Why do I never see army pilots wearing their aviation badge?

As a CW2 in Nam with over 1000 hrs during one tour I, we, always wore our wings. If not sewn on then pinned on our flight suites or caps. Our black CAV hats always had wings above the CAV crossed sabers. FOD sounds like a lame excuse from a REMF to me.

Retired 25 years. I don't recall ever "reading" an aviator's flight suit. If he can keep the bird in the air and get me safely back to the ground, that was all I cared about.

From what I understand, pin-on wings are a hazard for Army aviators and sew-on wings don't get sewn onto flight suits because of them getting turned in and re-issued. At least that's what my flight warrant friends have told me.

I simply didnt feel the need to display such things on a daily basis. After a General jumped my case, I had all my badges sewn on.

I don't know where that scenario would happen. In my aviation units, they were always worn.

I am glad I am not in the current Modern Army. I worked too hard for my wings and would always wear them before any other badge. While commissioned in a combat arms branch (will not say which one) some of the non-rated commanders tried to make the Captains (company CO's in AIT units) take off their aviation wings. Most did not. Good for them. Final Aviation became its own branch. About time!

The uniform is another way of communicating with others. Consider the uniform and what appears on it's surface a non verbal communication. Different uniforms allow for what can or should be worn on them. The dress uniform is the most non verbal as it shows more about the person's background, history, and unit affiliation etc. The Regs. allow for individual choice as what to wear in most cases.

In my opinion if you earned it, worked for it and was awarded it, wear it. Take pride in yourself and what the uniform represents. Remember, there was a time in the 60's and 70's when you were told not to wear your uniform in public or dared not to for your personal safety.

Thank God we live in a better place today thanks to those serving today and yesterday.

As a master avation WO, I always wear mine. I have it sewn on all of my flight gear. I always have one set with nothing on for a sterile uniform.

Well, they ate in the wardroom once on my FFG in the gulf, then stuck to the messdecks with the rest of us. I wonder if it's a similar reason.
I'm talking about Kiowa pilots in '88. They inflicted the most damage on Iran at the time.

How many of you realize that all those ribbons, shiny medals, and other baubles of crap that hangs off your Uniform is there to attract attention, kind of like Magpies and Bowerbirds nests: look at me, look at me, I'm as (_________) as I can be.

Yeah, maybe certain ones do showoff ones prowess, but, depending on how good one is with prose, one can make "Field Sanitation NCO" look impressive, or being a "Bilge Rat"