SM or SMWOG? Which is The Correct Title?

[Eagle400]

If you look in CAPR 50-17, CAP SENIOR MEMBER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, you will find a reference to "Senior Member", not "Senior Member Without Grade."

NOTE: Completion of Level I and 6 months time-in-grade as a senior member satisfies the training requirements for duty
performance promotion to second lieutenant (see CAPR 35-5).

However, if you look in CAPR 35-5, CAP OFFICER AND NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS, you will find "Senior Member Without Grade."

All senior members will be enrolled as CAP senior members without grade, unless they are specifically exempt from Level I of the Senior Member Professional Development Program and immediately qualify for an officer grade in consideration of previous CAP experience, as set forth in section C.

So my question is, which is the correct title?  I have never seen "SMWOG" on a flightsuit nametag or signature line, only "SM."   

[mynetdude]

If you look in CAPR 50-17, CAP SENIOR MEMBER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, you will find a reference to "Senior Member", not "Senior Member Without Grade."

NOTE: Completion of Level I and 6 months time-in-grade as a senior member satisfies the training requirements for duty
performance promotion to second lieutenant (see CAPR 35-5).

However, if you look in CAPR 35-5, CAP OFFICER AND NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS, you will find "Senior Member Without Grade."

All senior members will be enrolled as CAP senior members without grade, unless they are specifically exempt from Level I of the Senior Member Professional Development Program and immediately qualify for an officer grade in consideration of previous CAP experience, as set forth in section C.

So my question is, which is the correct title?  I have never seen "SMWOG" on a flightsuit nametag or signature line, only "SM."   

I don't think you will see "SMWOG" anywhere but in the regs, most will sign as SM in their signatures.

[mikeylikey]

I think "Senior Member Without Grade" was initially a typo.  It most likely was written for all intents and purposes to read "Senior Member, Without Grade", but something happened, or the writer assumed that readers could make that distinction.  Notice the break I put in between "Senior Member" and "Without Grade"?  That makes it clearer, right? 

There is no such rank as SMWOG!  To make it clearer, you are a Senior Member, who does not hold grade.....a SMWOG!

I am surprised it was never corrected or more clearly presented.  This is something that should be changed.

[mynetdude]

I think "Senior Member Without Grade" was initially a typo.  It most likely was written for all intents and purposes to read "Senior Member, Without Grade", but something happened, or the writer assumed that readers could make that distinction.  Notice the break I put in between "Senior Member" and "Without Grade"?  That makes it clearer, right? 

There is no such rank as SMWOG!  To make it clearer, you are a Senior Member, who does not hold grade.....a SMWOG!

I am surprised it was never corrected or more clearly presented.  This is something that should be changed.

Its kind of silly... I think last fall in 2007 NHQ changed it from "Senior Member" to "Officer" or "Senior Officer" I don't remember, but they changed the distinction of who is who... and yet we are still referring to ourselves as Senior Members.

That being said... why can't they give a new member a rank to wear even though they hold no grade.. obviously this makes no logical sense but its kinda odd to be walking around with no grade for 6 months.

[Eagle400]

Its kind of silly... I think last fall in 2007 NHQ changed it from "Senior Member" to "Officer" or "Senior Officer" I don't remember, but they changed the distinction of who is who... and yet we are still referring to ourselves as Senior Members.

Actually, what happened was a decision was made to allow CAP officers to be referred to as either "senior member" or "officer."  The reasoning for that decision was that some organizations that work with CAP aren't familiar with the term "senior member" and it is much simpler to just use "officer" than have to explain what a senior member is.

I have actually been calling them "CAP officers" longer than the policy has been around, because that is what they are.   

That being said... why can't they give a new member a rank to wear even though they hold no grade.. obviously this makes no logical sense but its kinda odd to be walking around with no grade for 6 months.

The insignia for senior members without grade is the CAP cutout.  It is worn on both collars, just as C/AB's do. 

Personally, I'd like to see a more visible distinction between senior members without grade and cadet airman basics.  Maybe give them blank epaulets or just not wear any insignia at all. 

[mynetdude]

Its kind of silly... I think last fall in 2007 NHQ changed it from "Senior Member" to "Officer" or "Senior Officer" I don't remember, but they changed the distinction of who is who... and yet we are still referring to ourselves as Senior Members.

Actually, what happened was a decision was made to allow CAP officers to be referred to as either "senior member" or "officer."  The reasoning for that decision was that some organizations that work with CAP aren't familiar with the term "senior member" and it is much simpler to just use "officer" than have to explain what a senior member is.

I have actually been calling them "CAP officers" longer than the policy has been around, because that is what they are.   

That being said... why can't they give a new member a rank to wear even though they hold no grade.. obviously this makes no logical sense but its kinda odd to be walking around with no grade for 6 months.

The insignia for senior members without grade is the CAP cutout.  It is worn on both collars, just as C/AB's do. 

Personally, I'd like to see a more visible distinction between senior members without grade and cadet airman basics.  Maybe give them blank epaulets or just not wear any insignia at all. 

I actually got mistaken for being a cadet despite my very large grey hair and not even 30 yet.  This was when I was about 6 weeks from promotion to 2LT and the mistake came from an Ex Marine who is a female LtCol /me sighs....

Nobody ever took the time to show me how/what to wear during my first 6 months so I wore no grade/lapels or pins or anything, I learned about this until 6 weeks before I got promoted and I said it was too late to even go there I only had 6 meetings to go before I got promoted and could wear my 2Lt bars.

Yeah I had to learn a few tricks on my own and by looking at what cadets were wearing and looking at the regulations... the "Foundations" course didn't really go much into detail how to wear the uniform for your first 6 months either.

Though you are right, SMWOG/SM are supposed to wear the CAP cutouts (cloth on BDU), lapel on Class B/As.  I never got to, and the sad thing is the commander and a long time LtCol (a different one, thankfully we are friends too) suggested I wear the silver braided service cap and you know your first 3-6 months are a confusing flurry and thats normal..

Again like 8-6 weeks before I got promoted, I was told I couldn't wear the silver braided service cap (which was true) again it was too late to "undo" it.

A silver star would be cool to signify a SMWOG (Generals wear gold stars I believe, so I don't think this would conflict).  I don't know of any cadet insignias or grades that use silver stars on epaulets.  I'm talking about a star big enough to be the size of the U.S. cutout/lapel.

just an idea/wish... better yet just let them walk around with nothing on them for the 1st 6 months... but I think it looks tacky that way.

[RiverAux]

Since many new seniors probably aren't going to get a uniform for a few months they soon face the choice of either setting up their uniform without grade and then having to switch it when they get promoted in a few more months or just wait until they're a 2nd Lt. to get one of the military style flight suits or BDUs.  I think it puts them in a bad position and the longer they delay getting into a uniform the more likely they'll just decide to wear the golf shirt and never change.  

They should allow senior members to just leave the lapels empty until they get promoted.  

[SarDragon]

Hey, Smitty's back! Did you ever renew your membership?

[mynetdude]

Since many new seniors probably aren't going to get a uniform for a few months they soon face the choice of either setting up their uniform without grade and then having to switch it when they get promoted in a few more months or just wait until they're a 2nd Lt. to get one of the military style flight suits or BDUs.  I think it puts them in a bad position and the longer they delay getting into a uniform the more likely they'll just decide to wear the golf shirt and never change. 

They should allow senior members to just leave the lapels empty until they get promoted. 

Yeah I would concur, just that I wished I had worn mine properly and correctly.  I still have my CAP cutouts and I will use those for the corporate uniforms.

[Eagle400]

Hey, Smitty's back! Did you ever renew your membership?

Good to hear from you, Maj Bowles.

No... haven't renewed my membership yet... but I did find God (and found out it wasn't me!)

[DrDave]

For what it's worth, the official NHQ PAO appreviation for the rank of those seniors below the rank of 2nd Lt. is:

"Sr. Mbr."

You'll notice it's not "Sr. Mbr. WOG" (or somthing similar to that, you know what I mean).

Dr. Dave

[Eagle400]

Why don't they just change it to Officer Trainee? 

After all, that is what they are: officers in training.  Even though CAP has no official Officer Training School, the title can still be used.       

[JayT]

Why don't they just change it to Officer Trainee? 

After all, that is what they are: officers in training.  Even though CAP has no official Officer Training School, the title can still be used.       

Why don't they change it to Major General (In Training.)

It's exactly what they are. They're a Senior Member (Without Grade.)

[SarDragon]

OK, Smitty, I think you've sucked enough people into wasting their time arguing with you. Let's move along. There's nothing more here.

[Eagle400]

OK, Smitty, I think you've sucked enough people into wasting their time arguing with you. Let's move along. There's nothing more here.

I've already moved along, sir.  Just in a different way.  I'm sorry you don't see that. 

There is no argument to speak of.  I don't intend to start one, and if one starts, it won't be because of me.

It sounds like you hold a grudge against me, and if that is true then all I can say is that's sad.  Oh well, I can't change the way others think about me. 

Fortunately, I've made more friends than I have enemies in my life (and 3/4 of those enemies I've never even met).

Thank you mynetdude, mikeylikey, RiverAux, DrDave and JThemann for providing constructive and helpful comments.         

[mikeylikey]

Your Welcome Smitty......

Welcome Back too!