Couple of questions

[JayT]

Why do people in CAP, on CAPTalk, and on CS still call a hat a 'cover?' How did that Navyism become part of the CAP lingo?

Dido with the 'BDU Blouse.'

Why do so many CAP Officers want our uniforms to look more like the regular Air Force? I can't believe how many people I've seen on here wanting boonie caps and subdued tapes.

[MIKE]

Main Entry: 1blouse
Pronunciation: 'blaus also 'blauz
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural blous·es  /'blau-s&z, -z&z/
Etymology: French
1 a : a long loose overgarment that resembles a shirt or smock and is worn especially by workmen, artists, and peasants b : the jacket of a uniform
2 : a usually loose-fitting garment especially for women that covers the body from the neck to the waist

[JayT]

But what does our parent service call it?

[Major Carrales]

But what does our parent service call it?

I don't know what the Office of Civilian Defense and/or the U.S . Army Air Corps called it.

[O-Rex]

Many years ago, 'blouse,' 'cover' and 'trousers' were part of a common military lexicon.  Naval service kept it, Army/AF didn't.

For BDU's, I've heard shirt, and top, but the nomenclature on the tag is "Coat, Combat, Camouflage."

Hats: hat or headgear (Armyism) I always thought that a CAP member wearing a cap was kind of "who's on first" awkward.

Why do so many CAP Officers want our uniforms to look more like the regular Air Force? 

Some do, some don't: there is a polarization among our membership on that subject, and there have been many empassioned threads about it, if you look through them.

After awhile, CAP costumes become like baseball cards, "collect 'em all, and trade with your friends."

[SARMedTech]

Why do people in CAP, on CAPTalk, and on CS still call a hat a 'cover?' How did that Navyism become part of the CAP lingo?

Dido with the 'BDU Blouse.'

Why do so many CAP Officers want our uniforms to look more like the regular Air Force? I can't believe how many people I've seen on here wanting boonie caps and subdued tapes.

Probably for the same reason that the AF wants us identified with them unless we are "naughty" or they are expressing general disdain for members required to wear "fat suits." From the conversations Ive heard so far, the general confusion can be traced to the AF not being able to quite make up its mind as to what it wants CAP to be. As for the desire for boonies, they are practical and provide sun cover, same reason that AD folks wear them in the field. As for the subdued tapes, would you wear the ultramarines if you were given an option? Again, while weight and grooming will always be an issue, the USCG doesnt seem to have suffered from having only miniscule differences between the Gold and Silver sides. Of course, CAP could be seen just as much to blame. We want to be a private corporation when it suits us, and part of Team AF when it suits us. Perhaps its time for a bit of a cultural shift.

[Sgt. Savage]

Why do people in CAP, on CAPTalk, and on CS still call a hat a 'cover?' How did that Navyism become part of the CAP lingo?

It covers your head

Dido with the 'BDU Blouse.'

It's sure not a pair of pants

Why do so many CAP Officers want our uniforms to look more like the regular Air Force? I can't believe how many people I've seen on here wanting boonie caps and subdued tapes.

Ulramarine looks dumb on BDU's, which is why I advocate the switch to BBDU's. We're either the AFAUX or not. No reason to make us look like clowns by wearing bright blue on an otherwise drab uniform. As for boonies.... whatever, it's just a [darn] "hat". Why not wear it if it's functional?

[JayT]

No, I would not wear subuded tapes if I had the option of, becaues I wear the Corporate uniforms. To be nineteen years old in a clear military uniform is unpleasant for me (see my CS post about why I don't wear military style uniforms anymore.)

We're not the USAFAux except under certain circumstances, despite the fact we still tell new members thats what we are.

[Ford73Diesel]

No, I would not wear subuded tapes if I had the option of, becaues I wear the Corporate uniforms. To be nineteen years old in a clear military uniform is unpleasant for me (see my CS post about why I don't wear military style uniforms anymore.)

We're not the USAFAux except under certain circumstances, despite the fact we still tell new members thats what we are.

I've read your post awhile ago (I don't remember it completely), and thought your reasoning was poor.

1. The AF lets cadets who meet weight and height standards wear their uniform, heck they give you the first s/s service dress free, so they don't care.*

2. If someone thinks your in the military, just correct them and let them know what CAP is all about It their fault for mistaking it. The reaction I get in "CAP still exists?!?"

3. I'm pretty sure a military person would rather see you wearing an AF style correctly than some pseudo-uniform thats not military at all. There obviously may be some exceptions.

and

4. I wouldn't want to wear corporates because I would have to buy them. I can get USAF style from my squadron supply.

It's a personal choice and I don't care what you wear. For me, I'll wear what the cadets around me are wearing (USAF style). Does it make me a wannabe? No, although I have seen my share.

It sounds like your trying too hard to pull the "I'm not a wannabe" look off. Whatever floats your boat. Don't take it as a personal attack, it just the vibe I got from reading your posts.



*Forgot to add: Cadets over 18 must meet weight/ height requirments

[Eclipse]

1. The AF lets cadets who meet weight and height standards wear their uniform, heck they give you the first s/s service dress free, so they don't care.

For clarity, under 18 there are no height/weight restrictions on cadets.

2. If someone thinks your in the military, just correct them and let them know what CAP is all about It their fault for mistaking it. 

Please don't just say thanks and move on...

[Stonewall]

In the Army I always called it a blouse as did many others.

BDU hat called a cover?  I personally never called it that.  Maybe as a cadet, but not for certain.  I do remember calling it a "PC" (Patrol Cap) or a BDU cap.  When I wore fatigues, we called it a fatigue hat or "PC".  I wore an olive drab PC as a cadet with my fatigues.

Nametapes?  I just like consistency.  Subdued nametapes would  look better to me.  You may disagree and that's cool. 

I personally don't care why you don't wear the military uniform.  I think we should stick with one utility uniform and for me, I prefer Jungle Fatigues, but that's me.

[SARMedTech]

BDU...discussions...causing...bleeding...from...ears...please...make it stop. Just wear the stinking things as they are available to us, put your hat/cap/cover on your head and do your job. Sheesh! Except for the ultramarine tapes. Theyre just ugly and should go away. And people say the berry boards were a punishment...what did we do to deserve those godawful tapes?

[JayT]

No, I would not wear subuded tapes if I had the option of, becaues I wear the Corporate uniforms. To be nineteen years old in a clear military uniform is unpleasant for me (see my CS post about why I don't wear military style uniforms anymore.)

We're not the USAFAux except under certain circumstances, despite the fact we still tell new members thats what we are.

I've read your post awhile ago (I don't remember it completely), and thought your reasoning was poor.

1. The AF lets cadets who meet weight and height standards wear their uniform, heck they give you the first s/s service dress free, so they don't care.*

2. If someone thinks your in the military, just correct them and let them know what CAP is all about It their fault for mistaking it. The reaction I get in "CAP still exists?!?"

3. I'm pretty sure a military person would rather see you wearing an AF style correctly than some pseudo-uniform thats not military at all. There obviously may be some exceptions.

and

4. I wouldn't want to wear corporates because I would have to buy them. I can get USAF style from my squadron supply.

It's a personal choice and I don't care what you wear. For me, I'll wear what the cadets around me are wearing (USAF style). Does it make me a wannabe? No, although I have seen my share.

It sounds like your trying too hard to pull the "I'm not a wannabe" look off. Whatever floats your boat. Don't take it as a personal attack, it just the vibe I got from reading your posts.



*Forgot to add: Cadets over 18 must meet weight/ height requirments

Well, my point is mutlifold.

First off, if you wanna wear the Air Force style uniform, all the power to you. I'm not judging those who day, I'm just saying that at my age, wearing a clearly 'military' uniform, that getting mistaken for a Soldier or Airman is a dishonor to those who do serve. At a Memorial Day ceremony, while in AF style service dress, a women who's son died in Iraq thanked me for serving in the military. I explained what CAP was, then got in my car and left. There was a few incidents like that that made me feel like I was representing myself as something I am most definately not.

Also, I don't really care what a military person would rather see me wear. I'm wearing my organizations uniform. 

But that's wasn't really my point. My point was more 'Why do we go out of our way to not use the proper termage?'

Why call it a cover when hat is more proper? Does it sound more 'military?'
Why wish for subuded tapes when the ones we've been wearing for forty plus years, back to when the Air Force worn nearly identical ones, are fine? Why do we need to wear full cam uniforms? (Unless of course, we wanna take a cue from our British and Aussie brothers, and do military field craft.)

Why do we teach so many drill movements incorrectly?

Why don't we just read the book and do the right thing the first time?

[Ford73Diesel]

Why call it a cover when hat is more proper? Does it sound more 'military?'
Why wish for subuded tapes when the ones we've been wearing for forty plus years, back to when the Air Force worn nearly identical ones, are fine? Why do we need to wear full cam uniforms? (Unless of course, we wanna take a cue from our British and Aussie brothers, and do military field craft.)

Why do we teach so many drill movements incorrectly?

Why don't we just read the book and do the right thing the first time?

You have some good points.

A lot of the things you describe sound like local problems.

I call it a hat because that is what is in 39-1. I call the flight cap a flight cap.

I don't really care about the color of our nametapes. From what I've read. a lot of people on here want to get it so it looks better, and some seem like they just want to be AF officers. I'll wear what they tell me to.

The BDU's are worn because they are available (for now) through DRMO. I'm not buying any more BDU's, so I might switch to BBDU's if I wear my BDU's out. When/ if they adopt the ABU, I might buy it, but that won't be for a long time if it does happen.

In OHWG, we actually have a drill academy to get people up to speed on how drill is sopposed to be done per AFMAN 36-2203. There is one course to teach people to do drill, and another to teach people to teach and lead drill. I've taught at them. They have helped exponentially in the quality of my wing's drill. All encampment cadet staff must go through the myths section.

[Eagle400]

Except for the ultramarine tapes. Theyre just ugly and should go away. And people say the berry boards were a punishment...what did we do to deserve those godawful tapes?

This may sound suprising, but the ultramarine blue BDU tapes were never a punishment.  They were worn by the Air Force in the 60's, and CAP (having better AF relations back then) was allowed to wear them also.  The problem is, unlike the Air Force, CAP never phased them out. 

I think it's time CAP went with dark blue BDU tapes.  The color offers a much more professional look.

[JayT]

See, I don't support a change to all DFUs either.

First off, no one makes web gear in blue. They'll make it in black, but not as much stuff is made in black as it is woodland and OD green.

Second, there's not many second hand blue M65 field jackets out there, and one makes makes a blue military style ECWCS parka and pants.

Also, one of the big draws to CAP is the military style uniforms.

In response to Mister Harding, I've never had a uniform issued to me from CAP National, squadron stores or DRMO, so thats not an issue to me or those around me.

It just seems to me that CAP has a lot of 'local' programs that are everywhere if that makes sense, and we should all do our best to stomp them out.

One of the things we always tell people is that we help cadets prepare for a career in the military if they want. Now how are we helping them if we can't get the simple stuff down?

[Hawk200]

..., and one makes makes a blue military style ECWCS parka and pants.

I'm figuring that you intended to say "no one", which is not accurate. Here's an example of of the Gen 2 Gore-Tex in blue, used by the Coast Guard:

https://www.epropper.com/products/13/Foul%20Weather%20Parka%20II.htm

It is available. But would you drop that kind of coin on it? I wouldn't.

Also, one of the big draws to CAP is the military style uniforms.

I probably wouldn't be here if they weren't.

It just seems to me that CAP has a lot of 'local' programs that are everywhere if that makes sense, and we should all do our best to stomp them out.

There in lies the issue. I think that the wings need to get involved with units more often, even if it's a simple "drop by". If they're doing things wrong, let the commander know that it will be expected to be fixed by the next "drop by" or inspection. I'm starting to wonder if it's really such a negative thing to have unscheduled inspections. You do things right the first time, you should pass any inspection regardless of when it is.

[SARMedTech]

See, I don't support a change to all DFUs either.

First off, no one makes web gear in blue. They'll make it in black, but not as much stuff is made in black as it is woodland and OD green.

Second, there's not many second hand blue M65 field jackets out there, and one makes makes a blue military style ECWCS parka and pants.

Also, one of the big draws to CAP is the military style uniforms.

In response to Mister Harding, I've never had a uniform issued to me from CAP National, squadron stores or DRMO, so thats not an issue to me or those around me.

It just seems to me that CAP has a lot of 'local' programs that are everywhere if that makes sense, and we should all do our best to stomp them out.

One of the things we always tell people is that we help cadets prepare for a career in the military if they want. Now how are we helping them if we can't get the simple stuff down?

Google has been around for what, something like a decade. You shouldnt say things like "no one" until you have done a thorough search for blue web gear. I happen to own some from a highly reputable manufacturer and didnt have to go any further than my local uniform shop to get it.

[JayT]

*shrugs* point me in the direction of the manufatuer then please.

But still, it's certainly easier to aquire green/woodland gear compared to blue or even black. I know that the Coast Guard issued a gortex parka, but thats a lot more coinage then I'm willing to lay down. I picked up my woodland Gortex for about 80 bucks in nearly perfect condition from the local surplus shop. For blue BDUs and Utilities, I have the authorized blue flight jacket. Cheap, warm, and in regulation.


I definately think that 'Hey, impress us' inspections would be a good thing.

[SARMedTech]

I know that regs say we are allowed any civilian outerwear with the blue BDUs but if I have a blue field jacket, am I allowed to wear the same insignia, etc on it that I would on a woodland one?