Can CAP members earn USAF devices?

[Orville_third]

True, most CAP members would likely be unable to get through some USAF training courses, as it would require OJT. Still, the USAF PAO Officer's course is recommended for CAP members to take, if they wish, and a CAP PAO does have some similar tasks to a USAF PAO.
Conceivably, some CAP members would have the experience to take certain USAF courses on their own, even if it would not specifically benefit their work in CAP. (USAF Distance Learning Courses are good for college credit.)

As to an earlier post, according to what I've heard, it's the CAP PAO Technician exam that's being temporarily witheld, due to a drastic need for updating.

Finally, the AFHRA courses could conceivably be taken by CAP Historians, but they would have to jump through a lot of hoops to do so. In addition, they are classroom courses.

[sandman]

I was just asking since I am planning to take the USAF PAO course, and a few other USAF courses. I'll just have to settle for college credit... (And, the nearest AUX flotilla is a ways away from me- and I can't really swim...(I did assist an AUX officer with a find of sorts, though...he lost a dental thing that I found for him...))

I'm not 100% sure if CAP members still take the USAF PAO course. I read something about only the CAP PAO course being offered now, but like I said, I'm not 100% sure about this. You can take a variety of other courses like Squadron Officer School, Staff College, War College, and for the most part you will get credit if you are also in the military, and in some cases, college credits.

As for swimming... Actually, (that I know of) none of the CGAux jobs involve swimming as I read somewhere that Auxiliarists cannot be rescue divers, etc. Likewise, while there are some on-the-water operations, there are tons of jobs that are on dry land. So, don't count the CGAux out just because of swimming.

Just a quick correction here regarding swim operations: We (CGAux) do have auxiliary divers working along with gold side.

Also working on observer training at a CG Air station. Augmenting a cutter underway? Absolutely! Do you speak a foreign language? There are deployment opportunities. Weapons? You bet! We have auxiliary range masters and trainers for the gold side. You might be surprised at what the CG Auxiliary is doing these days....

[RiverAux]

Just a quick correction here regarding swim operations: We (CGAux) do have auxiliary divers working along with gold side.

An update to the correction -- this is only a pilot project in the CG Aux and is only done in a few Districts.  A few years ago they were planning for a national roll-out, but other than an Aug 2006 update I can't find anything about it on the national website.   

[flyboy53]

Having experience in three Air Force specialities, I can honestly say that the training a CAP member receives, even in Public Affairs, isn't close to what I did in the 9 years I served in this career field. Perhaps, the real issue is the quality, number and style of the current CAP speciality badges...perhaps another Vanguard conspiracy! I sometimes think that the badges should be redesigned similar to the AF badges and minimized to a limited number. I will say, however, that it is possible for certain CAP members to earn AF ribbons. Years ago, CAP members were allowed to qualify on AR-16 at the Air Reserve Base in Ohio. Those that qualified were entitled and awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

[Major Carrales]

Having experience in three Air Force specialities, I can honestly say that the training a CAP member receives, even in Public Affairs, isn't close to what I did in the 9 years I served in this career field. Perhaps, the real issue is the quality, number and style of the current CAP speciality badges...perhaps another Vanguard conspiracy! I sometimes think that the badges should be redesigned similar to the AF badges and minimized to a limited number. I will say, however, that it is possible for certain CAP members to earn AF ribbons. Years ago, CAP members were allowed to qualify on AR-16 at the Air Reserve Base in Ohio. Those that qualified were entitled and awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

I say, just take pride in the work and training done in CAP and not ashamed of it.

If one fulfills CAP training requirements, and they happen to include USAF courses via correspondence...aren't these in fact Civil Air Patrol met criteria and not USAF? 

Small arms expert will not at all help in the execution of CAP missions.  In fact, it would be out of the realm of the regs to carry firearms to most, if not all, CAP ES missions.

My questioning is not to belittle the USAF, it's training or its badges, but rather to point out that CAP distinctive  badges should be worn on CAP uniforms for completing CAP criteria.   If one earned these badges while in the service of the USAF, that is a horse of a different color.

[Hawk200]

Perhaps, the real issue is the quality, number and style of the current CAP speciality badges...perhaps another Vanguard conspiracy!

How is that related to whether or not a CAP member can earn USAF badges?

I sometimes think that the badges should be redesigned similar to the AF badges and minimized to a limited number.

In other words, if CAP members can't get real Air Force badges, then we'll go for the faux Air Force badges. What is so wrong about the ones we have?

I will say, however, that it is possible for certain CAP members to earn AF ribbons. Years ago, CAP members were allowed to qualify on AR-16 at the Air Reserve Base in Ohio. Those that qualified were entitled and awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

What you should have said is that it used to be possible for CAP members to earn a SMEM ribbon. Just because people were able to get one in the past does not mean they can now. Air Medals were awarded back in the '40's and '50's to Civil Air Patrol airmen, but nowadays it doesn't happen. True in the past does not equal true in the present.

I say, just take pride in the work and training done in CAP and not ashamed of it.

Agreed, wholeheartedly.

If one fulfills CAP training requirements, and they happen to include USAF courses via correspondence...aren't these in fact Civil Air Patrol met criteria and not USAF?

I hadn't thought of it that way, but I fully agree with the reasoning. 

Small arms expert will not at all help in the execution of CAP missions.  In fact, it would be out of the realm of the regs to carry firearms to most, if not all, CAP ES missions.

Agreed. It's pretty much added fruit salad.

My questioning is not to belittle the USAF, it's training or its badges, but rather to point out that CAP distinctive  badges should be worn on CAP uniforms for completing CAP criteria.

At present, the only badges I'm authorized from CAP are specialty track badges. I wear them. With pride in the accomplishment. Did I spend the same amount of time getting them as it took for the military badges? No, but as far as I'm concerned, it still shows accomplishment. I'm glad to have accomplished something in CAP.

CAP badges are not inferior to military ones, just different. Different accomplishments, different missions, so we we should have different insignia. Military badges indicate military accomplishments, CAP badges show CAP accomplishments.

[Major Carrales]

CAP badges are not inferior to military ones, just different. Different accomplishments, different missions, so we we should have different insignia. Military badges indicate military accomplishments, CAP badges show CAP accomplishments.

Well said,  that was what I was trying to say...but words got in the way (regards to Debbie Gibson).

[Hawk200]

CAP badges are not inferior to military ones, just different. Different accomplishments, different missions, so we we should have different insignia. Military badges indicate military accomplishments, CAP badges show CAP accomplishments.

Well said,  that was what I was trying to say...but words got in the way (regards to Debbie Gibson).

Great minds think alike, eh, brother? That's the benefit of a good team, we know what the others are thinking.

[DBlair]

Just a quick correction here regarding swim operations: We (CGAux) do have auxiliary divers working along with gold side.

An update to the correction -- this is only a pilot project in the CG Aux and is only done in a few Districts.  A few years ago they were planning for a national roll-out, but other than an Aug 2006 update I can't find anything about it on the national website.   

Any chance this is happening in the 7th District?

[PA Guy]

Also working on observer training at a CG Air station. Augmenting a cutter underway? Absolutely! Do you speak a foreign language? There are deployment opportunities. Weapons? You bet! We have auxiliary range masters and trainers for the gold side. You might be surprised at what the CG Auxiliary is doing these days....

And don't forget.... http://www.healthandsafety.auxnaco.org/

[RiverAux]

Just a quick correction here regarding swim operations: We (CGAux) do have auxiliary divers working along with gold side.

An update to the correction -- this is only a pilot project in the CG Aux and is only done in a few Districts.  A few years ago they were planning for a national roll-out, but other than an Aug 2006 update I can't find anything about it on the national website.   

Any chance this is happening in the 7th District?

There may be already.  Sure would rather go diving in 7 than 17. 

[Orville_third]

I'm a little upset- the USAF has discontinued the PAO Officers course and the History of the USAF course. Oddly enough, the CAP PAO Technician course, which I had heard last year would be discontinued, is still listed...

(One non-USAF weird thing. I'm trying to get my college degree, and while USAF History would not be necessary for said degree, it would be fun to take. The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates military courses for college credit. According to them, the CAP Senior Officer's Course equates to two lower-level semester hours in Communications, one lower-level semester hours in leadership, and two upper-level semester hours in military history. The history of Airpower wasn't good for any due to the "limited, specialized nature of the course."
In case you want to look through the USAF courses (or USCG, or any others you may have taken) to find some creditworthy ones, go to:
http://www.militaryguides.acenet.edu/ )

(In case you were wondering:
USAF Squadron Officer School is good for three upper-level semester hours in managerial communications, and three upper-level semester hours in national security studies and military strategy
Air Command and Staff College is worth  6 graduate-level semester hours in military history, 3 in regional studies, 6 in defense resources management, and 6 in national and international securities studies.
Air War College is worth 6graduate-level semester hours in military history and strategy, 3 in regional studies, 6 in defense resource management, and 12 in defense policy/national and international security.)

[RiverAux]

They're unlikely to discontinue the CAP PAO course until they have something to replace it with otherwise it would leave a lot of people unable to advance in the pao specialty track. 

[Orville_third]

They're unlikely to discontinue the CAP PAO course until they have something to replace it with otherwise it would leave a lot of people unable to advance in the pao specialty track.

I actually heard they would be issuing waivers in between then and later. In addition, I had heard that things like the PAO academies would count as the equivalent of said exam...

[Hawk200]

I actually heard they would be issuing waivers in between then and later. In addition, I had heard that things like the PAO academies would count as the equivalent of said exam...

"They" have been saying the same thing about the CAP Officer course, it says otherwise here: PD News

Don't believe everything you hear.