Auxiliary ON/OFF

What is it?
A common modification that pilots make to their flight suit is to cut off the flap of the upper-sleeve pen (a.k.a. cigarette) pocket. Once removed, a small 1" x 2" piece of loop fabric is left over at the front of the pocket where the closed flap attached with Velcro. The pocket was then perfect for placing a discrete, 1" x 2" hook-backed Morale patch. These unofficial, unauthorized patches can also be found on other improvised areas of the flight suit, jacket, bag, etc and are easily removed and hidden when appropriate... or inappropriate!

What does it mean?
When Title 10 of the US Code changed in October 2000, the Civil Air Patrol went from ALWAYS being the Auxiliary of the Air Force to SOMETIMES being the Auxiliary of the USAF - depending on the mission being performed. The gag is that pilots can easily identify thier Title 10 or Title 36 status with just a rip-n-flip of the label! Some examples of use would be...

Low-level survey of a flood zone for the DNR or FEMA... AUX ON

Helping law enforcement spot illegal dumping or marijuana... AUX OFF

Orientation flights with Air Force ROTC personnel... AUX ON

On patrol along the United States-Mexico/Canada boarders... AUX OFF

Information provided by:
Various Unidentifiable Sources

[Disclaimer: These patches are not authorized under CAPM 39-1 and may, in fact, open the wearer to ridcule and scorn. However, since you're probably Joe Cool, who cares? Morale patches are just that: morale patches. If some tool wants to bust your chops about a cool little patch, maybe he's got too much time on his hands or he's just envious...order a few spares so you can give him one to get him off your back. May cause envy, lust, greed and a whole raft of other "deadly sin" type reactions in those without nifty-shifty high-speed morale patches that they can show off with. Always wear your flight suit. Professional pilot on a closed course. Taxes, title, destination fees and membership in CAP required. Reg. US. Pat. Off.] - Lt Col Darin Ninness, CAP

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National Emergency Assistance Training

In 1974, Brigadier General Leslie Westberg, Civil Air Patrol National Commander, attended the Hawk Mountain Ranger School in Pennsylvania. There he completed the requirements for, and was awarded the grade of Ranger 1st Class. General Westberg then tasked National Headquarters staff to begin documenting member's emeregency services training, and to recognize and in some manor link together the various related schools being held around the organization. These programs were officially designated by National Headquarters as "National Emergency Assistance Training" (or NEAT) schools.

Emergency Services programs that were recognized as NEAT schools, included: Pennsylvania Wing's Hawk Mountain Ranger School, North Central Region's Special Service Corps (aka Blue Beret Encampment), Washington Wing's Challenger School, and Missouri Wing's Pathfinder Technical School. A graduate of any one of these programs was authorized by National Headquarters to wear the NEAT cloth insignia on the left pocket of their olive drab fatigue uniform.

Information provided by:
Christopher Yaroch
February 10, 2011

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