| Greetings to all, A few weeks
ago I traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the memorial service and funeral of SrAmn
Jason Cunningham, a Pararescueman killed doing his duty in the conflict in Afghanistan.
The previous June I had attended his graduation. In that short period of time one young
man touched the lives of so many people that his legacy will live on with his two
daughters, his brother and family not to mention all those who survived as the result of
his last selfless acts.
A few weeks before Jason's death the Pararescue community and
Civil Air Patrol was stunned by the news that Pararescueman SSgt Juan Ridout was one of
two Pararescueman lost when a MH-47 crashed into the ocean off the coast of the
Philippines. Juan had been one of the USAF PJ instructors at PJOC/NM in 1999. Like Jason,
Juan's short career had an effect on so many, including the CAP cadets and adult staff who
attended that encampment.
Since Dec 1 2001, Pararescue has experienced the fatal loss of six
men to various causes. That is the equivalent of one entire graduating Pararescue class, a
class that takes 18 months to train to the basic skill level. In the same period of
time the Pararescue community has also followed up on issues relating to men of all ages
across this nation who have laid claim to being Pararescuemen. At least one of those men
is a CAP squadron commander. Within CAP there has also been the misguided wear of a pseudo
Pararescue uniform by graduates of PJOC.
Nothing could be more inappropriate than to alter the rules of
wear of the CAP uniform by either cadets or adults. My close friend, MSgt (ret)
George Miller and I have dealt with this uniform issue within CAP more than once. Our
feelings have run the gamut of absolute outrage to pure pity. It is our own feelings of
extreme good fortune to have had the privilege of service in the USAF as Pararescuemen and
to continue sharing those ideals with the eager young men and women who comprise the CAP
cadet corps. We are equally humbled by the adult men and women who are the bedrock of CAP
and whose volunteer service is a continued inspiration to the both of us.
I have focused here on a maroon swatch of cloth but the problem is
much more pervasive. There are so many who wrongly lay claim to one type of military
experience or another (from WWII to Afghanistan) when all that is necessary is the quiet
pride of what they contribute to this tremendous volunteer organization that is so vital
to our nations' continued development. It is an important contribution that takes place in
all sorts of communities. Whether preparing young adults for the challenges of adulthood
or melding into the local emergency services plans, CAP goes about its tasks like the
quiet professionals they are. To wear a maroon beret, blouse the service dress uniform or
deviate from the authorized uniform combinations not only calls unwanted attention to the
transgressor but, far worse, is an insult to all other CAP members. Just putting on the
CAP uniform speaks volumes to the true character of the wearer.
At Jason's funeral there were well over 100 Air Force men and
women. I had also extended an invitation to the local CAP units to send representatives,
whether or not they had attended PJOC. The kinship of the two organizations is never as
close as at the time we recognize the sacrifices of another uniformed member. Let's not
cheapen those sacrifices by a misguided notion such as the wear of a maroon beret.
The bottom line is this, the unauthorized wearers of distinctive
uniform items of the active duty forces of this nation do so at certain peril to
themselves. If you aren't authorized it, don't wear it!
W.J.Preble
TSgt, USAF (retired)
S/M, CAP |
