Can a Chaplain wear the CDI badge if they have earned it?

Question came up, can a Chaplain wear both, his Chaplain Pin, and the CDI badge as well on the Service Coat?

As far as I know there is nothing prohibiting it. However it is my understanding that the tradition in the Chaplain Corps is that the CDI badge is not worn once the individual is appointed as a chaplain.

Let us just keep in mind that there is no badge for being a CDI.

It is a specialty track badge. For which the person wearing it would have to complete at least the technician rating of the CDI track, only part of which is being a CDI.


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This question was asked elsewhere (Chaplain Corps FB page) and answered by a CDI who is now a Chaplain and has previously been the National IG (Col Ken Parris).  I'll look for the detail later but, in summary, Col Parris wrote that the specialty track badge can be worn on the Service Coat or on the shirt when appropriate, with other specialty badges.  It is, he went on, somewhat redundant but there was no prohibition.

The question in that case was on behalf of a CDI, now Chaplain, who had either the Senior or Master rating as a CDI (IIRC).

I disagree it's redundant, if anything, it should be required.

This is the same as saying the Operations Specialty is redundant for someone wearing wings.

Being a CAP Chaplain, per se, doesn't mean you have a clue about the goals or intentions of the
Cadet Program or the CDI program, in fact in many cases there are issues in that very vein.

The Chaplain's badge tells me you are clergy with an endorsement of your faith group.

The CDI badge tells me you should have a clue about CDI and CAP.

The above is not mutually assured.

Specialty badges are optional wear items, it's up to the wearer. However, wear of CAP Chaplain and Aviation Badges (wings) is mandatory.
So they have to wear their Chaplain insignia and they can wear their CDI badge if they wish. It's their call.

Specialty badges are optional wear items, it's up to the wearer. However, wear of CAP Chaplain and Aviation Badges (wings) is mandatory.
So they have to wear their Chaplain insignia and they can wear their CDI badge if they wish. It's their call.

Better stated than the way I wrote it.

Eclipse's point is also very valid - the CDI badge demonstrates that the wearer does understand the program, which is not true of every Chaplain I have encountered.

Just a note that chaplains cannot earn the CDI Specialty badge. One cannot be both a chaplain and a CDI.

Just a note that chaplains cannot earn the CDI Specialty badge. One cannot be both a chaplain and a CDI.

True; however, one can start as a CDI and become a Chaplain after (with the appropriate qualifications).

But Mr. Eszett is on the right track. To earn the CDI badge, you must be assigned as a CDI for at least 6 months (Technician).

Is there a regulation that states that you cannot be assigned as both Chaplain and CDI simultaneously?

Specialty badges are optional wear items, it's up to the wearer. However, wear of CAP Chaplain and Aviation Badges (wings) is mandatory.
So they have to wear their Chaplain insignia and they can wear their CDI badge if they wish. It's their call.

If Chaplain insignia are mandatory, what do they do on the Polo where nothing, save the Crest, is mandatory? 

Specialty badges are optional wear items, it's up to the wearer. However, wear of CAP Chaplain and Aviation Badges (wings) is mandatory.
So they have to wear their Chaplain insignia and they can wear their CDI badge if they wish. It's their call.

I see any requirement to wear the Chaplain's badge on the Aviator White shirt, which frankly
seems like an oversight since it's mandatory on other corporate variants.

Specialty badges are optional wear items, it's up to the wearer. However, wear of CAP Chaplain and Aviation Badges (wings) is mandatory.
So they have to wear their Chaplain insignia and they can wear their CDI badge if they wish. It's their call.

I see any requirement to wear the Chaplain's badge on the Aviator White shirt, which frankly
seems like an oversight since it's mandatory on other corporate variants.

It is not an oversight, but rather a purpose.  We know that the White Shirt is a minimum basic uniform that is required to be owned by Senior Members not wishing to wear the USAF-style.  As such:

Corporate-style uniforms are intended to provide more flexibility in wear,
and the number of badges classified as “mandatory” are very limited to minimize required cost and
complexity for members.

It is why the wear of the normally mandated Chaplain and Aviation badges are only optional.  These are required on the Blue BDUs as that uniform is technically optional, while the White Aviator shirt is mandatory.   

Specialty badges are optional wear items, it's up to the wearer. However, wear of CAP Chaplain and Aviation Badges (wings) is mandatory.
So they have to wear their Chaplain insignia and they can wear their CDI badge if they wish. It's their call.

If Chaplain insignia are mandatory, what do they do on the Polo where nothing, save the Crest, is mandatory? 

Ask the National Uniform Committee. They're the one's who wrote CAPM 39-1.

When I served as a Chaplain (so long ago 🤣), I worn the metal Chaplain insignia on my white corporate aviator, USAF-style blue shirt, service jacket and corporate blazer... the embrodiered on my Mess Dress, BDU/ABU, and Polo.  I also held a Master Rating in Cadet Programs Specialty Track and TLC Advanced to assure others (and myself) that I had a solid grasp of understanding of Cadet Programs and Character Development.   Since both Chaplains and CDIs are officially appointed...if I began as a CDI and then became a Chaplain, I would only wear the Chaplain insignia.   The star (bronze or silver) on Leadership Ribbon indicates the rating level in the specialty track.

Just curious, Chaps, where/how would it be embroidered on Mess?

Just curious, Chaps, where/how would it be embroidered on Mess?

He's talking about the embroidered insignia available for Mess Dress. It's not embroidered directly to the jacket itself but is embroidered to a piece of cloth that is sewn on the jacket. Please refer to CAPM 39-1 for more info.

Just curious, Chaps, where/how would it be embroidered on Mess?

He's talking about the embroidered insignia available for Mess Dress. It's not embroidered directly to the jacket itself but is embroidered to a piece of cloth that is sewn on the jacket. Please refer to CAPM 39-1 for more info.

Not tracking.

I reviewed 39-1.

Just curious, Chaps, where/how would it be embroidered on Mess?

He's talking about the embroidered insignia available for Mess Dress. It's not embroidered directly to the jacket itself but is embroidered to a piece of cloth that is sewn on the jacket. Please refer to CAPM 39-1 for more info.

Not tracking.

I reviewed 39-1.

I refer you to paragraphs 4.1.1.3.3, 4.1.1.3.4, 4.1.1.3.4.1 and 4.1.1.3.4.2. Please read the entire paragraph.

 perhaps he is talking about some type of bullion version of the chaplain's emblem?

 (since bullion badges [& other insignia] are usually sewn onto very ceremonial [including mess dress] types of uniforms)?



Oh, I see he has posted paragraph numbers now...

Just curious, Chaps, where/how would it be embroidered on Mess?

He's talking about the embroidered insignia available for Mess Dress. It's not embroidered directly to the jacket itself but is embroidered to a piece of cloth that is sewn on the jacket. Please refer to CAPM 39-1 for more info.

Not tracking.

I reviewed 39-1.

I refer you to paragraphs 4.1.1.3.3, 4.1.1.3.4, 4.1.1.3.4.1 and 4.1.1.3.4.2. Please read the entire paragraph.

Ohhhhhh, gotcha gotcha gotcha gotcha gotcha.

I completely misunderstood the meaning of "bullion." I thought that was an equivalent for subdued/brushed metallic. I didn't realize that had anything to do with embroidery. 

As you were.