The Aircrew Badge is a decoration of the United States military which is awarded by all five branches of military service. The decoration is intended to recognize the training and qualifications required by enlisted aircrew members of military aircraft. Such personnel are not pilots, however still must undergo an advanced training process in order to qualify as an aircrew member and receive the Aircrew Badge.

Army

The first version of the Aircrew Badge was issued by the Army Air Force during the Second World War. The badge was similar in design to the Aviator Badge, however centered an enlisted crest between the two wings.

With the creation of the United States Air Force, as a separate branch of service, the Army was left without an Aircrew Badge until the Korean War. At that time, to recognize the continued use of Army aviation, the Aircraft Crewman Badge was created. The badge was issued in three degrees, being that of Basic, Master, and Senior. The level of seniority depending on the number of flight hours obtained and years of service in the United States Army.

On February 29, 2000, the Department of the Army officially changed the name of the Aircraft Crewman Badge to the Army Aviation Badge. The badge, itself, was not altered however the change was made retroactive to the year 1947 requiring updates to military records upon request from the military service member.

Although the Army Aviation Badge is intended for enlisted personnel, in rare cases the decoration is awarded to officers.

For those Army officers who qualify for the Astronaut Badge, but have not yet participated in a qualify spaceflight, the Army Aviator Badge may be awarded with the astronaut crest centered on the badge.

Air Force

The Air Force Aircrew Badge is a direct successor to the Army Air Force version of the decoration. Originally known simply as the Aircrew Badge, the Air Force began issuing the decoration to enlisted Aircrew members in 1947. By the time of the Korean War, regulations had been established for a senior and master version of the badge, indicated by a star and wreath above the decoration. As with the Army Aviator Badge, seniority of the Aircrew Badge was determined by flight hours obtained and years of service in the Air Force.

With the decline of the Observer Badge, a need quickly arose to award an Aircrew Badge to officers who had been trained as in-flight support personnel. By the time of the Vietnam War, the Air Force had created an Officer Aircrew Badge which was issued to any officer, not qualified for the Pilot Badge or Navigator Badge, who was trained for in-flight operations. The enlisted version of the Aircrew Badge remained the same, but was now referred to as the Enlisted Aircrew Badge.

In the modern United States Air Force, the Enlisted Aircrew Badge is still issued, however the Officer Aircrew Badge has fallen into disuse although it is still an authorized decoration. This is due large in part to the creation of the Air Battle Manager Badge which is considered by many to be a successor to the Officer Aircrew Badge.

Navy-Coast Guard

The United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard both issue the same version of the Aircrew Badge. The badge is a variation on the Naval Aviation Observer Badge with the letters AC centered on the badge’s front.

Known respectively as the Naval Aircrew Badge and Coast Guard Aircrew Badge, personnel obtaining the decoration must undergo extensive training in flight operations of naval aircraft. Such training includes weapons management, electronic warfare, and water survival. Members of the United States Marine Corps are also eligible to receive the Naval Aircrew Badge under certain circumstances while serving under a naval aviation support billet.

The Naval and Coast Guard Aircrew Badges are issued in a single degree with no upgrade devices authorized. A Naval enlisted person who has qualified for his or her Naval Aircrew Badge places the initials "NAC" in parentheses after his or her rate and rating; for example, Chief Cryptologic Technician Interpretive Jones, after having qualified for her NAC Badge, is identified as CTIC(NAC) Jones.

Marine Corps

In addition to the standard Naval Air Crew Badge the Marine Corps also issue the Marine Combat Aircrew Badge. It is a decoration of the United States Marine Corps which is awarded to those service member who are qualified to serve as crewmembers onboard combat aerial flights. The decoration primarily applies to those who have received helicopter assault training as well as instructions in air-ground combat tactics.

For those who have participated in actual combat missions, bronze service stars are worn pinned to the top of the decoration. A maximum of three such stars may be displayed.

The Marine Combat Aircrew Badge is issued to service members of both the Marines and United States Navy. Both Marine Corps and U.S. Navy recipients, who qualify to receive the Marine Combat Aircrew Badge, are typically also eligible to receive the Naval Aircrew Badge. Either badge may be worn at the weareres discression.

See also

• Military badges of the United States