Badges of the United States Air Force

Military badges of the U.S. Air Force

Badges earned by an Air Force officer from the 308th Rescue Squadron (2008) Air Force skill level badge symbols

Badges of the United States Air Force are specific uniform insignia authorized by the United States Air Force that signify aeronautical ratings, special skills, career field qualifications, and serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments.[1]

Most Air Force badges are awarded in three degrees or skill levels. Aeronautical rating badges for pilots, combat systems officers, observers, and air battle managers are awarded at basic, senior, and command levels; while flight nurses and flight surgeons are awarded ratings at the basic, senior, and chief levels. All other aviation badges are awarded at the basic, senior, and master levels. Air Force occupational badges are normally issued in basic, senior, and master level for officers. A star and wreath system, worn above the Air Force badge, denotes which degree or skill level a service member currently holds. Previously, enlisted wear the basic badge after completing technical school, the senior badge after award of the 7-skill level, and the master badge as a master sergeant or above with 5 years in the specialty from award of the 7-skill level. For non-rated commissioned officers, the basic badge is awarded after completion of technical training, the senior badge after 7-years in their respective AFSC, and master at 15-years. Now most career field CFETPs denote the requirements for awarding each level. [1]

Chaplain, aeronautical, space, cyberspace, and missile operations badges, along with the Air Force Commander's Insignia are mandatory for wear on Air Force uniforms. With the most recent changes to Air Force uniform regulations, restrictions have been lifted on the wear of other service's skill badges that airman have earned. Precedence of badges within the same category depends on the airman's current assignment.[1][2]

The Air Force is the most restrictive service with regards to which Air Force badges may be worn on the uniforms by other branches of the US Armed Forces. Most badges issued exclusively by the Air Force may only be displayed on Air Force uniforms. The exception to this rule is the Space Operations Badge.[1][3]

The Air Force previously authorized continued use of a number of aviation badges originally issued by the U.S. Army during World War II. Such badges are no longer authorized and are now categorized as obsolete badges.

## Aviation Badges

[edit]

Sources:[1][4]

### Aeronautical Rating Badges

[edit]

* Pilot Badge

* Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Pilot Badge

* Navigator / Combat Systems Officer / Observer Badge

* Air Battle Manager Badge

* Flight Surgeon Badge

* Astronaut Badge (Any Aeronautical Rating Badge with Astronaut Device)

### Aircrew Badges

[edit]

* Flight Nurse Badge

* Aircrew Badge (Officer)

* Aircrew Badge (Enlisted)

## Occupational Badges

[edit]

An Air Force Occupational Badge is a military badge of the United States Air Force which is awarded to those members of the Air Force community who are engaged in duties "other than flying". The purpose of the Air Force Occupational Badge is to denote and recognize training, education and qualifications received in a particular career field and to provide recognition in an outwardly displayed badge.[1][5]

The first Air Force Occupational Badges began appearing on Air Force uniforms in the late 1950s. Prior to this time, the only Air Force badges authorized were the Pilot Badge and other aeronautical rating badges, such as the Navigator Badge and Flight Surgeon Badge.

### Operations Career Group

[edit]

* Space Operations Badges (Basic, Senior, and Master/Command)*

* Cyberspace Operator Badge*

* Warfighter Communication (Enlisted)*

* Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Badge[6]

* Weather and Environmental Sciences Officer Badge[7]

* Meteorologist Badge

* Operations Research Analyst Badge[8]

* Information Operations Badge[9]

* Operations Support Badge

* Command and Control Badge

* Weapons Director Badge

* Air Traffic Control Badge

* Missile Operations Badge

* Radar, Airfield, & Weather Systems Badge

* Intelligence Badge*

* Safety Badge[10]

The following operations insignia are worn as beret crests on specific Air Force berets instead of the left breast of Air Force uniforms. Both the breast insignia and the following beret crests signify the same thing, an Air Force specialty.[11]

* Special Tactics Officer Crest

* Combat Controller Crest

* Special Reconnaissance Crest

* Tactical Air Control Party Flash and Crest

* Combat Rescue Officer Crest

* Pararescueman Crest

* Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Crest

### Logistics Career Group

[edit]

* Munitions Badge[12]

* Maintenance Badge

* Missile Maintenance Badge

* Logistics Readiness Badge

* Supply and Fuels Badge

* Transportation Badge

* Logistics Plans Badge

### Support Career Group

[edit]

* Administration Badge

* Band Badge

* Public Affairs Badge

* Historian Badge

* Manpower and Personnel Badge (Enlisted)

* Emergency Management Badge

* Civil Engineer Badge

* Services Badge (Enlisted)

* Force Support Badge (Officer)

* Force Protection Badge

### Professional Career Group

[edit]

* Judge Advocate Badge

* Chaplain Badges (These badges have precedence over all other badges and are mandatory to wear.)

* Paralegal Badge (Enlisted)

* Religious Affairs Airmen Badge (Enlisted)

### Acquisition Career Group

[edit]

* Acquisition and Financial Management Badge*

### Medical Career Group

[edit]

* Medical Corps Badge

* Enlisted Medical Badge

* Biomedical Science Corps Badge

* Nurse Corps Badge

* Dental Corps Badge

* Medical Service Corps Badge

### Reporting Identifiers

[edit]

* Scientific Applications Specialist Badge[13]

## Miscellaneous Badges

[edit]

As of 17 January 2014, Airmen are authorized to wear any qualification/skill badge they have earned on Air Force uniforms. With the exception of the new Air Force Combat Diver Badges, the other qualification badges listed in this section are specifically awarded by the Air Force as well as other armed services of the U.S. Department of Defense.[1][4]

* Air Force Combat Diver Badges (Basic and supervisor)[14]

* Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badges (Basic, Senior, and Master)

* Parachutist Badges (Basic, Senior, and Master)

* Freefall Parachutist Badges (Basic and Master)

* Parachute Rigger Badge

## Duty Badges

[edit]

Main article: Identification badges of the Uniform Services of the United States

Sources:[1]

* Headquarters Air Force Badge

* Commander's insignia*

* Air Education and Training Command Instructor Badges

* Air Force Professional Military Education Badge

* Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Instructor Badge

* Permanent Professor USAF Academy Badge*

* Air Force Recruiting Service Badges

* Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service Badges

* Air Force Honor Guard Badge

* Air Force Base Honor Guard Badge

* Air Force Special Agent Badge

* Security Forces Badge

* Department of the Air Force Law Enforcement Badges (Civilian)

* Fire Protection Badges

* Air Force Inspector General Badge

### Tabs

[edit]

Authorized identifier tabs (worn on upper–left sleeve of combat uniforms)[1] Duty/Qualification | Approved tab/patch

|

Advanced Air Advisor Tab (Authorized for permanent wear) |
Air Advisor Tab (Authorized for permanent wear) |
Arctic Tab (Authorized for permanent wear)[15] |

## Award Badges

[edit]

Sources:[1][16]

* Air Force Marksmanship Competition Badges

* Outstanding Airman badge

## Air National Guard Badges and Tabs

[edit]

* National Guard Bureau Organizational Badge

* Air National Guard Recruiter Badges

* Chief's 50 Marksmanship Badge[17]

* Adjutant General's Twenty Combat Badge (MO NG)[18][19]

* Governor's Twenty Tab[20][21][22][23]

* Governor's Twelve / Dozen Tab[24][25][26]

* Governor's Ten Tab[27]

## Notes

[edit]

* * = also issued to Space Force guardians[28]
* No asterisk indicates that the badge is only issued to airmen

## See also

[edit]

* U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating
* Military badges of the United States
* Identification badges of the United States military
* Obsolete badges of the United States military
* United States military beret flash
* Air Force Specialty Code
* Uniforms of the United States Air Force

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j AFI36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, dated 29 February 2024, last accessed 3 July 2024
2. ^ AF uniform policy update: welcome back morale t-shirts, badges and limitless athletic shoes, U.S. Air Force News, by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri, dated 20 January 2014, last accessed 15 March 2014
3. ^ SMDC-OPZ-FB, ASPDO Procedural Guide #1 - Procedures for Awarding the Space Badge to Army Space Cadre Personnel Archived 2012-03-20 at the Wayback Machine, dated 15 Feb 11, accessed 16 Jan 12
4. ^ a b Air Force Guidance Memorandum to Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, U.S. Department of the Air Force, dated 13 September 2022, last accessed 8 October 2022
5. ^ AFI36-2101: Classifying Military Personnel (Officer and Enlisted) Archived 2014-01-12 at the Wayback Machine; dated 25 June 2013, updated 18 November 2013; last accessed 11 January 2014
6. ^ Design and Development of United States Air Force Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Occupational Badge, United States Army Institute of Heraldry, dated 2 March 2020, last accessed 10 August 202/
7. ^ Design and Development of United States Air Force Weather and Environmental Sciences Officer Badge Archived July 27, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, United States Army Institute of Heraldry, dated 3 November 2020, last accessed 15 November 2020
8. ^ Air Force creates new AFSC for operations research analyst officers, Air Force News, dated 15 May 2020, last accessed 4 June 2020
9. ^ MIL-DTL-3628/274A—DETAIL SPECIFICATION SHEET BADGE, OCCUPATION, INFORMATION OPERATION, U.S. AIR FORCE, Defense Logistics Agency, dated 9 April 2018, last accessed 19 April 2020
10. ^ U.S. Air Force Heraldry, Badges, Air Force Safety Archived August 22, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, dated 17 August 2021, last accessed 22 August 2021
11. ^ Air Force Special Operations Command, Special Tactics Units Archived 2013-01-02 at the Wayback Machine; accessed August 21, 2011
12. ^ Design and Development of United States Air Force Munitions Occupational Badge, U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, dated 9 December 2019, last accessed 23 August 2020
13. ^ U.S. Air Force Heraldry, Badges, Air Force Scientific Applications Specialist, U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, dated 16 August 2021, last accessed 22 August 2021
14. ^ New Air Force combat dive badges approved, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, posted 18 October 18 2022, last accessed 20 March 2023
15. ^ PACAF leaders promote Arctic Defense, Security Orientation course, U.S. Pacific Air Force, 673 Air Base Wing/Public Affairs, by SSgt Curt Beach, dated 25 February 2021, last accessed 11 September 2022
16. ^ AFI34-143: Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) Archived 2014-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, dated 21 Feb 12, last accessed 11 January 2014
17. ^ National Guard Regulation 672-3 and Air National Guard Regulation 900-1, National Guard Chief's 50 Marksmanship Badge Archived 2013-05-31 at the Wayback Machine, dated 1 February 1978, last accessed 26 March 2014
18. ^ Tabs and Badges a Measure of Missouri Guardmembers' Marksmanship Archived March 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Missouri National Guard Public Affairs, by Ann Keyes, last accessed 1 March 2015
19. ^ Tabs and Badges a Measure of Marksmanship Archived 2014-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, Missouri National Guard, dated 14 December 2010, last accessed 18 May 2014
20. ^ Texas National Guard Marksmanship Program, Governor's Twenty, Texas National Guard, updated 4 Aug 11, last accessed 13 Nov 11
21. ^ TXSG Team Wins First Place In 2009 Texas Adjutant General's Combat Pistol Sustainment Exercise Competition, Texas State Guard, by Maj. J. Michael Spraggins, dated 7 May 7, last accessed 27 June 2022
22. ^ Governor's 20 Sniper Competition 2014, Texas Military Forces, dated 12 January 2014, last accessed 19 January 2014
23. ^ Earning the Governor's Twenty Tab, By CPT Andrew J. Czaplicki, dated 7 August 2014, last accessed 10 January 2015
24. ^ Tabs and Badges a Measure of Marksmanship Archived 18 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Missouri National Guard, dated 14 December 2010, last accessed 18 May 2014
25. ^ National Guard Devices, by Eric Bush, last accessed 18 May 2014
26. ^ Arizona National Guard's top marksmen awarded Governor's Dozen, Army.mil, by SGT Wesley Parrell, dated 15 April 2016, last accessed 5 February 2017
27. ^ Top Iowa marksmen train fellow Red Bulls, Afghans at Torkham Gate, Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System, by Staff Sgt Ryan Matson, dated 11 March 2011, last accessed 28 February 2015
28. ^ US Space Force Uniform & Accessories Store, usamm.com, last accessed 29 August 2022

* v
* t
* e

Military badges of the United States

* Army
* Marine Corps
* Navy
* Air Force
* Space Force
* Coast Guard
* Identification
* Obsolete

* v
* t
* e

United States Air Force

Leadership|

* Department of the Air Force
* Secretary of the Air Force
* Under Secretary of the Air Force
* Air Staff
* Chief of Staff
* Vice Chief of Staff
* Director of Staff
* Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
* Four-star generals
* Three-star generals
* 1940–1959
* 2000–2009
* 2010–2019
* 2020–present
* House Armed Services Committee
* House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
* House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
* Senate Committee on Armed Services
* Senate Subcommittee on Airland
* Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

Structure|

| Commands|

* Reserve
* Air National Guard
* Field Operating Agencies
* Installations

|

Direct reporting units|

* District of Washington
* Operational Test and Evaluation Center
* USAF Academy

Major commands|

* ACC
* AETC
* AFGSC
* AFMC
* AFRC
* AFSOC
* AMC
* PACAF
* USAFE–AFAFRICA

Numbered Air Forces|

* First
* Second
* Third
* Fourth
* Fifth
* Seventh
* Eighth
* Ninth
* Tenth
* Eleventh
* Twelfth
* Thirteenth Expeditionary
* Fifteenth
* Sixteenth
* Eighteenth
* Nineteenth
* Twentieth
* Twenty-Second

* Wings
* ANG
* Groups
* ANG
* Squadrons
* ANG
* Security Forces
* Civilian auxiliary: Civil Air Patrol

Personnel and
training|

* Personnel
* Rank
* officers
* cadets
* enlisted
* Specialty Code
* Aeronautical ratings
* Judge Advocate General's Corps
* RED HORSE
* Security Forces
* Medical Service
* Chief of Chaplains
* Chief Scientist

* Training: Air Force Academy
* Officer Training School
* Reserve Officer Training Corps
* Basic Training
* Airman Leadership School
* SERE
* Fitness Assessment

Uniforms and
equipment|

* Awards and decorations
* Badges
* Equipment
* Aircraft
* Uniforms

History and
traditions|

* History
* Aeronautical Division / Aviation Section / Division of Military Aeronautics / Army Air Service / Army Air Corps / Army Air Forces
* "The U.S. Air Force"
* Air Force Band
* Airman's Creed
* Core Values
* Flag
* Symbol
* Memorial
* National Museum
* Women Airforce Service Pilots
* Air Force One / Air Force Two
* Honor Guard
* Thunderbirds
* Service numbers
* Air & Space Forces Association

* Category

* v
* t
* e

United States Armed Forces

Legend
A = Army
MC = Marine Corps
N = Navy
AF = Air Force
SF = Space Force
CG = Coast Guard

Leadership|

* President of the United States
* Secretary of Defense
* Deputy Secretary of Defense
* Secretary of Homeland Security
* Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
* Joint Chiefs of Staff
* Chairman
* Vice Chairman
* Committees on Armed Services
* Senate
* House
* Active duty four-star officers
* Active duty three-star officers
* United States military seniority
* National Security Act of 1947
* Goldwater–Nichols Act

Components|

| Military departments|

* Department of Defense
* Secretary
* Department of the Army
* Secretary
* Department of the Navy
* Secretary
* Department of the Air Force
* Secretary
* Department of Homeland Security
* Secretary

|

Service branches
and heads|

* Chief of Staff of the United States Army
* Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Chief of Naval Operations
* Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
* Chief of Space Operations
* Commandant of the Coast Guard

Reserve components|

* Reserves:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG
* National Guard:
* A
* AF

Civilian auxiliaries|

* Military Auxiliary Radio System
* Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary
* Merchant Marine
* Civil Air Patrol
* Coast Guard Auxiliary

Unified combatant
command|

* Africa
* Central
* European
* Indo-Pacific
* Northern
* Southern
* Space
* Cyber
* Special Operations
* Strategic
* Transportation

Structure|

* United States Code
* Title 10
* Title 14
* Title 32
* Title 50
* The Pentagon
* Installations
* Units:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Logistics
* Media
* Unit mottoes

Operations
and history|

* Budget
* Current deployments
* Conflicts
* Wars
* Civil affairs

History|

* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

Timeline|

* Colonial
* World War II

Demographics|

* African Americans
* Asian Americans
* Buddhist Americans
* Jewish Americans
* Muslim Americans
* Sikh Americans
* Hispanic Americans
* Civil War
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Marine Corps
* Navy
* Academy

History centers|

* Army Center of Military History
* Marine Corps History Division
* Naval History and Heritage Command
* Air Force Historical Research Agency

War artists|

* Army Art Program
* Air Force Art Program

Personnel|

| Training|

* Service academies:
* A (prep)
* MC/N (prep)
* AF/SF (prep)
* CG
* Merchant Marine
* ROTC
* A
* MC/N
* AF/SF
* Officer candidate/training school:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF/SF
* Warrant officer:
* A
* MEPS
* ASVAB
* The Basic School (MC)
* Enlisted recruit training:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF/SF
* CG
* Other education

|

Uniforms|

* Uniforms:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Awards & decorations:
* Inter-service
* A
* MC/N
* AF/SF
* CG
* Foreign
* International
* Devices
* Badges:
* Identification
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

Ranks|

* Officer:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Warrant officers
* Enlisted:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

Other|

* Oath:
* Enlistment
* Officer
* Creeds & Codes:
* Code of Conduct
* NCO
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG
* Service numbers:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG
* Military Occupational Specialty/Rating/Air Force Specialty Code
* Pay
* Uniform Code of Military Justice
* Judge Advocate General's Corps
* Military Health System/Tricare
* Separation
* Veterans Affairs
* Conscription
* Chiefs of Chaplains:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG

Equipment|

* A (Designations)
* MC:
* vehicles
* weapons
* other
* N
* AF
* CG

| Land|

* Individual weapons
* Crew-served weapons
* Vehicles (active)

|

Sea|

* All watercraft
* Ships:
* A
* N
* active
* future
* AF
* CG
* MSC
* Weapons:
* N
* Reactors

Air|

* Aircraft
* World War I
* active
* future
* Aircraft designation
* Helicopter arms

Other|

* WWII equipment
* Nuclear football
* Electronics (designations)
* Flags:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Ensign
* Jack
* Guidons
* Food
* WMDs:
* Nuclear
* Biological
* Chemical

* Category
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Navboxes
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

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