Does everyone need something "shiny" to make themselves stick out from other branches/services?

When I was active duty in the early 1980's, we all had specialty badges for our specific AFSC above the branch tape over the left breast pocket of our utilities. You also saw a lot of Missileman Badges, etc., on guys who had cross-trained (I was a Civil Engineer). But on Combo 1's, you never saw anything but ribbons above the left pocket and wings if the individual had flight status. Today, I don't know....those "Modified McPeak" uniforms being worn now are hideous, IMHO. I prefer the look of the classic Blue Shade 1084 and 1549 Service Dress Uniforms, but that's me. :) I think the Civil War-style shoulder strap officer's insignia currently being used on Army dress uniforms looks pretty silly, too, but those decisions are not up to me.

Sgt Wayne Ariss - I missed the implementation date of the AFSC-specific qualification badges. I retired before the "McPeak" blues. I agree with your assessment of the current AF Uniform. I preferred the 4-button service blouse with four pockets. The Army rank does have historical significance; not something the AF should emulate.

We had a Chaplain, Major at Whitman AFB, MO in 1966-67, 68 time area that had been a Navy Pilot so had Navy Pilot Wings above His service ribbons as well as His Chaplains cross of course.

Thanks I always liked a fun loving Leg vs. Airborne chat!

LTC John Mohor, it was really funny, I thought, because he more or less kept digging his own grave!
SGT Robert Pryor

LTC Stephen C. - Obviously GySgt Bill Smith misses the big picture. It's so much more than Jump School or the wings. PO3 Donald Murphy gets it with his comparison to surface ships verses subs. It's about esprit de corp for one. Healthy competition done with the right amount of respect makes us all better. Being Airborne simply makes a statement that someone proved themselves at that task. It also shows a level of physical fitness that MAY be missing in others. I probably haven't made myself clear enough to my Marine friends but I've always admired the fact that they earned their Globe and Anchor. And as for PO3 Murphy being a submariner, that job scared me to death. I checked out a sub once at an open house in San Diego. It scred me just walking around in there -- and that boat was tied up to a dock. I have to admit, when I see any service member wearing their awards and decorations, I read their "resume" starting at the top of their rack, only then to I move on to qualifications, unit insignias and such. As for the Sakowski's statement about not everyone had an opportunity to go Airborne, I had to laugh. Obviously it's true, but hell, they took me so I thought they'd take anybody. By the way, I know for a fact that in my Jump School class we had Sailors and Marines. There may have even been USAF, but I didn't know them. I did have fun socializing at Jump School with my Navy and Marine friends. My Marine buddies even made a Marine Corps flag out of a bed sheet and showed it to me in advance, knowing I would never rat them out. That night they climbed to the top of the 250' tower to hang it. The next morning, when the cadre asked who did it, they proudly and immediately stepped forward, took the butt chewing and climbed back up to get it down. Unfortunately, it appears that your "buddy" in this thread doesn't have that kind of spirit de corps and might not hold my Marine buddies in the high regard I do. Yes, you can call their behavior frat boy stuff -- assuming you don't get the big picture. I see it as what separates a lot of legs from paratroopers -- regardles of branch of service or unit. We fight hard, but also play hard.

Nicely done, SGT Robert Pryor!

Oh, Lizard shit! THAT is funny.

Most of us wouldn't jump off it either.