Posted on Dec 20, 2021
Is there any particular reason why every time that I go out with the Civil Air Patrol, I hear people yell stolen valor at my cadets?
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I don’t understand why when I go out with the CAP I hear people yell stolen valor to my cadets and it makes them feel like losers and or criminals
Posted in these groups: 
Community ServiceCivil Air Patrol
Community ServiceCivil Air Patrol
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 49
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Most people (even in the military) have never heard of Civil Air Patrol, Sea Cadets, Young Marines or JROTC.
And some people are also a-holes.
Print up some handy flyers, tri-folds or business cards that explain the program, recent community events, and lists an url to your public cap.gov website and/or facebook page.
Hand them out, educate people.
The more people know, the more likely the informed civilian standing next to that a-hole will correct him for you.
Also, take some time to remind your joes that most people (even in the military) have never heard of Civil Air Patrol, Sea Cadets, Young Marines or JROTC.
And some people are also a-holes.
And that kind of adversity should never stop them from doing the right thing.
And some people are also a-holes.
Print up some handy flyers, tri-folds or business cards that explain the program, recent community events, and lists an url to your public cap.gov website and/or facebook page.
Hand them out, educate people.
The more people know, the more likely the informed civilian standing next to that a-hole will correct him for you.
Also, take some time to remind your joes that most people (even in the military) have never heard of Civil Air Patrol, Sea Cadets, Young Marines or JROTC.
And some people are also a-holes.
And that kind of adversity should never stop them from doing the right thing.
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Frank Godek
How times have changed. When I was a JROTC cadet (and also a military dependent), I would sometimes end up on a post or base in my JROTC uniform. This was around 1980.
Never had anyone yell anything derisive but I certainly got lots of salutes from people who weren't sure what I was and decided to follow the rule, "When in doubt, salute it."
One morning, I was headed to a clinic on a Naval base for an eye exam that was required for me to get my appointment to West Point (my eyes were right on the boarder for being acceptable). It was a day that I needed to wear my uniform to school so I wore it to the appointment. I was approached by a young sailor who had saluted me and asked me about my uniform. I explained that I was a high school student in JROTC, that he definitely did not need to salute me, and I explained what JROTC was. He said that he thought I was an officer from a foreign government that was visiting the US.
Never had anyone yell anything derisive but I certainly got lots of salutes from people who weren't sure what I was and decided to follow the rule, "When in doubt, salute it."
One morning, I was headed to a clinic on a Naval base for an eye exam that was required for me to get my appointment to West Point (my eyes were right on the boarder for being acceptable). It was a day that I needed to wear my uniform to school so I wore it to the appointment. I was approached by a young sailor who had saluted me and asked me about my uniform. I explained that I was a high school student in JROTC, that he definitely did not need to salute me, and I explained what JROTC was. He said that he thought I was an officer from a foreign government that was visiting the US.
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Some people are a-holes. Some earn the title and others are born that way.
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Look I may be off base, I will speak from my own experience. I was already a CSM by the time I heard of any service like this. I had a neighbor who was a General in a Texas group, I say group because I don’t remember correct organizational title. On day while working in my yard I saw him in uniform, I knew he was a retired MSG (E8). I saluted him and asked what this was all about. After he explained I saluted him again and thanked him for his continued service.
Keep in mind that I was already a nominative level CSM who just learned of such organizations, ignorance, head in the sand, or the fact that I spent most of my time overseas. So to the point, sone people feed off from the ignorance of others, instead of inquiring and doing research they are like sheep and go the easy route to be a follower.
People like that do not deserve the time of day form thise like you that serve. If given the opportunity I would offer a community activity day to one recruit and two get your story out there in your community. He’ll write an article for the local paper.
Ignore the ignorance and take action to enlighten the community.
Keep in mind that I was already a nominative level CSM who just learned of such organizations, ignorance, head in the sand, or the fact that I spent most of my time overseas. So to the point, sone people feed off from the ignorance of others, instead of inquiring and doing research they are like sheep and go the easy route to be a follower.
People like that do not deserve the time of day form thise like you that serve. If given the opportunity I would offer a community activity day to one recruit and two get your story out there in your community. He’ll write an article for the local paper.
Ignore the ignorance and take action to enlighten the community.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I had been a Civil Air Patrol Cadet myself while in my teens. I remained in Civil Air Patrol another 40 years as an adult member where I was an officer. I was involved mostly in training Cadets. At the same time I was a CAP member for 22 years of those years I was an Airman then both a NCO and later Senior NCO in the USAF. My Father had been enlisted in the US Navy and a Lt. Colonel in CAP. (In CAP He had been a MSgt WO, CWO, 2Lt, 1Lt, Capt. Major then Lt Col.) CAP is the official Auxiliary of the USAF and structured like the USAF with flights, Squadron, Group and Wing Headquarters. The CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, AL is jointly staffed by both CAP and USAF Active duty Officers and NCOs. There are both active duty and Reserved officers and NCOs also assigned to each of the Eight CAP regions, all 50 states and also in US Territories. The CAP Cadet program is also equal to Air Force JROTC and both can enter the USAF at a higher enlisted rank by virtue of their CAP training which was designed and administered by the USAF
CAP also does of 85% of the work in Air Search and Rescue within the Department of the Air Force. Its far less expensive to put up light CAP aircraft than USAF aircraft and crews. During WWII CAP had an Anti Submarines Coastal Patrol with 21 bases up and down the East Coast. CAP is also part of the total Force that include the Active duty, Reserve and Air Guard. I had taught classes Myself in Aerospace Education, Military training and even served as Commandant of Cadets at a Summer training encampment held on a USAF Base where the Cadets lived in the barracks and ate in the Mess Hall. I've also served run a Cadet Officers Training program for one week before the encampment to train Cadet Officers who were to be on Group or Squadron staffs Many of My former CAP Cadets entered the USAF and many went to AFROTC and some even to the USAFA.
I'd be happy to answer any questions any of You may have about CAP but it's a great program and was established in 1941 and has helped produce some great leaders for our Armed Forces and the United States.
This photo shown here is the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters building at Maxwell AFB, AL
CAP also does of 85% of the work in Air Search and Rescue within the Department of the Air Force. Its far less expensive to put up light CAP aircraft than USAF aircraft and crews. During WWII CAP had an Anti Submarines Coastal Patrol with 21 bases up and down the East Coast. CAP is also part of the total Force that include the Active duty, Reserve and Air Guard. I had taught classes Myself in Aerospace Education, Military training and even served as Commandant of Cadets at a Summer training encampment held on a USAF Base where the Cadets lived in the barracks and ate in the Mess Hall. I've also served run a Cadet Officers Training program for one week before the encampment to train Cadet Officers who were to be on Group or Squadron staffs Many of My former CAP Cadets entered the USAF and many went to AFROTC and some even to the USAFA.
I'd be happy to answer any questions any of You may have about CAP but it's a great program and was established in 1941 and has helped produce some great leaders for our Armed Forces and the United States.
This photo shown here is the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters building at Maxwell AFB, AL
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
CSM Darieus ZaGara Never knew they could wear CAP Award on on their Army Uniform vs-vs Cap uniform. Something else new and its still early...
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CH (MAJ) (Join to see)
Clarification: CAP awards are not authorized on the Army uniform. CAP allows any military branch of service awards and decorations authorized to be worn on the Air Force uniform. So can wear all my ribbons and Air Assault Badge. I cannot wear my Silver Recruiting Badge, CSIB, or the marksmanship awards (from my enlisted years) as the Air Force does not authorize wear and the Army does not award those to other branches.
Another note, per the CAP Custom and Courtesies regulation, military members are not expected to salute CAP Senior Members. CAP Officers (aka Senior Members-the adults) do not hold UCMJ authority. Me, as a CAP LtCol is expected to salute a Warrant Officer or a 2LT per our regulations. Military members may, if they wish, salute CAP members. If they do, we return it, if they don’t, we move on. In the early 90s, when CAP Senior Members still wore metal rank, some would correct or yell at military members, especially toward the enlisted, for not saluting. The Air Force was not happy and forced CAP to change their rank. It was very ugly maroon epaulets. Very ugly. Ugly. It was several years after that, due to Gen Fogleman, Air Force Chief of Staff and former CAP cadet, that made the change to the current gray epaulets as he felt the CAP adults learned their lesson. I would curse those Senior Members for screwing it up as I hated those maroon epaulets.
Another note, per the CAP Custom and Courtesies regulation, military members are not expected to salute CAP Senior Members. CAP Officers (aka Senior Members-the adults) do not hold UCMJ authority. Me, as a CAP LtCol is expected to salute a Warrant Officer or a 2LT per our regulations. Military members may, if they wish, salute CAP members. If they do, we return it, if they don’t, we move on. In the early 90s, when CAP Senior Members still wore metal rank, some would correct or yell at military members, especially toward the enlisted, for not saluting. The Air Force was not happy and forced CAP to change their rank. It was very ugly maroon epaulets. Very ugly. Ugly. It was several years after that, due to Gen Fogleman, Air Force Chief of Staff and former CAP cadet, that made the change to the current gray epaulets as he felt the CAP adults learned their lesson. I would curse those Senior Members for screwing it up as I hated those maroon epaulets.
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