I am in the process of joining a squadron as a SM and I think I either read somewhere or heard from someone that the squadron meeting that SMWOG was getting canned or was canned. Also the squadron CC said I was going to be a flight officer. I am assuming he meant FO instead of 2LT as I am under 21 and not that I was not going to be SMWOG. So anyways I was wondering if SMWOG is still a thing or if in the newest regulations if they got rid of it?
When you join, you become a senior member without grade (SMWOG) until you're promoted. Nothing has changed. Since you are under 21, you will become a FO after you complete level 1 of the senior member PD program. Welcome to CAP!
CAPR 35-5 spells it out pretty clearly; it was updated this month.
You're SMWOG when you join, once you complete Level I, by whatever means you do it, (proof of equivalency, actually doing it, etc.), you get promoted to 2Lt or FO if under 21. Easy peasy.
Quote from: a2capt on January 19, 2014, 04:03:22 AM
You're SMWOG when you join, once you complete Level I, by whatever means you do it, (proof of equivalency, actually doing it, etc.), you get promoted to 2Lt or FO if under 21. Easy peasy.
Thanks! Why is senior side called the dark side?
Start under 18, you're a cadet.
Start at 18 and you can choose between cadet and senior member (FO grades)
Start at 19 and your a senior member.
The dark side? Mostly in jest. Once you cross the line, you can't ever go back.
You can't do those cadet things, as a cadet. Anyway. But .. you can do lots of -other- stuff that they can't, eventually.
SMWOG, as an acronym/initialism, is a member invention. It exists nowhere in any regulation. The phrase "senior member without grade" (no caps), does, and refers to those senior members who are neither officers nor NCOs. The grade abbreviation used in those areas where a distinction is necessary, primarily forms and eServices, is SM.
Quote from: aviator9417 on January 19, 2014, 04:35:48 AM
Thanks! Why is senior side called the dark side?
Because we get cookies.
..and airplanes.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Quote from: aviator9417 on January 19, 2014, 04:35:48 AM
Thanks! Why is senior side called the dark side?
You don't know the power of the dark side...
While the acronym isn't used that I've seen, I HAVE seen the phrase senior member without grade in the regs several times, I believe.
Foker-
That is what SARDragon posted!
The regulations refer to smwog to differentiate between senior members with grade and senior members without.
Some senior members have taken that as SMWOG, as a new grade. Completely false. No such a thing as SMWOG as a grade.
Flyer
Cadets think it's the Dark Side. The Senior Member's know it's the TECHNOCOLOR side! Think he Wizard of Oz when the black and white movie turned to color . B+W=Cadets: Technocolor= Seniors.
They go from being Sith Apprentices to Sith Lords. >:D
Seriously, I think the (non)grade needs to be changed.
Calling someone "Senior Member (insert name)" sounds like you're ready for Geritol, Centrum Silver and Metamucil - and this is from someone rapidly approaching that age demographic...
Quote from: CyBorg on January 20, 2014, 12:57:06 AM
Calling someone "Senior Member (insert name)" sounds like you're ready for Geritol, Centrum Silver and Metamucil - and this is from someone rapidly approaching that age demographic...
Obviously you didn't get the memo about how growing older is mandatory but that growing up is optional. >:D
Quote from: a2capt on January 19, 2014, 04:03:22 AM
You're SMWOG when you join, once you complete Level I, by whatever means you do it, (proof of equivalency, actually doing it, etc.), you get promoted to 2Lt or FO if under 21. Easy peasy.
After 3 months you are eligible for promotion to Flight Officer, or 6 months for Second Lieutenant, depending on which is appropriate. Nothing is automatic.
Quote from: EMT-83 on January 20, 2014, 02:29:03 AM
Quote from: a2capt on January 19, 2014, 04:03:22 AM
You're SMWOG when you join, once you complete Level I, by whatever means you do it, (proof of equivalency, actually doing it, etc.), you get promoted to 2Lt or FO if under 21. Easy peasy.
After 3 months you are eligible for promotion to Flight Officer, or 6 months for Second Lieutenant, depending on which is appropriate. Nothing is automatic.
Or if you are getting a professional promotion (CFI, Doctors, prior military).....as soon as you complete level I and you paper work gets approved.
Quote from: PHall on January 20, 2014, 02:22:28 AM
Quote from: CyBorg on January 20, 2014, 12:57:06 AM
Calling someone "Senior Member (insert name)" sounds like you're ready for Geritol, Centrum Silver and Metamucil - and this is from someone rapidly approaching that age demographic...
Obviously you didn't get the memo about how growing older is mandatory but that growing up is optional. >:D
Rim shot.
Ah, my fault. I came back later and posted to a question I'd seen, and didn't see that someone had answered it how I intended to.
Being a SMWOG isn't necessarily a bad thing. there were times I was ready to give my gold oaks away when I was on wing staff, especially when dealing with field grade unit CC's with 500 years TIG who had built little fiefdoms within their unit.
"No sir, this major can't tell you what to do, but the same guy as Wing LG CAN have your unit frozen until you complete your inventory!"
I'd rather be known as the "go-to" guy in my staff position than for the little piece of metal on my collar. It's probably why I've ben at Level 3 for 10 years and a major for 7.