I was wearing a button up shirt anyways. 


This is one of those individual circumstances, YMMV, kind of deals.

There are bigger things to worry about.


edit:

And you can bet your butt if a cadet came to a meeting out of uniform and had a good reason, that I would allow it, as long as it was a one time thing. 

And there is a huge difference between not wearing a uniform because of extenuating circumstances, and wearing a uniform incorrectly.  If a member doesn't have time to shave (for instance) I'd rather they didn't wear a uniform (AF style of course), than wear it against regs.   

[cap235629]

There are bigger things to worry about.

My point exactly.

[niferous]

I understand that the things I described are ok, I'd have to take a picture to fully explain.  The BBDU uniform even with longer hair, and the black tennis shoes can still be worn in a neat orderly way.  I should have explained further and said how we have some members that choose to wear it in a way that makes them look like they literally just threw everything together and that a very sloppy appearance does not bother them at all.  White t-shirt turning a little yellow.  Black tennis shoes all dirty and falling apart.  Hair unkept and sprouting out everywhere. 

You get the picture.