Can a prior service Army wear is awards an badges if they reenlist in the Air Force?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:34:49 -0400

If i were to become and officer in the Air Force, will I be able to wear my Army "combat patch" or any of my Army badges that I've earned in the Army?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 29 at 2020 11:38 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:38:44 -0400

Dear Aaron, I pray that you are successful at finding out the answers to your questions. SGT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 11:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:42:28 -0400

The AF does wear some Army awards and badges. A quick Google for Air Force Uniform Regulation will answer your question

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 29 at 2020 11:45 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:45:24 -0400

Your federal medals should cross over, some of your badges maybe, combat patch most likely no.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 11:49 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:49:41 -0400

air force doesn't do "combat patches" so the answer to that one is "no". As for badges and other awards it just depends. some are allowed and some are not. I went the other direction, enlisted USAF to Army officer. I am allowed to wear my USAF good conduct medal, AF training ribbon, achievement medal, commendation medal, NCOPD ribbon and AF presidential unit citation and AF meritorious unit award. It does raise some eyebrows because most people in the Army don't recognize these ribbons and I always have to explain what they are.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 2:12 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:12:17 -0400

Rewrite of AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, Questions and Answers:

Question: Are Airmen authorized to wear Army combat patches on the OCP uniform?
Answer: “Combat patch,” applies ONLY to Soldiers. If an Airman was previously a Soldier in the U.S. Army and was authorized the wear of shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service IAW with AR 670-1, they may wear it in addition to the mandatory Air Force higher headquarters patch on the left sleeve.
Personnel who served in a designated area as a civilian or a member of another service, but were not a member of the U.S. Army during one of the specified periods are NOT authorized to wear the Army’s shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service. NOTE: Some Airmen may have been provided an HONORARY Army shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service after completing a deployment with an Army unit, but it is NOT authorized to be worn by Airmen.

https://www.afpc.af.mil/Portals/70/documents/05_DRESS%20AND%20APPEARANCE/QAs_AFI%2036-2903%20update_10%20Feb%202020.pdf?ver=2020-02-24-112524-420

404 - File or directory not found.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 29 at 2020 2:54 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:54:39 -0400

You may wear Your Army service ribbons other DOD branch service ribbons and some badges, but NOT the patches. Earned insignia from the Army such as awarded "RANGER" tab,(only on the utility uniform) jump Wings etc. may be worn and are. Specific criteria is provided in AFI36-2803 (Air Force Instruction) and also on AFM36-2806 (Air Force Manual) Foreign ribbons may only be worn with DOD approval. NO civilian awards can be worn on the Military uniform. You should have supporting documents for the awards of any of the decorations.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 29 at 2020 10:54 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 22:54:53 -0400

During my time as an Air Force officer I was allowed to wear all my Navy awards and badges. Another AF mustang that was also prior Navy was allowed to wear his Dolphins. I am not sure of today’s regs but I would think once you have turned in all your award-badge-patch documents to the AF they can certainly advise you what your entitled to wear on the AF uniform just as I experienced coming over from the Navy. You shouldnt worry about what you can and can’t wear until your commissioned, then you can ask the authority.

Response by MSG Michael McEleney made Jun 28 at 2021 12:28 AM

MSG Michael McEleney — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:28:01 -0400

Check with the Air Force Personnel Office, some you can wear, others not. IE. Can’t wear marksmen badges. But you can wear jump wings

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 28 at 2021 11:48 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 11:48:59 -0400

I’m sure there is an Air Force regulation that covers this. Look it up on line. In general you can wear all medals, ribbons, and badges shown in your personnel record. If your Army stuff isn’t in your record, work with your unit personnel person to get it into your record. You’ll need Army orders or similar documentation for each item. The only item I’m unsure of is the combat patch. The Air Force dress uniform does not normally include shoulder patches. The work uniform does. Best to check the regs.