Aircraft Aviation Badge


Description

An oxidized silver badge 3/4 inch in height and 2-1/2 inches in width, consisting of a shield with its field scored with horizontal lines and bearing the coat of arms of the United States on and over a pair of displayed wings. A star is added above the shield to indicate the degree of senior aircraft crew member and the star is surrounded with a laurel wreath to indicate the degree of master aircraft crew member.

Symbolism

The badge is the same design as that for Army aviator with the coat of arms of the United States substituted for the shield of the coat of arms of the United States. The wings suggest flight and reflect the skills associated with aerial flight. The coat of arms of the United States on the shield signifies loyalty and devotion to duty.

Award Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for each badge are set forth in following paragraphs:

Aviation Badge - Basic

  • For permanent award of this badge, an individual must be on flying status in accordance with AR 600-106 or be granted waiver by HQ, PERSCOM TAPC-PLP-I; be on flying status (physically qualified-class III), have performed in-flight duties for not less than 12 months (not necessarily consecutive); or is school trained.
  • An officer on flying status as an aerial observer may be awarded the Basic Aviation Badge. U.S. Army personnel assigned to a Joint Service Airborne Command Post and serving as members of an operational team on flying status manning the Airborne Command Post are eligible for the award of the Basic Aviation Badge. Concurrent with such assignment, these personnel are authorized temporary wear of the Basic Aviation Badge until relieved from such duty or until such time as he or she fulfills the mandatory requirements for permanent award.
  • An individual who has been incapacitated for further flight duty by reason of being wounded as a result of enemy action, or injured as the result of an aircraft accident for which he or she was not personally responsible, or has participated in at least 15 combat missions under probable exposure to enemy fire while performing in-flight duties is permanently authorized to wear the Basic Aviation Badge.
  • The Basic Aviation Badge may be permanently awarded to soldiers upon successful completion of formal advanced individual training (AIT) in career management field (CMF) 67 and (CMF) 93 MOS', and to soldiers who previously completed AIT in (CMF) 28 MOS'. This includes soldiers who graduated from AIT for MOS' in the 68 series. Soldiers holding MOS’ 35L, 35M, 35Q, and 35W who graduated from a (CMF) 67 AIT prior to 30 September 1996 and MOSs 93C and 93P who graduated from a (CMF) 67 AIT after December 31, 1985 are authorized based on documented prior AIT.
  • Individuals who meet the criteria for award of the Army Astronaut Device and are not authorized an Aviator, Flight Surgeon or Aviation Badge will be awarded the Aviation Badge in addition to the Army Astronaut Device.
  • The Aviation Badge may be permanently awarded to soldiers upon successful completion of formal AIT in (CMF) 93 MOS’. Soldiers previously holding MOS 93B who graduated from a (CMF) 93 AIT prior to 1 January 1998 and soldiers previously holding MOS 93D who graduated from a (CMF) 93 AIT prior to 30 September 1996 are authorized the badge based on documented AIT after 31 December 1985.
  • Temporary award: The commander of any Army unit which has Army aircraft assigned may authorize in published orders qualified personnel of his or her command to wear the Aviation Badge. The individual must be performing in-flight duties.
Senior Aviation Badge

For award of this badge, an individual must either successfully perform 7 years on flight status (physically qualified-class III) in a principal duty assignment as described in AR 600-106. Soldiers in (CMF) 67 and 93, including all 68 series MOS’, Warrant Officers MOS’ 150A and 151A, and MOS 00Z individuals from (CMF) 67 or 93 field, may qualify for the Senior Aviation Badge with 10 years of experience and meet the following criteria:
  • Only time involving frequent and regular flights will be counted toward fulfillment of this requirement, except that time involved in transit between PCS assignments to include TDY, will also be credited.
  • Soldiers that retain (CMF) 67 or 93 while performing career progressive assignments, especially duties as Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, Career Management NCO, Career Advisor, Instructor or Equal Opportunity Advisor will be counted towards this requirement not to exceed 36 months. Warrant Officers MOS 150A or 151A may qualify for this badge after successfully performing 7 years on flight status or 10 years experience in (CMF) 67 or 93, MOS 151A or 150A. Prior enlisted (CMF) 67 time may count with MOS 151A experience and (CMF) 93 time may count with MOS 150A experience to fulfill this requirement. The retroactive date for this badge under this criteria is 1 January 1983.
  • (3) Displayed complete competence in the principal duty or duties performed leading to this award.
  • (4) Attained the grade of E-4 or higher
  • (5) Be recommended by the unit commander of the unit to which presently assigned.

    Master Aviation Badge

    For award of this badge, an individual must either successfully perform 15 years on flight status (physically qualified-class III) in a principal duty assignment as described in AR 600-016. Soldiers in career management fields (CMF) 67 or 93, including all 68 series MOS’, Warrant Officers MOS’ 150A and 151A and individuals in MOS 00Z from a (CMF) 67 or 93 field, may qualify for the Master Aviation Badge with 17 years of experience and meet the following criteria:

    • Only time involving frequent and regular flights will be counted toward fulfillment of this requirement, except that time involved in transit between PCS assignments, to include TDY, will also be credited.
    • Soldiers that retain (CMF) 67 or 93 while performing career progressive assignments, especially duties as Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, Career Management NCO, Career Advisor, Instructor or Equal Opportunity Advisor will be counted towards this requirement not to exceed 36 months. Warrant Officer MOS 150A and 151A may qualify for this badge after successfully performing 15 years on flight status or 17 years experience in (CMF) 67 or 93 or MOS 150A and 151A. Prior enlisted (CMF) 67 time may count with MOS 151A experience and (CMF) 93 time may count with MOS 150A experience to fulfill this requirement.
    • Displayed complete competence in the principal duty or duties performed leading to this award.
    • Attained the grade of E-6 or higher.
    • Be recommended by the unit commander and endorsed by the next higher commander of the unit to which presently assigned.

    Date Approved

    Approved by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations on May 16, 1962.