Can I wear my Airborne and Air-Assault badges while in basic training?

If the basic parachutist badge and air assault badge were already obtained by the previous service? Yes, I had since I received my Basic Parachutist Badge during my tenure in the U.S. Army Reserve along with my former unit patch which I wore during the BCT.

There is some speculation in the responses, but I'll refer you to AR670-1, section 22-2 for the official answer and let you determine where to go from there. A commander may require you to wear awards at certain times; otherwise, it is optional and up to the wearer. You'll note there is no provision where they can tell you to NOT wear an award that you've earned (other than in section 22-3 which does not apply). It is part of your uniform; wear it with pride and inspire the other trainees.

22–1. General
This chapter covers decorations, service medals, badges, unit awards and appurtenances, both U.S. and foreign, authorized for wear on Army uniforms. The term “award” is an all-inclusive term, covering any decoration, service medal, badge, ribbon, or appurtenance bestowed on an individual or unit. The term “ribbon” is an all-inclusive term covering that portion of the suspension ribbon of a service medal or decoration that is worn instead of the service medal or decoration

22–2. Authorization
a. Commanders may require the wear of authorized awards on the following occasions:
(1) Parades, reviews, inspections, and funerals.
(2) Ceremonial and social occasions.
b. Unless directed by a commander per paragraph 22–2a, authorized awards are worn at the option of the wearer, when not prohibited, during normal duty hours. Personnel may also wear authorized awards on appropriate uniforms when off duty. Personnel are encouraged to wear authorized awards on the service, dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms.

We had a guy in Basic who was PS AF PJ and had a mustard stain. Because he was squared away, he was made the platoon guide and was granted a bit more leniency than us unreformed knuckleheads. But I have no doubt he would've been taken to the wood shed had he been ate up.

I'd keep a low profile you've been through boot already you know how DI's can have "projects"

I am not intending on being mean but it is like a college kid sitting in on a middle school class. No need to brag your drills know plus it could backfire if any of your drills were denied or washed out of the schools you were in. Or they prove to others that you all are equal as soon as we push this nail back down to were it belongs. Keep low (already written) but be their to assist if the DI's ask you can be a real asset.

help me understand why anyone would ever go back to basic training. Maybe they forgot how to do pushups..

That is a funny question. I was drafted and served as a combat medic with the 1/501st 101st Airborne in Vietnam. After I got discharged, I kept having this dream where I get drafted again and go back to basic training. Its a nightmare for me thinking I stuck with 2 more years. All the cruits in basic see I wearing the 101st on my left shoulder,, where the Eagle is looking back at her combat experience. They all laugh that I got another 2 years, get shipped right back to Nam, get put in this maze where everyone is shooting at me with AK47’s until I finally make it out, and wake up to live another day. Had that dream thousands of times for decades.

One time I speak to a head counselor and tell her that dream. She laughed and said it was a copping dream that a lot of vets have. Not sure why,, but knowing others shared my CRAZY dream actually felt better. Haven’t had that dream in awhile but if I went back to basic at this point in my life, I am sure that the cruits would all have a bigger laugh for a different reason.

I am curious. You have earned them as I read below yes that is your right. But what is the purpose of basic training. It’s not to show how better above everyone else you are but to show the need for attention to detail and teamwork. Do that to your others there who don’t know what it is like. There will be plenty of time to show all your ribbons and medals off if that is what you are interested in.

Your DIs would already have all that detail, would they not, as you would have declared prior service, ask your senior DI for advise as any awards should be mandated to be worn, such as campaign medals, sevice medals ,etc:

I went through basic in 1972, we had an E4 who, at the first Class A inspection fell out wearing 2 Silver Stars 3 Purple Hearts, and 3 Bronze Stars. He earned them during the 1968 Tet Offensive and the and the 1969 Tet Counter Offensive. He was a wealth of information to the rest of us poor privates. Wear what you are authorized and stand tall.

Should be a requirement.

Should be a requirement.

As an E4 I would think they will give you a leadership position. As far as the badges, I would not wear them unless they order you to do it. With the badges on the DI just might say things like "Lets see how E4 Airborn will do this, do that, and do it on a daily basis.

Wear a 'sterile' uniform along with the rest of the Trainees so you don't stand out amongst them, and will blend in. Don't tell them your past. I'd wait till graduation to put on all the accessories that you've earned. The Cadre will most likely already know your history by your records. Lead by example, and assist your squad members as much as you can as a potential junior NCO. You may be leading some of them soon following Basic.

Well, I'm curious SPC Chev C., how did it turn out ? I see the original post of yours was now 8 months ago, so something happened by now. My closest experience was going to OCS in '67 with a handful of guys up to the rank of E6. No combat vets, but one guy was a SP4 from the 82nd Airborne, and obviously jump qualified. No one could wear any of there prior service stuff. Even though we were paid as SP5s or SGT E5 (like me) we were all "slick sleeves" again. Fatigue, tan or dress uniforms. We had distinct OCS insignia for our collars and hats/helmets, and "Forge the Thunderbolt" unit insignia for our epaulets. The only guy with extensive prior service that graduated with me was the one from 82nd. As others have mentioned, he got to wear all his awards at graduation, and looked sharp !

I went to basic with a prior service Vietnam combat veteran back in 89. During the normal process of basic training, the drills left the dude out of all of the basic training BS. Everyone else was getting smoked for the sun shinning, dude was left alone. We ended up with drill cadets from WestPoint that didnt get the memo, dude took it in stride. The Senior Drill found out that the DCs were harassing dude, it ended poorly for the DCs.
The Army folks even let him do his day job at night, he was the LA county coroner, and was being brought back in from a civilian acquired skills program, he was coming back in the Guard or Reserves as a Coroner. We got to see all kinds of cool photos for him to sign off on.

During basic dude was an E-4, on graduation day. Dude was wearing E-6, combat patch, a fruit salad, with a lot of oak leaf clusters.
YMMV

If your instructors are doing their jobs correctly they will already know about your prior service. If they single you out because of that service then, with their permission, go ahead and wear the patches you have earned. Be advised that a lot more will be expected of you because of your prior service so be ready to do all you can to be a mentor to your fellow soldiers.

I went to basic training June '79 we had three Vietnam vets in our company two where in my platoon. All three stood out for one they were in their early 30's and they shined in formation. They all made squad leader and one of the squad leaders was in Vietnam with our senior D.I. both were in the 101s't in '68 together. What I saw they were given a lot of slack and as far as I am concerned they earned it. All three were combat infantry all three had their wings and CIB's basic training was just filling in the box for them.

I would try to lay low, until you see that you will need to step out into the leadership position. Be blessed and please have fun and show the trainees how to be a soldier the correct way.

I would wear them, but be ready to remove them. They will show up on your paperwork, and are part of your uniform. However, your new command may not want you to wear them on your BDUs. I don't expect there would be an issue with them on your Class A though.