1. To be an Active duty Soldier and a CAP Senior member - how is it?
I am an active duty E-4 (E5 in one month) putting my Aviation Commisioned Officer packet in OCS. I'd like to vomunteer in my local squadron. But I am just curious - how Army folks treat when they see your uniform and stuff?
2. Anyone from KS squadrons here?
3. What kind of discount you get for flight training?
Thank you
This message has been edited. Last edited by: 13096662,
CAP members treat active duty members of the military very well no matter their service. Maybe a few good-natured jokes, but you will be expected to wear a CAP uniform at meetings, etc. anyway so will blend in pretty clearly.
You don't get any discount for flight training. In fact, the only flight training you can get as an adult in CAP is upgrading to instrument/commercial rating and that depends on you finding a CAP flight instructor willing to take you on. The rates you are charged for using the CAP airplane for proficiency flying depend on the wing and how they do things but will be substantially cheaper than any rental place.
I've been out of it for a while but historically most service members are too baffled to say much but your closer associates may make some rather humorous comments. Well at least humorous to them by any means, eventually they get over themselves.
I actually had fun a fun moment when my first sergeant's jaw dropped before he rendered a salute (following older rules he learned in basic) the first time he saw me with CAP LT rank on my uniform. Of course this did get a few people wondering just who could be an officer in CAP. I saw a couple people promoted with help from my letters of appreciation for their support to a CAP squadron, but would find that the Army in general is more supportive of groups that "support Dependant children's activities". No thats not all of what CAP is about but there is a slight misunderstanding as the role of it in todays A.F.
My wife was on Active Duty (AF) during some of her CAP 'career.' He supervisor and CoC was very supportive of her efforts.
During her time on AD, she was able to obtain permissive TDYs to attend CAP activities such as Encampment and National Cadet Special Activities - as well as being the Squadron Commander of the local unit.
As an enlisted Airman, she was able to enroll in Squadron Officer School through AFIADL, something that her peers were unable to do and was able to earn her MOVSM because of her involvement.
Being active duty and active in CAP may be challenging depending on your MOS / AFSC and what your responsibility level is. Of course, the AD side will obviously take priority.
Along with my wife, there were many AD personnel in our CAP squadron, and even though it was a 'para-military' organization, they enjoyed doing what we do. We even had a member of the AFRCC join our squadron so he could 'hit the ground' instead of just making phone calls...
I have heard rumors that you cannot be a member of CAP if you are Active Duty Military... Have any of you run into trouble in your role as an AD CAP member?
There shouldn't be a problem. Actually there is this one AF NCO (I don't remember her name or AD rank) but she is a CAP officer as well. It was in one of the past Volunteer issues. Don't remember which one.
Originally posted by SgtParent: I have heard rumors that you cannot be a member of CAP if you are Active Duty Military...
A rumor having no truthfulness or accuracy. CAP cadet membership eligibily terminates on joining active duty, at which time they will be automatically transferred to senior membership status.
quote:
AFI10-2701
1.3.1. CAP Grade. CAP uses military style grade for its membership at the discretion and approval of the Air Force. CAP officer or noncommissioned officer grade does not confer commissioned or noncommissioned officer status. CAP personnel have no authority over members of the armed forces. CAP members who are active, reserve, and retired members of the armed forces will be treated according to their CAP status when acting in a CAP capacity. The Air Force has authority over the CAP grade structure.
I have knowledge of AD CAP members getting in trouble or perhaps better described confused and disoriented of the lines of authority in the participating in doing the mission area.
The difficulties arise from confusion that treated according to CAP Status when acting in a CAP capacity means the military member loose their military authority of the rank and grade they possess pertinent to lines of authority to order military during joint CAP and military operations.
The difficulty is the military commissioned member participating in a CAP mission still has commission and certainly that brings with it authority to issue a lawful order to military members of lesser rank, but if participating only because of CAP membership, they are outside of the military chain of command during joint CAP and military operations. A very simplified comparison is the authority of the military commission of an active duty member while participating as a CAP member has similar status to being a retired commissioned member of the military.
It also means a civilian CAP officer having no current or past military rank and grade and only having a CAP officer rank has no authority of military commission or other military line of authority when called in to participate in joint CAP and military operations.
These are a very simplified comparison, but whenever there is joint operations with non-military and other nongovernment organizations the military sustains line of authority and command and control over all of its assets, resources and capabilities.
In fact the CAP does the same thing for all its assets, resources and capabilities. The separation is put in place to prevent confusion of somebody trying to do something they lack legal authority to do because they believe rank alone (military or CAP) gives the privilege to be in charge.
Joining active duty does remove eligibility for gaining CAP cadet membership and if currently a CAP cadet, the joining active duty results in automatic transfer to senior membership.
quote:
CAPR 39-2 2-2. Requirements for Initial Membership. All applicants for cadet membership must meet the following prerequisites: ... d. Not a member of the active duty Armed Forces. NOTE: National Guard and Reserve personnel are not considered active duty Armed Forces unless they are serving on extended active duty. For the purpose of this regulation, CAP does not consider Basic Military Training for Guard and Reserve personnel as extended active duty. ... 2-5. Upon Joining the Armed Forces. Cadets who join any branch of the active duty Armed Forces (this does not include military service academies) will furnish NHQ CAP/LMMR written notification along with a CAPF 12 and fingerprint card, at which time they will be automatically transferred to senior membership status. Additional membership dues are not required for the duration of the current membership year; they will be billed as senior member renewals. NOTE: Cadets who join the National Guard or Reserves are not required to become seniors upon attending "basic training. " Regardless of the wording of the orders, "basic training" is not interpreted by CAP as "extended active duty." However, National Guard or Reserve members who enter "extended active duty" are not eligible to be cadets and must become senior members. Individuals who join the Armed Forces under the delayed enlistment program are not required to become senior members until such time as they actually report for duty.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: johca,
Originally posted by 13096662: 1. To be an Active duty Soldier and a CAP Senior member - how is it?
I am an active duty E-4 (E5 in one month) putting my Aviation Commisioned Officer packet in OCS. I'd like to vomunteer in my local squadron. But I am just curious - how Army folks treat when they see your uniform and stuff?
2. Anyone from KS squadrons here?
3. What kind of discount you get for flight training?
Thank you
1. We had a USAF NCO working with our Cadets. He has re-deployed at this point but we really admired his dedication. We now have a guy who recently came back from Afganistan. This guy too is very dedicated. It's great to see a CAP 2Lt wearing a Combat Infantry Badge. Guys like this are some of our best assets. 2. Yes, I'm in the KSWG. 3. Sorry no discounts. The nice part of being a former Military Aviator is instead being seen as a wanna be, the USAF we work with know that many among us are have beens.
