Posthumous promotions

RiverAux · February 15, 2010, 11:54:39 PM

What do you think about the practice of granting posthumous promotions to CAP members who have made some sort of significant contribution? I know that while rare, it has happened in the military in the past. I've never heard of it in CAP until recently.

Eclipse · February 16, 2010, 12:08:41 AM

I can't begin to guess what they point of it would be.

For the military, a posthumous promotion might mean better benefits for the survivors, not so in CAP.

1LtNurseOfficer · February 16, 2010, 01:21:03 AM

Why must accomplishments only be recognized while the person is still alive? Many families take comfort in the recognition of achievements and contrabutions of their loved one. The late Lt Col Phillip Aye of KSWG was awarded his silver oak leaves posthumously. This man contributed massively to his community, his local youth programs and CAP (ask any Blue Beret graduate).

We have also posthumously awarded the Mitchell to a cadet who died (he had just completed all the testing a few days prior to his death).

Strick · February 16, 2010, 01:31:10 AM

I know of one SM we did this for, a now former Nat CC (TP) granted the promotion. The fammily was very greatfull.

Major Carrales · February 16, 2010, 01:56:43 AM

Col. D. Harold Byrd, CAP was promoted to Brig General while he was alive. He was a co-founder of the Civil Air Patrol. This promotion was "retro-active," but I am unaware of any after death promotions. Would be a nice gesture to a family of a CAP officer who served a great deal or in a great capacity.

Cecil DP · February 16, 2010, 02:37:43 PM

Quote from: Eclipse on February 16, 2010, 12:08:41 AM
I can't begin to guess what they point of it would be.

For the military, a posthumous promotion might mean better benefits for the survivors, not so in CAP.

I can see it, only if the member had actually met the requirements for the promotion, prior to his death. As for the military, if death is imminent they will retire a person for the added benefits, rather than promote.

flyboy53 · February 20, 2010, 05:26:58 PM

Why not, we're volunteers. I can't think of a better way to honor one of our own. It's sad that the honoree wouldn't get to enjoy the new status, but at least his family would know how well he was respected.

Promotions for some of us can take such a long time and sometimes weather a lot of politics. Yet, sometimes that rank means a lot to an individual.

Years ago, I had the fortune to be a member of a squadron with four charter CAP members. One of them was a respected aviator from the 30s and 40s -- was one of the very few CAP officers who did an 'active duty' tour as a AAF flight instructor -- and was personally promoted to captain by Maj. Gen. John F. Curry himself (I saw the order, it was cool). Yet, when he rejoined in 1969 the group commander felt threatened and would only grant the rank of master sergeant. It was wierd seeing a master sergeant with command pilot wings and WWII service ribbons. It took a year before NHQ (Renova Williams for you old timers) intervened and he was given his rank back. It meant so much to him.

jimmydeanno · February 20, 2010, 06:45:50 PM

We had a member of our wing pass away last year from cancer. He was a long time member of the wing, his son was a squadron commander and all of his son's children were cadets.

Anyway, he had completed everything for promotion to Major about a month before he passed. He didn't have the opportunity to get promoted. At his funeral service, our Wing Commander reminded his family of his great contributions to our wing over the years and noted that his promotion had gone through and that Capt XXXX was really Maj XXXX.

He was a good man, one that we could all have learned something from.

flyboy53 · February 20, 2010, 08:41:25 PM

Jason,

Exactly my point.

Spike · February 21, 2010, 12:00:29 AM

Quote from: Cecil DP on February 16, 2010, 02:37:43 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on February 16, 2010, 12:08:41 AM
I can't begin to guess what they point of it would be.

For the military, a posthumous promotion might mean better benefits for the survivors, not so in CAP.

I can see it, only if the member had actually met the requirements for the promotion, prior to his death. As for the military, if death is imminent they will retire a person for the added benefits, rather than promote.

Agree here with you. Why do we promote a Lt to Lt Col should she pass away? If you have the boxes checked and are prepared to be promoted, then by all means promote after a person passes.

Some Wings are adding requirements to be promoted past certain grades. Do those Wings waive those criteria for a deceased member?

RiverAux · February 21, 2010, 12:29:45 AM

In general, I've got to say that I don't believe a posthumous promotion is the way to recognize significant contributions. Promotions require that very specific things be done and I see no reason to waive those requirements simply because of death. Now, I'm not going to have heartburn if all we're all talking about is some time in grade.

But, if there is someone that has done so much for CAP, the proper way to recognize them is with our awards program. Ideally, they would be receiving the proper awards while alive, and shame on us if we hadn't done so.