Medals, awards, combat patch awarded while in the army, can these be worn on Air Force Uniforms?

SSG Michael Shlimanoff — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 13:58:13 -0500

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 2:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 14:03:54 -0500

I don't think SSIs can be worn on ABUs, but Qualifications Tabs, Skill, and Combat Badges can. I'm pretty sure all Army medals and ribbons can be worn on USAF Class As, or what every they're called. Check your latest edition of AFI 36-2903 to be sure!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 3:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:05:01 -0500

Yes this is true just like if you're in the Army and you're awarded a Navy medal. I don't know the regulation, but I'm pretty sure, the medals can be worn on different uniforms in the military branches. Check ezrackbuilder.com too

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jan 29 at 2016 3:08 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:08:12 -0500

Some can be. Personal awards (ie AAM's, ARCOM's, etc), campaign medals and permanently authorized unit awards transfer over. Some skill badges like Airborne, EFMB, aviator wings and the like can as well. However, combat patches don't (USAF doesn't use unit patches anymore) as well things like marksmanship and driving badges.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 4:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:02:04 -0500

Yes. Most of them.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jan 29 at 2016 4:29 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:29:41 -0500

Generally Medals and Ribbons earned in one branch may be worn if joining another. Qualification badges, on the other hand are more restricted.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jan 29 at 2016 5:24 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:24:40 -0500

Awards Yes, patches No.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 5:34 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:34:32 -0500

Most medals, yes. You'd have to check the Air Force version of AR 670-1.
Patches I am quite sure that you may not wear.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 29 at 2016 8:56 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 20:56:32 -0500

Medals and ribbons from other services can be worn. Some Army patches can be worn also (Ranger tab, Airborne and Air Assault wings) as AF members also attend those Army schools. But AF members cannot wear SSI or most other Army patches.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 8:57 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 20:57:24 -0500

Medals can be worn. Combat patches or army units you may be aligned to -no. Ranger tabs are approved. Airborne (considered an aeronautical badge) MFF, Air Assault, combat dive, etc... Yes.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 29 at 2016 10:56 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 22:56:04 -0500

In some cases, the CAB can be worn by USAF personnel.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 6:58 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 18:58:01 -0500

Off the top of my head, I know we can wear the Ranger tab and the diving patch but beyond that, I'd have to check 36-2903.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2016 9:33 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 21:33:36 -0500

Look in AFI36-2903
Sister Service Qualification Badges are back! Looking at the AFI, it appears that it’s now game on. Not only are sister service aeronautical badges authorized but also the Army badges previously authorized with the BDU such as Air Assault and Pathfinder. Based on what I saw in the AFI it also looks like badges such as USN warfare pins are now also authorized for wear on the ABU and service dress a similar fashion to a Group 4 badge in the US Army. Additionally, tabs like ‘Ranger’ and ‘Special Forces’ are also once again authorized for wear. However, for some odd reason, the US Army ‘Airborne’ tab is in the AFI and it has never been an individual award but rather a part of a unit’s Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Although, admittedly, back in the day I saw Airmen assigned to joint units like JCSE wear it stand alone on their sleeve

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 8:13 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 08:13:24 -0500

My current squadron commander was a vehicle mechanic in the Army. Has wears his "Rainbow Ribbon" and Good Conduct Medal. Also, I ran into a Security Forces SMSgt who is wearing the Ranger tab.

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made Feb 12 at 2016 10:08 PM

SSG Delanda Hunt — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 22:08:06 -0500

Don't worry the Air Force got enough badges and awards you will be looking like a third world dictator in no time.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 3 at 2016 1:44 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:44:07 -0500

We had an Air Force ATC attached to us in Desert Storm, when we got back he was authorized to wear it as long as he was attached to us, but he said he had to remove it when he returned to Air Force Duty...

That was two decades ago, so regs may have changed.

Response by COL Thomas F. made Jun 2 at 2016 10:11 AM

COL Thomas F. — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 10:11:30 -0400

I met an USAF O-6 who was a prior service Army Ranger Rgt NCO. So he wore the Ranger tab on the sleeve of his USAF camouflage uniform. He also said that CIB/CAB/CMFB were authorized but air force wears them on the pocket of the class B shirt, and not above it. I observed that on one office while walking in the hallway. Today, I ran into a USAF O5 with a CAB above his pocket. He said he earned it while assigned to an SF Group overseas as the USAF LNO (or something like that). Being the inquisitive guy I am, I read in on of the USAF uniform manuals that combat badges are only authorized while assigned to an Army unit and once you leave, you have to take them off. Based on what I read above in previous posts, and what I've seen/heard, I'm more confused then ever. It sounds like USAF personnel can earn the badges, but can only wear them on certain shirts and in certain situations. Close?