# Badges of the United States Air Force

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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Sources:

### Aeronautical Rating Badges

* 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

* Flight Nurse Badge
* Aircrew Badge (Officer)
* Aircrew Badge (Enlisted)

## Occupational Badges

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.
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

* Space Operations Badges (Basic, Senior, and Master/Command)*
* Cyberspace Operator Badge*
* Cyber Systems Operations Badge (Enlisted)*
* Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Badge
* Weather and Environmental Sciences Officer Badge
* Meteorologist Badge
* Operations Research Analyst Badge
* Information Operations Badge
* 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
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.
* 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

* Munitions Badge
* Maintenance Badge
* Missile Maintenance Badge
* Logistics Readiness Badge
* Supply and Fuels Badge
* Transportation Badge
* Logistics Plans Badge

### Support Career Group

* 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

* 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

* Acquisition and Financial Management Badge*

### Medical Career Group

* Medical Corps Badge
* Enlisted Medical Badge
* Biomedical Science Corps Badge
* Nurse Corps Badge
* Dental Corps Badge
* Medical Service Corps Badge

### Reporting Identifiers

* Scientific Applications Specialist Badge

## Miscellaneous Badges

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.
* Air Force Combat Diver Badges (Basic and supervisor)
* 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

Sources:
* 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

Authorized identifier tabs (worn on upper–left sleeve of combat uniforms) :
* Duty/Qualification
* Advanced Air Advisor Tab (Authorized for permanent wear)
* Air Advisor Tab (Authorized for permanent wear)
* Arctic Tab (Authorized for permanent wear)

## Award Badges

Sources:
* Air Force Marksmanship Competition Badges
* Outstanding Airman badge

## Air National Guard Badges and Tabs

* National Guard Bureau Organizational Badge
* Air National Guard Recruiter Badges
* Chief's 50 Marksmanship Badge
* Adjutant General's Twenty Combat Badge (MO NG)
* Governor's Twenty Tab
* Governor's Twelve / Dozen Tab
* Governor's Ten Tab