CAP Talk

General Discussion => The Lobby => Topic started by: John Bryan on April 08, 2009, 08:05:01 PM

Title: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: John Bryan on April 08, 2009, 08:05:01 PM
In the most recent CAP Volunteer there is a lot of coverage of Col Eric Boe being the 1st CAP member to be an astronaut.

My question is whatever happened to Major (Dr) Carol Belt, the Air Force Weather Officer who was a CAP cadet who was selected as an astronaut. The old CAP News covered the selection but I cannot find her on NASA's list of current or former astronauts.

Anyone know what happened????
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: CASH172 on April 08, 2009, 08:57:21 PM
Not sure if you'll see the wanted section right away but Ctrl + F her name to find it if you can't. 

http://books.google.com/books?id=VL5TSg2Ut3cC&pg=PA235&lpg=PA235&dq=carol+belt+nasa&source=bl&ots=cPM3fU6z3N&sig=O_V-0A5bD6QkdTBGj69MaXBSfoU&hl=en&ei=tg_dSbrkLdTMlQeZ0rH2DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: AlphaSigOU on April 09, 2009, 12:39:39 AM
To be more clear about it, Col Boe (actually SM Boe) is the first active CAP member to fly in space.

There are former cadets (such as Frank Borman) who have flown in space.
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: John Bryan on April 09, 2009, 01:55:44 AM
Living 5 minutes from the Borman Expressway I should have remembered him too. Funny thing about that, he was born in Indiana so we take credit for him but he was raised out west and was never a member of INWG as far as I can tell. I think UTWG but not sure.

Major Belt was a cadet....seems she was selected but never flew.

So thats 3 selected for space and 2 that have flown for sure.......anyone know of other former members who have flown in space?
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: John Bryan on April 09, 2009, 01:57:12 AM
Quote from: AlphaSigOU on April 09, 2009, 12:39:39 AM
To be more clear about it, Col Boe (actually SM Boe) is the first active CAP member to fly in space.

There are former cadets (such as Frank Borman) who have flown in space.

As for Col Boe ....its SM / CAP and COL/USAF....I think we should address him as COL.
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: AlphaSigOU on April 09, 2009, 02:02:37 AM
And I would agree 100%.

Our squadron has Rich Graham (Col USAF Ret/Lt Col CAP), former commander of the 9th SRW at Beale and Habu author extraordinaire! (/shameless plug  ;D) And to me, his first name is 'Colonel'.
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: flyguy06 on April 09, 2009, 01:20:47 PM
Is he a COL or a Lt Col?
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: Pylon on April 09, 2009, 01:38:52 PM
Quote from: flyguy06 on April 09, 2009, 01:20:47 PM
Is he a COL or a Lt Col?

USAF Colonel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_A._Boe
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: Flying Pig on April 09, 2009, 04:07:48 PM
He would be a CAP LTC if he submitted the paperwork.
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: flyguy06 on April 09, 2009, 08:14:00 PM
No,I just thought he was a Lt Col. He looks young to be a full bird. Or maybe being in the Guard I am used to seeing old COL's.  ;D
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: CadetProgramGuy on April 10, 2009, 05:04:15 AM
Think he'd qualify for an exemption to get the CAP Col.?
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: flyguy06 on April 10, 2009, 06:00:30 AM
Ummm No.   ;D
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: Flying Pig on April 11, 2009, 04:10:43 PM
Col in CAP is a position.  I have a retired Col in my Sq. who is a CAP LTC.
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: DBlair on April 13, 2009, 04:37:43 PM
I'm curious why he is referred to as a CAP SM (Suggesting a SMWOG), but he was a Spaatz Cadet (obviously making him a CAP Captain) and an AF Colonel (obviously making him a CAP LtCol). Did he just rejoin CAP or something and is waiting for his promotion paperwork to go through?
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: Pylon on April 13, 2009, 05:26:37 PM
Quote from: DBlair on April 13, 2009, 04:37:43 PM
I'm curious why he is referred to as a CAP SM (Suggesting a SMWOG), but he was a Spaatz Cadet (obviously making him a CAP Captain) and an AF Colonel (obviously making him a CAP LtCol). Did he just rejoin CAP or something and is waiting for his promotion paperwork to go through?

Those promotions aren't automatic.  A CAPF 2 needs to be submitted requesting the promotion and the approving authority for that grade (Group for Captain, Wing for Lt Col) needs to approve it.    If they haven't had a promotion requested or approved, the member remains a SM.
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: MIKE on April 13, 2009, 05:27:21 PM
Despite what people think promotions are not automatic or a given regardless of your eligibility... note I did not say entitlement, for them.  Maybe he choses to just be an SM... or never got the CAPF 2 through channels.

Just because you have the Spaatz or are a commissioned officer, doesn't mean the approving authority can't turn it down either.  It says may, not will for a reason.  CAP might better better off if commanders didn't just assume otherwise.

Edit:  Beaten by the boss man.
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: pixelwonk on April 14, 2009, 04:21:32 AM
Quote from: DBlair on April 13, 2009, 04:37:43 PM
I'm curious why he is referred to as a CAP SM (Suggesting a SMWOG), but he was a Spaatz Cadet (obviously making him a CAP Captain) and an AF Colonel (obviously making him a CAP LtCol). Did he just rejoin CAP or something and is waiting for his promotion paperwork to go through?

other folks are wondering the same thing. (http://swivelchairpatrol.blogspot.com/2009/04/so-youre-astronaut.html)
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: Gunner C on April 14, 2009, 04:50:25 AM
Quote from: tedda on April 14, 2009, 04:21:32 AM
Quote from: DBlair on April 13, 2009, 04:37:43 PM
I'm curious why he is referred to as a CAP SM (Suggesting a SMWOG), but he was a Spaatz Cadet (obviously making him a CAP Captain) and an AF Colonel (obviously making him a CAP LtCol). Did he just rejoin CAP or something and is waiting for his promotion paperwork to go through?

other folks are wondering the same thing. (http://swivelchairpatrol.blogspot.com/2009/04/so-youre-astronaut.html)
I would have written sooner, but it took me five minutes to quit laughing.  Rock, paper, scissors . . .  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: MIKE on April 14, 2009, 12:42:55 PM
lol at the pic in the background.  Got the Cpt. Price burns going on.  :D
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: Ricochet13 on April 14, 2009, 01:16:36 PM
Quote from: tedda on April 14, 2009, 04:21:32 AM
other folks are wondering the same thing. (http://swivelchairpatrol.blogspot.com/2009/04/so-youre-astronaut.html)

Oh!!!!   That's a good one!   Guess being an Astronaut kind of says it all.   :clap:  Good for him!
Title: Re: CAP First Astronaut
Post by: NIN on April 14, 2009, 01:19:50 PM
Quote from: MIKE on April 14, 2009, 12:42:55 PM
lol at the pic in the background.  Got the Cpt. Price burns going on.  :D

I feel so *dirty* and violated.  I look a little big like Burt Rutan in that pic. :)