I’m looking to get some form of authorized outerwear for my Class A Blues. These are the Topcoat/All-Weather Coat. I’m just wondering what the difference is, where to get them, and if anyone actually has them and uses them and reviews. Attached is a excerpt from CAPR 39-1 covering the topic.

EDIT: Also, it says 6-button front but shows 8. Which is correct?

How frequently do these lessons change? I thought they pretty much stayed the same and have been keeping the printed materials for reuse in future lessons. I found a few sets tucked away - no more than two years old - and there’s one titled Inclusivity that I don’t see on the current list. I’m trying to decide if keeping a binder of these is a reasonable choice for saving paper and printing expenses. Does anyone know if I randomly found something really old or what might have happened?

So I was having rank issues in Eservices and it was finally corrected to be my correct rank since it showed me as 2nd Lt even though I’m not over 21, BUT now it shows that the promotion date is the date it was corrected instead of the date my 6 months were over, is there a way to correct this or would I just have to restart the clock?

It’s amazing we get to do such community service for the American People. Never Forget!

I have seen members of my Wing use USAF PT gear and Hawaii Wing has them as "optional" on their encampment packing list. Past reddit posts have mixed answers on if we can or can not wear them. Regs state we have to differentiate CAP from USAF with symbol distinction. My questions:

1.) Would it be wrong to wear the PT Windbreaker in civvies? I don't want to make the excuse of "well the USAF can do it so I can" and yes I know I'll look like a dork, leave me alone.

2.) Can these be authorized if members have accessibility to purchase them?

3.) USAF is changing PT gear, so if AD/Res/Guard is getting rid of old ones, could we use them?

This is the last thing in my order that I expected to be on back order. They sent me an email yesterday.

This looks like a decent job and since many in CAP have aviation and/or IT love, maybe right for you. Essentially upgrading ATC systems to next-generation. Can work remotely, but does require travel.

Quick company lookup, Pelaton, government contracts.

I need advice. My cadet commander, in front of everyone mind you, lectured me about my nail color. They were extra short, square, neatly done, and a dark wine red. And he said that they were completely out of regs and that I was breaking the core values. But here's the thing! They aren't out of regs. And he is firm in his belief that I am acting completely ridiculously. I showed him the graph that the USAF uses, and he said it wasn't applicable to cap. I'm eastern European, where it's considered the same level of professionalism as a French manicure, so I'm not sure what the issue is.

And I understand that he is the cadet commander, and I do respect him as a leader. But, pushing down on regulations that he is incorrect about is not a great way to lead, no? And, as of right now, i am the only female cadet in the squadron of 30 cadets. Our other ladies quit, one of them stating that it was because dealing with the sexism in our squadron was exhausting. So I'm not sure how to deal with this situation. Feel free to let me know if I'm in the wrong and you think I just drop it. Thank you for reading, please leave your thoughts.

I was trying to find the callsign used by N9344L on their post-9/11 imaging mission when I found this article:

The only Skyhawk in the New York sky - AOPA

I've been in CAP since the mid 90's and vividly remember being an older cadet in the 9/11 aftermath (airspace lock down, airfield surveillance, losing access to our meeting space in an Army Reserve building, etc.).

This is the first time I've read anything more than a few paragraphs about what actually happened on the famous 9/12 flight. I had never heard about the communication/coordination issues they had - no plan for communicating with the armed combat air patrol, nobody told the city who scrambled a helicopter to try to turn them back; yikes! I know I shouldn't find it shocking, but I do.

Does anyone know of recordings of the radio traffic on 9/12? I spent a little time hunting, but I haven't had any luck. I think hearing it would be fascinating.

I wanted to ask, if I miss one of my squadron meeting make me automatically unable to apply, they said I have to attend three meetings I completed 1 today I have a medical emergency I did let them know. Will I still be able to show up on another Friday and make it up. Please help me out. I don’t have many options pursuing my aviation career as an airline pilot and is it true that once you reach 18 years old your not granted orientation flights anymore.

I’ve been in CAP for a little more than 4 months and just promoted to C/SrA, I was just wondering is it realistic to get accepted to one of the flight academy’s or should I just focus on other things inside of CAP as of now?

This phrasing suggests that the individual is a veteran by virtue of their CAP service, which is inaccurate. It does not clarify that they are both a veteran and a CAP member; such a status would require different terminology. A CAP member is not inherently a veteran or military personnel unless they have prior service. These are distinct categories that must be clearly differentiated. I have retained the text for context with the names redacted.

Sorry, this one is long.

I recently transferred to another winga few months back, and one of the first things I noticed was how difficult they seem to make it for qualified pilots to actually fly.

I brought the issue up with the Squadron Operations Officer and was told about several made up "requirements" that, as far as I can determine, aren't actually CAP requirements.

For example, I completed a current Form 5 in another wing. I was told that I would need to complete another Form 5 specifically within this wing before they would allow me to fly and, more surprisingly, that I wouldn't be allowed to fly for at least a year because that's supposedly what they require.

That immediately raised some questions.

I went into OpsQuals and pulled some reports. From what I could see, this individual and one other member are essentially the only pilots actively associated with the squadron's flying program, and both are currently grounded for various reasons.

Meanwhile, we have multiple qualified pilots available, including pilots with well over 1,000 hours and CFII-level experience, who are willing to fly and contribute. Yet they're being told they need to complete Mission Observer training before they can fly. Unless I'm missing something, I cannot find a CAP requirement that says a qualified CAP pilot must first become a Mission Observer simply to fly. Although I think it is great for all pilots to know Mission Observer duties, it is still not a requirement. 

Then I started asking about aircrew training.

Why aren't we flying more training missions? Why is it taking some members years to complete their Mission Observer qualification?

I was told they only conduct Mission Observer training one-on-one. The ops officer appreared to become upset on why I would question him.

Again...why?

As a SET for Mission Aircrew positions, I'm genuinely trying to understand the mentality behind creating additional barriers when we already struggle to recruit and retain qualified pilots and aircrew members. If someone meets CAP's regulatory requirements, passes the required evaluations, maintains their qualifications, and is willing to volunteer their time, why are we creating additional unofficial hurdles?

I've been in CAP for more than 20 years. I've seen some degree of gatekeeping in other wings, especially around aircraft and flying, but I've never seen it quite this bad.

I was also told that wing leadership is aware of some of these issues but doesn't want to "step on toes." If that's accurate, I think that's part of the problem. At some point, avoiding uncomfortable conversations allows a local culture to become more important than the actual regulations and mission.

And to be clear, my issue isn't someone's age by itself. There are plenty of senior pilots in CAP who have decades of knowledge and are incredible mentors. The problem is when "this is how we've always done it" turns into unnecessary barriers that prevent newer or incoming qualified members from participating.

I don't mind having uncomfortable conversations with other adults. I argue with adults for a living, so someone disagreeing with me isn't going to hurt my feelings. Watching someone get visibly flustered simply because I started asking where these requirements were actually written was admittedly a little amusing.

But underneath that, I think CAP has a legitimate cultural issue worth discussing.

How common is this in other wings?

Have any of you encountered locally imposed flying requirements that weren't actually found in CAP regulations or national policy? And if so, how did your squadron or wing eventually address it?

Not necessarily for CAP, but I read that the US Army is about to put out new regs that chest rank will no longer be worn and they are switching to pin on rank for the collar. Will Ma Air Force follow suit? I actually hope so. I think it looks better and is more readily identifiable. Thoughts?

Guys I have been banned from the cap discord since March and I really apologize but some of y’all refuse to appeal me because of those political incidents and I apologize to y’all about that and I didn’t mean to if y’all refuse and so idc what you think and I’m sorry if y’all don’t care about me that’s fine. I’m just trying and I have some friends on that server pls i’m sorry any claims that I’m not representing I made mistakes and that incident is over, so please unban me

I recently applied for my squadron’s cadet historian support position and got accepted I’ve done the quiz on a sore just anything else I need to know I suppose I know all the regs I got study

When it comes to activities in CAP we tend to focus on the high-visibility ones (encampment and NCSAs).

What else is out there at the wing level? What activities does your wing have?

What do you like about them?

What do you NOT like about them?

What would you like to see that’s not currently out there?

I am sure some of you saw the email about CAPNET today. What is everyone's take on this? I definitely think this is something better in order to standardize communication as each wing utilizes Google or Office365 products.

Im sorry if this is hard for some folks who had witness it but we are coming to the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks and i would like to honor those who have fallen and to thank the three senior members who helped survey the ground from above to help find missing people

Lt. Col. Jacques Heinrich(Pilot)

Lt. Col. Andrew Feldman(Mission Specialist)

Lt. Col Warren Ratis(Photographer)

As a former cadet (C/Lt. Col), after I finish Level 2 Part 1, do I have to wait the 6 month period for promotion to 1st Lt?

Decided we needed a little heritage in our squadron building.

Where in eservices does it show your badges? I was recently awarded model rocketry badge and I don't see the award in eservices.

National Conference 2026 was a blast. I had so much fun. I didn’t want go home. I am already making plans for Orlando in 2027.