Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/naval aircrewman wings/army acu's

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Expert: - 9/6/2008


Question
Sir,
   I was active duty in the navy and earned my aircrewmans wings. I am now in the army and saw a E-7 wearing a black pair of naval aircrewmans wings. I asked about them and he said they were authorized for wear and will follow your to any branch of service. I would love to wear them as I'm proud of earinig them but need the army regs to quote as I know I will be challenged from time to time. Any help would be appreciated.                      Thank you, SPC Horvath

Answer
Steven -

I can't speak for services other than the Air Force, but I do know that awards and accoutrements received in other branches of the service are recognized by the Air Force.  I have seen Army jump wings worn on Air Force uniforms.  As long as you have record of having officially been awarded the wings, the Army personnel office should recognize that.  Copies of all your records in your Navy personnel file should be included in your current Army file.

I remember eagerly going to my base personnel office to have orders cut when I reached my two years of active flying so my wings could be awarded permanently.  After that, even if I were taken off flying status or retrained into another job, the wings would ALWAYS be mine.  I felt the same way when I reached the milestone to have my senior wings (star above) and chief enlisted wings (wreath around the star) permanently issued to me.

I love those wings, and I'm sure you are proud of yours too and should have every right to wear them.  I'm sure a check at your personnel office will have them point you to the correct regulation.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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