CAP RANK

[alexalvarez]

I just read on Facebook that our rank is "federal." Is this true?

[Гугл переводчик]

That's a negative, sir.

Where did you see this specifically?

[PA Guy]

No, only in some people's dreams.

[JeffDG]

A lawyer could argue because we're Congressionally chartered that technically it is.

However...we most certainly are NOT "commissioned officers" and our rank +$1.50 will buy you a cup of coffee some places.

[raivo]

"Federal rank" is not a term I've heard before, but I can guarantee that whatever it actually means, does not apply to CAP members.

[lordmonar]

"Federal rank" is not a term I've heard before, but I can guarantee that whatever it actually means, does not apply to CAP members.

From what I understand.   "federal rank" is a distinction between regular AD officers and some National Guard officers.   The national guard governor can commission a person to the officer ranks with out that person meeting Active Duty/regular officer criteria or be outside the quotas for said rank.
For all intents and purposes there is no difference between the two.....except if/when the National Guard gets nationalized.    The AD military does not have to recognize the State commission/Rank and bump the person down to another rank.

This mostly never happens and is just one of those subtle differences between the National Guard and the Federal Reserves/AD.

Any ways....it most certainly does not apply to CAP members.
CAP members have AUXILIARY Rank.....unless they happen to have state/federal rank in their own right by being NG/RES/AD as well.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Former CAP interloper here...

One distinction could be made with the ranks carried by State Defence Forces/State Guards.

They are identical to Army ranks, with the exception that some states do not use Specialist, since it carries the National COA.  They are unaltered in appearance, unlike the grade/office insignia worn by CAP/CGAUX.  The same goes for states with SDF Air Units (notably Texas) and Naval Militias for New York and Ohio.

However, as I understand it, these ranks, conferred by the Governor of each state, while carrying the same authority within its State borders (i.e., a commissioned/warrant officer is accorded the same respect as an AD/NG/ANG counterpart, and SNCO's can administer a butt-chewing to subordinates), does not carry authority outside the State.  I have read on many SDF websites that the uniform is not to even be worn outside the state without explicit permission from the Governor/Adjutant General.

These are "state ranks" but not "federal ranks," a term I never heard during 20-odd years in CAP.

Very few alterations are made to SDF uniforms, usually nameplate/collar brass.

These officers of the NYNM are almost indistinguishable from their active/Reserve/Guard counterparts, but I do not believe they have command authority outside the State of New York.

http://dmna.ny.gov/nynm/?id=leadership

[MSG Mac]

I just read on Facebook that our rank is "federal." Is this true?

Chaplain

If you believe everything you read on Facebook, you truly are a man of faith.

[Al Sayre]

^^ :clap: :clap: :clap:

[THRAWN]

It depends. The SDF in some states (Maryland for example) recognize the rank of "military services and their auxiliaries". The JAGs have determined that CAP rank meets the definition. Not true in all states and in all cases.

SDF rank is strictly "state rank", authorized by the governor through the TAG and the DMAVA or MILDEP. Even within the state, depending on the circumstance, it holds little authority. A SDF officer will most likely never command troops from organizations other than the SDF. In a lot of places, there have been some recent incidents of "demanding salutes" by members of the SDF and the TAGs have slammed a lot of people over it.

Naval militias are a tricky thing. Too often they are confused with the SDF. Legally, and by definition, naval militias are composed of reserve or retired members of the naval services (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) and are ranked accordingly since they hold true federal rank.

[raivo]

ITT: I learned things.

[NIN]

They are identical to Army ranks, with the exception that some states do not use Specialist, since it carries the National COA. 

To be fair, that's probably as much the "E-4 Mafia's" influence as anything.  They don't want their brand diluted.

/Former Member, E-4 Mafia.

[THRAWN]

Specialist does not carry the complete COA and is used by SDFs.

[USACAP]

CAP commissions mean nothing outside of CAP.
One does not receive an appointment from the President (or Governor in the case of the Guard or Militia) as a commissioned officer in the CAP.

[goblin]

CAP commissions mean nothing outside of CAP.
One does not receive an appointment from the President (or Governor in the case of the Guard or Militia) as a commissioned officer in the CAP.

A CAP commission is not a thing.

[RiverAux]

INaval militias are a tricky thing. Too often they are confused with the SDF. Legally, and by definition, naval militias are composed of reserve or retired members of the naval services (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) and are ranked accordingly since they hold true federal rank.

Actually, this is not true.  SOME of the few naval militias that exist have voluntarily restricted their membership to currently serving federal reservists from other services.  Naval Militias are not required to do so by federal law UNLESS they want to be eligible to receive some federal assistance (which actually isn't available anyway).    A state can certainly choose to form a naval militia with no federal reservists in it such as Ohio has done.

That being said federal laws and service regarding naval militias are a major mess and really need to be clarified, but I doubt this will happen anytime soon. 

[THRAWN]

Actually it is true. If an organization wants to be a naval militia, it needs to be composed primarily of naval service reserves. Otherwise, it is defined as a maritime state defense force.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Actually it is true. If an organization wants to be a naval militia, it needs to be composed primarily of naval service reserves. Otherwise, it is defined as a maritime state defense force.

Which is a semantic splitting of hairs I am afraid I do not have the ability to understand.

There are a lot of states which have laws on the books establishing a "naval militia," but who have not done so.

Living in the Great Lakes as I do, it is puzzling to me why my state has not.

My only conclusion is that the powers that be may believe there is a significant enough Coast Guard (and Auxiliary) presence in the state to not need one.

[Chappie]

The grade/rank on our shoulders only mean something within CAP (except when on a MSA for attending a conference/training event/etc on a military base).  It indicates to fellow members how one has progressed in their Professional Development and/or Duty assignment.   I have always maintained that what I wear on my shoulders with $2.29 will get me a X-large cup of coffee at Dunkin' Donuts every time.

[Treadhead]

It depends. The SDF in some states (Maryland for example) recognize the rank of "military services and their auxiliaries". The JAGs have determined that CAP rank meets the definition. Not true in all states and in all cases.

SDF rank is strictly "state rank", authorized by the governor through the TAG and the DMAVA or MILDEP. Even within the state, depending on the circumstance, it holds little authority. A SDF officer will most likely never command troops from organizations other than the SDF. In a lot of places, there have been some recent incidents of "demanding salutes" by members of the SDF and the TAGs have slammed a lot of people over it.

Naval militias are a tricky thing. Too often they are confused with the SDF. Legally, and by definition, naval militias are composed of reserve or retired members of the naval services (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) and are ranked accordingly since they hold true federal rank.

In the CSMR, ranks are equal to those of the Army and Air Guard.  During the wildfire missions last summer, two of my officers were put in direct charge of members of the ANG.  I don't know about other states, but I do know that in California, CSMR officers and NCO's can command National Guard troops provided that they are on Title 32 status.