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Badges of the United States Air Force

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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]

Aircrew Badges[edit]

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)*
    Space Operations Badges (Basic, Senior, and Master/Command)*
  • Cyberspace Operator Badge*
    Cyberspace Operator Badge*
  • Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Badge[6]
    Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Badge[6]
  • Weather and Environmental Sciences Officer Badge[7]
    Weather and Environmental Sciences Officer Badge[7]
  • Meteorologist Badge
    Meteorologist Badge
  • Operations Research Analyst Badge[8]
    Operations Research Analyst Badge[8]
  • Information Operations Badge[9]
    Information Operations Badge[9]
  • Operations Support Badge
    Operations Support Badge
  • Command and Control Badge
    Command and Control Badge
  • Weapons Director Badge
    Weapons Director Badge
  • Air Traffic Control Badge
    Air Traffic Control Badge
  • Missile Operations Badge
    Missile Operations Badge
  • Radar, Airfield, & Weather Systems Badge
    Radar, Airfield, & Weather Systems Badge
  • Intelligence Badge*
    Intelligence Badge*
  • Safety Badge[10]
    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]

Logistics Career Group[edit]

  • Munitions Badge[12]
    Munitions Badge[12]
  • Maintenance Badge
    Maintenance Badge
  • Missile Maintenance Badge
    Missile Maintenance Badge
  • Logistics Readiness Badge
    Logistics Readiness Badge
  • Supply and Fuels Badge
    Supply and Fuels Badge
  • Transportation Badge
    Transportation Badge
  • Logistics Plans Badge
    Logistics Plans Badge

Support Career Group[edit]

  • Administration Badge
    Administration Badge
  • Cyberspace Support Badge (Enlisted)*
    Cyberspace Support Badge (Enlisted)*
  • Band Badge
    Band Badge
  • Public Affairs Badge
    Public Affairs Badge
  • Historian Badge
    Historian Badge
  • Manpower and Personnel Badge (Enlisted)
    Manpower and Personnel Badge (Enlisted)
  • Emergency Management Badge
    Emergency Management Badge
  • Civil Engineer Badge
    Civil Engineer Badge
  • Services Badge (Enlisted)
    Services Badge (Enlisted)
  • Force Support Badge (Officer)
    Force Support Badge (Officer)
  • Force Protection Badge
    Force Protection Badge

Professional Career Group[edit]

  • Judge Advocate Badge
    Judge Advocate Badge
  • Chaplain Badges (These badges have precedence over all other badges and are mandatory to wear.)
    Chaplain Badges (These badges have precedence over all other badges and are mandatory to wear.)
  • Paralegal Badge (Enlisted)
    Paralegal Badge (Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Airmen Badge (Enlisted)
    Religious Affairs Airmen Badge (Enlisted)

Acquisition Career Group[edit]

  • Acquisition and Financial Management Badge*
    Acquisition and Financial Management Badge*

Medical Career Group[edit]

Reporting Identifiers[edit]

  • Scientific Applications Specialist Badge[13]
    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]

Duty Badges[edit]

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

Sources:[1]

Tabs[edit]

Authorized identifier tabs (worn on upper–left sleeve of combat uniforms)[1]
Duty/Qualification Approved tab/patch
Infrared Spice
brown
Administration
ADMIN
ADMIN
Advanced Air Advisor Tab (Authorized for permanent wear)
Advanced Fighter Aircraft Integrated Avionics
TECH
TECH
Aerospace Ground Equipment
AGE
AGE
Aerospace Physiology Enterprise
PHYS
PHYS
Aerospace Propulsion
ENGS
ENGS
Air Advisor Tab (Authorized for permanent wear)
Air Battle Manager
ABM
ABM
Air Transportation
PORT
PORT
Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
A-ISR
A-ISR
Aircraft Armament Systems
WPNS
WPNS
Aircraft Electric & Environmental Systems
E⚡️E
E⚡️E
Aircraft Fuel Systems
FUELS
FUELS
Aircraft Hydraulic Systems
HYDRO
HYDRO
Aircraft Maintenance
MX
MX
Aircraft Metals Technology
MTECH
MTECH
Aircraft Structural Maintenance
ASM
ASM
Aircrew Egress Systems
EJECT
EJECT
Aircrew Flight Equipment
AFE
AFE
Airfield Management
AFLD
AFLD
Airman Dorm Leader
ADL
ADL
Air Force Special Warfare Mission Support
SWMS
SWMS
Air Mobility Liaison Officer
AMLO
AMLO
Air Launched Cruise Missile Maintenance
ALCM
ALCM
Air Traffic Control
ATC
ATC
Arctic Tab (Authorized for permanent wear)[15]
Aviation Resource Management
AVMGT
AVMGT
Avionics
AVI
AVI
Avionics Test Station and Equipment
AIS
AIS
Backshop Avionics PODs
PODS
PODS
Base Defense Group
BDG
BDG
Career Assistance Advisor
CA
CA
Civil Engineer
CE
CE
Career Enlisted Aviator
CEA
CEA
Chaplains, Religious Affairs
HC
HC
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
CBRN
CBRN
Combat Aviation Advisor (Tab version authorized for permanent wear)
CAA
CAA
Combat Controller
CCT
CCT
Command and Control Battle Management Operations
C2BMO
C2BMO
Command and Control Operations
C2OPS
C2OPS
Combat Aviation Advisor (With documented SEI, authorized for permanent wear)
CAA
CAA
Combat Controller
CCT
CCT
Combat Rescue Officer
CRO
CRO
Contingency Response
CR
CR
Contingency Contracting Officer
CCO
CCO
Contracting Utilization Field
PK
PK
Cyber career fields (12 exist) (Note: some SEIs/CMRQs authorized black-border patch with XCOMM instead of CYBER)
CYBER
CYBER
Deployable Aircraft Ground Response Element
DAGRE
DAGRE
Development and Training
D&T
D&T
Developmental Engineering Utilization Field
EN
EN
Director/Commander/Command Chief Executive Assistants
EXEC
EXEC
Education and Training
TRNG
TRNG
Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer
EPLO
EPLO
Electric Power Production
POWER
POWER
Electrical Systems
ELEC
ELEC
Engineering
ENGR
ENGR
Equal Opportunity
EO
EO
Expeditionary Air Ground Liaison Element
EAGLE
EAGLE
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
EOD
EOD
Financial Management & Comptroller
FM
FM
Fire Protection (Note: authorized on two-piece flight duty uniform only)
FIRE
FIRE
First Sergeant
1SGT
1SGT
Force Protection
FP
FP
Foreign Area Officer
FAO
FAO
Forward Area Refueling Point
FARP
FARP
Fuel (Petroleum)
POL
POL
Ground Transportation
GT
GT
Heating, Ventilation, Air-condition & Refrigeration
HVACR
HVACR
High Frequency Global Communications Systems
HFGCS
HFGCS
Independent Duty Medical Technician
IDMT
IDMT
Information Operations
PSYOP
PSYOP
Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance
ISR
ISR
International Enlisted Engagements Manager
IEEM
IEEM
Joint Air Component Coordination Element
JACCE
JACCE
Judge Advocate General Corps
JAGC
JAGC
Logistics Plans
PLNR
PLNR
Maintenance Management Analysis, Maintenance Management Production
MXMGR
MXMGR
Manpower
MNPWR
MNPWR
Master Resilience Trainers
MRT
MRT
Material Management
SUP
SUP
Medical (Any provider, provider extender, nurse, or 4NXXX; Any medical AFSCs certified in TCCC tier II or higher)
MED
MED
Military Postal Service
MPS
MPS
Missile Alert Facility Manager
MAFM
MAFM
Missile & Space System Elect Maintenance, Missile & Space Systems Maintenance, Missile & Space Facilities
2MO
2MO
Mobility Combat Systems Officer
CSO
CSO
Multicapable Airman
MCA
MCA
Multi-Domain Command and Control
13O
130
Munitions and Missile Maintenance
MUNS
MUNS
Munition Systems
AMMO
AMMO
Navigator
NAV
NAV
Nondestructive Inspection
NDI
NDI
Nuclear and Missile Operations, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Maintenance
ICBM
ICBM
Nuclear Weapons (Note: NUCMX and 2W2X1 patches also authorized)
NUKES
NUKES
Office of Special Investigations
OSI
OSI
Operations Management
OPSMG
OPSMG
Operations Research Analyst
OR
OR
Pararescue
PJ
PJ
Pavement & Construction Equipment
DIRT
DIRT
Personnel
PRSNL
PRSNL
Pest Management
ENTO
ENTO
Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory
PMEL
PMEL
Public Affairs (Note: CTCS identifier authorized for combat camera crews)
PA
PA
Quality Assurance
QA
QA
Radar, Airfield, Weather Systems (Airfield and Radar Systems,

Radar Systems, Airfield Systems)

RAWS
RAWS
Raven
RAVEN
RAVEN
Readiness NCO
RNCO
RNCO
Recce/Survey/Electronic Warfare Officer
EWO
EWO
Recce/Survey/Electronic Warfare Pilot, Mobility Pilot
PILOT
PILOT
Resilience Training Assistants
RTA
RTA
Safety
SFTY
SFTY
Scientific Utilization Field
SCI
SCI
Security Forces
SF
SF
Senior Contracting Official
SCO
SCO
Senior Material-Upper Echelon, Acquisition Utilization Field
PM
PM
Services
SVS
SVS
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
SARC
SARC
Space Launch Maintenance
SPACE
SPACE
Special Reconnaissance
SR
SR
Special Tactics Officer
STO
STO
Staff Weather Officer
SWO
SWO
Structural
3E3
3E3
Staff Weather Officer
SWO
SWO
Special Tactics Officer
STO
STO
Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape
SERE
SERE
Tactical Air Control Party
TACP
TACP
Tactical Aircraft Maintenance, Airlift/Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance, Refuel/Bomber Aircraft Maintenance
APG
APG
Tactical Aircraft Maintenance (5th Generation), Helicopter/Tiltrotor Aircraft Maintenance, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance
MECH
MECH
Tactical Call Sign (e.g. A01)
HR44
B06
Test and Evaluation
TEST
TEST
Traffic Management
TMO
TMO
Unit Deployment Manager
UDM
UDM
Unlimited Warrant Contracting Officer
UNLTD
UNLTD
Verification and Checkout Equipment Maintenance
VACE
VACE
Vehicle Management
VM
VM
Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance
WFSM
WFSM
Weapons System Evaluation Program
WSEP
WSEP
Weather
WX
WX
Weather and Environmental Services Officer
WESO
WESO

* A black border denotes an AFSC designated as a "first responder" career field.

Award Badges[edit]

Sources:[1][16]

Air National Guard Badges and Tabs[edit]

Notes[edit]

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

See also[edit]

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, 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, 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
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