World War I The first United States Aviator Badges were issued to members of the
Air Service during
World War I. The badges were issued in three degrees: Observer (a "US" shield and one left-side wing), Junior Aviator or Reserve Aviation Officer (a "US" shield between two wings), and Senior Aviator (a star over "US" shield between two wings). The Army Air Service also issued a badge for balloon pilots, known as the
Aeronaut Badge (later re-named to the "Balloon Pilot Badge"). Enlisted Aviators wore their regular rank insignia and the Observer's badge. There were 29 enlisted pilots before the
American entry into World War I. The second enlisted aviator, William A. Lamkey, got a discharge and flew for
Pancho Villa. The remaining enlisted pilots received commissions in 1917. There were 60 enlisted mechanics who were trained as pilots in France during the war, but they were used for ferrying duties and did not fly in combat. The recruiting and training of enlisted Aviators ended in 1933.
World War II design and current
U.S. Air Force regulation insignia and
U.S. Air Force sample image During
World War II, with the rise of the
Army Air Forces (USAAF), a second series of aviator badges were issued to include a design that has survived to the modern day. The Pilot Badge was issued in three degrees, including Pilot, Senior Pilot, and Command Pilot. A polished silver colored version of these badges is currently used as the United States Air Force Pilot Badges. From August 1941 to November 1942, the Enlisted Aviator program was restarted. Candidates had to be at least 18, possess a high school diploma, and have graduated at the top of their high school class. Graduates were rated as Flight Staff Sergeants or Flight Technical Sergeants and wore the same pilot's wings as officers. They were usually assigned to pilots of transport and auxiliary aircraft to free officer pilots to pilot the more prestigious fighters and bombers. Auxiliary pilots received their own special
wings to indicate their status and specialty. In November 1942 all enlisted pilots were promoted to Flight Officer rank and enlisted cadets were graded as Flight Officers or Second Lieutenants depending on merit. The qualifying requirements for the Senior Pilot Wings are: Seven (7) years as rated pilot and permanent award of pilot rating. Plus 2000 total hours or 1300 hours primary and instructor flight (refer to
U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating for details).
Independent USAF In 1947, the USAAF became its own separate service as the
U.S. Air Force (USAF). The USAF uses the same pilot's badges as the earlier USAAF design, except that starting in the mid-1990s, they began to be made of chrome metal or sterling silver rather than the dull alloy wings used by the Army Air Forces and Air Force from 1947 to the mid-1990s.
Modern USAF The USAF, unique among the
United States uniformed services divides its flying service-members into "rated" and "non-rated" (or "un-rated") personnel. Rated aviators are pilots and RPA (
unmanned combat aerial vehicle) pilots, issued the USAF Pilot Badge and USAF RPA Pilot Badge, respectively. Both badges are issued in three degrees, corresponding with an individual's "rating;" "pilot/RPA pilot," "senior pilot/RPA pilot," and "command pilot/RPA pilot." Rated personnel that are not aviators are classified as "aeronautical" personnel and are
navigators,
combat systems officers (CSOs),
air battle managers (ABMs), and
observers. Each career field is authorized a unique badge (only navigators and CSOs share a badge design despite the badges officially bearing separate names) and each badge is divided into three degrees, corresponding with an individual's aeronautical rating; "navigator/CSO/ABM/observer;" "senior navigator/CSO/ABM/observer;" and "master navigator/CSO/ABM/observer." Rated medical personnel encompass two career fields; the USAF
flight surgeon career field, which is issued
its own badge, complete with three degrees; "flight surgeon," "senior flight surgeon," and "chief flight surgeon." The
USAF pilot-physician is the second rated medical career, where a qualified
physician may become both a USAF flight surgeon and USAF pilot (or RPA pilot). Such personnel don both the USAF Pilot Badge (or USAF RPA Pilot Badge) and the USAF Flight Surgeon Badge, each worn in the appropriate degree for each profession. Non-rated flyers are considered "
aircrew" and are awarded either the
USAF Enlisted Aircrew Badge or the
USAF Officer Aircrew Badge. Despite not bearing aeronautical "ratings," both badges are issued in three degrees. The USAF Officer Aircrew Badge is issued infrequently, and is likely one of the rarer "wings" issued by the USAF. The
USAF Astronaut Badge is any rated USAF aviator or aeronautical badge adorned with the "
Astronaut Device" attached to the badge's center element. Un-rated USAF personnel that qualify as astronauts are rated as a USAF observer and issued the
USAF Observer Badge adorned with the Astronaut Device. ==United States Army==