CAP Talk

General Discussion => Uniforms & Awards => Topic started by: jpnelson82 on April 01, 2008, 02:28:29 AM

Title: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: jpnelson82 on April 01, 2008, 02:28:29 AM
Can anyone tell me what the rules are about the US Flag on the BDUs? Are there any rules about size of the reversed us flag? and while we're at it how is it to be worn, 1/2inch below the shoulder seam or what?
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: JayT on April 01, 2008, 02:31:27 AM
2" by 3," gold fringe, half inch below right shoulder seam, centered.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: nesagsar on April 01, 2008, 03:23:47 AM
Why are we using the full color version when subdued reverse flags are so readily available?
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: isuhawkeye on April 01, 2008, 03:31:29 AM
because EVERYTHING on the CAP uniform is full color
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: nesagsar on April 01, 2008, 04:03:05 AM
Not the buttons.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: jpnelson82 on April 01, 2008, 04:06:45 AM
Never mind, I found an answer to everything except the size issue. Are there any rules? I have a 2 x 3 on my BDUs right now, hope that's acceptable. Good thing Seniors don't get inspected regularly.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: jpnelson82 on April 01, 2008, 05:09:23 AM
Quote from: JThemann on April 01, 2008, 02:31:27 AM
2" by 3," gold fringe, half inch below right shoulder seam, centered.

Thanks a bunch. I am curious as to where you found that piece of information. I hadn't found it in any manual.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: Eclipse on April 01, 2008, 05:37:15 AM
Quote from: "Changes to CAPM 39-1" Letter from iCC BG Courter, Dated 25 Jan 08
c. Reverse American flag. Effective 5 December 2005, cadet and senior
members will wear the reverse American flag on the right shoulder of the BDU and CAP
distinctive field uniform. This 2" X 3" gold reverse field flag will be worn centered, ½
inch below the shoulder seam on the right sleeve.
The mandatory wear date is 1 April
2007.

Link:  http://level2.cap.gov/documents/2008_01_25_Uniforms.pdf
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: Slim on April 01, 2008, 06:43:06 AM
Quote from: nesagsar on April 01, 2008, 03:23:47 AM
Why are we using the full color version when subdued reverse flags are so readily available?

Aside from the fact that everything else on the CAP uniform is full color...

Subdued US flags are a technical violation of the US code (http://frwebgate6.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=030375456063+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve), which stipulate that the US flag contains thirteen stripes in alternating red and white, with a blue union containing fifty white stars.

Having said that, there are instances where use of subdued flags can and have been authorized for use "Downrange".

Or was that just a weak attempt at being a troll?  ;)
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: SarDragon on April 01, 2008, 07:10:25 AM
Oh, Slim. Why did you give that the dignity of a reply?  ???  It was hard, but I resisted.  :)
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: Slim on April 01, 2008, 07:24:50 AM
Quote from: SarDragon on April 01, 2008, 07:10:25 AM
Oh, Slim. Why did you give that the dignity of a reply?  ???  It was hard, but I resisted.  :)

Meh......I'm at work and kinda bored (quiet night for a change).
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: SDF_Specialist on April 01, 2008, 02:38:17 PM
So everything is in full color. My question is why? Our nametapes clearly say CIVIL AIR PATROL. How can we be mistaken for actual military if it's not mentioned on our uniform? To some, we look like a joke. Wearing woodland camouflage, with red, white, blue, yellow, brown, and any other color that may appear on the uniform. Why full color?
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: 0 on April 01, 2008, 02:41:41 PM
Quote from: nesagsar on April 01, 2008, 03:23:47 AM
Why are we using the full color version when subdued reverse flags are so readily available?

Did you join again?  Cause I know over on the NESA board you have stated you're not currently a member.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: O-Rex on April 01, 2008, 03:45:31 PM
Quote from: ♠Recruiter♠ on April 01, 2008, 02:38:17 PM
So everything is in full color. My question is why? Our nametapes clearly say CIVIL AIR PATROL. How can we be mistaken for actual military if it's not mentioned on our uniform? To some, we look like a joke. Wearing woodland camouflage, with red, white, blue, yellow, brown, and any other color that may appear on the uniform. Why full color?

Rembember that the purpose of the BDU for the Armed Forces is concealment.  We wear BDU's only becuase USAF makes them available to us: concealment is not a factor, therefore full-color patches.

Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: 0 on April 01, 2008, 03:55:24 PM
Quote from: O-Rex on April 01, 2008, 03:45:31 PM
Quote from: ♠Recruiter♠ on April 01, 2008, 02:38:17 PM
So everything is in full color. My question is why? Our nametapes clearly say CIVIL AIR PATROL. How can we be mistaken for actual military if it's not mentioned on our uniform? To some, we look like a joke. Wearing woodland camouflage, with red, white, blue, yellow, brown, and any other color that may appear on the uniform. Why full color?

Rembember that the purpose of the BDU for the Armed Forces is concealment.  We wear BDU's only becuase USAF makes them available to us: concealment is not a factor, therefore full-color patches.



It's also strange that while the Air Force doesn't wear the Reverse American Flag Patch we do.  Go figure.  I say let's get it removed and put special activity patches back there.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: MIKE on April 01, 2008, 04:26:45 PM
The AF doesn't wear Special Activity patches there either.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: SDF_Specialist on April 01, 2008, 04:29:07 PM
Ok. The AF doesn't wear specialty patches on the right shoulder. But they also don't wear the reverse American flag on that shoulder either. Who does? The Army. I believe the Marines and Navy as well. If they want us to look like the Army, why not move us back to the Army? That's a question that so many have asked, but never gave reason. Why not join the crowd, and ask too?
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: 0 on April 01, 2008, 05:12:44 PM
Yes I understand that the AF doesn't wear special activity patches.  But as stated above wearing the flag patch we look more like Army than Air Force.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: isuhawkeye on April 01, 2008, 05:42:18 PM
frankly CAP doesn't "look" like ANY branch of service. 

simply puting a flag on your arm doesn't make you look like the army
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: SARMedTech on April 01, 2008, 06:20:41 PM
Quote from: ♠Recruiter♠ on April 01, 2008, 02:38:17 PM
So everything is in full color. My question is why? Our nametapes clearly say CIVIL AIR PATROL. How can we be mistaken for actual military if it's not mentioned on our uniform? To some, we look like a joke. Wearing woodland camouflage, with red, white, blue, yellow, brown, and any other color that may appear on the uniform. Why full color?

The fact is that, though i have three sets in my closet/go bag, there is no reason for us to wear camo or anything but full color insignia, flags, patches, badges, etc. I personally really like the look of subdued patches just from a whacker standpoint. I just think they look cool. If I had my druthers, everything on the uniform would be subdued. Fact of the matter is, if we wore blaze orange BDUs, for the missions we perform, it wouldn't make a rat's a** worth of difference. The only people we ever have to hide from are cadets and they seem to find us no matter what we wear. I truly don't mind the full colors, but I would like to see them paired down in number. We have both SM's and cadets in my outfit that wear every patch they ever got from anything they have done and if it isnt reg on the uniform, I have seen a few in the sage green flight jackets wearing a million more patches. Also not reg, I know, but I cant really say anything because I have been out of commission, as it were, recently and am barely doing anything but paying  my dues and getting new toys when I can afford it and packing and repacking my 24 and 72 packs for maximum efficiency...you know, if I ever get back in the game, which I actually planning to do as soon as I am back to work (got laid off in Oct 2007). Once that happens, I am hoping to get all gung ho again and participate in everything I can. Sorry, I know I went off on a tangent there.
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: SDF_Specialist on April 01, 2008, 09:52:41 PM
Quote from: SARMedTech on April 01, 2008, 06:20:41 PM
[The only people we ever have to hide from are cadets and they seem to find us no matter what we wear.

Do you have a proposition on how to remedy? I seem to be having the same problem :D
Title: Re: Reversed US Flag question
Post by: nesagsar on April 01, 2008, 10:12:00 PM
^Ghille suits.