The proper wear of CAP ribbons

Attached is a guide I created on the proper wear of CAP ribbons. Makes things a lot easier to figure out than having to dig through a maze of regs and policy letters. This is only a guide - consult the latest CAP regulations and poliy letters for guidance.

ETA: Dug it out from an earlier thread for easier access - mods, please make it a sticky s'il vous plait.

Moderator Edit:  Most recent version (2008) replacing original download.

That's the one I was looking for! Thank you.

Again Captain, more great work!

Danke schoen... some may call me a uniform Nazi behind my back, but I'm proud to wear my CAP uniform. And when I wear it, I wear it properly. Being a former cadink helps. 

Very nicely done! However, you may want to insert a paragraph stating that this is a guide only and that the actual regulation must be adhered to.

My bad. After re-reading the document , I noticed that you had your disclaimer in the opening paragraph.

Very nicely done! However, you may want to insert a paragraph stating that this is a guide only and that the actual regulation must be adhered to.

Already did in the first paragraph of this document. I'll add that to the first post as well.

So am I correct in reading that RM ribbons can be worn on the white/blues, but not military badges?

The 15 March 06 memo states no RM "badges or devices", so are we interpreting that not to include ribbons as a prohibited item?

So am I correct in reading that RM ribbons can be worn on the white/blues, but not military badges?

The 15 March 06 memo states no RM "badges or devices", so are we interpreting that not to include ribbons as a prohibited item?

[barracks lawyer mode on]

Way I interpret it, nichts on mil badges or devices; mil ribbons are kosher.

[/barracks lawyer mode off]

... waiting for the unmarked black van to send me to a 'reeducation' camp! 

Yeah, yet another confusing wording from the bosses.  We had interpreted it to mean no RM things at all, but if ribbons are allowed on the corporates, that would be good news to a few of our prior military members who can't wear the blues anymore.

Remember, this only applies to white shirts with blue trousers. Saying "corporate uniform" is not specific enough.

  AlphaSigOU, I must say again: AWESOME.  This has already been a tremendous help to me the few minutes I had it.  Thanks.

Remember, this only applies to white shirts with blue trousers. Saying "corporate uniform" is not specific enough.

We need someone to put together a guide naming all of our different uniforms.

  Yeah, that would be wonderful. 

So am I correct in reading that RM ribbons can be worn on the white/blues, but not military badges?

The 15 March 06 memo states no RM "badges or devices", so are we interpreting that not to include ribbons as a prohibited item?

[barracks lawyer mode on]

Way I interpret it, nichts on mil badges or devices; mil ribbons are kosher.

[/barracks lawyer mode off]

... waiting for the unmarked black van to send me to a 'reeducation' camp! 

The 29 June 2006 memo states:

This double-breasted coat will be worn by senior member officers with metal grade insignia, the silver nametag and CAP ribbons, badges and devices as currently authorized on the Air Force Service Coat.


Note that it specifically says CAP ribbons, etc.  If it were to allow military ribbons, I don't believe any such specification would have been included.

Granted, that memo is talking about the jacket, but why would you allow more to be worn on the shirt than you would the jacket.  Also, this memo comes later, so any requirements here supersedes earlier requirements.

I'm getting the feeling that by "devices" they mean anything from the RM.  Looks like the white/blues are strictly CAP insignia/badges/ribbons/devices/accoutrements/ornaments/tassels/fringe/glitter.

Remember, this only applies to white shirts with blue trousers. Saying "corporate uniform" is not specific enough.

We need someone to put together a guide naming all of our different uniforms.

I think that's covered pretty well by the CAPM 39-1, and subsequent memos. Sadly, there is no other guidance available.

I'm getting the feeling that by "devices" they mean anything from the RM.  Looks like the white/blues are strictly CAP insignia/badges/ribbons/devices/accoutrements/ornaments/tassels/fringe/glitter.

That is my take on it and I have not seen anything to contradict it.

Corporate / distinctive = no RealMilitary® anything.

Well.. no RM anything, the rank insignias on the TPU are RM...  hmmm..

But this thread is about ribbons.

Has anybody seen anything in CAP channels to figure out what ribbons NOT to wear in order to keep the top of my wings below the notch of the collar?  If I wear everything authorized by the AF and CAP, it comes to a total of 46 ribbons.  Aside from looking like a Peruvian Admiral, the top of my wings end up under my epaulet.

I make do with adding a bar of what I consider to be my 8 most significant CAP ribbons (ESA, MSA, Lifesaving, GRW, Mitchell, Find, SAR, and DR) under my AF rack in service dress and doing without on my shirt.  My JSAM is pretty much MIA in that configuration, but that is literally a small price to pay for not buying another $60 set of ultrathins.

But the guidance in 39-1 is conflicting (I know everybody is shocked) saying wear of ribbons is mandatory, but then (reasonably but still in conflict) saying you can't wear so ribbons it pushes the wings too high.

I think the USCGAux has the right idea: Auxies can choose to wear all, their top 3, or their choice of 9 ribbons.