Recently, I received a very good question regarding Civil Air Patrol cadets and if they can circumvent the CAP written drill and ceremonies standards that do not follow USAF doctrine. At first it makes sense to skip over bad CAP writing and opt to follow the parent service doctrine. However, that’s not the way things work. Let’s get into this.
Short Answer – No. CAP cadets do not have authority to disregard or selectively ignore published CAP manuals.
However, they also may not violate higher-level governing doctrine when CAP guidance conflicts with U.S. Air Force standards that define CAP’s role as the Air Force Auxiliary.
The issue is therefore not disobedience, but doctrinal hierarchy and proper correction channels.
Click here to download the White Paper – Authority Hierarchy and Corrective Process CAP-USAF.
Governing Principle — Doctrinal Alignment
Civil Air Patrol operates under the authority and customs of the U.S. Air Force.
When a CAP publication:
- contradicts established Air Force drill and ceremonies mechanics, or
- permits procedures that violate Air Force ceremonial standards,
the correct response is not unilateral cadet action, but formal doctrinal clarification through the chain of command.
Cadets are not empowered to reinterpret doctrine independently.
They are empowered to:
- Identify the discrepancy
- Document the Air Force reference
- Elevate the issue through instructors and commanders
This preserves discipline and institutional order while still pursuing doctrinal correctness.
Application to the Specific Examples
1. Arm Swing While Carrying Colors
Air Force ceremonial technique using the outside-shoulder carry inherently eliminates normal arm swing mechanics. We know that only the Army has the guards at Right Shoulder and requires the guards to swing their left arms naturally.
Where the outside (outboard) shoulder comes from is the Marine Corps. That means we follow the MCO guidance of suspended arm swing.
Therefore:
- A CAP instruction mandating normal arm swing conflicts with the physical and ceremonial requirements of the Air Force method.
- The conflict must be resolved institutionally, not ignored locally.
To be clear, the CAP pamphlet on D&C states that the left guard at Right or Left Shoulder is acceptable. Right Shoulder for the left guard and arm swing for the team are not authorized for the Air Force.
Cadets should follow CAP instruction direction while the discrepancy is elevated, and you need to elevate it. Too many in CAP are not taking action.
To take proper, professional action, please download this sample memorandum in DOCX, RTF, or PDF, fill it in and send it up your chain of command.
2. Both Guards to Right Shoulder
If CAP guidance permits mechanics that depart from Air Force ceremonial precedent, the same rule applies:
- Do not independently “choose doctrine.”
- Request clarification through command channels.
Uncoordinated deviation—whether toward CAP or USAF—creates inconsistency and disorder, which drill and ceremonies are designed to prevent.
Correct Professional Response for Cadets
Cadets should:
- Remain disciplined in execution
- Avoid public argument or unilateral correction
- Respect the chain of command
- Provide documented doctrinal references privately to leadership
This approach achieves both obedience and accuracy—the twin pillars of military professionalism.
Bottom Line
Cadets may not ignore CAP manuals,
but CAP doctrine must ultimately align with Air Force standards.
The solution is formal correction through command channels,
not individual doctrinal selection on the drill field.