Awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol

A CAP cadet colonel who is also a member in the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard wearing the Air Force style service uniform with earned awards and decorations from both the USAF and CAP.
This member has been awarded two ASOEAs; one for service in Civil Air Patrol, and one during their Air Force service. CAP guidance dictates these awards cannot be combined given the nature of CAP's receipt of the award in 2016.

The awards and decorations of Civil Air Patrol are "designed to recognize heroism, service, and program achievements" of members of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) of the United States of America.[1] The CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. These awards are made to improve the esprit de corps of members.[1] These awards are all worn in the form of medals or ribbons and all are considered civilian decorations. Civil Air Patrol regulations allow them to only be worn and displayed on appropriate CAP uniforms.[2]

In order to be considered for one of these awards, an individual must be a Civil Air Patrol member in good standing at the time of the act being recognized. There is a statute of limitations for these awards and all recommendations must be submitted within two years of the act being performed.[1] It is possible for the next of kin of deceased persons to be presented awards to which a member was entitled, but which he or she did not receive.[1] Award review boards are established at the region, wing, group, and squadron levels to consider recommendations for all awards and decorations.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol (22 February 2010). CAP Regulation 39-3: Award of CAP Medals, Ribbons, and Certificates § A (PDF). Civil Air Patrol. pp. 4–5.
  2. ^ National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol (23 March 2005). CAP Regulation 39-1: Civil Air Patrol Uniform Manual (PDF). Civil Air Patrol. pp. 89–90. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.